Ava’s POV
“I was about to introduce you to your stepbrother, his name’s Mason.” My mother’s voice kept on ringing in my head and all of my attempts to shake it off proved futile as the horrible stranger who’d cost me a lot still stood in front of me.My chest clenched as I struggled to breath, it was as though I’d suddenly forgotten how to breath properly. What the hell was going on right now?He was the one who’d made me lose my presentation. I failed a very important test and he revealed absolutely no sign of remorse and had even attacked me.There was no way he was my stepbrother, all of the activities going on around us seemed to be on hold as I tried to gather my bearings.“There’s no fucking way that this asshole is my stepbrother!” I yelled as I pointed a finger in his direction, I was causing a scene but I didn’t care and I could tell that my mother and stepfather were surprised at my outburst.“What do you mean, Ava?” My mother asked softly, she was trying to calm me down but I wasn’t having it.“I mean if this rude son of a bitch would be my stepbrother then I disapprove,” I yelled, all attention was now drawn to me and my mother was trying to hold me down as I spoke, “I never ever want to ever see you again and you have the nerve to waltz in here like someone wanted you here!” I screeched, lounging forward to shove the stranger named Mason but my mother held me back.“Oh please, do you really think I’m equally happy to be seeing your face right now? I also don’t ever want to see you again, you’re not only childish and dumb, you’re also very fucking rude!” He shot back at me, both of us doing nothing to mask our dislike and utter hatred for each other.“Oh, if I’m rude, then what are you? You arrogant swine. Why are you here, huh? No one wants you here!” I knew I shouldn’t be hauling insults at him, especially not in a place like this, but I couldn’t bring myself to stop.“I came for my father because I care about him and his happiness, I’m not here to exchange words with a clumsy person who doesn’t even look where she’s going before stupidly bumping into someone and also expecting an apology on top, who’s the proud one now?” He demanded with a scowl and it took everything in me to not sprint over to him and give him a hard slap.I gritted my teeth and clenched my fist on my side. I tried to refrain from punching him across his face, but I couldn’t hold myself any much longer. I’d have probably done that if my mother wasn’t holding me back right now. His face disgusts me and his presence made my stomach knot.I turned around to look at my mother and I could see the disappointment boldly written on her face. She motioned for me to come with her next.I forced myself to calm down as I followed her out of the reception, she’d decided she needed to speak with me and we found a quiet, private spot to talk. I was still fuming and pacing about and my mother let me let it all out before she spoke.“What the hell is wrong with you? Of all days for you to lose it, it has to be at my wedding?!” She accused and I pursed my lips. Her disappointment was clear in her voice as she spoke.“I hate him! I don’t want him as a stepbrother, I don’t ever want to have to see his face again.” I snarled but calmed when my mother’s face fell.“What do you mean? That’s Mason, he’s Danny’s son and if the relationship between the both of us would work then you would have to put your differences aside and just let it go—““There’s no way I’m doing that!” I cut in.“Don’t you want me to be happy? This is my wedding for crying out loud and you’re ruining it.” She said and my heart broke, how could she think I don’t want her to be happy?“I’m sorry, mum,” I apologized, “I promise to be on my best behavior and let our differences go for today. I want you to be happy.” I finished and she let out a smile as she hugged me.We waited a few minutes more before we both walked back to the reception.I caught a glimpse of Danny scolding Mason and the far end of the room and when he caught sight of me, I rolled my eyes and snarled at him. I just couldn’t help it.Soon, Danny and his son, Mason, crossed the reception towards where my mother and I were standing.“What do you have to say to each other?” Danny asked and I blinked at him. I didn’t want to be the one to apologize first, I wanted to get the satisfaction of him doing it first.“Ava?” My mother called out and I rolled my eyee and let out a groan.“C’mon Ava, remember what we talked about. What do you say?” She pressed.“I’m not apologizing, he offended me first—““Ava!” She called out once again and I sucked in a sharp breath and hastily exhaled it.“Fine! I’m sorry.” I said with my eyes rolling so hard that I could feel it at the back of my head.It was the fakest apology I’ve ever given in my entire life.“Mason?” His dad called and he apologized gruffly while glaring daggers my way, the both of us promised to be on our best behavior and try our best to not ruin our parents’ special moment.I avoided him like he was a plague and I was grateful that he’d done the same, although sometimes when we crossed each other’s parts, we would insult each other beneath our breath and give each other the fingers like our lives depended on it.“I hate him so much.” I muttered to my friend who couldn’t hold in her laughter. “What’s funny?” I grumbled and she stopped laughing at once.“You hate him but it’s too bad he’s going to be your stepbrother, both of you would basically have to sleep and wake up together in the same house.” She explained and my rage filled me once again.“I mean, both your parents are getting married, they’re already even married.” She added and I didn’t want to hear another word.I closed my eyes as the thought of spending a day with Mason killed me, let alone the rest of our lives, I just can’t do it. I stood to get myself a dessert and I was trying to figure out what to pick when I heard the voice I detested the most behind me.“Move the fuck aside if you’re to slow to pick something as simple as dessert. And don’t pour the whole thing on the ground, knowing how clumsy you are. I’d hate to have you ruin it.” He demanded and I felt the urge to strangle him.But because I had promised my mother not to cause another scene, I willed my anger away and collected myself before selecting a random flavor of dessert.I took a deep breath as I turned around to regard him through my lashes, one of my fake smiles playing across my lips.“Stay away from me.”Ava’s POV I woke up extremely early, I turned to look at my bedside alarm and it turned out that it was still 5 AM. Making my way to the bathroom, I got ready for school. I was still mad about a lot of things. I wasn’t mad at my mother’s wedding, it’s was the fact that, that jerk is now my step brother.Yuck. It didn’t take me long to get ready for school. I was determined to not think about the new development of my life this morning, but it couldn’t be helped.On my way to school, I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that I was going to have to mow address that jerk as my brother. I would rather walk on hot coal than do that.But, he really is going to be my brother and I wasn’t sure I even have any other choice than to acknowledge him as that. I sighed as I took my seat in the classroom, and the empty seat beside me was enough to instantly remind me of my best friend’s absence.I missed her so much, if she were around right now, then I would’ve had someone to vent
Ava’s POV I didn’t have any class tomorrow so that only meant that I could sleep late and wake up anytime I wanted. Although, my body is used to going to bed late and waking up extra early.I dropped the call with my mum and after a while of surfing the internet, I retired to bed to rest for a while. Closing my eyes, I soon fell asleep.The ray of the sun that made its way into my room made me shift uncomfortably on my bed. I should’ve worn my eye mask before falling asleep, was the first thought that popped into my head.I reluctantly stood from the bed to drop the curtain and since I was up already, I decided I was going to use the rest of the day to do the few house chores laying around. I cleaned up the house and made breakfast and just when I’d finished making breakfast, I heard a knock on the door.Rushing to open the door, I found my mum standing there with a hat on and her bags in hand, while the rest of her things were behind her on the ground.“Mum!” I shrieked as I thre
Ava’s POV The hustling and bustling of my mum moving the boxes we had packed together the previous night jolted me awake. I got up in time to get ready and assist with the packing. Getting ready to move, I made my way to the bathroom and freshened up before joining my mum outside to wait for Danny.I took a side glance at my mother before clearing my throat. I really wasn’t happy about the new development, which is why I wished I hadn’t told her about my hatred for school dormitories, then she’d have definitely not have bated an eye at me asking her if I could go live there.“Mum, just please. I’ll get a good apartment, I’ll move in with good people and you do know that you can trust me to take very good care of myself.” I tried to convince once again but I knew her mind was already made up when she let out a long sigh.“Ava!” She called out in a small sigh and I immediately understood. My fate has been sealed and whether I like it or not, I’m going to have to accept Danny as my
Ava’s POV I unpacked my things and arranged my room to my taste, it took about an hour for me to be able to finally finish unpacking. I picked up my phone to check the time and it was 6:30 PM. I dialled my best friend’s number again and as usual it went to voicemail.Perhaps the Internet connection in where she currently is is extremely shitty.I miss her a lot and if she were around, I would have told my mum to let me stay with her instead. I sighed as I laid back on the extremely big and comfortable bed. The bed was two times bigger than my bed back at our old house and the bedroom was so spacious and stuck up, it almost made me feel grateful that my mother hadn't given Into my request to move into the school dorms.The bedroom had a large closet which was also stuck with a lot of high quality brand new clothes which I really favoured, all in my size. My mum must have definitely given him a hint in that aspect.I reminded myself to thank Danny for that later today. The room also
Ava’s POV I groaned as I sat up on my bed the next morning. it was comfortable and I wished I didn’t have to leave it. I took another glance around my room and I smiled fondly.I loved everything about my new bedroom, the space, the brightness, the aesthetics, and the interior, along with everything in it. Everything about it is just so appealing to me, except of course for Mason.The thought of him made me frown and I hissed and rolled my eyes at the thought. He wasn’t only bugging my life, he was also hell bent on invading my dream, telling from the stupid music stunt he had played last night. I ran my fingers through my hair as I tried to brush the thought of him to the back of my head.I’m not going to let someone as stupid and irrelevant as him ruin my day!Turning to my bedside table, I picked up my phone and went through my reminders. I have two classes to attend today, one of which isn’t my best class.I stood up from the bed and made my way to the bathroom, freshening up a
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
Ava’s POV It felt as though time was against me. I hated the class I was having but I have to sit here and listen and pretend I care about Geography.My silent prayer got answered when the class ended and I couldn’t be anymore grateful. I hastily packed up my belongings and left the class with Nicole.“Hey. What were you going to tell me before we went to class?” She asked and my mouth opened in realisation. I had been about to break the news of my mum being married to the father of my worst enemy on earth before the lecturer arrived in class, but now, I wasn’t mentally prepared to talk about everything just yet.“You know what? Let’s talk about it later.” I said, tugging my bag over my shoulders more properly.“Fair enough,” Nicole shrugged and I let out a small sigh of relief, glad that she didn’t push it. Talking about Mason right now will only stress me out and make me get into a bad mood, which I’d rather not have right now.And besides, I’m going to this party because I want
Ava’s POV “Ava!” Nicole’s voice echoed faintly behind me, but I ignored it at first, choosing to keep walking forward. She easily caught up with me.“What the hell is wrong with you? Why did you leave like that?” She demanded while sucking in deep breaths. Why did I have to see him? Why did he have to show up here, out of nowhere?Is he friends with Ryan?I had succeeded in keeping him far away from my thoughts, but then he just had to be the guy I had been dared to go kiss.As if I’d ever kiss him. I’d rather die than to do something like that.I huffed out an irritated breath and delivered a kick to the innocent trash can positioned a few inches from where Nicole and I were currently standing.“Why didn’t you do the dare?” She asked and I felt myself getting worked up all over again. Of all the questions she could’ve asked me, she really chose to go with why I didn’t do the dare?“Look Ava, this is what a party is all about, you should learn to live a little and the only oppor