To Hate My Stepbrother

Ava’s POV

“We don’t have the whole day, stop making me wait!” I heard Mason yell as he honked the car persistently, making me groan with an eye roll as I shuffled towards the car.

Each step I took was heavy because I didn’t imagine myself sharing a car ride to school with this jerk this morning. I grudgingly got to the car and pulled the door open with more force than was required. As soon as I slid into the seat, I slammed the door so hard on purpose.

“Are you crazy? Do your clumsy ass wanna damage my car the same way you made those coffee ruin my shoes that morning? Let me guess, you’d go ahead and blame me for that if that happens because that’s just you.” He snapped out, face morphed in a hard scowl.

“Stop yelling my head off, you jerk! You can just drop me off halfway and I’ll find my way to school from there. I never wanted to ride to school in your stupid ass car in the first place!” I snapped back, shifting in the insanely soft seat and noticing how good the car smelt, and how it smelt so much like Mason.

“If anyone’s being a jerk about anything then that’s definitely going to be you.” He commented and I opened my mouth to speak but whatever I wanted to say got stuck in my throat when the sudden loud blaring sound of music began to blare from the radio unexpectedly.

Shocked by the sudden sound, I scoffed and reached out to turn the volume down but as soon as I did that, he turned it back up.

“It’s too fucking loud! it’s making my ear bleed, and your music taste is so ass.” I shouted over the loud music and he only laughed.

“What’s so funny?” I demanded angrily. “This was the exact same reason I couldn’t get my beauty sleep last night. BECAUSE YOUR STUPID MUSIC WAS SO LOUD,’ I WAS UNABLE TO SLEEP properly!” I yelled but he continued to laugh, getting on my nerves ever more.

Can my day get any worse?

“I don’t take orders from you or anyone and if you don’t like the kind of music I play, or how loud I play them, then I can pull over for you to just get the hell out of my car and get yourself to school by yourself!” He shot back at me and I breathed out a long sigh.

I wasn’t surprised by his response, he was naturally rude even in situations which are obvious enough that he’s in the wrong.

“How can a person be so harsh and inconsiderate,” I shot back at him again, “You know how loud the music is and it hurts the ears but you won’t ever listen to anyone except yourself, because you’re so fucking arrogant!” I added and he stopped the music then leveled me with a glare.

“Listen here, Ava; I don’t care if you’re uncomfortable by my music or the high volume, that’s your problem and yours to deal with. Remember that I didn’t ask you to come ride with me in the first place. If you’re really uncomfortable then you might as well just get the hell out, hm?” He added, clearly waiting for an indication that I had heard all what he had just said.

After a few minutes passed with him still regarding me with a raised eyebrow, I checked my phone to see the time and I realised that if I chose to be rebellious by alighting his car in anger, I’ll be late for my classes.

After a few more long moments, I forced the next word out.

“Fine.”

“That’s what I thought.” He hissed out and when I didn’t say anything else, he turned his music back up and continued to drive once again.

“Bitch.” I said under my breath as I brought out my AirPods and shoved them into my ears to block the noise out.

I closed my eyes shut in anger as I thought about how unfortunate it is for me to have a supposed step brother in Mason of all people.

We finally arrived at my school but I had no idea because my eyes were shut. It wasn’t until Mason pulled one of my AirPods out of my ear that I realized.

“We’re here, get out.” He said and yanked my AirPods from him and sneered at him. I packed my AirPods and picked my bag off my thighs, and then I existed his car.

I left the door open on purpose, ignoring him swearing at me and demanding that I come back to shut the door.

Haha! Take that, asshole.

“Ava!” I heard a familiar voice call out. I wasn’t expecting to hear that voice anytime soon in person and so it took me by surprise. I turned around and almost immediately, I noticed Nicole running towards me, and I felt a wide smile spread out on my face, all thoughts of how annoying Mason was instantly forgotten.

“Nicole!” I cried out as we threw ourselves at each other in a hug. I melted into her arms as she squeezed me tightly. Nicole’s hugs were one of my favourite things in the world and I’ve missed it so much. It was evident that she missed me just as much with the way she was bouncing on her feet after we broke the hug to silently regard each other.

Her blonde hair was in curls that made her look more gorgeous than I remembered her being. Her green eyes caught the sun light as she smiled and I couldn’t help but tug her into another hug once again.

“Oh my gosh, you look so goodddd!” I chanted, eyes ghosting over the black flared skirt she had on with mid length brown colored boots. She paired those with a dark blue sleeveless jeans jacket, and a long sleeved turtleneck underneath that.

One thing about Nicole is that she always dresses to kill every damn time, even though it’s just for school.

One of her favourite line was ‘the school is every young girl’s broadway. So, take that chance and slay your way through it’.

“Oh my god. I missed you so much.” I gushed out as I reached out to take her hands in mine, and she held on tightly instantly.

“I missed you so much more and God, I can’t wait to catch you up on a whole lot of things.” She breathed out eagerly and just then, Ryan appeared behind her, sporting his usual pair of sunglasses over his eyes.

“Hi Ava.” He greeted me with a wave and I smiled back at him.

“Hey Ryan.” I answered with a wave, noticing how it seems like he and Nicole decided to match today, because their outfits looked alike, down to the colours.

Nicole and Ryan have been dating for over a year and I am one of their biggest fans. He treats her so well and I loved that so much for Nicole.

It didn’t take long for us to begin to make our way deeper into the school while being lost in more than one conversation.

“Also, I wanted to tell you something,” Nicole started with a smile looking excited, “Ryan and I will be throwing a party soon and we wanted to invite you personally. The entire school will be there.” She added and I groaned.

“I don’t know…” I started to say sceptically.

I have always hated parties and knowing that the entire school would be present at the party, made me hate the particular idea of this party some more.

I hated putting myself in spotlights like that.

“C’mon Ava. Don’t be a party pooper.” Nicole groaned as she leaned against the wall, hands landing on her hips.

I thought about it for a while and I realised that it would be an opportunity for me to not be around Mason back at my new home, or get into another fight with him. I needed a break from him and I just wanted to stay very far away from him.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Thinking about it for a while, I remembered how my mum would always tell me to go to parties to have fun and make more friends. I bit on my lips and thought about it some more.

“Okay, Fine! I’ll go” I groaned out and watched as Nicole cheered.

“I’ll tag along but on one condition.” I added and her face fell again.

“What condition?” She asked, coming to stand beside me and taking my arm in hers.

“That you won’t leave me alone at the party. I know how popular you are and you might eventually forget about me.” I started and she smiled.

“You know I can never do that. By the way, I missed you so much. I have so much to talk about with you.” She added and after a while of talking and walking, she turned around to kiss Ryan goodbye since we’re already at his faculty.

We continued to walk towards our faculty. Nicole and I are taking the same course, and shared almost all classes together.

I wasn’t sure if I made the right decision by agreeing to attend the party.

I guess I’ll find out tonight.