Author's Note: God, what is it with me and writing chapters for this story? Seriously. Who gave me the inspiration virus? Damn music making me think.
Not that it's a bad thing...
I've been told that my detailed chapters are better than drabbles. Oh well. It was a nice time skip and it puts them at an age that's more comfortable for me to write with. Even though they were only twelve when we began our little journey through Tia's self-pity.
This one is inspired by the song Sweet Dreams by Beyonce. You probably already figured that out by the title, but still, I've met some people that are just that dense.
Jhonen Vasquez owns Zim, not moi.
Flames will bring doom upon you, so don't even try.
=== LINE BREAK OF DOOM ===
The balmy night air feels good against my face as I walk down the street. I'm going to get yelled at for being out so late, but they might go easy on me. After all, Dib is walking me home.
My dad, at least, has grown to like Dib. As long as we leave my bedroom door open, he doesn't really worry about us being alone all the time. I think he's just glad that I finally have a friend that I didn't meet online. My stepmother has her concerns about Dib, especially his infatuation with the paranormal.
To be honest, I like his little obsession. I would've gotten into that sort of thing a long time ago, but my stepmother squashed it when I started to show interest. Being a full-on Catholic, she doesn't believe in things such as ghosts and Bigfoot. I haven't had the heart or energy to argue with her about it. It seems kind of trivial compared to other things she and I are at odds about.
"I finally got the ghost ninjas back down the toilet, but I was grounded for a week because of it." Dib gave a pouty look for a moment before he shook his head slightly and turned to me. "Hey, have you ever seen a ghost?"
I blink and stare at the ground. Not counting the many dreams I've had about my mother, I had seen a total of three ghosts in my entire life. With so many people that I knew dying around me when I was little, one would think that there would've been more. I shrug.
"A few," I say truthfully.
"What happened?" Dib sounds extremely interested, and I suppose he has the right to. I don't tell stories about my past. It gets too painful sometimes. I'd only ever told him about my mother once, when he asked why I was participating in the Breast Cancer walk. Then again, he's never told me about his mother.
"Well... When I was six, I was riding on the train on a field trip. I was looking out the window- you know how I like the window seat- and I saw a black hooded guy. I looked behind me to see him better, but when I blinked he was gone," I describe as simply as I can. I'm not good at telling stories. Blame lack of practice.
There's another, a Bloody Mary story, but I don't believe in Bloody Mary so I leave it alone in my mind. Besides, that's not my story, per say; it's my cousin's.
"Neat! I saw a ghost when I was six, too!" Dib says enthusiastically.
I absently block him out and enjoy the cool evening breeze. We're walking very slowly, trying to extend the time before we have to go our separate ways. Why do I have a feeling Dib has plans concerning Zim later tonight?
We approach my house and we stop at the front stoop. "Uh, I guess I'll see you tomorrow at Skool," Dib says, nervously awkward. I feel my lips twitch into a nearly shy smile. When we're being rushed or someone's there, we usually just say bye and go on; when we're alone, goodbyes get reluctant and timid.
"Yeah, guess so. See ya later, Dib," I say quietly. He hugs me goodnight, and he lingers just a little, enough for me to notice. Then he retracts quickly and mutters a goodnight.
I return the whisper and head inside, my cheeks burning. My parents say nothing as I walk upstairs to my bedroom, which I find odd as they would be on my case right about now.
I lock my door behind me and pull back the curtains around my window. Dib is walking slowly away from my house. He stops under a street light and slaps his forehead in exasperation. I can't hear him, but I wish I could. It'd be nice to know what he's scolding himself for.
He runs off in the direction of Zim's house, and I smile at my accuracy.
Sitting on my soft cushions, I stare at the stars twinkling above. I yawn once and my eyes water. I didn't sleep well last night, so of course by now I'm thoroughly exhausted. My eyes drift close and I fold my arms over my chest as I get comfortable, leaning my temple against the cool glass of my window.
My last thought before sleep is that I forgot to turn on my stereo.
I'm standing at the base of a spiraling staircase. I turn around, getting my bearings. The walls are stone and the door behind me is made of heavy oak wood. I tug at the old-fashioned metal handle, but the door is firmly locked or simply too heavy for me to open. I turn to the winding stairs.
They're made of oak as well, and the railing is black-painted iron. The metal is cold to my touch as I ascend the spiral, seeing no other way to go.
The climb is long and exhausting, but I reach the top at last. An open trapdoor leads me into a stone room, bare save for a single opening in the furthest corner. I walk out onto a balcony.
I gasp; the landscape before me is barren and dead. The blackened trunks of burnt trees stick out of the ground intermittently, but other than that there's nothing as far as my eyes can see. The sight makes me sick to my stomach and brings sudden tears to my eyes. I imagine what it would've looked like when the trees were green and alive. It must have been beautiful, once upon a time.
Swallowing back the lump in my throat, I turn around so I won't have to look at the dead Earth. I bump into something- someone- and give a small oof! Arms wrap around me in a comforting hug.
"I'm sorry you had to see that, baby." Mom.
I bury my face in her shirt and relish in her presense. "I miss you, Mom," I whisper, tears choking my voice.
"I know you do. I miss you, too," she says with an audible smile. My heart stops throbbing painfully and I relax in her embrace. "I love you, Tia."
"I love you, too, Mom."
Suddenly, her arms turn to vapor and I can't feel her warmth anymore. She's disappeared. I panic. "Mom? Mom, where'd you go?" I call into the dry, still air.
"Looking for someone?"
Dib's voice jolts through me like electricity. It's deeper, and more confident. I turn back around to look at him.
He's different somehow. His hair scythe is shaped more like a lightning bolt and his trench coat is in tatters. I droop to see his prized coat torn and ruined. It's as much of a part of Dib as his glasses or his big honey-colored eyes.
"Dib. What are you doing here?" I ask, not sure what else to say.
"I could ask the same," he retorts with a type of angry, sardonic sass that usually comes from his sister. What's happened here? Did Zim actually... win? My heart skips a beat as I think of the horrors that must have occured.
Dib takes a step towards me, and I involuntarily shuffle back half a step. His golden eyes tell me that he means no harm, despite his snide remarks. He reaches out to my face. I insitinctively jerk my head back, but his fingertips brush my cheek and his gentle touch calms me. I give in and lean into his hand.
His eyes are sad and relieved at the same time. "I thought you were dead," he sighs. "I was sure you were dead."
"Zim... did this." I gesture to the dusty nothing beyond the balcony. Dib nods. His hand cups my jawline and my hand covers it timidly. His skin is callused and rough, but his touch is tender and sweet. He won't hurt me. Not in a million and one years.
"I was too late to stop him. To save you. Save the world," Dib whispers, his new strong voice catching slightly. He gazes at me earnestly, longingly. "Is it too late now?" he asks in a voice so low I barely hear it.
I don't know what he's talking about, but I shake my head anyway. So he messed up. He's human- he's going to make mistakes, and there's nothing he can do about it. Sure, his screw up destroyed the Earth, but if anything it was an honest mistake and no matter what damage he caused, I can forgive him for it.
Is that what he's asking for? Forgiveness?
"No," I say quietly. "It was never too late."
The gap between us has been slowly closing as we inch closer and closer, yearning for one another's company and touch. He missed me. I see it in his eyes. Those beautiful golden eyes that shine like the sun when in the right light and mood, and yet can be stormy and dangerous when angered.
He leans down and whispers in my ear, his breath tickling my sensitive skin. "I was so scared. I thought I was alone. He spared me because he wanted me to suffer. I don't think I'll be able to suffer anymore."
"Why not?" I breathe back, shivering with nerves.
"I have you again."
My eyes widen and he pulls away from my ear. He stares at me, his eyelids drooping. "Dib?" My voice is weak from lack of breath.
To my utter shock, he bends down and presses his lips to mine.
I jolt awake, a small shout erupting from my mouth.
What the hell was that?
And why am I regretting waking up?
I stare blankly at the concrete as I walk to Skool, my dream wrapped around my mind like a vice. I strongly believe that dreams have greater meaning than just a jumble of subconcious thoughts. I've been trying to figure out the meaning of mine for the last few hours, unsuccessfully.
"Hey, Tia!" Dib catches my attention vaguely. I turn and stop to wait while he runs to catch up to me.
"Hi, Dib," I say softly, still deep in thought. He frowns at me. I frown back. "What?"
"What are you thinking about?" he asks.
I sigh. "A dream. I don't think you'd understand."
"What was it about?" Dib presses. I can't fight the warmth coming to my cheeks, so I turn away to ensure he won't see.
"C'mon, we'll be late again." I say the word late gently. Shivers go up my spine and I hide them rather effectively by rolling my shoulders, which are a little sore from carrying my backpack around.
Dib knows I'm hiding something from him. He just knows me that well. He doesn't say anything else, though. I'm too stubborn to let him continue to pester me about a stupid dream. It wasn't stupid; it was nice. And scary, too.
Gaz notices I'm off at lunch. "Hey, are you and Dib fighting or something?" she asks when Dib leaves to the bathroom.
"No, why?" I respond.
"You haven't talked to him. I thought you might be mad at him for something. I don't blame you if you do, whatever it is," she says, returning to her game. She growls at the Game Slave 3. "Stupid bat piggy!"
"Try the double flaming dagger combo," I suggest absently. I already finished Vampire Piggy Slayer: Resurrection two nights ago.
"Oh, neat. I didn't think about that. Thanks."
"No prob."
I put my earbuds in and tap my foot to the song distractedly. "You can be a sweet dream, or a beautiful nightmare. Either way, I don't wanna wake up from you."
Damn you, music, for being the one thing that understands me and my predicament.
=== LINE BREAK OF DOOM ===
Kinda short. Sorry if it's not as good as usual. It's late and I just wanna finish this so I can get to bed. I have to write my chapters all in one sitting so I don't end up straying from the idea of the original chapter.
Which is why this one is so short.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the shittiness of my late-night mind. See ya guys later.
Don't forget to review, or else you won't read the next chapter because I won't write it. I live on reviews, people. They're my only source of motivation for this damn thing.