Chapter 10: College Tour

It was common knowledge that Irkens were possessive of their belongings, especially for Zim. Dib couldn't count how many times he has heard Zim call him 'his rival' or 'his human'. He didn't think much of it at the time, it was just Zim after all. Though recently Zim has been clinging to him more and more. Wherever he went Zim was close by. It became a normal thing for Dib.

Today was no different. Today Dib was going out to a college thing, it was just touring the campus and stuff and Dib was honestly excited about it. This college actually has a class for paranormal studies which made him already raring to go to choose this college. It had other stuff too, science-related stuff which would make his dad happy.

Coming along with this class trip was Zim, Dib was sure Zim had no interest in continuing school after high school so he didn't know why the alien decided to come. The alien didn't seem to give him a straight answer though so he dropped the topic.

Once they got there there were other schools there to go along with this tour as well. They would have to interact with them since the tours were separated by groups already chosen for them instead of just touring by schools. Dib could care less about who he's grouped up with, it's not like anyone from other schools know him anyway so he didn't have to worry about them thinking he's crazy or something like that due to his interests.

Though this group thing caused a certain alien to get upset about not being paired with Dib in his group and he was very vocal about it. "Zim does not care for this group! Put me in Dib's group!"

"Sir, you can see your friend later-"

"YOU LIE! PUT ME IN DIB'S GROUP OR PERISH EARTH SCUM!" Zim screamed, causing a scene. Dib could only facepalm as he watched the adults discuss what to do with Zim. Zim was acting very childish right now as Dib walked over to the alien.

"Ah, Dib-thing, we will be grouped up soon, I know it!" Zim told Dib once he noticed the human.

"Zim, you don't need to be grouped up with me, we see each other every day. You're being very immature about this, Zim." Dib told him making the alien tense.

"Zim's not being immature, Dib-worm! You're the only human I can stand here!"

"Zim, you haven't even given others a ch-"

"NO! Zim does not care for being around any other worthless humans!" Zim snapped.

"Zim, we'll see each other at lunch, you can last that long, can't you!? I don't need you around me all the time!" Dib snapped back before heading back to his group before he could let Zim reply.

To say things went smoothly after that was a lie. He was just lucky they weren't asked to leave. Though now people have gotten the wrong impression of Dib. "You're boyfriend seems to be very clingy to you. You didn't have to be so harsh with him." A girl told Dib making Dib cough in surprise.

"W-What, no, we aren't-" Dib immediately started defending himself before the girl cut him off.

"But it's obvious you two are a couple, I think it's sweet how he just wants to be around you... Despite his attitude towards others." She added but Dib was hardly listening as he thought about how if what this girl was saying is true, then everyone here must think that they're a thing.

Things didn't get any better for Dib as the day went on. He could hear people still talking about the 'gay couple' who caused a scene at the start of the day. There wasn't anything wrong with being gay, it was being gay for Zim. They were friends, and he's sure Zim has no idea what they're talking about and stupidly agreeing to whatever they ask Zim about his relationship with him. He could see that clearly.

Lunchtime approached and Dib already found Zim coming at him, seeming still upset but even more so. "Dib-worm! I have been patient and you will not get away so easily!" Zim told the teen. "You will no longer interact with the other people here, your attention should be on Zim!" The alien declared. Ever since being told about how people thought they were a couple, he can now see what they mean.

"Zim, you can't control who I interact with. I can talk to anyone I please."

"No, you don't need to talk to anyone else!" Zim yelled at him.

"Zim what's wrong with you? You've been acting so weird and possessive lately." Dib asked.

"You lie! Zim is acting normal. Normal!" Zim retorted though Dib could see through the alien's lie easily making the teen let out a sigh.

"Alright, we need to talk. Come on." Dib told him, taking Zim's wrist and walking off to somewhere more private.

When they were alone Dib let go of Zim's wrist. "Okay, tell me what's really going on. You're acting like I'm going to disappear or something." Dib told Zim.

"... Nothing is wrong! Nothing... Zim is just making sure your pathetic mind doesn't forget you're my rival! That you won't leave Zim... Like how my Talles..." Zim stopped as Dib saw what was wrong as the alien started to shake.

"... Zim, I'm not going to leave you. You're my friend." Dib hugged the alien.

"The Dib's going to college... You won't be home where Zim can be there easily..." He heard Zim say quietly.

"College is a ways away, I'm not going anywhere any time soon. I still have four years until I do go to college and you can come and visit whenever you want." Dib told Zim as he kept hugging the alien, trying his best to cheer the alien up. "You can't get rid of me that easily, bug." Dib chuckled as he felt Zim tighten his hold on the human.

"And you can't get rid of Zim, Dib-smelly," Zim replied making Dib smile as he patted the alien's back under his pak.