Something to remember him by.

Chapter 1

7 months later...

Andrea met Miranda outside the Great Hall. Morning classes were over and it was time for lunch. They walked together to the university's Upstairs Canteen. The Upstairs and Downstairs Canteens were very different from each other. Downstairs was informal and served snacks and drinks. Popular music played and there were Pool Tables available. Upstairs was more formal. No music played, full meals were served and their were actual tablecloths on the tables. Both had separate entrances and staff. Though they usually hung out with their other friends in Downstairs, when they were really hungry they went Upstairs which served a divine mushroom and cheese pasta dish that they usually shared.
On the way there Miranda mentioned that someone she used to go to school with would meet them there.
"He's applying to come here next year. Would've been here this year but his father waned him to redo his Matric," she said. "He wasn't happy with Zachary's results the first time."
"Ja well some parents are like that," Andrea replied as they climbed the stairs to reach the canteen.
Once inside Miranda spotted Zachary and pointed him out to Andrea. She looked him over. Not bad she thought. He exuded a confidence that was very attractive and an intensity that was wholey masculine. They approached the table he lounged at and Miranda introduced them. Zachary studied her for a moment before saying, "You have a bad memory."
"I do?" she asked, puzzled.
"Yes you do. We've met before."
"Uhm.. When was that?" She tried to remember but came up blank.
"The open day in March. Miranda introduced us then."
She still couldn't place him to Miranda helpfully supplied, "The one who wouldn't stop talking.
"Oh! Yes I remember now. Sorry I was focused on something else that day." More like someone else she thought, remembering Charl.

Miranda sat down while Andrea went to buy their food. She came back to the table with the plate and two forks. Putting the plate between her and Miranda so that they could share, she sat down and began to eat. Her mind drifted while Miranda and Zachary caught up with each other.
Zachary might have caught her momentary attention but she had recently spent some time with her ex boyfriend and was thinking of getting back together with him. He'd called her recently, completely out of the blue. They'd chatted and agreed to meet this weekend.
"It's rude to wander off into your mind when you have company," Zachary said, snapping his fingers in front of her.
She jolted out if her thoughts and noticed Miranda looking at her exasperated.
"Zach said he'll come by again tomorrow and take us to the lake. Do you want to go?" Miranda asked this normally but her eyes pleaded with Andrea to say yes.
"Sure," she smiled. "What time?"
"Around three I think," he replied before turning to Miranda. "I have to go now but I'll call you later." He looked at his watch. "Ladies," he said as he nodded at each of them and left.
Andrea watched him walk away then turned quickly to Amanda, who pretended to be eating intensely.
"Spill," she demanded. "Why do I need to be with? You'd be fine without me."
"He likes me," she sighed and gave up on pretending to eat.
"So?"
"So I just think of him as a friend."
"Well then tell him that."
"I can't do that," Miranda looked shocked. "It would hurt his feelings."
Andrea shook her head, "So instead you want me to play chaperone?"
"Exactly," Miranda nodded enthusiastically. "I told him we do everything together and wherever I go, you go. Say you'll do it. Please?"
"I'll be bored out of my mind here without you anyway," she teased.
"Yes! Thank you!" Miranda exclaimed and hugged her.
Andrea laughed and they went off to their next class.