Dlbn: Hello, everyone! Welcome to another long overdue chapter! Let's just get right into it!
Nbld: Let's start with the Review Corner. Thank you to Zim'sMostLoyalServant, Invader Johnny, and Isak for reviewing! Cake for you all!
Zim'sMostLoyalServant: Ah, Zim and his revenge. What a pair. As far as Keef goes, that won't get in the way. We won't have a case of Haven or Hell Keef becoming Bestest Friends Keef or anything.
Invader Johnny: It wouldn't surprise me if he started befriending Zim only because he thought he was cute or something like that. Zim's got a whole thing about loyalty, it's a major part of his character here, and it shows. After all, Keef is the first friend he ever had when he came to Earth, even before Dib. Why would he want to ruin that?
Isak: Zim always knows more than he lets on, so it could go either way ;) Actually, I normally agree! That's part of why I was concerned with posting it in the first place, since I know a lot of people aren't fans of OCs. I try to keep anyone that isn't a Haven or Sila's involvement as minimal as I can. I've seen so many Zim's realizes it's a defect storylines, myself. Every one of them is different in some way and really good, but I didn't want to write one like that, mostly because I have a hard time with canon Zim. Thank you! I try my best to make sure there are no mistakes, but sometimes they slip through the cracks ^^"
Disclaimer: I own my OCs, but anyone/anything canon to Invader Zim belongs to Jhonen C. Vasquez. I make NO money off writing this.
Disclaimer number 2: As many of you are probably aware thanks to a slew of other writers on this site, there is a fake account (mostly guest reviews) pretending to be an author and just giving out nasty reviews. I've dealt with someone like that before (specifically targeting me because it was my e or his girlfriend, I'm not sure which). But this person is just writing crappy reviews, using 'pig shit' in some way, shape or form, and complaining about the existence of fanfics themselves. There is one of their reviews on this fic, actually. They've also spilled into other fandoms (I got another similar review on my Killing Stalking fanfic). If they send you a review or you see one, just know that they are not who they are pretending to be. I'm not sure if they've stopped by now, but I wanted to make mention in case there are people out there who didn't know.
Dedication: This chapter is dedicated to my very own Junior. As of May 25, 2019, I am officially Mrs. Dlbn H. my husband and I tied the knot and I couldn't be happier. Sometimes I look at him and think I can't believe this wonderful man actually wanted me. My son and I have been through a lot of hell, and we're finally starting to recover. I love you.
Dedication two: Happy fourth birthday to my son! His birthday as the 13th, but I didn't post then. Mommy loves you, you special little dude, you!
Dedication three: Happy belated birthday to my best friend and wifey, who shares a birthday with my son. Can't wait to see you and the boys soon!
000
Zim wasn't all that surprised to find out that Caleb thought he was behind all the pranks on Torque and his group of friends-Morla's desk upside down with her chair on it, Sarah's lunch box replaced with a bag of worms, Rob's jersey hanging from the flag pole, a love letter on Brian's desk from a girl that pissed off his girlfriend-considering nothing had happened to Caleb, Zayena, or Shraela and it was already lunch time. He just didn't expect Caleb to have the audacity to storm up to his table at lunch and slam his hands down on it, outright accusing him.
"You wanna lose a hand, Caleb?" Zim growled. "I didn't do it, so back off." He batted his rival's hand away. "Maybe someone else has just had it with your guys' shit."
"Yeah, and the fact that me, my girl, or your ex haven't been hit up yet isn't suspicious?" Caleb snorted. "Get real."
"Day's only half over. Who knows what's planned for the rest of the day. Certainly, not me."
"You used to be good at lying, Junior. Now you just suck at it."
"Good to know something other than your girlfriend sucks around here."
Caleb grabbed him by the collar, pulling him off the chair a little bit. "What did you say?"
"Caleb, calm down before I take your ass down." Sila scolded. "Starting a fight with Junior in front of witnesses again. What's wrong with you?"
"Mayrino." Gabe muttered, making Lahna and the cousins giggle.
"Cada ves." Ense ordered, coming up behind him. "Caleb, let him go. Zim, don't you say another word."
"Yeah, yeah." Zim waved him off.
"What did I just say?"
"You said not to say another word. He said two." Lahna pointed out.
"He said the same one word twice." Ense rolled his eyes. "Come on, you're making a scene. If Zim had anything to do with it, you know damn well he'd take the credit. Not to mention, he'd go after you and Shraela first. Then the others, then Zayena last. So just stop it, alright?"
Caleb grumbled something about stupid brothers as he stormed off.
Ense rolled his eyes. "What a moron."
"That's what I just said." Gabe informed.
"You called him an idiot." Aila pointed out. "Moron is shafron."
"Whatever. Close enough."
Daila rolled her eyes.
"Just play nice, alright?" Ense winked, leaving with his hands behind his back.
"You didn't." Sila muttered.
"No one did nothing." Zim replied, taking a drink of milk.
The look in Sila's eyes told him she wasn't letting it go, and that they'd have to discuss it later. That was fine by him. This was just too much fun, anyway.
000
Lahna's jaw almost hit the floor when Zim confirmed Sila's suspicions.
"So, you were behind it…just not directly…he could lose his job!" She complained.
"No one will know. If it comes to it, I'll take the fall completely." Zim waved her off. "There's no cameras around here. Some invasion of privacy bull. If there were cameras, they'd have undeniable proof about the Jell-O incident, and everything that came after it."
"Yeah, but…"
"Don't worry. We have our asses covered."
"You're slick, Junior." Gabe commented. "But I didn't know you were that slick."
Zim laughed. "It's not being slick. It's our big brother being sick and tired of seeing his siblings suffer at the hands of people who have no right trying to ruin them." He stated. "I said I wished we could just get our revenge and get it over with. He agreed and that's the end of that."
"I knew the Havens were fucking insane, but for real." Sila took a swig of her beer. "I never thought he'd be willing to sink to that level."
"But he is, apparently." Lahna shook her head. "I hope you two know what you're doing."
"We do." Zim nodded. "Promise."
"If you get that idiot fired, I'm kicking both your asses." Sila added.
Lahna nodded. "Me, too!"
"Like I said, I'll take the fall. If they blame him, I'll say he felt bad for me and was covering so I wouldn't get into trouble. Easy. We have ways out of this. Always have an exit strategy. You taught me that, Sils."
She flushed. "Yeah, I know. Doesn't mean you'll fucking listen, though."
"Woah, language jump." Lahna giggled. "Come on, keep it clean and civil, you two. You sure you're best friends?"
"She can be a bitch because we're best friends, and you both know it." Zim took a drink.
She nodded. "And he can be a complete moron because he can get away with it with me."
"Exactly."
Lahna rolled her eyes, standing and stretching. "You two were made for one another." She commented. "How you haven't broken down and done it yet still confuses the shit out of me." She pranced out of the room towards the bathroom.
"Why doesn't anyone get the whole I respect her too much to add her to my belt thing?"
"And why doesn't anyone get the whole I respect myself too much to be added to his belt thing?"
"Oh ha-ha."
"Name one broad you've ever slept with that has self-respect."
"Zayena."
"I said one broad you ever slept with. Not one you're currently sleeping with."
"Good point." Zim laughed. "And honestly, I'm not one hundred percent certain she has self-respect."
"She joined up with Torque and his friends and plays her social anxiety card way too well to be secure in herself, let alone to have any self-respect. She'll throw anyone under a bus to save her ass, and we all know it."
He nodded. "I just hope that when that day comes, that someone isn't me."
000
Zim thought his squeedly spooch popped out of his chest when he saw Zayena hanging on the arm of one of her classmates around third period. She tried to act as if she didn't see him, but it was obvious to him that she did. Part of him wanted to go up and demand an explanation. The other part told him to let it be and that she'd explain on her own time when her friends weren't around to eavesdrop. He listened to that more rational part and sought out Sila, dragging her away from the other three gangsters she'd been talking to and underneath the stairwell for a private conversation.
"What's your deal?" Sila wondered, batting his hand away.
"You seen Zayena recently?" He asked.
She groaned. "What is she doing?"
"Hanging of the arm of some blonde kid I've never seen before. Pretty sure they're classmates, though. He looks to be around Gaz's age."
"You jealous?" Sila cocked an eyebrow. "This isn't like you."
"You're only jealous when you can't have something. I can have that girl any time she or I want."
"So, you're possessive." Sila tapped her chin with a finger. "A new side of you I've never seen. Not over a broad, anyway."
"Could you stop mocking me for two god damn seconds?"
"Calm down." Sila scolded. "She's probably faking it to keep her friends happy or to keep Caleb and Shraela from blabbing everything they can think of around school. Don't jump to conclusions and wait for her to come to you about it."
"Yeah, I know to do that. I'm not a moron. Still makes my blood boil."
"Maybe she's pulling a Shraela and trying to make you jealous cause you pissed her off."
"Pissed her off?" Zim scoffed. "What the hell did I ever do?"
"You blow her off to hang with me and the others. You know she's insecure about you being around other girls that aren't me or your sister and Gram. And you've got Daila and Aila around now."
"Aila's taken."
"Daila isn't, and you know she'd totally screw you again if she could."
"She had a taste and she doesn't double dip."
Sila laughed. "You're an asshole. Want to get back at Zayena? Let Daila hang all over you."
"Yeah, sure thing." Zim rolled his eyes. "I don't know where she is right now."
"Second just ended so she should be headed to study hall with you, moron."
"Oh, right." He flushed.
"Talk to her in study hall but wait til lunch to pull it off. That's the only time Zayena is probably going to see you, honestly."
"Right." He nodded. "I guess that works. I don't want to be a total dick about it, though…"
"Then don't do it. No skin off my antennae." She shrugged. "Just don't wuss out halfway through because you gain a conscience."
"I'll try not to do so, mother."
"Good." She slapped him. "You're a terrible son."
"Both my parents made that very clear to me growing up, yes."
"Shut up; you know what I meant."
"Yeah, yeah." He shoved her out of the staircase.
She laughed and joined the crowds to head to class. He soon did the same, grabbing both cousins by the arm to stop them.
"What's up Junior?" Aila asked.
"You look like you've seen a ghost. Are you okay?" Daila put a hand to his head. "You don't feel warm."
"I need your help for a second, Dai."
"What is it?"
"That." He nodded towards Zayena.
"Oh, for god's sake."
"Are you serious?" Aila wondered. "I bet Caleb put her up to this to test her loyalty or some shit."
"Most likely." Zim stated. "But two can play at that game."
"Oh?"
"I would never ask Gretchen, mostly because I know she wouldn't help me, but I know you might."
"Want me to help make her jealous?"
"Yeah."
"What do I have to do?"
"Just hang on me like she's doing to him when we go to lunch. I just want to get her attention."
"Remind her that you can have any girl you want, even a girl you've already done the deed with?" Aila laughed. "You're something else, Junior."
"Sila's idea."
"For real?" Daila cocked an eyebrow. "Then why doesn't she help you?"
"Like Zayena would fall for that."
"Like Zayena would fall for this either." Daila teasingly ragged a finger up his arm. "Come on, Junior, you know better." She all but purred, grabbing onto his arm and pulling him towards class.
People gave them looks, but he ignored them.
"I said lunch, Dai…"
"Zayena noticed." Aila whispered as they entered their study hall. "Dai knows what she's doing."
Zim gave a sideways glance to Dee, Jessica, and Torque in the back of the room and saw their jaws practically hit the floor. Good. So Zayena had seen, as had her friends. That would be the talk of their table later. Zim slipped an arm around Daila's waist, making her giggle, as they made their way to their desks. Zim pulled out the chairs for both cousins and they sat down in them, him following suit in his own seat. He could practically feel the others' glares at his back and hear the words they were sharing back and forth on a piece of notebook paper. He smirked, though a part of him felt disgusted with himself. He loved Zayena. Why was he risking fucking it up? To get a little petty revenge for her just trying to cover her backside? Either way, this was just asking for trouble. No matter what her reasoning was, it would make him going to her house for sex very, very awkward.