Ba-boom.

Read away!

Dib woke up the next morning at the sound of his alarm. He blindly pounded it into silence and grabbed his glasses. He was as blind as a bat without them.

He got ready with his normal routine. Shower, dress, pack books, and get down stars for a quick breakfast before he missed the bus.

Zita lived just down the block, so she rode the same bus he did. He always tried to get down there early because she did too. So Dib wolfed down Cheerios and waited for Gaz. She came down the stairs in a purple baggy long sleeve blouse and blue jeans tucked into her boots.

When Dib let go of the whole boot style, Gaz had picked it right up. This annoyed him.

"Ready yet, pre-Madonna?" Dib asked with a scowl. Gaz combed her purple hair with her black finger nails and nodded. "Yup," she responded, picked up her bag off the couch and walked out the door. Dib followed suit and locked the door behind them. Their dad was at work almost all the time. He didn't even have time to send them a pre-recorded video message anymore.

Stupid 2012.

Indeed, Zita was up there first at the bus stop. Her spiky purple hair covered with a blue hat. She turned her head at the sound of crunching snow. Gaz paid no attention to her and instead plucked out her iPod, popped in her headphones and the heavy bass music was heard. She sat back against the fence, whipped out her keyboard phone and started texting.

If there were any faster texters than his sister, then the world would end.

Dib on the other hand smiled softly Zita's way.

"Hey, Dib," Zita greeted warmly.

Dib swallowed. Say something you idiot! "Hey," he choked.

"Did you mean what you said the other day? About 2012?" she asked innocently. Dib hesitated then replied, "Of course. I mean really. All this hype only started after that dumb movie two years ago."

Zita smiled. "Yeah, I guess so. You should have seen my mom when we went to go see that movie in 3D," she laughed softly, "She's such a spaz."

Dib returned the small laugh. "So, do you believe the theory?"

Zita got a thoughtful look. "I don't know. I guess we'll find out Friday, huh?" Dib nodded. "Ye-" All of the sudden, there was a jolt on the ground. Earthquake.

Zita fell back into Dib who fell back into the snow. Gas had not even moved. The two where face to face on the ground. Dib blushed. "Um," Dib stuttered, "Heh." Zita returned the blush while getting up. Dib followed. "Sorry," Zita giggled, "Weird earthquake."

"Yeah," Dib squeaked.

Then the bus drove up. A couple other kids came out of their houses. Dib heard some of them talking about the sudden jolt.

Dib just hoped none of them saw how he and Zita collided.

Another day passed of more arguing about 12/21/12.

And by December 20th, Dib saw at least three hobos with signs saying: The end is near!

Uh, huh.

Right.

Dib sat silently on his bed at 9:55 p.m. Thursday night. He stared at his laptop screen, watching the levels of sun flares via satellite.

Once it was 9:59, Dib held his breath as he watched the levels rise number by number. "No, no, no," Dib said to himself quietly. Then he almost fainted as the clock struck 10 p.m. and the levels sky rocketed. "No!" Dib cried out.

"Shut up!" Gaz called from down the hall.

"No you shut up!" Dib shouted back, "The world is going to end!"

"What did you just say to me?" Gaz yelled.

Dib hesitated. "Nothing!"

Then he sat in silence again, just watching the numbers go up and down. No… They were right… Wait, solar flares happen all the time.

Yeah, all the time.

This would pass right over.

All the time Dib thought.

Dib nearly choked on his cereal when he watched the news.

"The entire state of California is gone. This huge fault also seems to be spreading throughout the United States. Everyone is advised to pack their things and find a safe place such as a bunker."

"Damn," Gaz breathed.

When Dib met up with Zita she was crying. Alex was consoling her.

"Oh my gosh," Dib exhaled, "What happened? Zita, what's wrong?" "

"What's it to you, freak?" Alex hissed.

"No, no. Alex, it's fine," Zite assured in-between cracks and sniffs. She looked Dib in his chocolate eyes, "M-my grandparents were in Cal-California. Dib, I think you were wrong. The w-world is ending."

An adult rushed out. "Are you kids crazy? You need to get inside! School is canceled!" Zita sniffed. "M-my parents have already left, can I stay with you, Dib?" Dib felt his cheeks warm. Crap. She wants to come over? Alex scowled at Dib. "Uh, uh, s-sure. Alex?" "Not in a million years," she growled, "But it'll be for my best friend."

Gaz turned on the news the minute they all walked in the door to Dib's home.

Zita and Alex took a seat on the couch. Dib set down his bag and went to the kitchen to sort out his thoughts—and get Zita some water.

"This can't be happening…" Dib hyperventilated, "No, no, no. I-it was a movie. The world can't really…" "Freak!" he heard Alex call, "Water! Now!"

Dib stopped talking to himself and got Zita a glass of water. He walked into the room and held it out to her. Alex snatched it and handed it to Zita who took it gratefully. "Thanks Dib," Zita said quietly after a long swig.

"Guys, look at this," Gaz breathed as she turned up the volume on the TV.

"The fault seems to be spreading all the way across Texas now. And more faults have been seen forming at the peak of Minnesota and headed towards Iowa."

All of the teenagers gasped at once. Iowa is the state they lived in. Knoxville, Iowa.

Crap.

"No!" Zita shouted, "This can't be happening!" Both Alex and Zita burst into tears. Gaz walked to a different room. Alex stood. "Zita, I love you, but I have to get back to my parents," she looked to Dib, "I still think you're a freak." "Alex! Please don't leave me!" Zita cried.

"I'm sorry," Alex bent down and hugged her. Then she left.

"My parents…" Zita breathed.

Dib sat next to her. Zita looked him in the eyes. "Dib, since we're going to die, I want you to know that I've always kind of liked you."

Dib blushed. "Uh," he stumbled, "I… I like you too."

Then Zita leaned in and gently placed her lips on Dib's.

Ohmigod, Ohmigod, Ohmigod.

Zita pulled away and smiled. Dib felt all poofy inside. Butterflies, a lump in his throat, the whole enchilada. Then Dib had an epiphany. "No," he said. Zita's perfect eyebrows raised. "What?"

"No. I am so. Not dying today," Dib stood. Zita followed him up. "Dib, what are you talking about? The world is ending." "I know someone who can get us out of here. I just hope he'll help. Go get your stuff."