To Hate My Stepbrother

Ava’s POV

It’s been three months since my mum and Danny had been married and for those three months I have felt the immense urge to murder Mason by either smothering him in his sleep or just pushing him off a cliff, more times than I can count.

The only time I barely thought about killing him was when he wasn’t sleeping at home because that was the only time I had enough peace for myself.

Xander has still not been coming to class and he’d even missed the semester exams, all efforts to call him and ask what the problem was proved futile.

“I’ve been trying to get through to him but he won’t pick up my call until his number starts sending me to voicemail.” I complained to Nicole who understood my worry.

She’d told me not to worry about it that Xander would come along but he hadn’t.

Did I do something wrong? Did I kiss him in a bad way the other time we kissed? I couldn’t help the questions that kept running through my mind as I stared at his number again.

I called the number again and the same dreadful voice that I now loathe so much was what I heard.

‘Hi. This is Xander, please leave a message.’

It’s always going to voicemail, we had unfinished business and whatever reason he might have for going ghost on me was one I wouldn’t forgive no matter what.

The semester break has started and for the first time in months I won’t have to worry about my homework or project or going to school, I’m free from all of that.

Only problem I had and hated about the break was the fact that I would have to stay in the house with Mason almost every hour of the day, because I unfortunately do not have a lot of friends.

“I won’t forgive Nicole.” I thought to myself as I placed my headphones on. I would’ve spent the break with her but she bailed on me at the last minute to go on a planned vacation with Ryan.

How dare they?

I remembered my mum and Danny had said something about having a family meeting and a surprise for us. My mind couldn’t help but wander off to when I overheard them talking about a surprise, over and over again.

It’s been a month now. Why did it take them so long? And what could the surprise be?

I went about my business as I tried to get my mind off what the surprise might be and just concentrate on the game I was playing on my phone.

The day went by really quickly and it soon got dark, I walked downstairs to join for dinner and after a while of silence, my mother brought out a bottle of alcoholic champagne.

“What’s that?” I asked, my eyes widening like I had no idea what she was holding. I knew it was champagne but my mother would never let me drink.

“It’s champagne, duh.” She answered and they all laughed as she popped it. She poured Mason and I a glass with a smile on her face.

I couldn’t miss the glint and just when I was about to ask what we were celebrating, she started talking.

“Yes, so, I have something to share with you guys but firstly, I really would like to say that time flies,” she started and I already knew where she was getting to.

“It’s been three months since Danny and I got married and these months were the best of the best months of my life and I would never trade it for anything.” She smiled and my heart warmed for my mother’s happiness.

“So, to celebrate, I rented a resort for two weeks on an island. No distraction, just us.” Danny said and I shrieked.

“That’s great,” I squealed as I clapped, “First of all, congratulations and secondly, when are you leaving?” I asked, excited.

“We leave tomorrow.” My mother answered and my eyes widened.

“Oh my goodness, that’s great,” I hugged Danny and he gave me a slight peck on my forehead, “I’m really happy for you.” I added.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

“Thank you.” My mum answered and I smiled.

“So, Mason would be leaving for the family house, right?” I asked, “He won’t be going with you guys, right?” I asked again and I heard a chuckle that made me want to stab him with a fork.

“She’s leaving for Nicole’s house too, right?” Mason also asked amidst laughter and I shot him a glare.

“No one is going anywhere for the holidays, we’re all leaving together.” My mum said and I clapped excitedly.

I’d wanted to suggest that Mason don’t come along since all he ever does is ruin everything but he also deserves to be a part of this since his dad is.

“And Ava would be riding with Mason.” Danny announced and the smile I had on turned to an instant frown as I turned to look at Mason who obviously wasn’t thrilled as well.

There’s no way I would ride with him, I can do anything else but travel somewhere with Mason? No way in hell.

“Why can’t I ride with you guys?” I asked Danny and my mother laughed as she shared a look with him.

“Because it’s for you guys to get along some more and bond even more, if you ride with us… you’ll be sort of a distraction.” My mother answered and I gagged as soon as I understood what she was implying while Mason snickered but I ignored him.

“It’s a 6 hour drive!” I pointed out and they nodded, “How do you expect me to ride with him for 6 hours? I’ll die!” I said firmly but they only laughed at me.

I’m being serious here but they think of it as a joke?!

“You’ll survive.” Danny answered with a warm smile and I rolled my eyes.

“Yeah, right.” I mumbled before resting my back properly on the chair.

“Besides, we’ll be right behind you after wrapping up some last minute arrangements.” My mother added and that did nothing to make me feel better about riding with Mason.

The trip that once got me excited doesn’t seem so exciting to me anymore, I took a look at Danny and my mother and they both look so happy and can’t seem to be able to wait for the trip.

Not wanting to ruin it, I kept my mouth shut and only started picking on my food. They’re happy and ruining their happiness is the last thing I wanted to do.