Back on Earth

Dib looked over at the desk where Zim usually sits, half-expecting him to walk through the door. Class started and he sighed, looking over at the teacher, Mrs. Sour, a rather stern lady that never took any crap from her students. Compared to Ms. Bitters, however, she was just one big ball of sunshine.

"Okay students, go to chapter three of your science book!" she shouted.

"But we haven't even started chapter two," Zita said.

Mrs. Sour glared at her.

"But chapter three sounds interesting!" Zita said quickly, opening her book and hiding behind it.

Dib gave up on waiting for Zim. Either he really was gone, or he was just staying home to work on some new evil plan. He thought back to last night and tried not to blush. He didn't know what had come over him. He should be happy that Zim would be leaving him alone for a few weeks or however long he'll be gone.

He slowly touched his lips as he thought of the way Zim's mouth had felt when he kissed him yesterday. He was still embarrassed that he had done that, but what was even stranger was that Zim had seemed to enjoy it before quickly pulling away, bidding him goodbye, and leaving.

He rested his chin on his desk. Zim would be back. He was indestructible and cruel. If anyone could survive a war, it was him.

Until he returned, he'd devote his time to something else. Perhaps he could prove that his neighbors were vampires. Or maybe he could catch that zombie squirrel that's been terrorizing the park. Something to get his mind off of Zim's absence.

Mrs. Sour paused in her lecture to look around. "Something's not right…" she muttered.

Everyone thought about that one.

Then Chunk said, "It's too quiet."

"Where's Zim?" Mrs. Sour asked.

Instantly, everyone looked at Dib.

He held his hands up innocently. "He left," he said quickly, not wanting to be blamed for anything. "He said he'd be back soon."

"Well he better have a good excuse for missing class," Mrs. Sour said, returning to her lecture.

"He'll be back," Dib said quietly, to himself. He focused on the teacher again, but his thoughts kept returning to Zim. He really hoped he was all right.