Is this destiny?

~ Texas, the White Rock Lake ~

Sunday, September 20

1:49 PM

Sarah and Aiden are at their newly-remodeled mansion (which they snatched from Marcus) with all the regulars from the Cliffside Villa and the new girls included, which makes it a total of fifty-six kids. Present are also Master Hollow and his disciples, Bo, Souta, and Wing.

The pups stayed at the Cliffside Villa so that they get used to that environment, and Kitty didn't join them because this piece of land is much smaller than the one in Los Angeles and Sarah thought that Kitty would like more space. Well, it's not unusual to leave Kitty at home.

They will return home on the evening of September 22, because JoAnna's c-section is scheduled for the morning on the 23rd and Sarah has no intention to miss that. 

A total of sixty-two guests were greeted by the staff in the mansion, they settled into their rooms, had lunch and now they are gathering on the lawn which is facing the lake. Purpose: a swimming competition.

The weather is amazing, no clouds, sunny and warm. The gentle breeze is barely stirring the surface of the lake, so it's perfect for swimming.

Haru and Nala are explaining the rules: there will be a boat in the lake; the race starts from the dock, to the boat, and the finish line is back at the dock. To make sure everyone reached the boat, there will be small flags to collect, so when someone reaches the finish (returns to the dock), they need to present the flag as a proof that they swam to the boat and back.

After they explained the rules, Haru and Nala needed a few volunteers who will be on the start (and finish) line to ensure everything is in order and a few who will be in the boat on the lake. Haru, Nala, Ron, and Zula will be along the path in case someone needs assistance, like lifeguards. You never know when someone might get a cramp.

They asked everyone who wants to participate to line up so that they put their names next to the role they will take.

Everyone present knows how to swim, it's only a matter of how comfortable a person is in the water, because some of the new girls learned swimming recently.

Allen and Julius are pumped up. There is no way that they will miss this chance for a swimming showdown. The two of them are competing with each other.

Tejan, Ade, and Jamari are in the group of excited boys as well.

The new girls blinked at the amount of skin present. Why are most of the people in swimming trunks already? And because everyone is training, their bodies are toned. Sarah and Aiden explained that they are all brothers and sisters, however, a big majority of them are teenagers and there is no way to fight against the hormones. They reminded themselves not to stare.

Of course, Hande was looking toward Ade. He looks skinny when he is dressed up, but now she can clearly see that his lean body is packed with muscles. It reminded her when he held her on the day they met, when she tripped. He is strong.

Hande has her swimsuit on and a t-shirt over it. She is not comfortable exposing her skin, even though she is wearing a one-piece and many of the girls around her are already down to swimwear which is much bolder than hers.

Jamari looked at Ade like he has something to say.

"What?", Ade asked.

"I think the new girl likes you.", Jamari said in a singing voice while glancing toward Hande.

Ade snorted and frowned in disapproval. As much as Jamari is obsessed with Imani, Ade has no interest in girls. He is only eleven years old, alright?

Jamari gave an exaggerated gasp. "You rejected without asking me which one."

Ade shrugged. "Because it does not matter."

Jamari looked after Ade who was walking toward Haru and Nala to sign himself in for swimming. There is already a line formed.

Jamari's sight moved toward Hande whose eyes didn't leave Ade and Jamari exhaled and shook his head while thinking that Hande will need to work hard.

"What are you doing?", Imani asked Jamari.

Jamari stiffened at the sound of Imani's voice from behind him. He turned and saw that Imani is in her swimsuit. His twelve years-old heart leaped from joy because Imani came to talk to him without any other girl. And she is beautiful.

"Nothing, nothing…", he denied it. Imani is not approving when he is teasing Ade (or anyone else). "Are you going to swim?"

Imani confirmed.

"Let's go and sign up together…", Jamari gestured with his hand toward the line and she agreed.

Jamari grinned. Ever since Sarah's and Aiden's wedding, when they danced, he can see that Imani is warming up to him, and soon, he will make her his girlfriend. Officially. Who cares that she is one year older than him?

Tejan looked at Daniel and Xiaohui who were lined up and chatting in a good mood. He was supposed to be with them, but Tejan realized that he is the third wheel (again) and he slowed down his pace.

Tejan snorted. He and Daniel are always competing, and based on what he sees, Daniel will be busy with Xiaohui and ignore him, completely.

"Are you in the line?"

Rosa's voice from behind pulled Tejan from his thoughts.

Tejan turned and saw Rosa, Esma, and Antonia.

"Don't you see that he is sulking that Xiaohui stole Daniel from him?", Esma told Rosa teasingly.

Antonia put her hand over her chest dramatically. "Oh, don't be sad, Tejan. We can be your friends when Daniel is busy. But you need to move with the line..."

Tejan was not sure what to make out of this situation, but he moved. Well, he will be less lonely in the company of these three girls.

Hande watched Ade and gathered all her courage to approach him.

"Are you going to swim?", Hande asked Ade who was standing in the line.

Ade nodded in confirmation. He glanced at her bare legs and t-shirt, and he concluded that she has a swimsuit under it, but he didn't say anything. He was already in front of Haru.

Nala noticed Hande. "Do you want to swim?"

Hande's eyes darted toward Ade who was talking with Haru and then she shook her head. "I just learned how to; I don't qualify."

She can swim, but when she does it slowly (compared to the others), she will only embarrass herself and she does not want Ade to see her as a weakling.

Nala shook her head in disapproval. "There is no such thing. You can swim at your own pace and if at any moment you feel that you can't go further, just lift your arm and someone will help you."

Hande smiled meekly. "No, thanks."

Nala didn't want to push it, but… "If you don't want to swim, you can be in the boat and pass the flags to the swimmers who reach the boat."

Hande thought for a second before nodding in agreement.

"Great! Michael and Oni will be in the boat, but they should not risk getting their hands wet…", Nala explained to Hande where to go to get the flags and to take them to the boat.

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