To Hate My Stepbrother

Ava’s POV

The sound of my bedside alarm jolted me out of my sleep. I found it hard to fall asleep last night at first, before eventually falling into a dreamless one.

Getting ready for the day, I had my bath and put on comfortable clothing before walking down the stairs. The pleasant aroma that filled the air told me Mason had already prepared breakfast.

On climbing down the stairs, I found him setting the table and with a small smile, eyes welcoming me to the dining table without actually talking.

I hesitated for a moment before sinking into a seat.

Eating our food in silence, I wanted to say something at different intervals but I was too embarrassed to say a thing, and so we ate without saying anything to each other.

None of us spoke about the panic attack I had yesterday and I was really grateful that he refrained from speaking about it, nor did he try to taunt me with it or say anything stupid.

“Are you okay?” Mason’s voice jerked me out of my thoughts and I turned to look at him, blinked slowly. He was standing by the table, clearing it slowly.

“Hmm?” I asked before his question fully hit home. “Yes, I’m fine.” I answered almost immediately and he nodded before going into the kitchen.

He came back with a cup of hot chamomile tea and I stared at him blankly for a while, I had no idea how he knew I took chamomile tea when I’m stressed.

“Thank you.” I whispered when I took the cup from him, biting my bottom lip when our fingers grazed each other’s fingers for a moment. I took a sip from the tea and couldn’t help but stare at him, wondering why he’s being so nice with me today.

Must’ve probably been the panic attack I had, I noticed he had looked extremely worried and perhaps scared as well but he did a good job at hiding it.

My phone buzzed and I picked it up to see my mum’s name on the screen. Answering the call, I was excited to hear from my mum.

“Hey baby girl? How are you doing? Are you okay?” She asked and I nodded like she was going to see me, I’d forgotten it was an audio call.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“I’m good, mom, thank you,” I answered, “How are you?” I asked with a smile.

“I’m good honey, Mason called last night, he was really worried and scared and I thought to check on you.” My mum explained and a small smile crept over my face.

He was worried about me to an extent he had to call my mum. My mum already automatically knew why I got scared since she probably heard from Mason that it rained last night.

“Should I come to you? I’ll be able to take care of…”

“No!” I answered hastily and even I was taken aback by my swift answer, “I mean, no mom, I’m not a kid. I’ll be fine.” I added in reassurance and after talking for a while, she hung up.

I didn’t want her here because that might ruin my chance with Mason, he’s not as bad as I really thought he was and now I want to give him a chance.

He deserves at least a second chance and to be given the benefit of doubt. I’m positive that he’ll warm up to me and until then, I’m going to put up with anything that comes up next.

We had to cancel tonight’s dinner because not only was I drained, I didn’t want to step out of the house. I was happy when Mason agreed to canceling with me.

He’d prepared dinner for us and we had our food in silence, our eyes would occasionally meet and we’d look away swiftly.

I could tell that he had something he wanted to say but since we’ve both taken a vow of silence, neither of us wanted to be the first to speak.

Walking to my room slowly, I collapsed on the bed and wrapped myself up with the sheet. Rain soon began to fall and my worst fear came crippling back to me.

Why’d the rain choose tonight as the perfect time to fall?

I’m afraid of thunderstorms and sleeping alone in my room would only kill me as I hear the thunder repeated claps, and so I walked down the stairs with my blanket and laid on the couch.

It wasn’t long before I heard footsteps. It was Mason, coming down to do God knows what. I tried to ignore his presence but he came to stand right in front of me.

“If you’re here to insult me then you might as well get on with it.” I said in a tired sigh, burrowing into the blanket even more.

He ignored me and I pursed my lips as I watched him walk to the kitchen. A few minutes later, he came back with a cup of chamomile tea for me, flooring me tremendously.

Hesitantly, I took it from him and sipped on it slowly. I watched him take his seat on another couch, a can of drink in his hand while being focused on his phone.

After a little while, I closed my eyes but I couldn’t help but steal glances at him. It’s been thirty minutes and he was still out here with me.

“Why are you still here?” I asked, unable to hold myself back as I wondered why he was still sitting with me when he hates me.

“I’m still here because of your inability to fall asleep in thunderstorms, duh.” He answered without moving his eyes from his phone and I could feel tiny flutters in my stomach.

I kept staring at him until he glanced up at me. My breath caught in my throat a little and I swallowed emptily, right before I slid my eyes close.

I had no idea when I fell asleep.

~~~

“How long have I been asleep?” I asked as I stiffened a yawn, groggily sitting up. Mason snickered a little as he raised an eyebrow.

“Let’s see, since last night,” He answered, reaching down to hand me a cup of tea that I eagerly accepted this time.

Mason is being unusually nice, strangely. Last night, he had made me blush, prompting butterflies to dance around in my stomach for some unknown reason.

“Hey!” He called, snapping his fingers in front of me and I blinked up at him, “What the hell were you thinking? I just asked what you wanted for breakfast.” He added.

I had no idea he was talking to me. Smiling, I told him I was going to make do with pancakes and I watched as he made his way to the kitchen.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop thinking about him, and about how it seems like he’s hell bent on taking care of me, and a shy smile tugged at the sides of my lips.