You Don't Have to be Alone

Chapter 8 - Green Jell-O

Disclaimer: Hey guys! I do not own Summerland or anyone affiliated with them! I do, however, own all the fictional characters, the story line and the title. No stealing! I don't own NSYNC's song, You Don't Have to be Alone.

A/N: Hey guys! Thanks for all the reviews! I've come to a decision to make this a LONG story…I think I'm gonna keep it going for a little longer than I expected. That okay with y'all? Just, let me know if you want me to keep this going or not! Thanks!

Genesis looked in the full-length mirror one last time. She wanted to look good for Bradin and his family. She wanted them to like her. She wanted to impress Bradin. Her wavy light brown hair was down around her shoulders and she had on a red tank top with mistletoe printed on the front in green. She wore a khaki skirt that landed around her knees. She slipped on her red flip flops and sighed. She decided to make her way towards Bradin's house.

Bradin stared at his reflection in the mirror. He was so nervous about today. He had great things planned for Genesis. He wanted this to be the best Christmas ever for her. He was determined to make it…amazing.

"Bradin, you look fine!" Nikki, Bradin's younger sister, laughed and patted her big brother on the back. "If Genesis is the girl you and Aunt Ava says she is, then you have nothing to worry about. She doesn't care about your appearance," she shrugged. Bradin went to say something but stopped when they heard someone knock on the front door.

"I got it!" Bradin yelled and bolted down the flight of stairs into the foyer. He pulled open the door and smiled at Genesis. He thought she looked absolutely beautiful. "Merry Christmas," Bradin smiled and hugged her close to him. He could smell her perfume. He didn't know what it was…but it was amazing.

"Thanks, you too," Genesis said softly as she gently clutched his back. She took in his scent…between a mix of shampoo and cologne, it took her breath away.

"Genesis!" Ava smiled and walked into the foyer to greet the young girl. Ava smiled and hugged her as Genesis laughed lightly. "Merry Christmas! I'm so glad you could come!"

"Thank you for having me," Genesis smiled. "And Merry Christmas to you, too." Ava took Genesis's hand and pulled her into the kitchen. Bradin followed awkwardly. He only hoped things would go as planned. He only hoped this was going to work.

"Genesis, I'd like you to meet my other nephew and niece," Ava said. "This is Nikki Westerly and Derrick Westerly. They're Bradin's younger siblings. Nik, Derrick, this is Genesis Alexander." Ava introduced.

"Hi, nice to meet you both," Genesis smiled. "Merry Christmas." She watched the youngest, Derrick, try and scoop something out of the big bowl of Jell-O. She watched as his pink tongue hung out of his little mouth and he continued to use his hand to try and get whatever was in there.

"Merry Christmas to you, too," Nikki smiled and continued to slice celery.

"Um, Derrick?" Genesis couldn't help but giggle softly. She watched the little one look up and find her eyes, his hand still in the bowl. "Would you like some help?" She asked and made her way to him. He blushed lightly when he realized others knew he was trying to get something from the bowl.

"I dropped my spoon," he said softly.

"Derrick," Ava sighed and went to grab a towel. "Bradin, keep an eye on your sister with the knife while I go upstairs and find a towel to clean him up." Ava sighed and headed upstairs.

"Do you want me to get the spoon?" Genesis asked him and looked down into the now, messy green Jell-O. She saw the silver spoon in the bottom of the bowl. She watched him nod and began to look around the kitchen.

"How about this?" Bradin asked and opened up a drawer. He held up another spoon. "We could try and scoop the spoon out of the bowl?" He suggested. Genesis nodded and walked over and took the spoon. She was struggling on reaching the spoon, so when she thought she had it, Genesis flung the spoon up and green Jell-O went flying in the air and landed on Bradin's head. Genesis's mouth hung open.

"I am so sorry," she laughed and Derrick went into a fit of laughter. Bradin winced as he felt the green mess fall down on his neatly combed hair. His hand went to his head and he flung it off of his head, and onto his sister's new Christmas t-shirt.

"Bradin!" Nikki screeched from her spot by the counter. She put the knife down and went over to the bowl of Jell-O with an evil green on her face.

"Nikki! No!" Both Bradin and Genesis yelled in unison. Too late. Nikki grabbed a handful of the Jell-O and threw it at Bradin. He ducked and it missed him and hit Susannah, who was walking into the room. She closed her eyes and licked her lips. She wiped her face and opened them.

"Nikki! What was that for?" Susannah yelled at the young girl.

"I-I didn't mean to hit you Susannah. Honest," Nikki laughed and shook her hands slightly to get off the extra Jell-O.

"What in the world…" Ava sighed as she came downstairs. She walked into the kitchen with a white towel and slipped on a puddle of Jell-O on the floor. She came to the ground with a thud and everyone waited with bulging eyes for her to break out in a yell. Instead, she starting laughing. Everyone's face relaxed as they realized they weren't in trouble. "What were you doing?"

"It was just all a misunderstanding," Bradin laughed and looked around the messy room. He looked at Genesis and saw a glob of green Jell-O in her hair.

"Susannah," Ava continued to laugh. "Look at you!" She pointed at the green mess on her best friend's face. "You're a mess!"

"Thank you, Ava," Susannah smiled sarcastically. "Stating the obvious…wonderful." She muttered and picked at the green goo in her hair. "Well, I'm going upstairs to get this off."

"Bradin…take Genesis upstairs and get her a towel and show her to my bathroom where she can get cleaned up a little bit," Ava laughed and tried to get up without falling again. Bradin nodded and nodded for Genesis to follow him.

"Sorry," Genesis laughed lightly when they were half way up the stairs.

"For what?" Bradin laughed as well. They reached upstairs and Genesis followed him into his bedroom.

"For starting the Jell-O war, I guess you could call it," Genesis laughed. She looked around his room and found a surf board on his wall.

"I enjoyed it! I think we all enjoyed it," he laughed. "That's the kind of family we are. We go through a lot of fun things together." Bradin smiled and thought to himself. He looked over at her and smiled. "You have…in your hair…" he started and touched his own hair to show her. She didn't get it, so he walked over to her and smiled. "Jell-O." He said softly and gently grabbed the green Jell-O out of her hair for her. She smiled and blushed.

"Thanks." She said softly. Before she could say much more, she felt his lips on hers.

A/N: Okay! There it is! Thought I'd leave y'all with a cliffhanger this time :-D PLEASE REVIEW! Thanks guys!