Brighter Than My Porch Light

Opening Pandora's Box

After weeks of not being able to catch up with Seulgi, I visited her on the last day of the shoot. I missed her so much because I've been hanging out more with Wendy than with Seulgi now.

She has been so immersed in co-writing this movie that I feel like if she could cast herself in every character in it, she would.

I brought her favorite food, Garlicky Shrimp Bolognese. When she emerged, I saw her face light up when she saw me across the hallway. I did little jumps and waved at her nonstop.

She chuckled as she walked towards me. We went to the nearest park, behind her shooting location, where lots of empty plastic tables and chairs with wooden legs were available.

As we caught up about our lives, news, and whereabouts, I told her about Wendy.

"We're starting to like each other more than we should," I told her proudly, biting my lower lip while smiling as if I were spilling secrets to her.

"What do you mean?" She said with her mouth full of food.

"We're kind of dating," I said giddily."

"Kind of??" she said, her expression slightly frowning. I wasn't expecting her negative facial expression.

"I've never met anyone like her, and I'm proud to be someone she's dating." I could talk about Wendy for hours, but Seulgi wasn't amused.

"Isn't that unprofessional to date your client?" she said with concerned eyes.

She put down her fork, upset. She moved her chair closer and exclaimed, "And like what, you've only known her for a WEEK?"

"I've known her for THREE months; you forgot you recommended her?" I said, starting to get annoyed at how she sprinkled negativity all over.

I leaned away from her, crossed my legs, and sighed deeply.

"And she's not my lawyer anymore, so chill. I didn't tell you 'cause you've been busy," I quipped, sipping my shake aggressively.

"Oh, I'm sorry for not being able to keep up with your life and ask you day and night. I should have let my job fail," she said sarcastically, with a mocking tone, rolling her eyes.

Seulgi was so unamused and negative. She stopped eating and fixed her focus on me.

"What's your issue with Wendy? She's amazing. She's a classic perfection, the ray of light in between my grayness," I spoke fast, opening my palm towards her, inviting clarification for her to justify this behavior.

She disagreed, shaking her head, and annoyingly chuckling.

In an argument, you don't notice the time or surroundings, like drinks melting and pasta getting cold. So, I was quite pissed; she abandoned my pasta, and now our drinks didn't taste fresh.Top of Form

"Why are you settling down with a rebound?" She said it with confidence, and that's a hurtful blow.

I backed away; it was incredibly offensive.

"She... is... not... a rebound!" It was the highest pitch I ever thought I could make. I leaned forward with my clenched hand on the table, making sure I got my point across.

She covered her eyes, stressed and frowning. She placed her palms on her face, then the back of her head, and finally on the table.

"I can't believe this. Oh, I can't believe this," she mumbled, looking up at the ceiling and then down to her lap, heavy sighs punctuating her words.

"I'm bringing you guys together. This is a mess," she scoffed, angrily.

Her eyebrows were crossed, and the veins in her neck bulged out; she was just full of rage. Though I was offended, I felt a bit lost and confused.

She mumbled other words I couldn't understand.

"What?! Maybe enunciate your words properly?" I snapped.

"I said! Don't you want someone you've known for YEARS? Like someone who loves your antics and flaws, your childishness and craziness! And just ugh!" she grunted.

She was doing everything I hate, and it was getting on my nerves. Sarcastic, mumbling, and unsupportive.

Seulgi was all over the place, and I was all over her face.

"Don't you want someone who knows you very well? Someone who has been there for you! Someone... someone you consider reliable, honest, and--"

"Like who?? Haha YOU??" I yelled and gasped.

There was a minute pause, just staring at each other infuriatedly. Her angry eyes could slice a heart.

Suddenly... something hit me.

She's jealous.

But why?

A realization I couldn't put into words. A code I couldn't decode.

Something was yelling in my mind, but I couldn't hear.

Seulgi's eyes were teary, and mine were starting to well up too. She stood up, picked up her jacket, and paused for a second. She was about to cry; I could feel her concentrated rage and sadness.

She knocked the chair against the table and walked away, leaving her unfinished food that I had cooked.

"Seulgi!" I called after her, but she did not look back.

What is going on... I buried my face in my hands, bawling like a kid.

I called Wendy.

"Can you pick me up? I'm crying so much, and I don't know how to stop."