When I Turned the Television On

When I Turned The Television On.

| Seth Paver |

I button my white polo and snatch my black necktie from my bed.

My bed.
Forever.

--

"Seth? May I have a word with you?"

I look at Michelle, curious with what she was going to say.

"Since your family is living in Europe... where do you stay?"

I shrug my shoulders.

"In my office."

Her calm expression changes to a shocked one.

"What? Are you serious? You sleep there?"

I nod my head.

"Oh my God. You... so you technically don't have a house to live in?"

I wave my hand.

"Nah, it's okay. I'm fine, really--"
"NO. YOU ARE NOT FINE. YOU MUST LIVE WITH US."

I get taken aback, surprised at what Michelle just said.

"Pardon?"
"You heard me. Starting today, you're going to live with me and Alice, as long as you want to!"

I smile thankfully.

"R-Really? I... I don't know what to say. You're too kind. Thank you. So much."

She wears a sincere smile.

"It's alright. You can even stay with us... forever."

--

My mouth curves slightly into a smile at the thought of living with the one I love.

Alice Midorikawa.

I grab my suitcase and head down the stairs.

"Good morning, Seth!"

Michelle grins at me while I return the gesture.

"Mornin'. Where's Alice?"
"She's still in her room."
"I see."

I take a handful of bacon and start eating my breakfast.

In my house.

Just then, Alice steps out of her room, dressed in a beautiful bright blouse with a flowing skirt.
My mouth is agape at the sight before me.

"Since when did you start wearing those...?"

She blushes at Michelle's comment and looks down.

"Well... I don't know. For a change, I guess."

I smirk.

"Ohh, little Alice has finally grown up."

She faces me and raises an eyebrow.

"Were you saying something?"
"Oh, nothing. Don't mind me."

I chuckle while she wrestles my neck.

"I heard that, you dumbass!"

We all laugh when Nathaniel interrupts us.

"Excuse me?"

We all stop and look at him.

"Nathan. Come in."

He hesitates for a moment and walks in.
He awkwardly looks around and stares at us for a long time.

"Oh, don't be shy, Nathan. You're part of the family too, you know."

He looks over at Michelle, his eyes wide open.
He points at himself and stutters.

"M-M-Me? Really? P-Part of your family?"

I laugh at Nathaniel's shyness and approach him.
I pat his back convincingly and look at him admiringly.

"You, Nathaniel, are officially part of the family now."

He does a 90 degree bow, greatly touched.

"Thank you. For everything."

We all grin and eat breakfast together.

I've never felt so happy in my entire life.