WOO! Another chapter! I wrote it right after posting the other, but decided to wait to post it. Wanted to see if it got enough reviews to even bother. Ha. Enjoy.

(I'm also currently working on Ch. 3 to Want, it will soon be posted.)

Chapter 2

Nightly Ritual

The next morning I awoke with a splitting headache. I rolled over in my bed and slowly attempted to stand. I was sore all over, and could hardly remember the events from the night before. I don't even remember returning home. But somehow, by the end of the night, I was home and in my bed.

I stood, feeling a wave of sickness wash over me. I continued to stand there for a minute trying to decide if I should lay back down or not. Eventually I decided not to.

I walked to the bathroom across the hall and stared at myself in the mirror. I was still dressed in my clothes from the previous night. My tattered jeans and black t-shirt still smelled of smoke and alcohol. I examined my face in the mirror. Dark circles surrounded my crimson red eyes, and sweat was plastered to my face. Deciding the clothes were becoming to bothersome I stripped to my boxers and headed towards the living room.

Upon entering I saw Gir on the couch. With a hand pressed to my pounding head I sat next to him. It didn't take long before I felt nausous again. I layed myself down, culing my legs up so not to kick the robot off. Not much time passed before I was asleep again.

I slept for hours. When I woke up it was well past 5. I pulled myself back up and thought a second.

Though the mental pain was forgotten the night before, it was now back in full force. What was I going to do? It didn't take long to decide.

I hurried back to my room and started digging through the closet for something to wear. I pulled on a pair of baggy jeans and a slid a red button-up over my shoulders. I quickly popped in my contacts and placed my wig on my head. I stared at myself in the mirror as I buttoned the shirt up half-way. Once again I was ready to partake in drowing out the pain.

As I reached the front door I heard Gir's voice.

"Where are you going Master?" His high pitched voice was filled with sadness.

"Out." is all I said, and I was soon out the door.

As I walked the familiar streets I passed Gaz's old house. I sighed feeling a sharp pain in my heart. God how I missed her.

I eventually reached the bar, and after making sure I had a pack of cigarettes, I entered. The smell once again made me sick as I entered, but I ignored it. I walked up to the bar, taking a seat. Coming here was becoming somewhat of a nightly ritual for me.

"Hey, weren't you here last night?" The bartender asked. I nodded. "Same thing as last night?" he asked. I once again nodded.

Before to long a glass of whiskey was placed in front of me. I drank it quickly, despretly wanting to forget my pain.

"Shit..." I muttered to myself. I was already feeling light headed as another glass was placed in front of me. I quickly drank that one aswell.

Before I knew it I was drunk.

I sat silently in my seat, another alcohol-filled glass in my hand, and a cigarette dangling out of the corner of my mouth. I could feel my eyes closing when I heard the familiar voice.

I turned my head and scanned the room, my eyes finally resting on a young male with jet black hair and glasses. I stared at him untill he finally turned to stare back.

"Zim?" he walked over to me. "What are you doing here?"

It was the Dib-human. I said nothing. I merely lifted my glass, once again, to my lips.

"You better not being trying anything." He told me.

"Pssshhhh... I ZIM... am... not..." my words trailed off. What was the point.

He arched a brow as he looked me over. "You're pathetic." was all he said before walking off.

I had had enough. So slowly I stood and stumbled out the door.

My vision was blurry as I walked down the streets on my way home. Tonight was not like the night before. The alcohol failed in taking away my misery, it only intensified it. And soon, without realizing it, I found myself at the door to the Membrane home.

"Huh..." I was confused.

Without knowing what I was doing I knocked on the door. No one answered, but for some reason I continued to knock on it. I suddenly felt dizzy. Taking a few steps back, I suddenly fell. And thats all I remember.

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The next morning I awoke my skin burning from the dew that had settled over my body. I screeched in pain, quickly jumping up. I hurt all over. The burns in my skin from the dew, the pounding headache, the sudden wave of sickness. I knew I had to get back to my house.

I walked slowly trying to keep myself from puking. It seemed to take forever, but eventually I reached the door to my home. I slowly creaked it open, only to be greeted by the screeching voice of my robot companion.

"Shhh... Gir..." My eyes watered from the pain in my head. He shut his mouth and cocked his head at me. I walked passed him and went straight to my room.

I layed out on my bed after having stripped off my wet clothing. On my back, staring at the ceiling, the only thing on my mind was Gaz.

Then I felt it. Jumping up I darted for the bathroom. I got there just in time.

"This hangover stuff is for the dogs..." I muttered under my breath as I finally finished. I wiped my mouth and went back to my room.

Little did I know that night I would find something else to forget my pain. Something that would not leave me puking the next morning.