To Hate My Stepbrother

Ava’s POV

Being on one’s period is the worse thing that can ever happen to a girl.

Feeling in a severe amount of pain, I ruffled through my drawer to get my pain relief drug and I took it in hopes that my menstrual cramp would subside a little but it seemed as though the drug wasn’t working.

Clutching my stomach and tossing and turning on my bed, I finally decided that I was going to place a pillow under my belly and I wasn’t expecting it to make me feel better than the drug I took previously.

I closed my eyes in a bid to catch some sleep and also gather some strength before my mum and Danny got back. The sound of the door banging and the voices of people downstairs woke me from my sleep.

Groaning, I stood from the bed and walked slowly since I felt weak. I needed to make myself a hot cocoa and also tell my mum what’s going on with me.

“Mason, go get your sister.” I overheard Danny tell Mason and his groan was loud enough that I could hear it all the way from up the stairs.

I also don’t want him inside my room because I know I’m going to make sure he regrets it, rolling my eyes, I walked down the stairs and coughed so my presence would be known.

“What is wrong with you? You look pale.” Danny pointed out but I was too weak to answer him and I just made my way to the kitchen and proceeded to make my cocoa.

I searched everywhere for the heating pad but I couldn’t find it and finally gave up. I walked back to the dining room and it seemed as though my mum already knew what was wrong with me.

“Where’s the heating pad, mum?” I asked. I could feel Danny and Mason’s eyes on me and that was when I realised I haven’t really said anything to Danny or even acknowledged him.

“Hi.” I said and he only nodded, he seemed as though he didn’t want to get on my nerves so he didn’t say anything.

I turned back to my mother who told me where the heating pad was and I went to get it and filled it with warm water before picking up my glass of Cocoa.

“She’s been cranky all day, is she okay?” I heard Mason ask and I rolled my eyes. What does he care if I’m okay or not?

“It’s that time of the month and she definitely got her crankiness from me,” I heard my mother explain and I rolled my eyes. I couldn’t help but want to wait to hear what they had to say about me. I enjoyed hearing my mum’s stories about her period but I was in too much pain to wait behind.

Luckily, their voices were loud enough that I could hear them so I kept my room door open.

“When it’s time like this, her father would usually make her the hot cocoa and help her with the heating pad before rubbing her tummy for her till she falls asleep.” I heard my mothers voice again and I smiled.

She’s right, my dad would usually get me all I needed while all I had to do was lay down and enjoy how he treats me like a princess.

Some time later, I heard footsteps and I’d thought it was my mum coming up to check on me when I saw the frame by the door and it was Danny, standing awkwardly at the doorway. I smiled wryly as I tried to sit up and sip on my cocoa some more.

“No, please, lay back down.” Danny said, walking into my room and quietly shutting the door after him, before taking the cup from me. I laid back down properly in order to feel comfortable once again.

“Thank you.” I mumbled and coughed dryly before exhaling sharply. My back hurts a lot and I really could use a little bit of back and belly rubs.

“I came to ask you for something,” He started, rubbing his palm together like a nervous child, “I wanted to ask if you’d like to see a movie with me this weekend? When you’re feeling better, of course.” He spoke fast and I couldn’t help but smile through the pains I was currently in.

“Yes, I would love to.” I answered and he grinned as he came forward to have his seat beside me after confirming if he could.

We spoke for a while and I got to learn some more things about him and also about Mason.

The same way my mother couldn’t mention ten things without mentioning five times, was the exact way it is with Danny, and I tried not to feel triggered by it.

“Don’t worry, he’ll warm up to you with time and you’ll surely get to know that he isn’t that bad.” He assured me and I only nodded since I didn’t have enough strength to argue right now.

“Did you come in here to ask me about the movie?” I finally asked and he sighed before shaking his head negatively.

“No, Uhm, your mum told me that when it’s the time of the month, your dad would rub your tummy so I’m here since he isn’t.” He answered and my heart warmed.

“Are you not mad about the fact that she brought up her dead husband?” I asked and he shook his head negatively.

“No, in fact, I’m glad she said it because only then can I know what to do right,” he answered with a smile that made him look almost really young again, “so, can I help? You know, rub your tummy for you? If you don’t find that weird, of course.” He asked and I nodded affirmatively, feeling my chest warming up some more.

“I really would appreciate that, the heating pad is helping but there’s nothing more soothing than a real stomach rub.” I said, leaning into him and although he seemed shy and awkward, he placed his hand on the lower part of my stomach to start rubbing it while I closed my eyes to enjoy it.

“Do you mind talking about your dad while I rub?” He asked and I opened my eyes to take a look at him and I could see that he was genuinely interested.

Agreeing to talk about my dad, I told him everything I could remember about him and we both smiled and laughed together.

My eyes soon started feeling heavy and I didn’t know how long I could keep them open before they finally gave in to their desire to close while I fell into a deep sleep.