When I Turned the Television On

When I Turned The Television On.

| Alice Midorikawa |

Every time I see Seth, my heart always skips a goddamn beat.
I mean, why is it...
It can't be that I have fallen for him, right?
Well, at least I still don't greet him.

I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts.

I can't be in love with him.

--

Finally!

Class has ended, time to relax at home...

I walk out of the school building and proceed back home.
As I was nearing the street, someone touches my shoulder.

"Hey, Alice!"

I shudder at the voice and move forward.
I turn around to face Seth who was smiling at me.

"H-Hey."

Whoa.
Did I just greet him?

"Um... do you... wanna... ride with me? You know, going home?"

I look at him surprisingly.

"Seriously?"

He awkwardly scratches his head.

"Well, if you don't want to, it's okay--"
"S-Sure. I'll come."

Did I just accept his offer...?

I glance up to see Seth looking at me, confusion written all over his face.

"R-Really?"

I look down.

"...just this once."

I flush slightly.

"Oh. Uh. That's okay."

I look at him and he suddenly takes hold of my hand.

"Let's go!"

I blush so red that I nearly trip over my shoelaces.
Seth notices my stare and quickly lets go of me.

"I'm so sorry!"
"No, i-it's fine."

He places his hand over his mouth and continues to walk to his car as I follow him behind.

"Nathan, Alice is riding with me."

I catch a glimpse of Nathaniel who was scrutinizing me.
I raise my eyebrows at him while he does the same.
Seth opens the car door for me when I look back.
The girls are all freaking staring at me and Seth.

Shit!
Bad idea.

But I can't just decline the offer.
It's just... rude.

I enter the car and still sense the stares of the girls which sends a shiver down my spine.

Crap.
Their auras are so damn strong.

Seth enters the other side as Nathaniel closes the door.
I shift uncomfortably in my seat.

It feel so weird, riding in Seth's car with him.
I feel like a celebrity myself.

The silence was so deafening that I had to break it.

"So... am I the only person who has ever ridden your car?"
"No."
"Ah. Who, then?"

Seth hesitates for a moment then looks out the window.

"...an actress named Leanne."

A sudden arrow of jealousy strikes through me.

"Leanne... is she the girl you're working with?"
"Yeah."

I look away and recall how she looks like.

Blondie.
Unattractive eyes.
Pouty lips.
Lanky legs.
Ugly fingers.

Just thinking of her makes me frown in total disgust.

She's not a beauty.
And plus, she dresses like a slut.

Nathaniel pulls in the driveway and I get out of the car.
I head to the front door hurriedly and unlock it.

"Mom, we're home."

Mom's head pops out from the kitchen.

"We're? Do you mean you're with Seth?"
"Err.. yeah. The both of us."

Blew it.

She comes and hugs me close.
Seth walks in and takes out his necktie.

"Hello, Aunt Michelle."

Mom lets go of me and hugs Seth next.

"Awww, it was so nice to bring Alice along with you!"

He chuckles quietly.

"It's no problem."

I roll my eyes tiredly and walk to my room.
I close the door gently and sigh wearily.

I think...
I have to know what my heart is telling me.

Because I must be in love with Seth.
And I can't deny it.