WHATS UP IM BACK AGAIN AGAIN

So first of all if you're reading this and you had started reading either this one or the first edition before and you're STILL HERE You're a literal hero and I commend you because I'm a giant scrub. I've been busy as HECK (an original excuse, I know) and also have gone through a LOT (also original), but I still really love this story (not that anything that's happened yet is really that exciting but there's so much in my brain lads) and I'm gonna get it on the internet if it kiLLS ME. This is a short chapter but I'm already working on the next one. These might be a little rough because I'm using this story as basically a way to remind myself how to write because I also have an original work that I'm trying to make happen. If you have any suggestions or thoughts I'd love to hear them I drink criticism up I love it so go at it!

Thank you again to those of you who have stuck through this I'm gonna try really hard to make up all this lost time! 3 3

November 18th, Thursday

The first day, the human was proud of himself, thinking only of how he'd antagonize the alien when he showed up late, no doubt with his sketchbook in hand already used the night before.

But that playful smugness faded throughout the day and was completely gone by the second morning. The sight of Zim's desk, empty again sent a twinge of unease through him. As the day had drawn on it only compounded on itself, leaving him confused and a little on guard by the time he made it home. And that was only the first day. By now he was starting to come loose at the seams.

They didn't go this long without seeing each other. There was always something. An appearance after school, an antagonizing note left on Dib's window or computer.

This inaction was unnerving. And the coincidence of the timing wasn't lost on him.

Dib had spent the night trying to distract himself, but stray thoughts caught up to him if he wasn't careful.

What if he left? What if he was summoned back to Irk? Wouldn't he have said something? Anything.

He'd picked up a book, opened in the middle and tried to fill his mind with some character's thankfully fictitious problems. But his eyes just ran over the same sentences again and again, unable to grasp it.

He couldn't possibly have been mad at Dib, right?

Right?

The alien wouldn't be avoiding him and his sentimentality- avoiding the now blatant feeling of friendship.

Dib's eyebrows knit together, biting anxiously at his lip as he recalled the warm, gentle look on Zim's face as they'd parted ways that day. No. He was certain that wasn't it.

Then it had to be an outside force-

A knock on his door startled him out of his thoughts, "Jesus, Gaz you startled me, come in, what's up?"

He heard her talking even before she had the door open. "I just want to find out if you want pizza, I'm ordering some," she mumbled, only stepping a foot or so into his room. With her arms crossed and eyes mostly closed any one else would have thought she was just as bored and uninterested as she looked. But Dib could see her eyes focused on him closely, the little frown of worry and he couldn't help but smile a little. Gaz would die before she admitted it, but she did care about him and she showed it, in her own subtle ways.

"Yeah, sure," he agreed, putting on a smile for her. It certainly wouldn't be enough to deceive her, but maybe enough to put some of her worry at ease.

She nodded, but didn't move to leave. "Dad's gonna be home tomorrow," she said tonelessly.

"Oh, I forgot."

Still Gaz stood there, staring at him. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence, per se. The animosity between the two of them had long since faded, they were closer now, more at ease around each other, but that didn't mean either of them were any better at expressing themselves.

"I saw Zim hasn't been at school a couple days," she finally told him. She knew exactly what that meant, she'd helped him pick out the gift and work up the courage to confront him that day in the first place.

Dib nodded, "It'll be fine. He'll be there tomorrow. He can't miss four days of school in a row, I'll get too far ahead of him." There was a long pause before he went on. "He, uh… he liked the sketchbook. So I'm sure he's just sick or something."

Gaz just shrugged. "I don't care," she said, looking very much like she did. "Whatever, I'm gonna order that pizza."

As she turned Dib smiled a little and thanked her, not minding that she didn't respond as she shut the door.

He knew she heard him.

Worry still ate at him, but the sharpness of it was dulled a little. His mind still raced but he could push it to the side a little.

By the time he went to bed he was nothing short of exhausted from stress alone.

But there was always tomorrow. Zim would have to be there tomorrow.

Everything would depend on what the morning brought.

His friend was safe. He had to be.