Brighter Than My Porch Light

Spreading Rapidly Like Wildfire

Wendy and I suddenly clicked. We talk every day and hang out more often. Our numerous similarities and differences fit together harmoniously. We're becoming each other's rock.

Packing Jennie's things and gifts at my place is a difficult task, and it would be easier with help, so I invited Wendy over. She's excited. In exchange, I will help her with Joy's things too.

"Thank you for coming over," I signaled for her to come in.

"Oh, that's nothing. Doing a difficult task is a way to deepen friendship bonds."

She's wearing a gray shirt and skinny jeans. It's rare to see her dressed up like this, and I'm wearing my favorite cartoon onesie. She chuckled as she handed me the food she brought.

I like to keep notes, receipts, drawings, and small memorabilia, but Jennie's things all over my place agonize me. A simple stuffed toy or a magnet on the fridge could bring back repressed memories.

When we rearranged the top of my dresser, it felt lighter. I have a new place to store new memories.

"I found myself missing the memories I had with Jennie. I had a hard time dealing with the fact that this chapter of my life is over now," I told Wendy, giving her a grateful smile implying I'm glad she's here to help.

"How did you deal with that part of your life being over?" she asked curiously, folding my clothes neatly one by one.

I stopped cleaning and stood up in front of her.

"Oh boy, I crawled and bawled at first, but I convinced myself it's just the end of this chapter, the next one will be better," I explained while I stared at her, impressed by how she folded my clothes.

It took a while to swallow it, but it's true. I needed to learn how to chin up.

She agreed, and she explained that when you reach the end of the road, you'll be sad with the conclusion, and yet filled with excitement for what is to come.

"When I got my heart broken, I made my place dirtier, so there's something messier than my life," she shakes her head, chuckling. Seulgi told me that jokes are half meant, and if someone pokes fun at her broken heart, that someone is in deep pain.

Our mission is to pack up things, but we always get distracted. We procrastinate a lot. She borrowed one of my onesies, then suddenly we had cucumbers on our eyes and face masks.

As the sunset approached, we had no energy to cook dinner, so we ordered in. I guess packing and procrastinating are both tiring.

"Was it a nasty breakup?" she asked while deciding what to order.

"No, not really. We had an amazing flow at first, but when we fought, it was terrible. But the breakup? It was cordial and civil. Quite ironic, isn't it?" I described while having a face mask on.

"Oh, I see. Mine was nasty and hasty. It never crossed our minds, but that one argument was like a spur-of-the-moment decision. I felt deranged; my whole world flipped over," she explained with an intense tone.

Wendy and I discover something about each other in every hangout. We flip to the next chapter of our lives simultaneously, mending the pages that people ripped off forcefully.

"What would you do if you crossed paths again?" I asked.

"Like at the mall or something? Hmmm, a small window for kindness can come back and benefit you in the long run," she chuckled loudly, and I agreed with her.

"How about you? What if Jennie asks for help, like acting advice and projects? Would you cave in?" Wendy quickly followed.

"She helped me through my rough times, and everyone is in need in some way or another. Why not pay it forward? Right?" I clarified while fixing my face mask.

We've already chosen our meals and hit the order button. I handed her the phone and continued, "And you know, studies show people are inclined to love those who help," I proudly shared what I read.

"Like this?" she asked, referring to her helping me out today.

"Haha, yes... like this," I nodded, smiling like crazy.