To Hate My Stepbrother

Ava’s POV

“How easy is it for a grown up to act around like a fucking child and get on my nerves every damn time?” I hissed out as I walked with Xander into my room.

I heard Mason call out something to me which I didn’t fully catch and I felt my blood boil. I would go back down there to show him the stuff I was made of without thinking twice but I had someone to tutor right now.

“Fuck you, you fucking son of a bitch!” I yelled with every ounce of strength I had in me before slamming the door to my room in anger.

“I had no idea you could cuss this loud.” Xander said amidst laughter and I released the breath I had no idea I was holding back.

…and, this was exactly what I had been trying to avoid from the on set.

“I’m sorry, I usually don’t do this on a normal day, but he always finds the wrong moment to get on my nerves and I’m done having the patience to deal with his attitude.” I said, apologising to Xander as I set my books down.

“It happens, which shows that you guys are indeed actual siblings,” he laughed, which made me feel irritated. “How old is he?” He asked.

“He’s Twenty-One and actually my stepdad’s son so he’s my half brother. My mum just got married to his dad and now I have to deal with him….” I started, outing my relationship with Mason to Xander against my will.

“It’s fine, you’ll both get used to each other as time goes by, don’t worry.” Xander assured me like I needed his reassurance.

Why do they keep saying these things?

We settled down to study some time later, but I had lost every mood I was in to tutor Xander and instead suggested that we played a game.

“It’s called 20 questions and that way we can get familiar with each other and get to know stuff about each other.” He explained and I nodded in understanding.

The game got the best of us and we both got carried away. I’d asked him questions about his family and I watched as Xander explained his story to me.

I got to know that he’s an orphan and had lost his parents at a very young age in a drastic car accident. I felt my heart break for him and I felt a sense of pity for him.

I have never felt like I was connected to anyone the way I felt like I was connected to Xander, seeing as I also lost my father years ago.

“Enough of these sad stories,” I started, sniffing a little and breathing out a chuckle. Xander laughed and teased me about being soft, seeing as I was currently wiping my eyes.

“It’s sad, yes. But I’m not crying because of that,” I lied and he raised an eyebrow, “Let’s get back to studying.” I finished and he had his serious face on as we both studied.

I never would’ve thought Xander was this intelligent. I would ask him questions and he’d reply correctly, I smiled proudly when he answered a question I wasn’t expecting him to know the answer to.

My phone rang and I picked it up to see it was the alarm I’d set. I checked the time and it was 7 PM already, we both had no idea that the time had gone this fast.

I packed my books and stood to see him out of the house. We walked down the stairs when I saw that my mum and Danny were back already, catching me off guard.

“Hi mum, hi Danny.” I greeted and they both smiled at me while my mum raised an eyebrow at Xander, she obviously wanted me to introduce him.

“They were busy having sex in her room under the guise of studying.” Mason said in a bored tune but I had already expected that, so it didn’t really catch me off guard.

I didn’t think twice when I pulled a pair of my slippers off and tossed it at him as hard as I could because he deserves it.

He was about to retaliate when his dad pulled him back and called us to order, but we still shot stared like daggers at each other.

“Will you both behave?!” Danny admonished. There’s a guest here and the least you both could do is behave for his sake.” He added and I apologised while Mason pursed his lips in defiance.

“I’m sorry,” I muttered. “This is Xander, he’s my Coursemate and we were studying. He needed my help with some subjects.” I explained and Danny and my mum both smiled at Xander, welcoming him warmly.

Danny nudged Mason to do the same thing, not knowing that Mason and I have given Xander a life action of how chaotic we could be. But, Mason only left us alone without responding, he’s too fucking proud and that annoyed me even more.

“Xander, why don’t you have dinner with us?” My mother invited and Xander only laughed.

“I can’t at the moment but I promise that the next time I come here I’ll have dinner with you guys.” He said with a smile and my mum smiled back at him as she nodded in understanding.

I walked to the door with Xander and bid him a goodbye with a smile before finally walking back to the table.

I took my seat where I least wanted to sit but because my mum and Danny had pestered me, I had to sit with Mason, dinner was going well and both our parents took turns in talking about their day with a smile on their faces.

“How was your day, Ava?” Danny asked and I explained to him that nothing special happened, I only went to school and got back to prepare for the lesson I had with Xander.

“Yeah, right.” Mason said and I only ignored him. He’s not about to ruin our perfect dinner.

“How was yours, Mason.” My mother asked.

“Oh, you don’t want to know how his day went. All he ever does is have sex like a sex crazed adult. I wonder if he thinks of anything else, like anything productive to do with his life rather than run around with anything in a skirt, you know?” I said and my mum and Danny’s mouth dropped open as they looked at me, and then at Mason, but I didn’t care.

“Mind your own fucking business.” Mason snarled at me, his eyes filling up with rage.

“Pussy.” I said beneath my breath but loud enough for him to hear me.

“If you think I’ll get mad at that then you don’t know me, you’re the real pussy and we both know that.” He whispered as he slightly leaned into my side. I bit my bottom lip to refrain from saying anything else.

He need not worry.

I’ll get him next time.

Instinctively, I picked up my steak and threw it at him. He dodged it easily as he stuck his tongue out at me but before he could say anything else, the end of my fork collided with his forehead and I snorted out a laugh.

“Good for you.” I laughed but soon stopped when Danny yelled at the both of us to shut up.