MEMENTO

X.

            "You're vile," Cecilia remarked, watching as James mixed mayonnaise and ketchup for his fries. She wrinkled her nose at the sight, even going as far as to fake gagging noises.

The four of them, Cecilia, James, Sol, and Zip, sat together in the university's dining hall, taking up a booth that normally would've been reserved by a larger group, but no one was up this early on a Saturday as everyone seemed to be nursing hangovers.

Zip had, as he always did, remained silent throughout their brunch, occasionally chuckling softly to something Sol said or scooping something he didn't want to eat onto Cecilia's plate.

The other three made up for it in chatter, though, as they discussed last night's events with fervor.

"I can't believe Aaron Gardner kissed me and I don't even remember," Cecilia picked up once more after commenting on James' nasty eating habits, hanging her head. She had had a little too much last night to recall anything.

"Well, believe it," Sol murmured, smiling as he spread cream cheese over his bagel. "He hasn't shut up about it in our group text."

"You have to show me what he said," Cecilia breathed out, nearly lunging across the table for Sol's phone. "Please!"

"Huh, what's the phrase? Don't kiss and tell?" Sol remarked, a playful smile quirking over his features.

"I will give you the rest of this breakfast sandwich," Cecilia pleaded, extending her tray towards him.

"You weren't going to finish that anyway," Sol pointed out, shaking his head.

"Was too!" Cecilia insisted, crossing her arms over her chest. She lunged forward when she saw her phone screen lit up and murmured, "Sorry... It's Cara. Poor girl. I'm going to have to break the news to her that Drew is off the market today."

Both James and Zip raised their eyebrows at each other, aware of the fact that Cara had no interest in pursuing Drew romantically. Sol spoke up, though, announcing, "Look, you guys are making so many assumptions! We don't know if they went home together. They were mad at each other, anyway."

Cecilia rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "Drew wasn't mad. I was. Anyway, explain why they both disappeared as soon as we arrived. Neither of them is answering our texts, either."

Sol shrugged, saying, "I don't know. I really don't think they're together."

Zip sighed at that, eyelids fluttering as he poked a fork into his food but didn't take a bite. His new friend was very easy to read, and Zip couldn't help but pity the lovestruck Sol. They both were constantly pondering people who couldn't return their feelings.

Glancing up at James, who had a glob of ketchup on his chin, Zip really wondered how he was still having a crush on his roommate. He said nothing, though, simply studying how Cecilia pointed to her chin from across the table before shaking her head at James' inability to fully wipe off the spot and leaning over to dab at it with her own napkin.

James opened his mouth to remark something about Sol's own involvement with Erica, but bit his tongue, deciding the statement would be too cruel, especially since he only just recently pried Zip away from Sol's side. Instead, he glanced up and grinned even wider, stating, "Speak of the devil."

"What?" Cecilia murmured, narrowing her eyes at him as she settled back down. "Erica? Where?"

"Three o'clock," he informed her, attempting to appear subtle as he sipped his juice from a straw and looked over at the couple through his periphery vision. Cecilia didn't even attempt nonchalance as she swiveled her head around with a bewildered expression.