Woot! Another chapter! :D Enjoy!
A furious figure stormed through the halls. He had one goal: Find Rose and show her not to fuck around. Why Rose? Zim just didn't like her. Her kindness, her bizarre quietness, Dib's liking of her and so much more. She was working against Zim whether it was intentional or not. The fight in the cafe really got to Zim. He didn't understand why Dib was so upset. Dib was the one who didn't want Zim over any more. The stupid human was angry at him for it and when Zim actually stopped, Dib still gets upset. Zim didn't get it. But that was besides the fact that this is now Rose's fault. She was manipulating Dib, he just knew it! It must be those female body parts that stuck out of their chests.(even though Rose was about a size B.)
Zim was rampaging around the school. he would have wait until school was over. He couldn't sit in class with all this rage circulating within him. He already went through three classes doing that and he ended up lashing out at Dib during their break. The most annoying part about all this drama is that once Dib cut off their ties Zim hated himself for it. Zimneverhated himself. It's against his culture, his way of life, just everything about him! Yet, Dib managed to turn it around, for no reason too. Not a clear one anyway.
The library Zim stayed in was quiet, like a library should be. But not even the silence could make Zim think straight. All it did was make him shutter in pleasure at the thought of the things he wanted to do to his human. The thoughts came down like a tidal wave, Zim never knew he could ever think this way about Dib, about anyone. Zim remembered feeling this way when Dib hissed at him in McMeaties. The human boy was so much more attrative when he was angry, especially when he yelled at Zim. Despite all his anger, Zim couldn't help but drool over the way Dib's soft lips felt. His anger simmered down as he let himself doze off into a unknown place within his Irken brain.
To Zim's displeasure, the bell rang. He shot out of his seat and hurried out the library doors. Once again the halls were full of teenagers. Zim walked around them casually. He hoped he could find that stupid Rose-human now.
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"Don't worry, I will fix it."
"Fix what?"
She smiled sweetly. "Everything."
Inside the dim room of Dib's 'filler class.', the class where you get class work done, he sat in bewilderment. First, Rose was acting really weird. She instantly gave Dib unusual vibes, being so quiet but now she was freaking him out. Before class she said she would fix things. Not just things but everything. It was unnerving feeling like a person you just met seemed to know everything about you. And what about Zim. How much of him did she know? Dib couldn't shake off that familiar paranormal feeling and it was sickening him. He knew for a fact that Rose was an ordinary human, actually she was more of an 'out of the ordinary' human, so there's no need to assume she was some sort of mind reader. Which Dib was thinking.
'She's just highly observant.'he told himself.'She said so herself that she noticed things about us...I'm just worried what kind of things.' he gulped.
Another thing Dib could not get over is Rose's suspicious response to his question at lunch. She made 'Not too much' sound like 'A lot'. Like Dib's biggest secret; his unbalanced, slightly sexual if anything, and totally gay relationship with an alien. But could she know deeper? Like Zim's true identity. There was just no way. She was there when Zim and Dib flustered in science class, she was there when they ignored each other in her English class and then the fight in the cafe seemed to set her off as if she knew what happened during the summer(due to the convosation/arguing) and deliberately come into the equation. But Dib knows that that is utterly impossible too.
The bell rang letting everyone hurry off to their next class. The teens clogged the doorway and when it was safe to leave Dib headed to Rose's last class. Although he was slightly scared of her, he couldn't ditch her. But when Dib got to her classroom she wasn't there.
'Why isn't she here?'he thought.
He made one more peek inside and shrugged.'Perhaps something came up.'he reasoned and headed for his next class.
Dib's father was making Dib take this course. Business. Dib didn't know what to expect from the course but he was glad to take it at least.
Dib decided to sit in the seat closest to the window, even though a student he really didn't like sat next to him. The overly tall boy smelt of cabbage, which isn't so bad, but as a fragrance, Dib didn't find it appealing. The worst part is that the pimple-faced boy had no shame in sticking his stupid skinny finger up his naturally flared nostrils and doing as he pleases. Including digesting whatever he found in there. As long as he didn't touch Dib, Dib didn't care.
Windows were always a great distraction for the boy and Dib needed a distraction right now.
Five minutes into the class the teacher introduced himself. He was fairly young and spoke intelligently. It was still rather odd to see a teacher wear a suit these days but being a business teacher, it was acceptable. Some girls drooled over how manly it made him. Mr. Humdicker was his last name and he was well-aware of the laughs and chuckles it got, including his own. He tells the class how confused he was, to this day, as to why his family name came to be so odd and sexual. Mr. Humdicker was one of those teachers who loved their job but knew his subject was not so liked by the general teen population therefore he tries to make it as fun and easy as possible.
As he ranted, Dib looked out at the window. Occasionally a car would drive by and then another two would go by. Suddenly something sparked Dib's interest. Green. It was walking down the street and was soon followed by another person. Dib's eyes almost popped out of his head and his heart quickened.
Rose.
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"I knew you were trouble!" the green boy said as he faced away from the human girl. Funny how Zim wasted an entire period daydreaming heavily on Dib and somehow this pathetic human knew about it. She came running to him and going on about the dirty thoughts Zim was having. She was grinning widely too. Zim will never admit it but it scared him.
Rose crossed her arms and huffed. "I'm only helping." she said stubbornly. Zim turned around with something to say when the girl interrupted him. "Just tell me what you did, I won't tell anyone." she pleaded, despite her random attitude she was giving the other boy. Zim was really confused now. Was this the same Rose that followedhishuman around! But Zim knew better. The human wanted information therefore she portrayed a more demanding side of herself.
Zim grunted."I told you it's none of your business but if youmustknow I have no clue what I did." Zim said defensively.
Rose mused over Zim's words. "So, you did dosomething..." she talked as if a detective. She looked up at Zim, who stood still and stared angrily at her. "Tell me what happened then.' she demanded.
Zim's eyes widened. "Who do you think you are?" he stalked up to her. "Did Dib put you up to this!" the alien almost screamed. How could Dib stoop so low?
"He doesn't know I'm here." the girl yelled back, shocking Zim a bit. This female-unit was so out of order. First she is shy and timid now she is yelling at Zim. That was different from demanding. Could it be that she doesn't like Zim, the feeling's neutral. "I don't skip, ever, but I'm here and I want answers. Although, I may have an idea about what you did." she said a bit threatening. Not violently though. That was the weird thing about this human, she can say something that meant one thing but made it appear as the total opposite. A walking contradiction.
Zim got up close to Rose, intimidating her, and spoke in a harsh tone of voice. "What is it then, hmm, tell Zim what it is your stupid human brain has come up with?"
Rose stepped back a bit. She realized that she has angered the other and that she should back off a bit. She also did not like being called stupid, well, her brain being called that. Zim smirked as she spoke a little more quietly and fiddled with her fingernails.
"Well, in the café…" she looked up to see Zim's reaction to the reference. Zim stood still, waiting. Rose carried on. "Dib said you ruined everything-"
'I ruined nothing!' Rose flinched as Zim interrupted her. Why he was talking to this girl was beyond him.
The now timid girl continued. "But for him, you ruined something! And he said-" again she was interrupted.
"I know what he said!" Zim screamed. Rose narrowed her eyes for the first time. Zim stared right back.
Rose decided to go back to her more aggressive approach.
"I know you know! But obviously you don'tgetit! Dib is easy to read and yet you know nothing about him do you! Pay attention!" the wild girl gestured her arms widely at Zim. The alien boy stared in utter disbelief, someone other than Dib was yelling at him. Rose went on. "I can see it in his eyes. The anger, the depression, the longing! It's all there! When he told you that he was tired of your shit, he didn't mean it. Nothing he said there was genuine! You know how I can tell? By the desperate look in his eyes!" She jumped excitedly all of a sudden. "It's all in the eyes!"
Zim stood there dumbfounded at both himself and Rose. "What are you trying to say..." was all Zim could utter at the moment.
Rose smiled, sweetly…wickedly? It was hard to tell at this point. "I'm accusing you for the broken heart of Dib Membrane." she pointed her finger epically at Zim. Zim's eyes widened and the girl giggled. "I suggest you fix it."
Zim growled. "Are you fucking with me?"
Rose ignored the question completely. She placed her index finger gently on her lips and her eyes wondered across the sky. "It's funny. If you started all this like Dib says then it's only right you end it, right? There is some resistance on Dib part, it's still evident that he needs you to 'cure' him even though you were the one who has 'cursed' him. Like a lovely cross remedy. Hmmm." she looked at Zim. Her eyes flashed devilishly as her smile showed pure innocence.
"That makes no sense! You're not making any sense you crazy human girl!" Zim burst out. He couldn't handle all this stupid human's garbage. What did she know! Nothing as far as Zim was concerned. He pushed her out of the away and she yelped.
"Zim! Listen to me, please! Dib is heartbroken and no matter how much he denies it, he needs you!" she pleaded behind him. Zim quickly turned to face the girl and grabbed her by the arms. A gasp escaped her lips.
"Did he say that! You can't know unless he told you!" he screamed. Rose said nothing. "What's the matter, huh! You have nothing to say now do you!" he began to shake the girl. "Don't fill Zim's head with your filth! You don't know anything thing about me or Dib, so stay out of this! Zim did none of this breaking of his pathetic heart! And if I did, good!" he let the girl go and she tumbled a bit. Zim was about to turn, leave the human for good before things went out of hand but she insisted.
"You're a liar, a stupid liar!" Rose screamed. This was upsetting her greatly. She knew they had something and it poisoned the good of her heart to see it falling apart when there was a chance! She sensed the miscommunication of their relationship. Dib was an emotional teen with sensitive feelings that he hid from everyone. And Zim, as weird as his appearances went (mind you Rose would never judge a person on such facilities) he was over confident. Yes the two clashed yet went well together. All of this connected inside that complex brain of Rose and now she would strive to see it to the end that Zim and Dib get back together. Rose's purpose was to help people! Help Zim and Dib! Zim on the other hand, had a different purpose as he whipped around and with him came his fist.
'ROSE!'
A startled yelp was heard and the girl fell to the hard ground. Rose used her hands to break the fall but only caused more damage to herself. She blackout for a second as she lay on the ground, almost motionless. She has never been hit before. The shock was unbearable but she willed herself not to cry. Pain was her worst enemy but she willed herself not to cry. She knew she was in the wrong, she knew she had crossed a line.
A pair of feet made their way to Rose after she forced herself up a bit. From ground level she saw four legs, blurred a bit but she recognized the new pair of legs as Dib's. Her heart stopped.
Dib rushed by the motionless alien standing not too far from the victim. Zim didn't know if he should run, stay or move at all. He secretly wanted to see how Rose would respond to Dib's overwhelming concern.
'Rose, Rose, are you ok?' Dib said passionately as he helped her up. Rose gave Dib a quiet yeah and allowed him to lift her up. She was reluctant to receive the help and shocked to see Dib here. Dib tried to take a look at the girl's face but she looked away sourly.
"Don't look at it." she said.
For some reason, it made Dib feel guilty. Rose must be ashamed, embarrassed and totally shocked. Even he was shocked that Zim would do something like this. Dib watched the whole thing from his class room window. The distance made him feel safe at first, Rose was not near the hectic alien. Then Zim got closer, making Dib lose that sense of security, not only that but if he strained hard enough he could hear them yelling. It was the shaking that forced the black-haired boy to raise his hand and ask to use the washroom. But he was too late as he watched Zim punch the girl to the ground and now as Dib looked up to look at the guy who did this, he was gone.
Rose covered her left eye with her left hand. She limped a bit when she walked due to the funny angle she fell on. Dib remained silent as he guided her to the main office. They waited outside and was it then that Dib realized that Rose was crying. He began to panic.
"R-rose, hey, it's not your fault." he soothed her gently with his words. He turned her around to face her and she looked to the floor. "Rose?" he asked not sure if she was actually listening. She choked on her tears as a response.
The office doors opened and let the two in, they desperately wanted information.
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The final bell rang. Dib and Rose were still in the office waiting. Zim had been called down to the office three times and the principle was getting frustrated with the fact that the boy had not come yet. Rose was asked to take a seat and handed a pack of ice. Dib declined the same offer of a seat and leaned against the wall. Deep down Dib felt horrible about what Zim did to Rose but he couldn't help but feel upset that Rose hasn't given him any appreciation. He was hoping she was simply finding the right time to do so.
Just as the group was about to get up and leave, wanting to mark this issue again tomorrow, Zim walked in. The principle was furious with the green boy while Dib and Rose were surprised he even came. They only stayed because the principle insisted they do.
Mr. Young demanded an answer from Zim. The boy sighed and took a seat across from Rose and Dib. He told them he was outside until a staff member found him. Zim made little to no contact with the other two teens. The second Zim walked in Dib shoot daggers at him. Rose held the ice pack gently against her cheek. She too didn't want to look at Zim.
The room went silent. The principle cleared his throat.
"I've been informed that you, Zim, had hit Rose." still silence. "Such means of violence will not be tolerated in our school environment. Therefore, you will be suspended for two weeks."
Zim looked up at Rose, who faced away in shame. Then he made intense eye contact with Dib, who only returned the favour. Zim looked hard and long. He saw nothing. No desperation that this rose-human spoke of. This further deepened his feelings of her worthlessness.
"Do you understand Zim." the principle said after he got no answer. Zim stood up suddenly. Rose sheepishly raised her eyes to Dib. Dib noticed it but did nothing.
"So I hit a person who just so happens to be a girl and is suspended for 14 stupid human days whereas if I'd hit, lets say Dib-" Zim's round indigo eyes dropped onto Dib. Dib was about to say something but Zim continued. "I'd only be suspended for about a week."
The principle stood still in his big and ominous black chair. He looked at Zim gravely. "You are suspended for 14 'stupid' days because Rose wouldn't accept you being expelled."
Zim whipped his head to Rose. She looked elsewhere.
"Not only that." the principle added dully. "Rose is new and it's the first day of school. Must this be the first impression she gets? I wish it wasn't so"
Zim huffed. "This is stupid anyways. I'll enjoy my vacation. Later fools" he headed to the door before anyone can say another word. The principle sighed and muttered something about an in-school suspension.
Dib sighed and Rose stood up from her seat. Mr. Young quietly asked her if she wanted a call home but she politely rejected the offer. Both teens left the office but not before they gave Rose a new ice pack. She thanked them and followed Dib out the door.
Dib asked if he could go with Rose to her locker, she said yes and they walked in silence through the empty halls. Now at Rose's locker, she was about to set the pack of ice on the floor when Dib generously took it from her hand. The surprised girl looked up at Dib for the first time since she had been hit.
Dib stared in amazement. The bruise was blue and purple and infected Rose's eyes like a black hole. Her left cheek popped out a bit more. Swollen eye lids threatened to shut her eye for good. Embarrassment was still evident in her eyes as Dib stared at her. Before she could turn away, because she would, Dib cupped her soft, unharmed cheek. Rose gasped.
"Are you ok?" he asked softly but more stern. He wanted an answer from her this time. Rose's cheeks went red from the contact but dared not to remove his hand. She has already rejected his concern many times within the same hour.
With a half-hearted laugh Rose finally spoke to Dib. "Of course." she slowly pushed away his hand. "Thank you, Dib. I'm glad you care about me even though we've just met and stuff." she said as she unpacked her bag and repacked it with the things she needed for home. Speaking of home, Rose had no idea how to explain her black eye to her mother but she had a plan. She looked up at Dib as he smirked happily.
"But can I ask one last thing from you?" She watched Dib's smirk spread on both ends.
"Sure." he said.
"Can you take me to Zim's house." she said slowly.
Dib said nothing. Rose looked like she was about to cry again. Morecomically this time.
"I need to know." She pleaded.
"Why! He just- I just-!" Dib almost yelled in confusion. Rose hugged the frantic boy.
"I know, I know. But I didn't get punched in the face for nothing." She said in a sadly comical way. Dib relaxed and closed his eyes. He just didn't get this girl.
"Then why did you go to talk to him in the first place?" he asked. Rose looked at Dib.
"I told you I'd fix things and they aren't fixed yet." she smiled sweetly despite the horrible bruise on her eye.
"Fix what, Rose? You got hit in the process and now I want- no, need to know what you are going to do now." Dib demanded with his initial concern still in his voice. He will not have this girl hurt again for 'fixing things'. These things were his problem not hers yet she still wants to help!
Rose turned to close her locker. Dib handed her the ice pack back and they headed out the back of the school doors.
"If I tell you, you will refuse or deny me. That will ruin everything." she confessed to the boy. For some reason, the words 'ruin everything' stood out to Dib.
"You know about me and Zim, don't you? Can I even say you know as much as we do?" he asked nervously. Rose stopped walking and they stared at each other. The chilly wind blew through their hair and grazed their expose skin.
"Maybe even more."
The answer sent colder chills within Dib's body than what this cold, unfeeling wind could ever make.
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In the end, Dib convinced Rose not to visit Zim. He pleaded, begged, even cried for her safety. Zim was a crazy alien bent on human destruction. Rose and him, alone, at his base cannot end well. Only Dib can enter his house partially unharmed. He forced Rose to let him walk her all the way to her house and he would wait until she was fully inside and then he would go. But Rose wanted Dib to make a promise.
"Tell Zim I'm sorry." she said seriously. She shoot her index finger up with a slow 'shh' as Dib was about to protest. "Tell him Rose is sorry. Very, very sorry. If you don't, I will. And I'll be quite upset with you." she giggled. Dib just stared at her with a loss of words. "Do this for me and please make sure he gets it."
"But Zim gets nothing! Even if he did accept your apology, he will just gloat about being amazing!" Dib whined. Rose laughed.
"That's fine. But really, deep down he'll get it. Oh! And one more thing. Give him this" she stepped down from the concrete step she was on and planted a sweet kiss on Dib's cheek. Dib blushed madly. "But I would prefer it if you didn't say that was from me." she said with a wink and entered her home.
Dib brushed his fingertips against the little bit of warmth radiating off his right cheek. He smiled stupidly at his new friend. It was obvious to him that she desperately wanted Zim and Dib to be together...again? She knew and tried to 'fix things' but it wasn't enough, yet she was still willing to try. Her determination was overwhelming and gave Dib a sudden hope. It started from the deepest pit of his aching heart and spread through the rest of his body with rapid speed. With this new flame releasing inside him, he had to act fast. Dib turned on his heels and headed for Zim's house.
Unbeknownst to Dib, Rose rested her elbows elegantly on top of her bathroom windowsill built in front of her little town house, watching that same fire take her new friend to Zim's house. She smiled widely, ignoring the pain it caused her face.
That Rose, quite the special one! XD