Towards the within

Zenobia decided that yesterday was a good time to go see Zenia. I reminded her that Zapata had tried that the day before.
“Zapata said that that was Eva’s idea, and Eva screwed it all up. This time, I’m driving. We need to get some books from their library anyway. Remember the history project I keep on putting off?”
“All right. I’ll go with you two, but I don’t expect anything good to come out of it.” Trying to reason with Zenia was like trying to reason with an avalanche. I had no idea of what we were trying to do, besides. I still felt hungover, but this was something to do. I went downstairs and waited to Zenobia to pick me up. Charles Wallace was acting more secretive than usual, and ducked into the kitchen when he saw me. I had left Wilco upstairs with the computer, since the cat was wandering around; I didn’t know what Wilco would do to Blake if he got mad.

We picked up Zapata and drove out to the university. Mackenzie Bowell was out in the middle of a dairy field or something about ten minutes out of Milborough. The university had a tower, a few ultra modern connected buildings, and a series of high-rise student residences. We parked in the visitors lot at Picton Hall and went to find Zenia. Zapata pointed out where Eva had insisted on hiding near the entrance.
“Supervillain relatives my ass. She just wanted to drag Duncan out of Zenia’s bed herself.” Zenobia called up to Zenia’s room. After a minute or so, she turned around and said that Zenia’s room was on the sixth floor and she’d be waiting.

Zenia was waiting at her door. “Well, it’s the Three Gothkateers: Charlotte Brontë, Trinity, and…” Zenia stopped there, squinted at Zapata, and continued, “Evil Willow. What’s brought you here to MacBowell?” She was perfectly dressed, as always.
“You know what it is, Zenia,” Zapata began.
“Oh, that. I thought you’d be happy that I waited until you were through with him, Zandra. I won’t be needing him anymore, if you were wondering.” The three of us looked at each other. Zenia spoke again. "I don't suppose any of you will be joining me here this fall." We nodded. "Let me guess: Zandra--the University of Toronto. Victoria or Trinity?"
"Trinity."
"And Zenobia. Waterloo, but is it computing or engineering?" Zenobia said computing. Zenia squinted a bit at Zapata again. "I give up. I've never been able to figure you out."
Zapata smirked a bit, then said, "Trent. Cultural studies. With Eldritch."
"Well, didn't see that one coming. You still haven't told me why you're all here on a Sunday. What gives?" Zenobia and I stared at each other, while Zapata started glaring at Zenia.
"You know what it is--stay away from Jeremy Jones." Zenobia and I traded confused looks.
"That's what you got us out here for? Jeremy's a great guy and all, but I think he can take care of himself. He's survived a hell of lot Milborough's thrown at him," I said.
"You keep your hands off him, too," Zapata said.
"I'm leaving right now," Zenobia said. "Zenia, we'll discuss that science project later." Zenobia started to drag Zapata down the hallway.
"Zandra, wait a minute," Zenia said.
"All right," I said.
"Sorry about Duncan and all that. I didn't think he'd get so attached to me so fast. But isn't this better?"
"Better than what? He's grounded, he hates me, he's in a pit of despair..."
"It lacks a bit of finesse, I know, but now you won't go and get back together with him and have a nastier bit of breaking up to do later. It's better this way." Zenia had her reasons, hard as they might be to figure out. The only thing consistent was the ruthlessness.
I caught up with Zenobia and Zapata in time for the argument.
"Seriously, Zapata, you can't put dibs in on every male in the high school. You've already got a boyfriend, so why do you need backup?"
"Jeremy's mine, not yours, and not Zandra's. I may not tutor him, but I understand him." That was arguable, but I wasn't going to say anything about it. Zenobia fumed as she drove us back to Milborough.
I got home and found a mess in my room.
"Charles Wallace, you fed Wilco on my bed!" My brother came out from his room.
"You weren't using it, so I thought it would keep his kibble out of Blake's way."
"You fed him on my floor, too. What's going on?" Charles Wallace went back to his room, chuckling sinisterly. I tried to clean the kibble up. I don't think I succeeded, since Jeremy pointed out I had some in my hair when I got to school. Damn.