Through the first week Dib and Gaz came to see Gir routinely. After the first week was over, they took him home with them. Ever since Zim left, Dib blamed himself, and went into a small depression. He didn't talk to anyone but himself, Gaz and Gir; but mostly himself. Dib stopped chasing after other paranormal, because it reminded him of the fun he had with Zim. Gir regularly checked up on the house, and no intruders ever came.
Dib would look through his very special telescope, and try to find Zim ever night. He sent echo waves through space, from one of his dad's machines, asking for forgiveness and pleading for Zim to come home. He never got an answer.
By the fifth week of summer he started getting desperate, and started writing letters. Short ones and tied them to balloons and let them free. After about a week of sending hundreds of letters, he stopped sending them, but kept writing. Every week he would go with Gir to Zims house, and leave the letters in Zim's house. Dib never gave up.
Gaz had gotten worried about Dib, she had no idea Zim's leaving would hit him like this. She was genuinely worried for his life. He had stopped going out of the house, until one day. It was a Saturday and there was only three weeks of summer left.
The doorbell rang. Gaz went to open it, "Hello," she said to the older girl at the door.
"Hi. Is Dib here?" Gretchen asked, smiling.
Gaz couldn't help but feel the need to smile back, but she refrained. "Come in," She stood out of the way and let her in. Gretchen stood at the inside of the door, as Gaz went up to get Dib. She walked into his room. "Hey, there is someone to see you," She smiled softly and laid her hand upon her brother's shoulder.
Dib ceased his writing and looked up at Gaz with tired eyes. He nodded and headed down stairs, Gaz following him. He walked up to Gretchen. "Hi," he said plainly.
Gretchen took in the pitiful site of the boy and smiled. "Hey, do you want to come hang out at the mall?" Gretchen smiled as Dib looked at her confused. "I think it would do you good to get out of your house."
"It really would, why don't you go, Dib?" Gaz agreed and aged Dib into it.
"Alright. Let me go change," and Dib was back up to his room. He changed and combed his hair and sauntered downstairs. "Let's go," Dib said walking out the door.
Gir waved and smiled and Gretchen looked back at Gaz. Gaz smiled and mouthed 'thank you' to her. Gaz didn't know why she had said that to this strange girl, but helping her brother made Gaz like Gretchen more than she would care.
Gretchen and Dib walked together to the mall and hung out at the food court. They talked and laughed and finally, for the first time since Zim left, he felt loved; he felt friendship. And he didn't feel it was his fault.
They walked back to Dib's house about 8:30. "Wanna do this again tomorrow?" Gretchen asked.
"Sure!" and they blushed.
"Well, this was fun. I can't wait to see you tomorrow," The Gretchen skipped off merrily, leaving Dib at his front door.
Dib smiled and watched her go, and he felt acceptance once again. He walked inside his house, with a smile on his face, and a good attitude.
That night, Gaz, Gir and Dib sat down and played games, smiled, laughed and not once was Zim brought up. Gaz didn't feel scared for Dib again, but no one knew what was really going on, up above, in space.
In the place, where Zim fought between life and Death.