I know this is just so cliché it hurts, but without your reviews I would be nothing. There is no better feeling than opening up Gmail and seeing this- Inbox: 4. Two new reviews. Two new story favorites. Seriously, you guys are amazing. I love you more than I like the word "fruit". I really like the word fruit.

Dib came back to school. Zim sighed. No matter what he did, Dib was still an emotionally beat up wreck. He had bribed Dib to be his friend, but Dib was avoiding him at all costs. Zim didn't blame him.

One day, Zim saw Dib walking along the hallway. He had a limp now, Zim realized. Poor thing wasn't even coordinated right.
A couple of eighth graders approached Dib.
"There's the boy who can't even walk right!" They nudged each other and laughed. Dib looked up. The boys whispered to each other. Just when they were about to jump him, Zim stepped in the way.
"If you want to mess with Dib, then you're gonna have to get through me, first!" Zim stood tall, puffing out his chest. In actuality, he was unbearably terrified. But he refused to let that show. The boys laughed. Zim motioned at Dib to run. Dib ran.

The boys attacked.

Zim sat on the couch, nursing his wounds.
"WHAT HAPPENED MASTER? DID YOU GET HURRRRRT?" Zim groaned.
"Yes, Gir. But I saved someone."
"WHOOO?"
"I saved Dib."
"You also hurt him too!" At that, Zim dismissed Gir. He didn't need anymore reminding. He held the ice pack in his face. It brought the swelling down, at least. He appreciated the fact that the ice was in a bag. That way it didn't hurt his skin.
This is a good thing I've done today, Zim thought. I've saved Dib from being even more scarred. I can at least be grateful for that.
And he was.
He had to kill some time. So he went over to Dib's house. He knocked on the door. He heard Gaz grunting. She flung open the door.
"WHAT?" She yelled.
"Is Dib home? I want to—"
"No." She slammed the door. Of course, Zim knew Gaz was just being herself. He really wanted to see Dib. So he walked around the side of the house he found Dib's bedroom window. He climbed up the side of the wall.
"Dib!" Zim yelled!
"AGH! Zim? What are you doing?" Dib shook.
"I want to talk to you, Dib. I just want to let you know that you do not have to be afraid—" Suddenly, Professor Membrane bursted open the door. He stared at Zim with a furious fire in his eyes.
"What are YOU doing here?! Don't you know anything, boy?" He said, pointing his index finger at Zim. He grabbed Zim's collar the way a mother cat would hold the scruff of a kitten's neck.
"How did you even get up here without a— hey, why are you covered in bruises?" Before Zim could answer, Dib spoke up.
"Uh, Dad, I know why. It's because Zim saved me from being beat up by these eighth graders today at school. He got beat up… instead of me…" Professor Membrane looked at Zim for a while. His expression was undetectable behind the collar and goggles. Zim's whole world stopped. He wondered what the Professor was thinking.
Professor Membrane slowly lowered Zim to the ground, and then released his collar.
"Thank you, Zim." He whispered. "Now you must go home." He escorted Zim to the door. Gaz glared at him.
"Hey, I never gave you permission to go in our house!"
Zim looked at Gaz, then at Professor Membrane. He then left. As he was walking home, he felt a new light in himself. He smiled. He had helped someone who truly needed help.

The next day at school, Dib ran up to Zim. To Zim's utter surprise, Dib smiled at him.
"Thanks, Zim. For your kindness yesterday. And I swear I'll make it up to you." Zim waved his hand.
"Please! I was making it up to you, Dib." Dib shuffled his feet a bit.
"Um, maybe, I dunno, you wanna come over to my house with an actual invitation on Friday?" Zim beamed. Success!
"I'd love to, Dib-human!" Dib smiled. He missed that nickname a bit.

Zim was a bit nervous for that following morning. The next morning was the morning when he'd face the judge. Despite his kindness to Dib, he still had to deal with the trial. But to his surprise, he didn't feel so horrified. At least Dib was okay.

It went well. He was charged with assault and his punishment was community service three times a week for ten weeks. He was fine with that. Better than locking him up, he guessed. That was over. Now, he had to prove his worth to Professor Membrane, Dib, and Gaz. He could screw everything up, or he could show them that he has really changed.

His time has started.

"Stand up for what you believe in, even if it means standing alone."
-Unknown

I can't wait 'til summer break! Seven more days of school! Yesss!
Anyway, I love this quote. It inspires me. Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention… if you are an eighth grader, this isn't meant to offend you. It's just that eight graders are the "top dog" of middle school. So uh…

By the way, if anyone wants to talk, feel free to PM me. I'm here for all of you. c:

This is never gonna be a ZaDr. Sorry ZaDr fans.