To Hate My Stepbrother

Ava’s POV

Sitting for a while and trying to shrug the thought of Mason out of my head, I decided I was going to watch the TV for a while.

The footsteps of Mason descending caught my attention and I turned to see him with his laptop. He gently placed it on the dining table and I saw both our parents on the screen.

Excited, I scampered over there to talk to them while also being careful of not making any sort of contact with Mason.

“Hey Mom, Hi Danny,” I squealed and they both laughed warmly. I made sure to thoroughly examine them with my eyes to confirm that they were indeed fine. I was glad they called because I couldn’t wait to tell them that I wanted to be come home.

“Hey Ava,” They both said in unison, “How are you enjoying the island?” Danny asked and I sighed, taking a side glance at Mason who had on a flat expression before answering the question.

“It’s alright but I really can’t wait to be home, it’s boring being here without friends and…” I trailed off and bit my tongue, feeling extremely awkward.

“You’re not alone, you have your brother, right Mason?” My mum said and I rolled my eyes.

If only she knew how awkward things are between Mason and I.

“Not really,” Mason mumbled and I gave my mum a look that said ‘see?’ “But, we’re going to be alright.” He assured them, making me roll my eyes and I saw my mum smile.

“You see, this vacation is for the both of you to bond, it’s a chance to finally get over your differences and finally try to get it over with, together, since you both would be alone for two weeks.” My mother explained and I closed my eyes in frustration.

Nicole’s words wouldn’t stop ringing at the back of my mind, she was right, our parents had done this intentionally.

“Also, we wanted to tell you that we already have multiple restaurants booked ahead for you guys and since we are not there, you both would go. Siblings go on cute dates together and that’s what the both of you are going to do. You’d both most definitely bond over dinner. I’m sure you’d enjoy it.” Danny stated and my eyes widened in horror

There’s no way they’re setting us up.

We spoke for a while more with me making sure they’re both aware that I didn’t find the stunt they pulled on us funny in any way

As expected, they laughed over it and forwarded the addresses of the scheduled locations, and after some time, the call ended. I hissed as I tried to get away from Mason as fast as I could, but his scowl made me stop in my tracks.

“Listen here,” I started to speak, folding my hands and shooting him a glare.Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

“this isn’t a date or whatever they called it.” I continued.

“None of them called it a date, stop making up things in that tiny head of yours.” He corrected and my irritation increased.

“Well, don’t get your hopes up because I don’t want to be friends with you, we can never be friends or ever get along. I hope you get that!” I shot at him and he laughed loudly while shaking his head.

“You’re not even worth being called my friend to begin with,” He said and my chest tightened for some reason as he walked past me, “Think you were special? I think not.” He added.

I watched as he made his way back up to his room and for some reasons, I couldn’t get his words out of my head. He’d said I wasn’t worth being called his friend in the first place, and I didn’t like how that sounded at all.

I guess we’re now back to how it used to be between us?

Groaning, my feet padded across the room as I went to pick up my phone to call Nicole. She needed to know all of these things going on before I end up losing my mind from being in the same house alone with Mason, all by myself.

Her phone rang and she’d picked up on the fourth ring when I’d almost given up on talking with her.

“Guess what Nicole?” I started as I sunk into the couch and groaned into the phone.

“What?” She asked and I knew that she would be so engrossed in what I had to say to her.

“Apparently, our parents planned the whole thing and they’d sent us to the island by ourselves, intentionally,” I explained and Nicole laughed light heartedly, “It’s not funny, they were talking about bonding and shit.” I added in a groan.

“Well, in their defence, if I was in their shoes I would’ve been tired of you both bickering and fighting like little kids every damn time so I perfectly understand why they did this.” She pointed out logically but I refused to admit that.

She’s right because even I am kind of tired of it all.

“Would it be selfish of me to ask you to come join me on the Island?” I asked, “I mean it’s really nice up here and we could have a whole lot of fun together.” I added and Nicole laughed once again.

She told me she couldn’t leave Ryan hanging and I totally understood since we both needed to be apart throughout the break so we would have a lot to say to each other after it.

“The idea of spending the break with Mason might not be all that bad. It could be that you’re just overreacting.” She started and I groaned loudly.

But, I’m not even overreacting, it is definitely going to be horrible having to spend the whole weeks here.

“If you actually tried to be friends with him then you might eventually find out he’s really a nice person. Stop being hard on him and yourself.” Nicole advised me.

“He said I wasn’t worthy to be called his friend tonight.” I muttered loud enough for her to hear me.

“He probably doesn’t mean it, we all say things we don’t mean sometimes, that doesn’t mean he isn’t worth being given a shot.” She answered.

“You need to start seeing him more than that jerk that ruined your day, he ruined your project and all that, so what? Start seeing him as Mason first and watch how things change for the both of you.” She added.

I couldn’t believe all of this was coming from Mason, someone who hated Mason along with me as soon as she knew who he was.

Why is she suddenly changing her mind?

For the first time in a long time, my heart softened towards Mason a little and after a while of talking we hung up.

I couldn’t stop thinking about Mason and for the first time I wasn’t thinking about murdering him, I was actually thinking of giving him a chance.