They left for the airport after lunch. Raymond's mum had insisted that Andrew would follow them back to Gainesville so that he and Raymond, would settle their dispute.
Raymond wasn't happy about the idea, neither was Andrew. But they both loved his mother and would do anything to please her.

As they flew back home, Jasmine tried her best to avoid Andrew but she could feel his gaze on her. The flight back home was awkward as they sat in silence, except for Bright and Kelly who were giggling and talking like crazy love birds.

When they arrived at Gainesville, Bright and Kelly baded them good bye and drove off. Raymond had offered to drive Jasmine home but she refused, not wanting to be in the same car with Andrew. He kissed her on the cheek before she got into the taxi and drove off.

He was now left alone with Andrew.
He wanted to ignore Andrew and go to his house but then he thought, maybe his mum was right. Maybe, it was time for them to have a real talk.

With a heavy sigh, he beckoned to Andrew to get into his car. Getting behind the wheel, he closed the door and drove off to the bar. Raymond parked his car at the driveway and they got out and walked into the bar.

They walked in like strangers who had never come across each other as they sat down on the bar stool and leaned on the counter. Raymond ordered a shot of scotch and Andrew requested whiskey. Taking shots after shots in complete silence, they both struggled with their thoughts not knowing what to say.

Raymond got up with a groan and left to the restroom. Andrew took a swing of his drink, wiped his mouth with the back of his palm as he got up and went to the restroom.

Closing the door behind him as he walked inside, he met Raymond washing his hands by the sink.
Raymond tilted his face towards the mirror and let out a heavy sigh when he saw Andrew's reflection.

"Why do you always take everything away from me?" Andrew's voice sounded cold and ragged.

"What?" Raymond arched his brows and turned to face Andrew.

"You took Jasmine from me." Andrew pointed an accusing finger at Raymond.

Raymond rubbed his forehead and took in a deep breath. "I didn't take anyone from you, Andrew."

"Liar." Andrew snarled, "I had her first and now you've taken her from me."

"Well if you hadn't hurt her, then maybe she might still be with you." Raymond shot at him.

Andrew balled his fist tight,his green eyes sparkled with fury. "I didn't hurt her. I'll never hurt her and she knows it. You're the one who stole her from me. That's what you're good at, you selfish bastard."

Raymond took a deep breath, clenching his fist as he restrained himself from getting angry. "That's enough Andrew," he warned in a calm tone.

"You took Ella from me and now you want to take Jasmine!" Andrew said angrily

Raymond sighed deeply in frustration as he knew what Andrew was getting at. "Nobody took Ella from you. She..."

Andrew cut him off sharply as he glared at Raymond with dagger stares.
"Don't you ever say her name." He warned through gritted teeth. "you have no right to say her name."

"Look Andrew," Raymond said calmly, "the only reason why we're both here is for us to talk and end this conflict between us."

Andrew shook his head, hate and pain in his eyes."there's nothing to talk about."

Raymond wiped his palm on his face and let out a quiet groan. "Yes there is. It's been eight years since Ella died and..."

"I said not to say her name." Andrew exploded, grabbed Raymond and in one swift motion, he smashed Raymond to the mirror.

The mirror cracked, splitting their reflection in two. Raymond was shocked as he stood there for a second and Andrew punched him hard on the mouth.

It felt like a brick had smashed on his face and Raymond could taste his own blood as he had bitten hard on the inside of his lip. Andrew tried to hit him again but Raymond held Andrew's wrist and pushed him hard on the chest.

Fuming with anger as his blood boiled with rage, Andrew threw Raymond on the floor. He rushed at Raymond and hit him again. Raymond held Andrew's wrist from swinging at him and he flipped Andrew on his back.
Raymond straddled Raymond's chest, holding his wrist down.

"That's enough Andrew." Raymond didn't want to fight back but Andrew was pushing him to the edge.

"Fuck you!" Andrew spat on Raymond as he buckled and writhed wildly beneath him.  Raymond tightened his thigh around Andrew's chest and he stopped. They stared, breathing hard and when Raymond thought the storm was over, Andrew slipped his wrist free and gave Raymond a blow.

Raymond let out a small cry from the impact of the blow. Letting loose of his anger, Raymond gripped Andrew on his collar and swung at him.

They wrestled on the floor, throwing punches at each other before two men rushed inside and lifted them off each other's neck. They were both panting hard, face reddened, blood on their lips and bruises on their cheek.
The owner of the bar didn't kick them out as he knew Raymond.

Minutes later, they were seated at a table, each one holding a pack of ice to their cheeks. They sat in silence, tending to their face as they clinged to their thoughts.

They had never had such a huge brawl until tonight. They poured out every hatred and anger they held towards each other.

They were never this way. They were best friends until Ella's death drew them apart eight years ago.
Raymond and Andrew had been best friends since childhood until Ella came into the picture in their 4th grade and they became a threesome. Though, she was a year younger.

Ella was a shy kid who wore big glasses. When Andrew had met her at the school's  hallway, it was love at first sight. He befriended her at the spot but never told Raymond about her.

One time, during lunch break, Ella was alone in the class when three bullies came at her. Raymond had left Andrew at the cafeteria to get a book in the class. As he was passing through the hallway, he heard a cry.
Curious about what was going on, he entered the classroom and saw that Ella was cornered by three boys. Raymond rushed in and fought them off.
What Raymond never knew was, after that day he saved her, Ella fell in love with him and marked him as her prince in shining armor.

The three grew up together, going to the same school and doing everything together. Ella's love for Raymond grew but she never told him. She was shy and scared of getting rejected. But still, she showed Raymond signs for him to notice her in a different way. Raymond understood the signs she kept throwing at him.
He held a special place for her in his heart but never told her as he didn't want to allow their young love to get him distracted from fulfilling his dreams. His goal was to achieve be successful at a very young age and make his parents proud.

Andrew's love for Ella never withered and he kept showing her how he felt but she always turned him down, saying that her heart belonged to another.
Even though, Andrew knew it was Raymond, he still didn't let his anger and jealousy come between the friendship he had with Raymond.

They eventually got separated after high school as Raymond left to Paris to study. Andrew and Ella went to the same college. Raymond hardly came back home because of the exciting activities and art competitions in college.
Most times, Ella would lie to Raymond on the phone and video calls, pretending to be sick so that Raymond would come back home. She would beg Andrew to act along. Despite hating the idea, Andrew agreed as he would do anything to make her happy. Raymond would fly back home after the distress call and would get pissed off realizing it was a prank.
But still, he laughed it off and spent the holidays with his best friends.

Andrew still continued to show his love, hoping that one day, Ella would let go of her hopeless love for Raymond and love him back. But that day never came.

Days came when Raymond got calls from Andrew, telling him that Ella was sick but Raymond ignored him as he didn't want to fall for their prank and miss going to art exhibitions and shows.
He even got calls from his mother telling him that Ella was terribly sick. He was annoyed that his mother had joined them in their stupid prank and so, he cut off all communication from them.

Five months later, Raymond got an email from Ruth, telling him that Ella was dead. He'd laughed at the message and ignored it. Two weeks later, he contacted Ella but it wasn't going through. He tried Andrew's line but it couldn't connect. Fear gripped Raymond and so the next day, he took the next flight home.

To Raymond's disbelief, the news was true. Ella had died of leukemia.
The news tore Raymond into a million pieces. He was numb for days, refusing to believe that Ella was gone. Until he was taken to her grave. He couldn't shed a tear as his heart had been buried along with her. It was at that moment he realized how much he'd loved Ella.

Ella's parents had moved away to Illinois. When Raymond had met Andrew, Andrew threw a vengeful fist at Raymond. He told Raymond in tears, that what hurt him most was the fact that Ella never feared death as all she ever wanted was to hold Raymond one last time. Andrew had wept bitterly because it had hurt him that, he was the one that made Ella smile, that took care of her, that stayed with her in her dying bed, but all Ella wanted was Raymond. Andrew had ended their friendship and then their battle was drawn.

"I'm sorry." Raymond's voice broke the silence.

Andrew pulled the ice pack from his jaw and looked at Raymond. His eyes held no resentment or hatred towards Raymond. "I loved Ella." His voice cracked.

Raymond let out a shaky breath, placing the ice pack on the table. "I know," he sighed.

"But she loved you." Andrew said quietly, staring at Raymond with pain in his eyes.
Even after all these years, Andrew was still hurt that Ella never looked at him the way she'd always looked at Raymond.

"I know."Raymond swallowed dryly, his eyes fixed on the ice pack.

Andrew sniffed and wiped his eyes with his palm. They sat in silence again.

"Do you care for a drink?" Andrew's question took Raymond by surprise.
He was shocked and he opened his mouth and closed it, not knowing what to say.

Andrew smirked. "I'll take that as a yes." He called for a waiter and ordered a bottle of whiskey.

As the night went on, they drank and talked about the old days but never mentioned Ella. Her death had caused a great bridge in their friendship but it was time to forgive and amend whatever friendship they had left.

This chapter revealed the relationship between Raymond and Andrew, and why Raymond always had those taunting nightmares of Ella.
I hope you enjoyed it.
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