Can't let go

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July-september 1993

After everything - all the fights, all the rumors, the messy moments and awkward silences - somehow, somehow Korina and Eazy found their way back to each other.Not officially, not in the way people expected.

It was messier than that.It was closer than that.

They hung out a lot lately, like old friends who never quite stopped flirting.There was this weird understanding between them now - they didn't owe anyone explanations. They were bound whether they liked it or not.

"Come here, baby korina" Eric grinned, reaching out to pull her into a quick hug as she walked into his place, stomach already rounding out from the pregnancy.

Korina laughed, pretending to roll her eyes but letting herself sink into his arms for just a second longer than necessary."Don't say that like it's cute," she teased, brushing past him to flop down onto the couch.

"It is cute," he argued, following her like a lovesick puppy. "You carrying my lil' twin. You practically my wife now."

Korina shook her head, trying to fight the stupid smile creeping on her face. It was harmless. Just jokes.At least, that's what she told herself.

They spent the afternoon like that - harmless flirting, sharing junk food, teasing each other about baby names ("Kory Junior, I'm serious!") - and laughing like there weren't a million problems waiting outside those four walls.

Later that day, Navira pulled up.Kori didn't even notice her friend lingering by the doorway at first, arms crossed, watching quietly as Korina laughed too hard at something Eric said.

When Eric finally dipped to the kitchen to grab snacks, Navira pounced.

"You know you're setting yourself up, right?" Navi said, voice low and cautious.

Korina blinked, caught off guard. "Setting myself up for what?"

"For getting your heart broken again."Navira slid into the seat beside her, all serious. "Kori, I'm saying this 'cause I love you... but y'all act like some old married couple that don't even know they're toxic yet."

Korina's smile faltered slightly. She looked down at her lap, hands resting protectively over her belly.

"Navira," she sighed, "for the love of your mama, I'm already married to him. And I'm carrying his kid. What difference would it even make now?"

Navira opened her mouth to argue but caught herself.

She didn't want to start a fight.She didn't want to be that friend who "hated" just to hate.

She loved Korina - and if this was what she wanted, who was she to tell her no?

"...Fine," Navira said finally, with a small sigh. "You grown. You do what you feel. Just remember I warned you."

Korina offered her a small, grateful smile."Thanks, Nav."

Navira leaned over, bumping their shoulders together playfully before getting up.As she left, she cast one last look over her shoulder - finding Eric already making his way back over to Korina, flashing that same troublemaking grin.

Yeah.This wasn't over.Not by a long shot.

Navira watched them from across the room - Korina, laughing at something Eric said, her hand resting naturally on her baby bump, and Eric leaning into her like she was the only thing that mattered in the world.

It made Navi's chest tighten.

She wasn't trying to be a hater - she loved Kori, loved her enough to worry.

Because whatever was happening between Korina and Eric... it wasn't just friendly anymore.It wasn't even casual.It was thick, electric, the kind of messy love that made smart girls do stupid things.

Later that evening, after pulling Kori aside, Navira didn't sugarcoat it:

"You're playing with fire," she said plainly."You think you're controlling this. You're not. You're getting caught up, Kori."

Korina sighed, leaning against the hallway wall, arms crossed loosely over her chest.

"I know what I'm doing," she said, but her voice didn't carry the confidence it usually did.Navira raised an eyebrow.

Korina shifted, biting the inside of her cheek like she was considering how honest to be.

"I'll be careful," she said finally. "I'll be careful with me. With the baby. I swear."

Navira studied her for a long moment before nodding.

"You better," she murmured. "Because if you get your heart ripped open again... I'm not picking up the pieces this time."

Korina smiled a little, small and grateful.

"I love you, Navi."

"Love you too, dummy," Navira said, and with one last look over her shoulder, she left.

Later That Night

It was just Korina and Eric now.

The TV buzzed low in the background, forgotten.A bowl of half-eaten popcorn sat on the coffee table.

Korina sat curled into the corner of the couch, legs tucked up under her, one hand absently tracing circles on her stomach.Eric sprawled next to her, his long legs taking up most of the couch, looking so relaxed it almost made her jealous.

For a while, they just... existed.No drama.No music beef.No Death Row or Ruthless or New Edition.

Just two kids from nowhere who somehow ended up here.

But then Eric shifted, reaching for the remote, and his arm brushed hers - a casual touch that sent a jolt through Korina so hard she almost flinched.

Eric noticed.

He looked at her, really looked at her.Eyes a little guarded, a little vulnerable too.

"You okay, lil mama?" he asked, voice low.

Korina hesitated.Then nodded."Yeah. Just... thinking."

"'Bout what?" he pressed.

She exhaled, sinking a little deeper into the couch.

"Everything," she said honestly. "Life. Us. The baby. The fact that none of this was supposed to happen like this."

Eric leaned his head back against the couch, staring at the ceiling.

"You regret it?"

The question was so soft she almost missed it.

Korina shook her head immediately.

"No," she whispered."I don't regret you. Or him." (She patted her belly.)"I just... I regret how messy it all got. How messy it still is."

Eric turned his head toward her, his eyes heavy with something - something she couldn't quite name.

"Maybe it's supposed to be messy," he said after a beat. "Maybe not everything good comes wrapped up in a nice, clean bow."

Korina looked at him - really looked at him - and for the first time in a long time, she didn't just see Eazy-E the rapper.She saw Eric Wright.The stubborn, charming, reckless boy who somehow always managed to find the softest parts of her, even when she tried to harden herself against the world.

"Maybe," she said quietly.

He smiled, that small, crooked smile that used to melt her back when they were just two broke kids with big dreams.

And before she could second-guess herself -Before she could remember all the reasons she should keep her distance -She leaned in.

So did he.

Their mouths met in the middle, tentative at first.Testing.Tasting.

But then something inside Korina cracked open -Something hot and desperate and aching -And she pressed closer, her hands curling into the front of his hoodie.

Eric groaned softly against her lips, deepening the kiss like he was starving for her.

It wasn't rushed.It wasn't sloppy.

It was slow, sweet, and intense, the kind of kiss that felt like finding home after being lost for too long.

When they finally broke apart, breathless, Eric rested his forehead against hers.

"You drive me crazy," he whispered.

Korina laughed, the sound a little shaky, a little giddy.

"Right back at you, Wright."

And just like that, all the tension between them - the fights, the distance, the fear - dissolved for one perfect moment.

It was just them.And the tiny new life growing between them.