Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles, the Cliffside Villa ~

Saturday

7:00 AM

Sarah is in the common room where the kids are, giving a few last reminders to the youngsters who are about to head for their day to Disneyland.

Matias (the cook) prepared sandwiches and brought them in the common room so that everyone eats something before heading out. They want to seize the day, so everyone present skipped morning training and decided not to go for breakfast.

They thanked Matias for sandwiches and continued listening to Sarah.

"Don't go anywhere on your own. If you get in trouble, use ear stud to alert others… Do you have your maps? Did you pick your rides? Remember the parades... Don't forget the fireworks at 9:30 PM…"

Zula and Ron are at the back. This is their second Disneyland-date, so they know what to expect. Zula leaned on Ron and they held hands with their fingers interlaced. For the two of them, last few days were turbulent, but now they feel closer than ever.

Jamari was sticking as close as possible to Imani, which is a few inches away. If he gets closer, she scolds him. Haru and Nala are there and so are Michael, Oni, and Ade.

Zack is standing coolly behind Masika, he arrived just in time to hear Sarah's instructions. Zack is treating this as a protect-Masika mission. He wants her to have fun, and he has no intention to make a move on her, but he will not allow any boy to approach her either.

The eight of them are excited about the day ahead.

Haru and Nala will move as a couple, and the same goes for Michael and Oni.

Imani and Masika planned a few rides to take together, and Jamari and Zack will follow them.

Jamari found an opportunity to call Zack to the side.

"How about you cooperate with me? Help me out…" Jamari said only for Zack to hear.

"With?" Zack asked suspiciously.

"I want to be with Imani, without Masika or you around... no offense. Imani wants to take a few rides with Masika. Let's get over with them right away, and then split up."

Zack didn't see a problem with that. If it will give him some alone time with Masika, he will take it but… "How are we going to split up if the girls want to stick together?"

"Leave that to me. I have a plan." Jamari winked confidently. "Once all the joint rides are done, I will create a diversion and you just need to play along."

Zack agreed while wondering if these are really the fearsome generals of the Army of Chaos. No matter how he looks at them... they are kids.

Sarah was done with her instructions and Ade's sight was glued in the direction of the hallway from where Hande should show up. Where is she? He texted her half an hour ago and she confirmed that she is awake. How long does she need to get ready? Or did she go back to sleep? Ade was getting nervous.

What Ade didn't know is that Hande is stuck in her room with Merve who found out from Masika that Hande is going with Ade 'as a couple'.

In Hande's room…

"Since when are you a couple with Ade?" Merve asked Hande with full-blown disapproval of an older sister.

Hande was glancing at the time nervously. She felt like crying. At this rate, Ade might go without her. Why can't Merve leave her alone? But Hande is concerned that if she is rude, Merve will go and talk to Ade and make everything worse. She needs to pacify her big sister quickly and go and join others.

"We are not a dating kind of a couple." Hande said matter-of-factly.

Merve didn't understand. "What kind of a couple are you?"

"This is the event where everyone gets two tickets and I am going with Ade. 'A couple' means two people, and because of that Ade and I are a couple for today because we are going together."

Merve listened carefully and she thought that it makes sense. Maybe. But there is one more thing… "I heard that you are holding hands with Ade."

Hande was getting frustrated. "And during the swimming race, you also saw him carry me. Mention that as well while you are at it."

"That is different. You were hurt at that time."

Hande exhaled in frustration. "Merve, what do you want?"

"I want you to be careful and aware of what you are doing."

Hande rolled her eyes. "Careful of what? Do you think that I am going to get married? Or that Ade will do something despicable against my will? He is treating me nicely and I am having fun with him. I am supposed to go to Disneyland and enjoy my day on rollercoasters and watching parades while eating enormous cotton candy with Ade by my side who will make sure that no one bullies me. But before I could step out of my room, I am already bullied by my own sister from the early morning. How can I enjoy the day which starts like this? Not to mention that you are delaying me. At this rate, they will go without me."

Merve frowned. "I am worried about you."

"Well… don't be. Ade will protect me, and he is very capable."

"You like him." Merve voiced her observation.

Hande didn't deny it but she was not ready to confirm it either. "What does that have to do with me going to Disneyland?"

Hande saw that Merve is out of the arguments. She walked to the mirror and turned sideways, to see herself better.

The light gray short-sleeved skater dress with black details and a black leather belt around her waist fits her perfectly. And it goes well with her light gray tennis shoes, and a black purse. Everything is age-appropriate, yet it makes her look older (in Hande's opinion). The whole look is fancy, and sport-ish, and youthful, and feminine, and the most important thing is that colors match with the outfit Ade got yesterday.

"The dress looks good on you." Merve said.

Hande smiled. "Really?" She glanced at her legs. "You don't think that it's too short?"

"No. It's knee-length which is appropriate for girls living here." Merve knows that Hande asked because back home their father insisted that she is covered up. Only face and hands could be exposed.

The knock on the door got their attention. Merve opened, she was standing closer to the door.

Ade was surprised to see Merve. "Is Hande ready? We need to leave soon."

Hande pushed Merve to the side and got in the hallway next to Ade while explaining: "I'm ready, ready… we can go now… sorry for not showing up in the common area. Things came up."

Ade understood that the thing which came up is Merve. Why is she glaring at him? He decided to ignore her.

Ade looked at Hande top to bottom and gave an approving nod. "You look nice. If I didn't know better, I would say that it's a couple's outfit with mine."

Hande blushed. "Thanks. You are handsome as well."

Ade reached into his pocket. "I've got you this…"

He gave her a small teddy on a string and Hande immediately attached it to her purse.

She wanted to thank him, but he got his keys and showed them to her. "I have a matching teddy as a keychain."

Hande smiled brightly. They have matching accessories! Like a real couple!

Ade saw that Hande is happy with the present. Aiden was right, girls like couples' accessories.

He took Hande's hand in his and led the way. "Let's go, or we will be late. I am too young to drive in the city, so we need to hitch a ride. You didn't show up for the briefing and I've got you a sandwich; you can eat it on the way..."

Merve could not believe that they ignored her. "You are holding hands!"

Ade turned his head toward Merve and responded without stopping his steps. "Yup. The amusement park is crowded, and we will be holding hands the whole day so that we don't separate."

"You are not in the park yet!" Merve shouted. Frustration bubbled inside her when Ade and Hande took a turn at the end of the hallway and didn't respond.

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