Chapter 3
Dib woke up the next morning feeling unusually giddy. He looked around for the possible culprit, finally laying eyes upon his bundle of camping items. He grinned. He could barely remember the last time he had spent some quality time with his family.
After getting dressed, brushing his teeth, and grabbing his camping gear, he raced downstairs.
Dib came strolling into the kitchen as Gaz poured herself a bowl of cereal. She gave him an indifferent glance, then proceeded to shovel her breakfast into her mouth.
Prof. Membrane walked into the room, huffing. "Almost packed!" he exclaimed, picking up Dib's sleeping bag and backpack, heading out to the car.
Dib made himself some toast quickly, scarfing down the jam-and-buttered bread with a look of absolute bliss.
Gaz eyed him curiously. "What are YOU so happy about?" Had he really made peace with Zim in a single night?
"Come on, Gaz! We haven't done something like this in who knows how long. Aren't you the least bit happy?"
Gaz gave him an incredulous stare. "I'm not the one who's due for ultimate suffering. I'm happy I guess." If not a little bit confused, she thought solemly.
Dib and Gaz stood beside the car as their dad stuffed the last of the necessities into the driver's seat. Once finished, he turned to them proudly.
The children got into the car, catering to pleasant ideas about the trip. Prof. Membrane turned to face them, eyeing the car's capacity to hold more camping gear.
"I hope your little friend doesn't bring too much..." he said thoughtfully.
Dib just stared at his father blankly for a few moments. When it finally dawned upon him who exactly his father was talking about, Gaz laughed, truly laughed. Dib's expression was a mask of horror mingled with a slight hint of betrayal. He really must have forgotten, she mused, quite thrilled she had kept her mouth shut until now. As Dib gave his father the directions to Zim's house, he tossed a frustrated look at his sister, who merely shrugged it off, pulling out her Game Slave.
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Zim sat at his kitchen table, contemplating all that the computer had pulled up on camping. From what he gathered, it was an activity to be done with those you liked. In the wilderness. For fun.
He saw no potential for fun in sitting around a 'campfire' telling stories and eating disgusting human food, while getting eaten alive by bugs...
"Its gonna be so much FUN!!!" Gir smiled encouragingly at Zim. Zim eyed his metallic companion. The sir unit just didn't comprehend the aspect of dislike. Or self-control. Zim sighed. The base would no doubt be in ruins by the time he returned from this human trip. He smiled down at Gir to let him know he wasn't being ignored, before giving the "Mission is important" lecture once again.
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Zim got up slowly from the table, as Gir rushed to answer the door.
"Master, its your FRIEND!!!" Gir yelled happily, his cute robotic features alight with an enormous grin.
"Yes, Gir. My friend (he spat this out so harshly, it was barely distinguishable as a word) is here. I will see you in two days. Do not destroy the base while I'm away. The mission depends upon it!!!" He gave Gir a last "Do as I say" look before raising his head and striding out the door after Dib.
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They had been riding in the car for about two hours when Prof. Membrane decided to break the silence.
"So, uh...Zim. What country did you say you were from?"
"France." Zim stared out the window, chin in hand.
Dib glared at him from the opposite side of the car. Gaz looked up, sensing the tension building up on both her sides. She momentarily considered challenging Zim to another match on her Game Slave, but changed her mind when she saw the look of utter loathing on his face. A lop-sided grin formed on her face as she returned to her game. The two were so petty.
"Why don't you say something in French, Zim?" Dib instigated.
"No. I'd rather not." Zim replied, half-heartedly. He was losing his mind from the immense boredom he felt. The Dib was more obnoxious than he had originally thought, badgering him with such idiotic suggestions every once in a while. He turned to give Dib another haughty look, but the boy had already returned his attention to the passing roadside.
Zim let his eyes roam the rest of the vehicle, taking in the inferiority of the entire structure, smugly. The human children's father had already forgotten the conversation he had begun, attention back on the road. Gaz was pressing buttons furiously on her hand-held game. Inwardly he smiled. He had a vague sense of respect for the girl human who seemed not to require the company of anyone. She was pretty good at her interest, too.
And looking so...forlorn.
He took in her outfit of dark hues, gothic patterns, and make-up style. Her morbid accessories...a skull-shaped necklace, striped stockings, spider shoe laces, safety pin bracelets. He wondered what she deemed vital to her existence, why him being an alien failed to disturb her in the least.
Gaz felt Zim's eyes on her and graced him with a highly uncommon, curious stare. He looked away quickly. She smiled slightly, wondering at his fascination with her. He had been staring for a while, but she couldn't fathom herself catching anyone's (let alone an alien's) attention. Shrugging it off as him merely looking her way as he thought of numerous ways in which to make Dib suffer, she sank back into the comfort of her game. Only twelve levels to go. She hoped they'd get there before she beat the game, she'd only brought five others, and she required the entertainment for two whole days.
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whew! ok. I promise actual camping in the next chapter...
I think I'm finally back into the course of writing. My apologies for the shortness of chapters 1 & 2.
Bwahaha! Listen to me ramble like people are actually reading this...thanks for the review, though. It makes me feel better :)