You Don't Have to be Alone

Chapter 2 - Being Alone

Bradin watched Genesis. He couldn't help but notice how good she looked. Behind the tears and the ruined eye make-up, he knew there was more. He knew she was special. He couldn't put his finger on what it was, exactly. But he knew there was something more. "So...where are you from?" Bradin asked as he and Genesis continued to walk along the water.

"Australia," Genesis sighed and looked out over the ocean. She heard Bradin laugh, as if he thought it was a joke. Then he stopped when he realized she wasn't laughing with him.

"Wait..." Bradin frowned. "Are you serious?" Genesis nodded. "Wow, that's cool." Bradin smiled and nodded. "I just...I didn't think that you were--"

"I know, no accent," Genesis shrugged. "I never said I was raised there. Let's see. I was born in Tampa, Florida and lived there for a few months, then my dad got transferred to New York City. I lived there for most of my life, I guess. When I started high school when I was fourteen, my parents shipped me off to boarding school in England. I went to that school for my freshman year, and then I moved to Australia with my family. My dad decided that since he had all the money he could ever dream of, why not make my life hell? So...we moved...again," she sighed, once more. Her voice lingered in Bradin's ears. He could hear her disappointment. "And, well, now we're here."

"Wow," Bradin frowned. "Isn't it tough moving all the time?" He glanced down at Genesis as she nodded.

"Yeah," she sighed. "But I guess I got used to it after boarding school. I hated my parents. I hated them for shipping me off to school like I was a package, instead of a human being. So now, I just deal with things." She shrugged and picked up her dress by her ankles so it wouldn't get wet from the water. "I don't exactly have friends, so it's not a big deal trying to make new ones."

"You don't have friends?" Bradin frowned and Genesis nodded. "How can someone not have friends? You have to have friends." He couldn't believe what this girl was telling him. Who was she? How could someone so beautiful and so friendly not have friends?

"My dad always told me that friends and family were just other outside people that liked us because of our money. He never let me associate with anyone. That's the only reason, I think, they pulled me out of boarding school. That was the one thing I loved there. I had a friend," Genesis sighed and watched the waves crash on the sand.

"I'm guessing your dad isn't the best guy in the world," Bradin sighed as he shoved his hands into his pockets. His world seemed to get better and better as Genesis went on. She seemed to have a lousy life compared to his.

"I guess you could say that," Genesis sighed. Just by her tone, Bradin knew that she didn't want to talk about it. "It just sucks…to have parents that don't trust you or believe in you."

"At least you have parents," Bradin muttered. He knew this topic would come up one way or another. He was surprised, himself, that he brought it up so quickly. He was sure that Genesis would have to drag it out of him, eventually.

"Oh…I'm sorry," Genesis said much softer. She realized she had been complaining about how horrible her parents were when Bradin didn't even have any. She heard him clear his voice and watched as he shrugged his shoulders.

"It's no big deal. I don't mind talking about it…really," he said in reassurance for Genesis…and himself. "I did have parents. And they were great. We lived in Kansas as a family. Me, Nikki and Derrick. We meant the world to them and they meant the world to us," he sighed. Genesis heard his voice tense up as he continued. "They were killed…at the beginning of summer."

"That's tough. I am sorry, Bradin," Genesis said smoothly. Bradin didn't pay attention to how apologetic she was. It was the first time she had said his name. It sounded amazing to him. He looked down into her almond shaped eyes and watched them twinkle against the moon light.

"Bradin!" Someone yelled from an open door. "Bradin! Are you out there?"

A/N: Thanks guys! I'll try and post more tomorrow or tonight! I'd like to thank melodie568 for the 2 reviews! I'm glad you enjoy it! Also, thank you to c0nversegirl and x buttercup for the reviews, as well! They are greatly appreciated! Keep them coming!!