Disclaimer: Wesley will be three years older than Ezra in this fanfic

Chapter 3

"Please eat something." A young voice spoke breaking the unsightly thick tension between the two.

"I don't want to eat Hardy." Ezra Fitz spat back harshly at his college friend.

The friend sighed loudly. "Well did you eat last night after I left?" Silence again. "Ezra stop looking in the distance and start answering my question!"

"Don't talk to me like that! I'm sick of everyone checking up on me all the damn time!" He took a sip of his whiskey that lived on his nightstand, taking in the familiar warmth.

"We're just trying-" Interrupted.

"To help me!" Well I don't want your fucking help Hardy! You don't know what the fuck I've been through, do you really think your help is going to solve all my problems? The therapist you shoved down my bloody throat? Ella's? Why because they 'know what I'm going through'"

Ezra used air quotes to emphasise his anger before taking another sip of his now favourite beverage. "Hell no they don't! Oh and especially those women you try to set me up with haven't got a fucking clue. They know nothing of the sort! And why are you even trying to set me up anyway?"

"Ezra, I-"

The intoxicated friend laughed loudly to himself. "Wait. Wait. Let me guess. You were just trying to help me, it's all you keep saying! What I will never understand is why you're trying so hard to make me forget about-" he choked, it'd been ages since he said her name but she was all he thought about day and night.

"Aria." Hardly said softly.

The blue eyed man caught eyes with something on his bookshelf. "Get out. Just get out, I can't do this anymore."

Hardy got up from the chair in the kitchen and began to walk through empty pizza boxes his friend clearly had no intention to move. When reaching the door, he called out, "Ok but please call me if you need anything. You may not like it but I am here for you Ez." He finished his heartwarming speech (although the only heartwarming thing Ezra could feel right now was the alcohol) and then the friend left.

Ezra sighed and trudged through the pile of mess he had no desire to clean up. He looked face to face with his future, held it in his hands and sobbed. Tears became heavier as he sat on his bed and opened the box. The most beautiful diamond ring stared back at him.

~FLASHBACK~

Ezra walked through the hospital door with tears staining his face. He may visit her everyday but it still hurts to see someone he loved being torn away from him.

"Hello Grandma, how are you? Sorry that's such a stupid question to ask. I didn't mean to upset you." He spoke softly.

"My dear Ezra, come here please. And I'm alright, thank you for asking." Tears were also in her eyes as her grandson went to sit on the edge of her bed.

After Ezra's parents had divorced everything was too much to handle so he went to live with his grandparents along with his older brother Wesley. Ezra had always had a special connection with his grandmother and when her husband passed away Ezra had been her rock. Now he was going through the same trauma she experienced. Wesley went back to work for their father. So he was the one in charge of looking after their sick grandmother. It had felt like his world was falling apart, everybody was leaving him behind, of course that's life but Ezra felt too young to be alone, he was about to start his first year of college soon. Life was scary and he'd been thrown in the deep end.

"I know it's hard but I've had a wonderful life, truly. And you deserve that too. A young man like you doesn't need a burden like me."

"But-"

"But nothing. You're starting college soon, you're doing everything you've wanted to in life and I'm so proud of you and everything you've achieved. All you do is put others before yourself and now you need to put yourself first." A small silence filled the room as they exchanged warm smiles. "Here I want you to have this," the elderly woman took off her engagement ring and have it to her grandson.

"When your grandfather gave this to me I was ecstatic. You remind me of him everyday, from your handsome looks, to your wonderful personality; and that's why I want you to have this. I want you to make your special someone as happy as I was when I had this given to me- a beautiful and wonderful chapter in my life. Treasure your dreams and never let your person go, you two will be so lucky you've found each other. I can't wait for you to create so many happy memories with them, when that time comes."

Ezra gave a weak smile. "Are you- are you sure?"

"I've never been more sure of anything, except when I married your grandfather." Her sweet remark caused the two to chuckle. Unexpectedly, a young nurse walked in declaring that visiting times were over. Ezra got up off the bed slowly, have his grandmother a tight hug and walked towards the grey door. He didn't want to leave.

"I love you my dear Ezra."

"I love you too Grandma, so much."

That was the last time they saw each other.

~FLASHBACK OVER~

Ezra cried deeper as he saw his reflection in the ring that his grandmother gave him. He thought she would be so disappointed if she saw her in this state. This wasn't the life he promised her he'd have. He was the biggest disappointment and a life that was currently without Aria made him worthless. He put the box on the nightstand next to his bottle of whiskey and fell asleep into a deep trance as his head hit the pillow.