Author's Note: This first chapter is my fourth fan-iversary present to my readers.
This "collection of one-shots" thing seems to be a growing trend, and it sounded like fun. I couldn't find anything in the rules that said we couldn't do something like this on this site, so I started my own.
Titles of one-shots are indicated in bold and underline. A chapter may contain just one one-shot, or more than one.
Disclaimer: "Invader ZIM" belongs to Jhonen Vasquez and Nickelodeon.
Lens
"Aarrgh! Zim cannot stand these itchy contacts!"
Overhearing, a few children glanced over and then whispered among themselves.
"Aw, man, Zim's been complaining a lot about those lenses lately."
"Yeah. Poor guy."
One skool child a few tables away took her mouth off her juice box straw and leaned in towards her friend's ear.
"That poor kid. It's too bad he doesn't have a nose or ears so he could wear glasses."
Trends
At about 5 pm one Friday Dib found himself with quite a bit of time on his hands, so he hoped a visit to the library would cure his boredom.
Upon arriving, he headed straight for his favorite section, but while passing the magazines a flash of green skin caught his eye.
"Zim!" Dib struck an action pose in preparation, but when Zim didn't even look up, the boy cautiously relaxed and approached him. Zim was calmly sitting at a table, leafing through some very…normal-looking reading material.
"What're you up to this time, Zim?" Dib demanded.
The alien gave him a slightly testy look. "I am merely reading one of these fascinating Earth maggot-zeens. That's what normal worm-babies do, yes?" He returned to leafing through the magazine and feigning interest. "Mm-hmm…hmm…mm-hmm…Informative. Who knew green was this year's blue?"