AN- So. . . it's been a while, huh? Sorry, school started. But I'm back and better than ever! More ZaDR, more Keef, more camping, more fun! YEAH!

A bit off topic, but Zim's blush'll be pink now. Okay? Okay. Sorry for the change, but canon is canon.

6- Zim is actually really cuddly.

7- Noemi got bit by a raccoon.

8- Now everyone is sad.

9- Even Keef.

Thank the Tallests they're serving waffles for breakfast. Zim is starving. He picks up a tray and rushes towards the assembly line. Yes, the food here is much better than the skool cafeteria food.

He grins as he reaches the woman serving the food, holding out his tray for her to place the food on. She stacks two waffles onto his plate, and Zim's toothy smile grows as he walks to the condiments table. Once there, he picks up a syrup bottle, drizzling an unhealthy amount of the substance onto his delicious breakfast pastries. He sets the half-empty bottle down, snatches a butter packet, and briskly walks to the table, where Keef and Quinn already sit.

Keef is munching on a waffle, past stress already forgotten, while Quinn stares at his waffles, poking them half-heartedly with his fork. Zim sits down, making sure to keep a good distance away from them both. They don't matter right now. Waffles matter.

He rips open the butter packet, emptying its contents onto the waffles. Not wanting to waste time, he decides to dive right in, digging the side of his fork into the stack of waffles. Breaking off a good chunk of waffley goodness, he chows down, purring happily as the taste spreads over every inch of his mouth.

Dib approaches from behind, warily eyeballing Zim. He's definitely in good mood this morning, especially considering the previous events. He wonders vaguely if it has to do with last night, before brushing the thought aside, shaking his head. No. It's just. . . the waffles, that's it. It's just the waffles. . .

Does Zim even remember last night? Dib honestly isn't quite sure. He didn't ask why he was in Dib's bed, but then again, he didn't mention it, either. . . Dib remembers last night; every detail of it—from the quiet sounds of Zim crying, to the rumbling of the thunder, to the way Zim wrapped his arms around his neck, weeping into his shoulder. . . He even remembers kissing Zim, and that kills him. He wanted to forget about the kiss! But no—once again, the universe decides to screw him over.

So what if it was just a little peck on the forehead. He still wants to forget all about it.

But as he sits down next to Zim, he realizes there's some strange urge burning inside of his chest. Maybe one telling him to do it again. . .? He denies the idea, but it still lingers there, prompting several questions to arise. Would it be another forehead kiss, or would he just lift Zim's chin up and smash their lips together? Would Zim kiss him back? Would Dib enjoy it? And what does Zim taste like, anyways? Argggh, no! He massages the area just above the bridge of his nose. His head doesn't hurt, but he sort of wishes it did.

He looks down at his waffles and, after deciding he's not very hungry, turns to look at Zim, who's very busy scarfing down his own waffles. Dib is somewhat surprised that Zim likes waffles so much, especially after the whole incident with the soap. . . But it is one of the only human foods that he can digest.

He studies Zim for a moment, like he often does. He really has changed a lot since they met. He's taller, for one. The more prominent, however, is the change in disguise. Last summer, Zim got rid of his odd wig with the widow's peak and strange, pointy tuft of hair. (Though Dib really shouldn't be talking.) This current wig is a bit longer—sort of shaggy, in fact. It lacks large, pointy tufts, but there is a small bit of hair near the top that always sticks up. It still feels odd, even after a year, but the change is sort of. . . dare he say it. . . cute? No, no, no. Rewind, backtrack! Zim is not cute. He's a dangerous alien menace and should be treated as such.

His eyes fall to Zim's pajama shirt, which is much too big for someone his size. It's so big, in fact, that it falls to one side, revealing his neck and shoulder. Dib finds himself staring at the exposed green skin, his mind drifting and—gah! What is wrong with him?! His face grows hot, and he stares at his waffles, trying to rid his mind of such idiotic thoughts.

He is not attracted to Zim. Nuh-uh. No way. Not in any way, shape, or form. He just can't be! He's built up a wall of hatred and kept it standing strong much to long for it all to come crashing down. . . right?

He prods his waffles with his fork, warily. He feels sick. Well, maybe it's not sick, but he feels some sort of nervousness down in the pit of his stomach. Finally, deciding that humans have to eat to survive, he cuts off a piece of his waffles and chomps on it, frowning as he chews and swallows. He can hardly focus on eating, his mind is so full.

Keef quickly moves his eyes up from his waffles, taking a brief glance at Dib and Zim, before riveting them back down again. The sexual tension is already unbearable, and this is only their second day! To think what could develop during the rest of the week. . . Keef can hardly hide his smile. He shudders a bit in sheer excitement, not wanting to wait another moment to set them up together. He exhales slightly, reminding himself that patience is a virtue. He can wait. . .

It is at this moment that Mr. Whitemore pops in, smile on his face as always. "So!" he starts off, smile just lingering. Zim frowns, a bit of syrup dribbling down his chin. "Weather report says there's no rain, and today seems like the perfect day to go out camping, don't you think?" He smiles hopefully.

From a few tables over, Tix looks at him funny. She's high-maintenance, it looks like. She's got the whole deal in terms of pajamas—pink robe, teddy bear sleeping mask, and fuzzy slippers. "Aren't we, I dunno. . . already camping?" she asks, making a face.

"Well, yes," says Mr. Whitemore, "but I meant out in the woods!" He smiles again, and this time it's more hopeful than ever.

Of course, reactions are less than enthusiastic. Abby shrugs, taking a sip of coffee. Tix's irked expression grows. Noemi blinks, looking at Mr. Whitemore with interest looming over her. Zim chews and swallows, slowly. Quinn leans back in his seat, looking a bit uncomfortable. Dib smiles (he's always liked the woods), but decides it's best to stay quiet. His smile is absolutely nothing compared to Keef's, of course. Keef looks so happy he might just burst. Then again, without any blue goo, Dib highly doubts that.

But just as Keef is about to speak up, the strangest thing happens. "I'd like that," says Yeci, smiling ever-so-slightly. Every head in the Angel camp group turns to her, completely bewildered. Dib wasn't aware Yeci could smile, let alone like anything. Those dark eyes and gloomy glares were more than just deceiving, because here she was.

"Wha. . . what?!" says Abby incredulously, half-glaring at her cabinmate.

"I like the woods," says Yeci, giving a small shrug—the most nonchalant reply possible to their shocked reactions—"It's dark."

Said shocked reactions faded away, a few kids giving out sighs of relief. That is, except for Keef, who had hardly been affected in the first place. "Oh, I know!" cries Keef, bouncing in his seat. "You can carry around lanterns and catch fireflies!" Quickly, he turns to Mr. Whitemore, beaming. "Will there be fireflies?!" he asks in a rush.

Mr. Whitemore's smile is soft, and he shakes his head apologetically. "Not until July, usually. Sorry."

"Oh," mumbles Keef, smile fading for what must have been a fraction of a second. "Well, maybe we'll get lucky!" he suggests, smile returning and just as bright as ever.

"Maybe," says Mr. Whitemore with a chuckle.

"It would be a miracle!" cries Keef, before continuing to go on about the wonders of lightning bugs. Mr. Whitemore listens, adding in a word or a laugh every so often. Quinn looks at him, and Dib could have sworn he saw a smile for a second. Abby looks up at them, before looking back down at her coffee cup, shaking her head. Tix ignores them, staring in her compact mirror, while Noemi smiles and listens, adding in her own opinion now and then.

From beside him, Dib hears Zim mumble, "Fire. . . flies. . . ?" It's too soft for anyone but Dib to hear, and he has to stare at his waffles to hide his smile. He's so clueless. . . it's almost—almost!—cute. But it's not. Just. . . almost.

He looks up again, catching sight of Yeci. And when he does, he's not sure how he missed it before. Sometimes people just don't notice things. Sometimes, however, people do notice things. And sometimes people notice people. And sometimes, just sometimes, people change other people. This must be the case, because Yeci's smile is lighting up the room.

Funny how Keef talks about miracles without knowing he may have just created one himself.

AN- 1,568 words! Wheeee!

WOAH. Am I trying to make Yeci likeable? Maybeeeee. . . actuallyitwascompletelyunpla nned. So, yeah. . . she miiiiiight like Keef, but I'm really strict about OC shipping. . . it'd be cute, though.

I promise I'll try to update more often. This story is actually really fun to write.

And while you're here, why don't ya check out my YouTube account? Lotsa Invader Zim goodness over there. webkinzfungirl101 is the account name. . . it's old, okay? :0

Also, I think you guys would LOVE my new little tumblr ask blog, Ask Zim and Dib. It contains eventual ZaDR! Feel free to pop in a question, you don't need a tumblr account! ask-zimanddib . tumblr . com (Just take away those pretty lil spaces, kay?)