Life is Change

Rated: T

Summary: Dib's miserable high school life takes a strange turn when his long-time arch nemesis Zim proposes a temporary truce. What could Zim be up to this time? Eventual ZADR.

Chapter 3

The next day dawned and Dib walked to school with a general feeling of unease. Today was the first day of his supposed truce with Zim. He hoped that Zim was actually being honest, but he couldn't help but think that Zim's "vacation" was more likely a ruse meant to lure him into a false sense of security whilst Zim enacted some horrible plot. It made more sense to Dib at least. The little alien hadn't stopped trying to conquer the planet since the moment he arrived. For him to take a vacation, well, it was more than a little out of character in Dib's mind. Still, he figured that he should at least play along. It would probably be easier to stop Zim's plans if Zim was under the impression that Dib was completely clueless.

Dib entered the large prison-like building he called high school and went over to his locker to drop off his lunch before class. He normally tried to eat the horrible meals that the cafeteria served, but today was ketchup and corn day, and Dib really didn't want to spend half of his day on the toilet. He sighed and mentally prepared himself for class. School would probably be insanely boring today. With Zim on his "vacation" he probably wouldn't come to school at all. He might be an evil alien, but at least Zim made things interesting.

Dib was just closing his locker, when he heard a voice from behind him.

"Good morning, Dib-monkey."

Dib wheeled around to find none other than Zim, in his usual disguise, grinning at him.

"What are you doing here Zim? I thought you were taking a vacation?"

Zim's grin widened, "I said I was taking a vacation from destroying your planet, Dib, not that I wouldn't be coming to school. School provides Zim with valuable information about your species Dib-filth, so he can't afford to get kicked out. Did you think that I would just disappear from school for a few weeks? Besides, vacations are about being entertained; I find there is nothing more amusing on this planet than you humans."

Dib glowered at the alien, "Fine Zim, it's not like I can stop you from coming to school." The first bell went off, deafening them temporarily. "Come on," Dib grumbled as soon as he could hear himself speak, "We're going to be late for class."

Morning classes were, for the most part, normal. Dib and Zim kept to themselves, with none of their usual outbursts. Their classmates weren't overly concerned with the sudden change in behavior. No one really considered Dib or Zim to be dangerous – most believed they were just looking for attention or were completely off their rockers. Everyone, teachers and students alike, found the two boys to be extremely annoying.

It was at lunchtime that again things took a turn for the strange.

Dib normally sat alone at lunch. His sister had long since stopped associating with her older brother, finding his obsession with Zim unbearably annoying. Dib had never had any friends, so that left him with an empty table every day. He usually sat in the back so he could keep a close eye on Zim. So as usual, Dib took his seat, got out his food, and scanned the room to look for the alien. Only to see said alien making his way over to where Dib was sitting.

Zim waved and took a seat opposite to him, "How are you enjoying your Earth nutrients this fine day, Dib-stink?"

Dib sighed and put his head in his hands, "What now Zim? Or are you just planning on verbally tormenting me for the whole duration of this truce?"

Zim laughed, "While that's not a bad idea, Dib, that was not what I had in mind. I have nothing better to do, and you are the only human I know of that is remotely worth speaking to. So here Zim is."

Dib looked at Zim, confused, "Wait, so you just want to talk to me? You know we're enemies, right? Enemies don't usually sit down and chat with each other." Dib had no idea whether Zim actually knew this or not. The alien came to the strangest conclusions about human culture sometimes.

"Dib-stink, you are surprisingly forgetful today," Zim said exasperatedly, "Remember the truce human? So long as it is in effect we are not technically enemies. And as I said, you are the only human worth spending time with. The Gaz-beast is also aware of my identity but she is….far too scary for me to approach." Zim shuddered, as though the mere thought of walking up to Dib's sister and addressing her filled him with terror. Dib wouldn't be surprised if this was the case – Gaz had become so terrifying over the years that just thinking about bothering her gave him cold sweats. "Zim does not want to waste his magnificent words on the stupid blind humans; he would much rather converse with the Dib."

"I guess I'll take that as a compliment," said Dib dryly. "So, Zim, now that we're apparently not enemies, what did you have in mind as a conversation topic?"

"I want to talk about you, Dib."

"What about in particular, Zim? You probably know me better than my own family." Not that that was hard, thought Dib. His family didn't know him that well at all – they never cared enough to.

"I was wondering why you have no friends, Dib. You are the only human that I've ever seen that always seems to be alone. Why is that? You humans seem to have an innate need for companionship; even the most hideous rejects of your societies at least have each other. Zim has no friends because he is a superior Irken soldier. Why do you have no friends, Dib-thing?"

Zim's tone indicated that he was genuinely curious. That just made it worse. Dib knew why he didn't have a single friend. Everyone thought he was insane. No one wanted to be friends with the crazy kid. Dib clenched his jaw and ground his teeth together, trying to keep all of the negative emotions bottled up. It just wasn't fair. All he ever did was tell the truth and try to help people. What did he get in return? He got to be alone. Always alone.

Please review? Pretty please with virtual sugar and virtual cherries on top? I'm doing my very best to write quickly but well *nods*

Note: I have updated chapters 1-3 with some small edits. It was brought to my attention by the marvelous Elvis-Stitch that I have been having Zim referring to himself in the third person way too much. I appreciate any constructive criticism such as this. This is my first real fanfiction after all, and I'd like to have it be a good one. Virtual cookies for Elvis-Stitch for the helpful review! =D