When I Turned the Television On

When I Turned The Television On.

| Alice Midorikawa |

"Wake up, Alice."
"Seth? Is that you?"

I blink my eyes open and see my mom smiling at me.

"No, dear. Seth's gone, remember?"

I widen my eyes in shock and quickly get up from bed.
I run to Seth's room and slam the door open.

"Alice, Seth went back to his acting. Or did you forget?"

I stopped to gather my thoughts together.

Seth's not with us anymore.

I look down and leave the room in misery.

"Mom, what's for breakfast?"
"Egg and bacon. There's bread too, if you like."

I absentmindedly nod my head and slowly walk down the stairs.
The smell of newly-cooked food pass through my nose as I tread towards the kitchen.
I sit down and start eating.

"Seth, it's time for breakfast!"

I call out when my mom giggles.

"Oh, Alice."
'What?"
"Nothing."

I glance at the door of Seth's bedroom, waiting for him to come out grinning and combing his hair.
I sigh and get back to eating.

He's never coming back.

--

As I reach the school grounds, I sigh and sit on the nearest bench.
After a few minutes of taking a break, I am about to stand up when someone covers my eyes.

SETH!

I grin happily and turn around.

"Seth, you're back!"

Aiden stares at me amusingly then lets out a guffaw.

"You really do miss him, don't you?"

I blush and bring my head down.

"S-Sorry..."

He pats my shoulder gently.

"It's okay, Alice. He'll come back, I'm sure of that. I think all you need is a hug."

He reaches his arms out for a hug and grins.

Ah, one of his killer smiles.

I wear a smile.

"I guess so!"

I hug him, trying to erase Seth out of my head.

I hope he's doing well.