Unfinished Business

Chapter 1: Letting Go

Lena stood outside Que's crib, heart racin' like crazy. She wasn't ready for this talk, but she had to do it. She had to let him go, even though every part of her was screamin' not to. They been together since they was kids—five years of memories, of love, but things was different now. She was 'bout to leave for college, and Que? He was still in the game, doin' what he had to do to survive, but that life wasn't for her no more.

She took a deep breath, her hand shakin' as she reached for the doorbell. The second she hit it, her chest got tight. This was it. No turnin' back now.

The door swung open, and there he was—Que. Tall, dark skin gleamin' in the sunlight, tattoos peepin' out from under his shirt. He had that look in his eye, like he already knew somethin' was off.

"Wassup," he said, his voice low, his eyes searchin' her face. He stepped aside to let her in.

"Hey," Lena muttered, walkin' past him and headin' for the living room. Her heart felt heavy as she sat down on the couch, memories hittin' her all at once. This place was theirs—where they kicked it, laughed, argued, made up. All that history, about to be left behind.

Que sat across from her, leanin' back, his eyes still on her. "What's goin' on, Lena? You look mad serious."

She couldn't look him in the eye, so she stared at her hands instead. "We gotta talk."

His face dropped, the easy smile he had gone. "Talk 'bout what?"

Lena felt her throat tighten. "Us. I think... we need to take a break."

The silence that followed was heavy, suffocatin'. Que didn't say nothin', just sat there, his jaw clenched tight. When he finally spoke, his voice was calm but cold.

"So, you wanna break up," he said flatly, his eyes darkenin'.

Lena nodded, feelin' tears prick at the corners of her eyes. "I ain't wanna do this, Que. But I'm goin' away to school. You stayin' here, doin' what you do, and... I just don't think it's gonna work. I don't wanna stress us out like that."

Que leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, hands clasped tight. "You think this gon' stress me out? Nah, Lena. What's really goin' on? You tryna leave 'cause of the life I'm in, right?"

She shook her head quickly, but she knew it wasn't the full truth. "It ain't just that, Que. I love you, but I need space to grow, to focus on school. You know what you into, and I... I just can't be part of that no more."

He stood up, his whole body tense now. "So, what, you think you better than this now? Better than me?"

Lena's voice broke as she stood up too. "I ain't say that! I just... I gotta do this for me. I'm tired of bein' scared every time you leave the house, wonderin' if you comin' back. I can't do it no more, Que."

Que was pacin' now, his hands balled into fists. "So, that's it? You just gon' bounce and leave me behind like it's easy?"

Lena wiped at her face, the tears she'd been holdin' back startin' to fall. "It ain't easy! I'm tryna do what's best for us!"

"What's best for us?" Que snapped, his voice hard. "Or what's best for you? 'Cause I ain't askin' for no damn break, Lena."

She looked down, her voice barely a whisper. "I'm sorry."

Que shook his head, walkin' over to the door. "Nah, if that's what you want, then go. I ain't beggin' nobody to stay."

Lena's heart shattered right there. She walked to the door, her chest tight, feelin' like she was leavin' a piece of herself behind. As she stepped out, she turned to him one last time, hopin' for some kind of sign that he wasn't done with her. But Que's face was blank, cold.

She whispered, "I'm sorry," one more time before walkin' away. This was the right thing to do, right? Then why did it feel like the worst decision of her life?