When I Turned the Television On

When I Turned The Television On.

| Seth Paver |

I sit on the porch steps waiting for Alice to come back.
I look up at the sky when the rain stops.

Weird.

I hear people talking and laughing nearby.
I quickly look at the direction of a familiar voice to see Alice and some guy having a little conversation with each other.
I grimace and stand up.

"Alice, Alice! Are you alright, my dear?"

Aunt Michelle runs towards Alice and hugs her tightly.

"Oh, Alice! I was so worried about you!"

I walk closer to them when the dude puts on an amazed face.

"He really is Seth Paver!"
"Of course I'm Seth Paver. Who did you think it is?"

I cross my arms in dismay.

"Mom, please! Relax."

Aunt Michelle lets go of her while Alice clears her throat.
It seems that her mood has brightened up a bit.

I glance at the guy who was just talking to Alice awhile ago.
He catches my stare and looks away.

So I see.

"Alice, who's this young boy here?"
"Mom, he's Aiden Skye Evans. He's our new neighbor! He's just recently transferred to this neighborhood."

Alice points to the other house near us.

"Really? That's wonderful! Why hello there, Aiden."
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Midorikawa. It's nice to meet you."

He goes near Aunt Michelle and kisses the back of her hand.

What. The. Hell.

"How very sweet of you, Aiden. As you can see right now, the person standing in front of you is Seth Paver. Okay listen here, we have to keep this a secret. No one should know that he's living here, okay?"

Aiden guy nods his head.
He glances at me then nods again.

"I understand."
"Thank you, Aiden. I put my trust in you."

Aunt Michelle goes to him and clasps his hands.

Hey!
She can only do that to me!

"I'm sorry Aiden, but I have to borrow Alice."
"Haha, of course, of course! Sure, Mrs. Midorikawa."

She lets go of his hands.

Creep.

"Thank you for accompanying Alice back here. I'm very thankful for what you have done."
"No problemo, Mrs. Midorikawa. I'm right next door if you need me!"

He grins and waves.

"Thanks, Mrs. Midorikawa! It was nice talking to you!"

He faces Alice.

"Take care, you!"

Alice laughs and waves back at him.

"Same to you too, Aiden!"

Tch.

They treat each other like they're best friends already.

Disgusting.

Alice enters the house as Aunt Michelle closes the door.

"Alice, listen to me carefully."
"What is it, mom?"
"Seth here will not leave this house."
"WHAT?! ARE YOU KIDDING?!"
"I'm not done talking."

Alice frowns and glares at me.

"He'll be staying here in our house until he says he wants to leave."
"BUT WHY?!"
"Alice Evashkov Midorikawa. I am your mother and I have the authority in this house."

Alice pouts then looks down.

"...but what about dad--"
"I talked to him awhile ago about it. He doesn't mind."
"No way! That's not possible!"

She smothers her face with a pillow cushion.

"Whether you like it or not, you have to get along with Seth."
"This is shit, mo--"

Aunt Michelle glares at Alice fiercely.

Damn.
She can be so freaky at times.

"..."
"Good."

Whoa.
Alice has finally accepted her loss.
Aunt Michelle has won!

She leaves the living room, a big victorious smirk on her face.
Alice's knuckles tighten in anger as she stands up.
She glares at me (what's up with the glares?) then starts talking to me furiously.

"Don't you dare come near me or make physical contact with me. You cannot talk to me unless it's very, very urgent. Call me Alice and no other. You may only look at me. Get it?"

I don't know how to thank you, Mrs. Midorikawa.