9 April 1993, Friday

                With big, round, chocolate brown eyes, Choi Sooyoung kept herself glued against the window, looking in wonder at the passing scenery; a scenery that she would get used to in the future… because this place was going to be home for her and her family now. The four year old was soon out of the car once it had stopped behind the truck that carried majority of their things in front of the two storey house that was now theirs. Excited steps ran up the wooden stairs and she was now standing in the middle of the front porch that was empty except for a wooden swing chained to the roof on the left and the fence that surrounded majority of its perimeter.

“Soong!”

                Mindful of the men loading their things box after box inside their new home, Sooyoung leaped off the front porch and into the waiting arms of her best friend. Lee Sungmin grinned happily as he allowed the young girl to drag his eight year old self into her new house. Now that she lived a few houses away, there were more things they could do together and more time to do them.

10 November 1996, Sunday

“Soong!” Sungmin panted as he attempted to catch up with his best friend… who at the moment was running away from him. “Wait up!”

“Get lost, Ming.” She yelled back without turning around to even just look at him, rounding the corner and entering the street of her house.

“Yah!” The dark haired eleven year old gasped, catching his breath a second or two before he ran again. Whenever she dropped her honorifics, it was always a sign of bad things to come. “Soo, come on!”

“Is it because I’m a girl?” Sooyoung sobbed as she marched up the front steps of her home, ready to storm inside the house if it wasn’t for Sungmin catching her elbow and pulling her back.

“Yah, what’s wrong with you?” He frowned when she looked at him crossly. “You haven’t talked to me for two days, Soong!”

The seven year old, who was very much tall for her age, crossed her arms over her chest. “Why should I talk to you?”

Sungmin rolled his eyes. “You’re not three anymore, Soong.”

“At least I never abandoned my best friend.”

His jaw dropped. “What?”

“Is it because I’m a girl, Lee I-don’t-have-time-for-my-best-friend-anymore Sungmin?” She pouted; her lower lip quivering.

He could only sigh as he anticipated what would happen next. True enough, tears spilled down her cheeks. “Soong, you’re my best friend. You know that.”

“It’s like you always forget about me, oppa.” Sooyoung sniffed miserably. “You don’t like hanging out with little kids like me anymore.”

“That’s not true. You’ll always be my best friend.” Sungmin wrapped his arms around her, smiling when she hugged him back. “C’mon, Soong. Our tree house misses us already.”

6 May 2000, Saturday

                It was her turn to be eleven now and there she was, seated on the front steps in the porch, waiting for the appearance of her best friend. Beside her, bags of chips and cans of sodas sat, waiting to be consumed. Peeking at her wristwatch for the sixth time in ten minutes, an excited smile appeared on her face when the familiar sound of the bell attached to Sungmin’s bike reached her ears. The smile was soon replaced by one of confusion when her sights then fell on another bike trailing closely behind her best friend’s; the young boy on it looking about the same age as Sungmin.

“Sorry we’re late.” Sungmin apologized as soon as both bikes were properly parked. “Soo, this is Lee Donghae. He’s a new student.”

“Hi…” The other kid mumbled.

                Normally, Sooyoung would pout to no end about how other kids would ‘steal’ her best friend away from her. But Donghae had smiled so shyly and unsurely but charmingly at the same time that she couldn’t help but smile back at the new friend Sungmin made. She was never one for handshakes; only adults did that. So she did the thing the best expresses her ‘nice to meet you’. She took a bag of chips and shared it with her new friend named Lee Donghae.

4 August 2006, Friday

                Sooyoung sat down on the top step of the porch, absently gazing at nothing in particular. She was the only one home; her sister was over at some friend’s house and her parents were on a business trip. A sigh escaped her lips; loneliness seeping into her little by little. Usually, she could count on Sungmin and Donghae to keep her company… but not today.

She couldn’t really blame them. They were twenty one – or at least Sungmin was. Donghae was still a few months short – and it was normal for people their age to frequently go out with their friends… both male and female friends. Sooyoung sighed once more. There she was, seventeen and home alone on a Friday night. She couldn’t help but envy her best friends. They had grown to be such handsome guys – which she would never admit to them… ever – and then she… Well, no one really noticed her.

What saddened her more was how she, Donghae and Sunngmin were growing up so fast… and growing apart.

                Her parents had told her that it was really how life was. Nothing ever stayed the same. Everything changes at some point or another. The tall seventeen year old shook her head at the though, getting up from the steps to head inside, eat an early dinner and call it a night.

“Soo!”

She could swear that she thought she was hearing things up until hurried steps shook the wooden floor. “Donghae oppa? What are you doing here?”

Donghae laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck; a habit Sooyoung new he did when he had butterflies in his stomach. “I was worried about you being alone.”

Sooyoung beamed happily.

20 March 2007, Tuesday

“Ming, you should just sit down. Maybe my daughter and Donghae just got delayed.”

“But they’re never late, ahjumma.” Sungmin mumbled as he walked back and forth on the porch. “It’s our usual hour.”

She smiled. “I’m sure wherever they are, Sooyoung’s in good hands.”

                He paused mid-step at that; a part of him acknowledging that she was right before he continued pacing back and forth again. Maybe Sooyoung just had an errand to run or some other thing had to do and asked Donghae to tag along… or she ran into him while doing whatever it was. Sungmin in a sharp breath. That was probably it.

                A few more rounds of pacing later and his face perked up when he caught sight of two familiar figures entering the street of Sooyoung’s home. Though he very much wanted to run to them, he stayed put; not wanting his two best friends to know that he was worrying uselessly. Donghae and Sooyoung got closer and closer and it was only then he got a good look of his best friend since childhood.

Sooyoung had a beautiful smile on her face… and white rose in one hand.

2 July 2007, Monday

                Sungmin kept a supportive, consoling hand on Donghae’s shoulder; the two men crying without a care what others may say. They stood by the side, along with Sungmin’s parents, as the Choi family stepped out of the house; the only male of the family locking the doors firmly. Sooyoung and her family looked around as if memorizing every detail of their beloved home.

“Your four should take care over there, okay?” Sungmin’s father stepped forward and shook the hand of Sooyoung’s father. “We’ll take care of your home for you and make sure it’s renovated the way you want it to be.”

Mr. Choi smiled gratefully. “Thank you.”

                With tears in her eyes, Sooyoung finally forced herself to look at her two best friends. It was the most painful part of having to move to Japan for a few years, leaving them behind. She sniffed, struggling and failing to hold in the tears as she looked at the heartbroken expressions on their faces; the brunette teen soon running towards them and pulling both in a hug.

“D-Don’t forget to call, okay? And e-mail too.” Donghae choked on his sob. “Heechul hyung placed Skype in your laptop, right?”

She nodded, wrapping her arms tighter around her two best friends. “I won’t forget. I promise.”

“Don’t forget us, Soo. No Japanese can replace your best friends, okay?” Sungmin shook as the emotions overwhelmed him, almost desperate not to let go of her.

“I won’t, oppa. I promise you.”

Goodbyes were exchanged. Sungmin and Donghae watched as Sooyoung left.

9 July 2007, Monday

Sungmin and Donghae sat on the front steps of the porch of Sooyoung’s old home with nothing to keep them company but silence, their longing for the girl who brightened up their days and each other.

11 February 2011, Friday

                Sungmin could hardly keep still; Donghae looking exactly the same way by his side as they waited on the porch of Sooyoung’s old but renovated home. The house itself looked different thanks to the changes but the space they were in was kept the same per the request of their best friend. It had been a long four years – too long even. They had seen her grow through Skype; saw how she cut her hair short only to grow it long once more. Now, she was back for good and they were more than ready to end the days they lived without her.

                A car came to a halt in front of the house and a beat passed before the door was swung open; a taller, more beautiful grinning Sooyoung practically leapt out of the vehicle and into the waiting arms of Sungmin, who had excitedly ran down the steps at the first sight of her. He buried his face in the crook of her neck and inhaled the familiar scent he had missed all these years. She was home for good and that was all he could ask.

“I missed you so much, Soong.”

“I missed you too, oppa.” She pulled back, cupping his cheek with her hand; his eyes nearly going wide at the sensation that swept past him at her touch. “Look at you! Uglier than the last time I saw you.”

The dark haired man pouted in mock hurt. “You’re mean.”

“I’m just kidding, oppa.” Sooyoung gently patted his cheek. “You’re so handsome that I’m wondering why you’re still single.”

Sooyoung left his arms, running towards Donghae, who was waiting patiently on the top step; the usual charming smile on his face and his hands tucked inside the pockets of his pants. Sungmin could swear that there was a spring to his best friend’s steps. His jaw could only drop open as Sooyoung pressed her lips on Donghae’s.

That’s why.

12 February 2011, Saturday

                Sooyoung had since long gone to bed but Donghae and Sungmin stayed in the front porch. No words exchanged; the two men not by each other’s side. The older of the two was seated on the steps, staring ahead of him, while the other remained standing, leaning to the side against the railing of the same steps.

“When–”

“After she told us back then that she was leaving for Japan, I told her I liked her.” Donghae cut him off evenly. “A part of me hoped that maybe it could stop her from going to Japan but I knew it was stupid…Most of me did it because I wanted her to know. I needed her to know before she left.”

“So you two have been dating for four years?”

He shook his head. “No, hyung. We both knew a long distance relationship isn’t healthy. So we decided that if our feelings for each other are still there when she comes home, we’ll consider a relationship.”

Sungmin wanted to tell him so badly that he loved her too. But he kept silent.

9 September 2015, Wednesday

“It’s about time, if you ask me.”

“Oppa!” Sooyoung brightened, wrapping him instantly in a tight hug. “I thought you were in Beijing?”

“I wouldn’t miss your engagement party. You know that. Though I have to wonder why we’re on your porch right now instead of some hotel ballroom.” Sungmin pressed a soft kiss on the crown of her bed, waiting until she let him go so he could extend a hand towards her future husband. “Congratulations, Hae.”

Donghae stared at his outstretched hand, choosing to ignore it so that he could hug his best friend instead. “Thanks, hyung.”

The older man clapped a hand on his back. “Take care of her, okay?”

“No more death threats, please. I already got an earful from Heechul hyung earlier.” He made a face when he pulled away, stopping a passing waiter to get champagne for himself and Sooyoung. “I propose a toast.”

Sungmin wholeheartedly agreed to that, taking two champagne flutes for himself and his girlfriend, Lee Sunny.

29 October 2016, Saturday

                Sooyoung had her hands on the railings; the upper part of her body leaning slightly outwards as she silently gazed at the view that welcomed her every time she stepped out of her house for the past how many years. She cherished that moment to appreciate everything that her life had been. It was her last day before she officially became Mrs. Lee Donghae.

“Why so sad, Soong?”

“What are you doing here, Ming oppa?” She turned her head, finding her best friend standing in the driveway. “Aren’t you supposed to be with Donghae oppa?”

“We both wanted to check on you.” Sungmin replied waited until he was standing beside her before he replied. “Why do you look so glum, Soo? You’re getting married tomorrow!”

“This house is officially sold.” The tall brunette whispered, wrapping her arms around herself. “I mean, unnie has a family and a house of her own. Umma and appa want to move to the countryside. Donghae’s oppa’s parents bought us a house. It’s not practical to keep this house anymore. I guess I’m just sad because I grew up in this old place.”

“I bought the house, Soong.”

Her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. “What?”

“Sunny and I talked about it and she agreed.” Sungmin turned his head to grin at her. “This ‘old place’ means a lot to me too, you know. Besides, it’s a part of you that I get to keep.”

Sooyoung threw her arms around him and cried against his chest.

29 January 2026, Thursday

Donghae, Sooyoung, Sungmin and Sunny watched from their spot on the porch as their children played in the lawn with content smiles on their faces; howling laughter, screams and sounds from toys filling the air.

7 November 2073, Tuesday

Tear stains marked the wrinkled face of Lee Sungmin.

Sooyoung and Donghae sat on either side of him; the former running her hand up and down his back while the latter had a supportive, consoling hand on his shoulders.

Lee Sunny had left them.

14 May 2078, Saturday

It was just like how it all began – just Choi Sooyoung and Lee Sungmin in the front porch that staged the stories called their lives.