Invader Zim ZADR: How did we get here?

Chapter 12: Just two boys at prom: Part 3

Finally, the time has come. After having teased you for so long, I am proud to present to you, the final chapter of the prom arc...where there is an actual prom for once. I may have taken too long to reach that part.

No matter, for it is here, and I'm praying that you won't be disappointed. So...enjoy!

"I can't believe I'm doing this."

The week had gone by as it usually did. Which meant that it had involved a lot of yelling and fighting. But Dib still hadn't forgotten what was awaiting the both of them.

He wasn't too surprised when he realized that Zim acted like their whole exchange where Dib invited him to prom didn't happen. Or rather, Zim wasn't acting any different. It was only Dib who seemed to think about the upcoming prom, with any excitement whatsoever. But maybe excitement was the wrong word to use, as he still wasn't completely sure what it was he was feeling. Was it anxiety, fear, joy, anticipation, or all of them together at the same time? He didn't want to allow himself to have any positive emotions when it came to the prom, but at the same time, he kept feeling a sense of delight whenever he thought about it. After all, he was going to the prom, and actually with someone. Though he would have wished it could have been anyone else. He was confused enough as it was, he didn't need wanting to have Zim go to the prom with him also adding to the pile of speculations that was growing in his mind.

But it didn't matter, as it was too late at that point. It was Saturday night, and Dib was slowly making his way down the stairs from the first floor. He glared at the door to the outside as he moved, feeling a primordial fear connected with it as if walking through it would be the point of no return. Which was not true, as that ship had sailed a long time ago. Dib could technically just not go, but the hell Zim would raise in response would most definitely be worse than whatever could happen at the prom.

With heavy steps, he walked down the last step and began his journey to the exit. Just then, a voice from behind him called out. A voice he really wished would have minded their own business.

"Wow...So you're really going, huh?"

Dib let out a growling sigh upon hearing his sister. He snapped around, staring daggers at her.

"To be honest, I thought you would chicken out at the last second." She continued, her admiration buried deep below her apathetic tone and disinterested expression.

"I'm not in the mood for this Gaz," Dib answered back with contempt.

"If you haven't gotten anything else to say, then I think I will just leave." He pointed with his thumb at the door behind him. Before he managed to turn around, Gaz spoke again.

"Hey! I just wanted to wish you good luck, asshole."

"Oh really! I thought you were being sarcastic, or just mocking me. You know, like you always do?" He said back, with judginess in his voice, which earned a frustrated look from Gaz.

"God Dib, don't tell me you're still mad at me for-"

"Mad?! Why would I ever be mad at you? It's not like you forced me to ask an actual, evil alien to prom! Oh, wait, YOU DID!"

"Hey, I didn't force you! We made a deal. Get your facts straight."

"A deal, sure, that's what it was," Dib said, exasperated at the fact she still wasn't willing to admit that what she had done was wrong. Would it be so hard? She went through his private life, used the information she gained to blackmail him, and forced him into a situation he had no desire to be put in. He didn't know how everyone else's brain worked, but for him, it was pretty clear that what she had done was a bit screwed up. And yet she still acted like she hadn't done anything even remotely wrong. He just wanted her to admit that. But there she stood, as stubborn as always.