Chapter 4 – Cheesy Avoidance

"Remind me why we're doing this again?" I dodged to the left as a ball of cheese flew past my head.

"I already told you earth-stink. I wish to see how capable of a projectile this curded cow product is."

"Okay… But why do you have to test that by throwing them at my head… in the woods… at night?" I'm not sure how I let him convince me to come out here. This whole thing seems really stupid and I was kind of enjoying that video game Gaz loaned me. I had been outside just watching the night sky but she told me to come in and play that game with her. Which I'm also not sure why I did… considering she did nothing but yell at me for "doing it wrong" the whole time.

I turned back to face Zim as his weird green dog handed him another cheese ball.

"This is simply the most efficient method," Zim said. He launched the sphere at me. I dodged again.

Strangely enough, I've been finding dodging and reading his movements really easy. It almost comes naturally… Like I've been doing it for a long time. Does he throw stuff at me often?

…and why do I feel the need to pick muffin crumbs out of my hair now?

"Dib-stink! You're talking to yourself again. Stop."

"You're kidding… Again? Why do I do that?" I watched as Zim's dog threw a cheese ball but it landed pitifully about 3 feet away from me.

Zim turned angrily to the dog. "GIR! STOP WASTING THE AMUNITION!" The creature giggled and started rolling around on the ground between us. We both stared at it for a while. I think it started doing the worm, but I stopped paying attention when I heard some twigs snap somewhere in the trees.

"Uhh… hey Zim it's getting late. I think we should be headed home."

"Nonsense. We've only begun the testing. After this I.."

"No seriously Zim. I'm getting tired and we have skool tomorrow." I turned and started walking down the path out of the woods.

"Curses… I forgot you humans require periodic periods of rest." I turned back around when he said that.

"What do you mean 'You Humans' ?" This wasn't the first time he had said something like that but it was the first time I bothered to stop and ask about it. "I mean… the way you say that, it almost sounds like you're not a human."

Zim's eyes bulged for a moment, but he quickly relaxed, closed his eyes and shook his head. "foolish insane Dib-monster. Talking about aliens and bigfeets again?"

I flinched as I recalled what our classmates were always saying about me. "Forget I mentioned it…" I turned and walked away. Zim caught up to me a moment later. He matched my steps but he had a bit of a weird soldier march to his. Neither of us said anything. I don't know what's going on in his head but I'm kind of hurt by his comment.

Everyone calls me crazy… but I'm not. It's not my fault that I got amnesia… and I really don't feel like I was crazy before I had it. I would know something like that right? Even if I wouldn't… Oh …I don't know… I just don't want to be the Dib that everyone seems to think I am. I mean maybe if I get my memories back, then I'll be okay with being how I was before. Until that happens, though, I just wish everyone would treat me like a person and not assume I'm wrong about everything.

We walked in silence all the way to my house. I stared up at it, without going in. Zim started to walk away.

"Hey how come these past few weeks we've only hung out at my house?"

"Heh?" I really hate when he responds like that… it always means I have to restate my question or comment.

"I mean I don't remember what your house is like. I'm sure we must have hung out there before right?"

Zim just stared at me. His green dog walked up and tugged on my shirt, "You gonna come play with my master?"

"Uhh… yeah…" Okay yes it's weird for a dog to talk but no one else seems bothered by it. Gaz didn't even react the first time we heard it so I guess this must be normal for it… I mean it walks on 2 legs anyway.. so sure? Why wouldn't it be able to talk? Maybe it was a genetic experiment or something.

The dog squealed in delight, "I'll make some Waffles!" Zim tugged on the leash, yanking the dog back to his side.

"No GIR. No waffles." The dog looked so sad. I think it even started crying but it was dark out and the flickering of the light from the weird electrical fence around my house made it hard to see properly. Turning back to me Zim said flatly that I couldn't come over because his house was infested with giant glasses eating weanies. He didn't give me a chance to point out how stupid that sounded, before he turned and walked away.

I went and headed up the front walk and into the house. I opened the door to find Gaz standing there staring angrily at me.

"Where were you?"

"I went out with Zim."

"Again?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Stay away from him."

I raised an eyebrow at her. "Why should I? He seems to be the only person that doesn't think I'm crazy."

"Well yeah but that's because he…" Gaz stopped midsentence. Her hands clenched into fists and she grit her teeth.

"Because he what..?" She keeps starting to say stuff but then stops. It's getting on my nerves. I know the doctor said I should regain my memories naturally but I feel like that won't happen if I'm not getting all the details.

"Your face is stupid." She turned and stormed up the stairs to her room.

"What does that even have to do with anything!?"

Gaz can be so moody sometimes. She's hiding something from me I just know it. I just wish I could figure out what it is.

…my head itches... I'm going to bed.

A/N: Speed of chapters is based on how many reviews I get, due to the massive number of ongoing stories I have. If you wish for this story to have faster chapters then leave a review. Though I also would like it if the review said something other than "please update".