𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘀 >

i'm gonna tell him rn

okay

text me if you need me xx

>

hey

are you free to ft really quick?

it's important

Queenie's phone rings before she even has the chance to blink at the text message she's sent on her screen. Lando's smiling face appears seconds later and it makes Queenie's stomach drop like always, only this time nausea is in place of the butterflies she usually has.

"Hey," Lando grins. "What's up?"

Queenie tries to smile back. "Hi."

"Are you OK?" Lando frowns and the concern lining his features makes Queenie feel even more of a horrible person than she already is.

"I need to talk to you."

Lando blinks slowly. "OK..."

"My work found out about us being together somehow and they've sent me an email to say that I should 'reconsider' for a more private relationship."

Lando snorts, laughing in shock at what he's just heard. "Fuck them, are you going to hand in your notice?"

Queenie's silence makes Lando stare at his phone screen in even more shock.

"You're not quitting?" He asks. Queenie shakes her head. "So, what does that mean for us?"

"I think it would be best if we just stopped talking."

"Jesus Christ, Queenie," Lando's laugh is bitter and Queenie feels herself flinch at the sound of him using her full name rather than her nickname. "I didn't realise we were back in year 7, breaking up every week because we didn't sit together at break time."

In any other situation, Queenie would laugh at his joke but given the circumstances, all she can do is heave a sigh. "It's not that simple."

"How isn't it?" Lando almost yells, his tone nothing but incredulous. "You're saying we can't even be friends just because your boss sent you some silly little email."

"I worked hard for this job, Lando," Queenie feels the need to defend herself. "You have to think about this from being in my shoes."

"I can't believe how selfish you're being."

"Me, selfish?" Queenie finds herself yelling back. "Lando, look at what you're saying to me right now. You want me to give up a job I slaved away four years of my life at university for, and for what?"

The words leave her mouth before she can stop them and by the twist in Lando's lips and the scowl that makes its way onto his face, she knows she's hurt him.

"What do you mean for what?"

"I didn't mean it like that," Queenie rushes out, massaging her temples where she can feel the headache coming on. "I just meant that I shouldn't be throwing away a career I worked hard for just for a boy."

Silence... and then...

"Fine." Lando grunts. "You do you."

"Don't do that to me."

"Do what? Want you in my life?"

"You're making me choose..." Why was she being made to choose? "That's not fair."

"Queenie, you've already made your choice." Why did everyone keep saying that to her like she'd made the wrong one?

There's a knock on the door and Lando tries to wipe the anger and hurt from his face as he turns to face the person in his doorway. "Lando, I don't know if you're aware but there's a grand prix that's about to star—"

"I'm coming, Charlotte," Lando interrupts, offering her a forced smile before he faces his phone again. "Listen, I have to go. You don't have to worry about it, we're done. That's fine."

"Lando..."

"Good luck in the future."

The sound of the FaceTime ending echo's through the room like a taunt and Queenie sighs again, throwing her phone on the bed beside her. She rubs the heels of her hands against her eyes, feeling like the decision she's just made add even more stress onto her shoulders than before.

"Fuck!" She groans, reaching for her phone again.

>

i'm sorry

read 12:25 pm.

what queens said: sorry x