Unfinished Business

Chapter 3: The Surprise News

Lena's new life at college was fallin' into place, at least on the surface. Classes were startin', she was meetin' new people, and she was tryna stay focused on why she came here in the first place. But it wasn't easy. Every night, she lay awake thinkin' about Que and the baby. She tried to push it to the back of her mind, but no matter what, it was always there, naggin' at her.

Her mom called often, checkin' in, makin' sure she was settlin' in alright. But it was always the same question: "Have you talked to Que yet?"

Each time, Lena would sigh and say, "I tried, but he's still actin' like I don't exist." She didn't have the energy to keep chasin' after him. She was tired of tryin', tired of feelin' like she was runnin' into a brick wall.

Three months had passed since she'd last seen Que, and in that time, her belly had started to show. She couldn't hide it much longer, and soon, everybody was gonna know. Her mom had been supportive, but Lena could feel the worry in her voice every time they talked. It was gettin' harder to pretend like everything was fine.

Flashback: The Party

It was the weekend before she left for college, and her friends had thrown a big party to celebrate everyone who was headin' off to school. Lena didn't really feel like goin', not with everything that had happened between her and Que, but her friends wouldn't take no for an answer. They said it was her last chance to have fun before college life took over.

So, she went.

When she walked into the house, the music was blarin', and people were already dancin' and drinkin'. Her friends were outside on the patio, but Lena wanted to get a drink first, tryna ease her nerves. As she made her way through the crowd, she stopped dead in her tracks.

There he was. Que. With another girl.

Lena's heart dropped as she watched him, arms wrapped around some girl's waist, his lips pressed against her neck like it was nothin'. The girl was all up on him, smilin', whisperin' in his ear, and Que? He was lettin' it happen like Lena didn't even exist.

The room spun as Lena stared at them, frozen in place. She felt like she couldn't breathe, like her whole chest was tight, and her legs wouldn't move.

She quickly turned away, duckin' through the crowd. She couldn't stay there. She couldn't watch that. Tears welled up in her eyes as she stepped outside, pullin' out her phone to call an Uber.

One of her friends came out onto the patio, wavin' her over. "Lena, where you goin'? Come on, we just gettin' started!"

But Lena shook her head, her voice breakin'. "I gotta go. I'll see y'all later."

She didn't wait for their response. She hurried to the curb, her heart feelin' like it had been ripped out of her chest. How could he move on so quick? They had been together for five years, and now he was kissin' up on some girl like Lena meant nothin'.

By the time the Uber came, Lena was already cryin'. She hated how weak she felt, hated that she still loved him after everything.

She got home that night, crawlin' into bed without sayin' a word to anyone. The image of Que with that girl burned in her mind, and she realized in that moment—there might never be a chance for them to get back together. Que had moved on, and now she had to, too.

Back Home

Meanwhile, back in her old neighborhood, things were startin' to shift. Lena's mom had been keepin' an eye out for Que, hopin' to catch him and talk to him face-to-face. She couldn't stand the thought of him not knowin' about the baby.

One afternoon, Lena's mom was drivin' through the neighborhood when she finally spotted him—Que, standin' outside a convenience store, talkin' with a couple of his boys. She pulled over, her heart poundin', wonderin' how this conversation was gonna go.

She stepped out of the car, callin' out to him. "Que! Come here, we need to talk."

Que glanced over, his eyes narrowin' when he saw her. He hesitated for a second before walkin' over to her. "What's up, Ms. Monica?"

Monica crossed her arms, her voice tight. "I need to talk to you 'bout Lena."

Que's expression hardened. "Ain't nothin' to talk about. She broke up with me and bounced, remember?"

Monica shook her head, frustration clear on her face. "You don't even know the half of it, Que. She's been tryna reach you for months, but you've been too stubborn to answer."

Que looked away, his jaw clenchin'. "I told her I'd hit her up when I was ready."

Monica sighed, her voice softenin'. "Que, she's pregnant. She's been tryna tell you. You need to step up."

The words hit him like a punch to the gut. His eyes widened, and for a second, he didn't move. "What?" he whispered, like he didn't believe what he just heard.

Monica nodded, her face serious. "She's carryin' your baby. And she's out there in another state, all alone. You need to go talk to her."

Que ran a hand over his face, the weight of it all hittin' him at once. Pregnant? Lena was pregnant, and he had been ignorin' her all this time? He didn't know what to say, his mind spinnin' with a mix of emotions—shock, guilt, anger. But one thing was clear: he couldn't keep runnin' from this.

He looked at Monica, his voice low. "Where is she?"

"She's at school, out in North Carolina. If you care about her at all, Que, you'll go to her. She's scared, and she needs you."

Que stood there for a moment, his mind racin'. He had been so wrapped up in his pride and his anger, he didn't even think about what she might've been goin' through. Now he had to fix it.

"Give me her address," he said quietly. "I'm goin' out there. I need to talk to her."

Monica nodded, diggin' in her purse for a pen and paper. "I know she'll be mad I gave it to you, but y'all need to talk."

The Surprise

Two days later, Lena pulled up to her house after a quick grocery run. She was startin' to feel more at home in her new place, but there was still somethin' missin'. She parked the car and started unloadin' her groceries, feelin' the heaviness of the day settlin' in her chest. Her belly had grown a lot since the last time she saw Que, and with every passing day, the thought of him not bein' around weighed on her.

She was headin' back outside to grab the last few bags when she stopped in her tracks, her heart nearly jumpin' out of her chest.

There he was. Que. Standin' by the driveway, leanin' against his car like it was the most normal thing in the world.

"Que?" she whispered, shock floodin' her body. "What are you doin' here?"

Que didn't say nothin' at first, just walked over to her, grabbin' the rest of the groceries from the trunk like it was somethin' he'd done a thousand times before. Lena stood there, frozen, watchin' him as he carried the bags inside.

Once everything was put up, the silence between them was deafening. Lena didn't know what to say, and Que? He just leaned against the kitchen counter, starin' at her, his face unreadable.

She wiped the counter, tryna keep herself busy, but when she walked past him, Que gently grabbed her wrist. His other hand slid under her shirt, restin' on her belly.

"So, it's true," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. His hand brushed over the small bump, and he shook his head. "Might be a little Que in there, huh?"

Lena swallowed hard, her eyes fillin' with tears. "Yeah... I tried to tell you."

He didn't say nothin' for a long moment, just stood there, his hand still on her stomach. "I messed up. I shoulda been there."

Lena wiped at her eyes, noddin'. "Yeah, you should've. But you're here now."

Que sighed, his shoulders slumped. "We need to talk 'bout how this gon' work. I'm not leavin' you alone in this."

Lena nodded, feelin' the weight of everything crash down on her. This was the conversation she'd been waitin' for, but now that it was here, it felt surreal.

"Yeah," she said softly. "We got a lot to figure out."