To Hate My Stepbrother

Ava’s POV

The drive home was silent and peaceful and for a moment I could see a hint of niceness and softness in Mason’s countenance, but I didn’t comment on it.

We soon got home and since I wasn’t sleepy yet, I made my way to the couch and sank into it before turning towards Mason who was already on his way upstairs.

“Hey,” I called out hesitantly and he turned around slowly with his eyebrow arched questioningly. My eyes trailed over him slowly and once again, I marvelled over how good looking he was in the suit and how his slicked back hair made him appear impossibly hotter than he usually is.

“Do you maybe wanna see a movie with me?” I forced the words past my lips and for a moment I could see his eyes widen comically in nothing but shock.

To be fair, I’m as shocked as he is, cause seeing a movie together wasn’t a thing we’ve ever done before.

A few minutes passed and no response came forth, making me conclude that he’d definitely act like the asshole that he naturally is by laughing in my face before walking out of here,

But, he shocked me tremendously by nodding his head in agreement as he climbed down the stairs. He got to the couch I was sitting in, making me hold my breath as he sank into the spot beside me, because I expected him to go sit on a different couch and not with me.

“Yeah, but on one condition,” He drawled out, slanting me a look and I gulped emptily, forcing my racing heart to calm down as I playfully rolled my eyes at him.

“I get to pick the movie.” He added and I shrugged, surrendering the remote control to him willingly.

I sucked at picking movies anyways, so I didn’t mind.

Mason ended up picking a horror movie, and the gleam in his eyes showed that he picked that genre on purpose, making me let out a whine as I scowled at me but he only laughed in my face, clearly having fun with the current situation.

The movie was extremely scary and my heart was about to fall out of my chest countless times because of the intensity and the suspense.

Unable to focus on the movie, I kept flinching and letting out squeaks. At a certain point, I got extremely scared and without thinking, I buried my face in Mason’s clothes, clutching his bicep.

As soon as I got my bearings, I expected him to shove me aside but he chuckled softly and stroked my hair lightly.

Why’s he being so nice?

Soon, the horror movie ended and I couldn’t be any happier.

At a certain point, our parents called and asked about how our evening went.

It was such a great experience but I ruined it on my part by dressing like an old lady.

“It was really nice, I enjoyed myself.” I answered with a soft smile.

“Yeah, it really was nice but someone decided to be a church girl, she wore a really long skirt and a stupid top and the icing on the cake? She had a scarf with her, who the hell takes scarves to a dinner date?” Mason laughed and our parents joined in.

“Hey, it wasn’t that bad.”

“Yeah, yeah it was, it was really horrible.” He laughed once again but this time I joined in and playfully punched his arm while he winced.

“Something seems different about you two and I like it.” Danny commented with a smile and I turned to look at Mason who was arching a brow at me.

He cocked his head sideways and I blinked a couple times as I tried to process what Danny had just said when I heard a beep that indicated the end of the call.

Mason has ended the call.

“Why would you do that?!” I asked with wide eyes and he shrugged.

“Well, I’m not in the mood for the call any longer and I just want to sleep, that’s why. We can talk to them tomorrow.” He said curtly before making his way to his room.

What is wrong with this guy? One moment he’s sweet and all nice and the next he’s a jerk.

“He must be bipolar.” I concluded with a shrug as I made my way to my room to rest for a while.

The night was short and soon it was Morning. The rest of the morning went on boring and long, but I couldn’t help but look forward to Lunch because lunch today is being held at a classy restaurant.

My phone beeped in reminder and I jumped out of bed as I scampered to my closet, I rummaged through my clothes before picking out a blue strapless and a little bit short gown.

After what happened yesterday, there’s no way I’ll dress up like I did the last time again and risk Mason outdressing me and laughing at me all through the lunch.

“You look surprisingly beautiful, I didn’t know you could look this good.” Mason commented, eyeing me up and down in a way that made me flustered.

Rolling my eyes, I brushed him off and we both made our way to his car and soon we were at the restaurant, which like last night, a reservation had already been scheduled for.

For the first time, we were having lunch like adults and we didn’t pass any passive aggressive comments at each other and Mason was unusually chatty.

“The food here is nice and the customer service is great,” Mason said as he rubbed his palm together.

I couldn’t believe my ears because I never thought anything would ever be nice to Mason but he proved me wrong.

“My dad and I have been here before.” He continued and I was suddenly interested.

“Oh really? Tell me about it.” I answered curiously and he smiled.

“I don’t really remember much from the last time I was here but I do remember there was a coffee shop, oh there it is.” He said, pointing down the street before grabbing my hand.

We strolled towards the said coffee shop and surprisingly, the owner immediately recognized him.

“Mason, my boy! The older man breathed out warmly as he enveloped Mason in a hug. They exchanged pleasantries for a little while before the man focused on me. He arched a brow at Mason and laughed once again.

“You haven’t changed one bit!” The man hit Mason’s back heartedly. “Are you his girlfriend? Is she your girlfriend?” He asked excitedly as he turned to look at Mason.

“W…what… No.” I stuttered while feeling colour flood my cheeks before finally recovering myself, “He’s my brother.” I answered.

“Yeah, we’re siblings.” He added, supporting me.

This is the first time I’d be referring to him as my step-brother out loud and it seemed weird.

We had coffee and a sandwich each, on the house because the shop owner was just to excited to see Mason.

After a little while of cracking jokes and catching up, we soon started to leave but the outdoors was really nice and I wanted to see more of the island, and so I began to wander into the woods.

“Hey, don’t go wandering off. We need to get back home.” Mason warned but I didn’t listen to him. All he ever does is try to ruin my chance of having fun.

I heard his footsteps behind me and I smiled when I realized he was following me, “See, it’s not so bad after all.” I said, folding my arms.

Ignoring me, we continued walking, taking cuts and walking straight ahead till it was almost getting dark, and then when he suggested we get back home, I agreed.

Turning back around, I realised I couldn’t remember the way back out of the woods anymore. Turning several times, I tried to figure it out but I couldn’t.

“Uh, Mason,” I called as I turned to look at him and by the flat look on his face, I knew he didn’t need a soothsayer to tell him that we were already lost.

Shoving me aside, he walked ahead of me before turning back and now, his eyes were filled with anger.

He was angry.

“This is what I was talking about when I said we shouldn’t get this far but you never listen. Now we’re lost, thanks to you!” He shouted.

“We’re not so lost.” I answered, shoving him aside and walking straight ahead even though I knew we were definitely lost.

“Oh really! Look around! You never fucking listen to anyone but do whatever the fuck you wanna do!” He yelled back at me.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Oh please, I’ll get us out of here and then you can go fuck yourself. I shot back at him.

Angrily, I walked away but I haven’t gone really far when my leg got stuck beneath a twig, making me fall over.

“Oww.”