When I Turned the Television On

When I Turned The Television On.

| Alice Midorikawa |

"Alice, what happened to you? Why do you look so..."

I quickly look down but Renn tilts my chin up, making me stare straight into her sky blue eyes.

"Hey, hey. Tell me. I'm your friend, Alice."
"Me too!"

Aiden comes dashing to us, overhearing the small conversation.

"It's nothing, guys. Really..."

Just at that moment, Seth enters the room with elegance.
I scurry hurriedly at the back of Renn but Seth didn't mind me at all.
Instead, he walks to his seat, places his laptop bag on the table and sits down gracefully.
The girls all run to him and ask for his picture and autograph.

"Alice, hey, what's happening to you?"

Renn takes hold of my hand.

"What's wrong? Why are you hiding from him?"
"Err..."
"Did he do something to you?"

Aiden looks at me suspiciously and wrinkles his brows.
I totally blush and fling my arms high up in the air.

"Gah! I've had enough!"

But Renn and Aiden had already seen the color of my face.

"You're blushing, Alice!"

Renn puts on a curious smirk.

"Why are you red all of a sudden?"

Aiden scowls and faces Seth, but the girls are all crowding around him.

"Alice, tell us what happened!"

I look at the both of them and touch my lips with hesitation.

"E-EH?!!"

Renn wears a surprised expression on her face but Aiden remains confused.

"I can't! No!!"

I head out into the corridor when Ms. Mary arrives and blocks my way.

"And where are you off to, young lady?"

I stand frozen in the doorway.
Everyone starts glancing at us, the silence extinguishing the noise.
I stare at Ms. Mary, my face showing an afraid expression.

"I--"
"Go back to your seat, miss. Now."
"Y-Yes Ms. Mary."

I turn around andhead to my seat.

"What are you all staring at, you idiots? Get a move on!"

Everyone proceeds back to their respective places.

"Good morning, ugly class."

--

"...pick your partners now!"

I slowly turn my head to the right.
Seth isn't looking at me; in fact, he is smoothing his hair as if I didn't exist at all.
He just sits there looking bored.
Finally, he faces me, making me blush instantly.
I quickly look at Aiden instead who is narrowing his eyes at Seth.
I didn't pay him any more attention; I grab Renn's arm and pull her outside.

"Alice, is that what I think it is?"

She touches her lips and grins widely.
My body starts to tense and my hands tremble in anxiety.

"Renn..."

I shake my head and place my hands on her shoulders.
I muster up the courage to tell her the truth.

"He... He kissed me, Alice. Seth kissed me."

She clasps her hands over her mouth then squeals with delight.

"I WAS RIGHT!"
"...yes."
"I'm so happy for you!!"

Renn hugs me so tight that I almost suffocated.

"What's happening in here?"

Aiden interrupts our chitchat unexpectedly.

"Nothi--"
"Seth kissed Alice!"

Aiden gets taken aback and wears a bewildered expression.

"Is that true... Alice?"

His tone of voice suggested anger in it.
I nudge Renn so hard that she winces in pain.

"Y-Yeah."

He curls his hand into a fist.

"That creep--"

Just then, Seth's hand rests on Aiden's shoulder.

"Aiden, would you be my partner?"

I pause for a while and stare at Seth.

He... he doesn't want to be with me!

"Let go of me, you scum! Don't you ever dare touch me again."

Aiden pushes Seth's hand away roughly.
Seth stands there in place as he watches Aiden go when he looks at me.

"Ah. Hello, Alice."

Not another word.
He didn't bother to smile or wink at me like he used to.
I pass a hand over my face.

Wh-What happened to him now?
Was it because of the incident last night?
Wait, why am I thinking about this IN THE FIRST PLACE?

"It's okay, Alice. Aiden does not hate you, and so do I. In fact, I'm really glad."

Renn hugs me close.

"I will help you and Seth together."

I look at Renn awkwardly.

"Shut up, Renn."

She just laughs at my shyness.

"You and Seth look really good together, Alice. No kidding."

I guiltily look down.

Nope.
Never mind.
I won't tell her that Seth's living with me.

Not yet.