Page 16

I sat on my grandpa’s couch, my phone in my lap, barely paying attention to the sounds of Christmas music playing in the background. My mama and Pop were talking about something, laughing, but my head wasn’t in it.

I had already decidedI was ending things with Gianna before I left tomorrow. I just wasn’t sure if I was ready for what was coming next.

My phone buzzed in my lap and a part of me was happy seeing Serenity’s name on the screen, the other part was racked with guilt about what had happened the night before.

I swiped to answer, slipping into the kitchen for some space.

"Merry Christmas," I murmured, my voice lower than I meant for it to be.

I could hear the smile in her voice. "Merry Christmas, Langston." Just hearing her made some of the tension in my chest ease. "How’s home?" she asked.

I leaned against the counter. "It’s home. You know how that go."

"Yeah," she said softly. "You okay?"

I hesitated, because I wasn’t.

"Yeah," I lied. "Just thinking about some shit."

She didn’t press, but I knew she already had a feeling. "Gianna?" she asked after a moment.

I exhaled, running a hand over my face. "Yeah. I gotta talk to her tomorrow before I head back."

She was quiet, and for a second, I thought maybe she was gonna ask more. "You know what you wanna say?"

"Not really. But I know it has to be done."

I left out the part about last night. The guilt twisted deeper, sitting heavy in my chest.

"You got this, Creed," she said, her voice soft. “I know it’s not easy and honestly, I wouldn’t be too mad if you decided not to go through with it. I don’t ever want to put you in a position where you think you’re not going to be comfortable. Maybe, we just need to still just be?—”

“Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Don’t try to talk me out of this. It’s just a little bit of nerves, but I’ll figure it out.” I wished I could believe the words coming out of my own mouth. "What about you?" I asked, changing the subject. "How’s LA?"

"It’s good. Sevyn got me this new necklace for Christmas. It’s beautiful."

"Oh yeah?" I smirked. "You gotta show me when I get back."

"I will."

“So you talked to your mama?”

“We said “hi” to one another.”

“Serenity.”

There was a pause, and then she sighed.

"Alright, I’mma let you go. Just… don’t let your guilt make you second guess what you know you have to do."

I closed my eyes for a second.

"Yeah," I murmured. "I know."

"Merry Christmas Creed."

"Merry Christmas beautiful."

I ended the call and just stood there for a second, staring at the wall. Tomorrow was gonna be hell.

I knew what had to be done. But that didn’t mean it was gonna be easy.

By the time Gianna pulled up to the house, my stomach was churning with a mix of guilt and relief. I opened the door for her and she smiled bright before wrapping her arms around me and placing a kiss on my lips.

"I was starting to think I wasn’t gonna see you again before you left," she teased, as I led the way to the living room. She sat down on the couch, patting the spot next to her. I didn’t sit. Her smile faltered slightly. "What’s wrong?"

I exhaled, rubbing the back of my neck. "We need to talk."

Her expression immediately changed. "Okay…" she said slowly.

I looked at her, already feeling the weight of what I was about to say settle in my chest. "I can’t do this anymore, Gi."

She froze, staring at me like she didn’t just hear what she heard.

"What?"

"Us," I clarified. "It’s over."

For a second, she didn’t move but only for a second before she jumped up out of her seat. "You’re joking."

I shook my head. "I’m not."

Her face twisted, her arms crossing over her chest.

"Wow," she scoffed. "So that’s it? After all these years?"

"Gianna, I?—"

"No!" she snapped, stepping closer. "You don’t just get to drop this on me like it’s nothing, Creed! What the hell changed? We were literally just together two days ago." I knew what was coming next. "You found someone else, didn’t you?" she accused.

I clenched my jaw but didn’t answer fast enough. And that silence? I know it told her everything. Her face crumpled, but then it hardened just as quick, her fists clenching.

"You did," she whispered, her voice shaking. "Who is she?"

I exhaled. "It don’t matter."

"Like hell it don’t!" she shouted. Before I could react, she lunged at me, shoving me hard. "You fucking bitch!" I barely moved, but before she could try again, my mama was suddenly there, stepping between us.

"Enough!" my mama snapped, gripping Gianna’s arms and holding her back. Gianna was shaking, her chest rising and falling fast, her eyes wild with anger.

"I hate you," she spat. "I hate you so much, Creed."

I swallowed, my chest tightening. Because even though I knew this was the right thing, it didn’t make it any easier.

"I never meant to hurt you," I said, my voice lower than before.

She let out a bitter laugh.

"Well, you fuckin did." She turned to my mama, her voice breaking. "And you just gonna let him do this to me?"

My mama sighed. "Gianna, baby, this was his decision. There is nothing I can do about it. This is something I think you’re just going to have to accept.”

That seemed to break whatever fight she had left. My mama had always been on her side, or at least trying to talk reason into me. But on this, as I had made it clear with my mama before, I was firm and would not budge.

Her shoulders dropped, and she shook her head, blinking fast. "I can’t believe you’re doing this," she whispered.

I exhaled. "I’m sorry, Gi. But I think we both knew this was goin’ to happen."

She didn’t say anything else. Didn’t even look at me again before she shuffled out of the door, slamming it behind her.

I glanced over at my mama, the look of disappointment shining bright in her eyes. It wasn’t a good feeling, but again, this was something that had to be done. For me, for my peace. And honestly, a sense of relief poured over me as I exhaled the breath I had been holding in.

It was done. And even with all the guilt weighing me down, deep down, I knew— This was how it was supposed to be. Even if Serenity wasn’t in the picture. My new life, my new journey—Gianna wasn’t supposed to be a part of it.