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The next day, Monday, you quickly covered yourself in a sweater and a coat. It was so freezing!
It was about 28 degrees!

You sneaked a glance around the corner of your hallway to make sure your mom wasn't around to scold you about getting to school on time.

Once you got past the hall, you grabbed a piece of bread and made your way outside. Of course, just bread is kind of a silly thing to eat for breakfast, but you were too lazy to make something.

By pure coincidence, of course, definitely not on purpose, you bumped into Zim on the way to school.

"Hey, Zim! Long time no see!" You greeted with a friendly tone.

"Oh, hello (y/n). What do you mean? We saw each other yesterday." He replied.

"Yeah, but I missed you." You scratched your neck, a little bashful.

Zim reacted a little differently than expected.
"You... missed me?" He seemed shocked.

"Yeah, of course! You are my best friend, after all. I enjoy your company." You kept flattering him with these compliments. Though, you just said it from the heart.

Zim remained quiet for a moment. "...I'm your best friend? You... don't think I'm a hideous beast? You don't want to... eh, um... ruin my beautiful face with your... rocks or whatever?"

You shook your head. "Of course not! Why would I?"

"Eh... you really are something else, huh..." Zim muttered to himself.

You smiled.

"(Y/N)!! OHMIGOD YOU'RE OKAY!" Dib shouted, running up from behind you and tackling you in a bear hug.

"Y-yeah! Hi Dib! Of course I'm okay!" You responded.

Zim scoffed. "Why wouldn't she be okay, Dib-freak?"

"Because she was with you, you gnome." Dib hissed, holding you close in his arms to protect you from what he believed to be a vicious alien.

"Dib, Zim took care of me while I was sick. I'm all better now, see? My sneezing went away." You smiled at him.

He paused for a moment, then released you from his arms. "Well, I guess you're right." He shoved his hands in his pockets and kicked the ground.

"Zim, I'm... sorry?" Dib apologized.

"It's... it's nothing to worry about, so don't bother using your brain juices to think about it too much." Zim replied.

"Um, thanks?" Dib shrugged.

You smiled. "Ah. We should get to school." You reminded them. They agreed. The three of you continued walking.

Once you got to school, there were kids in the hallways putting up flyers for something the three of you had no idea about.

You walked up to one of the flyers and read what it said aloud:

SCHOOL DANCE FOR ALL!
Upcoming school dance! Bring a date!
There's no theme, so feel free to dress however you'd like! The dance will be held from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. later tonight.
It's FREE!

"What is this 'school dance'? Is it some form of ritual?" Zim asked you specifically.

"No, I don't think so. It's actually just an event you can go to just to have fun." You explained.

"Yeah, and people have to bring dates otherwise they look like losers... that's why I hate these kinds of things." Dib said, scoffing.

"Have you never been asked out to a dance, Dib?" You asked.

He flushed a dark red. "N-no! I mean, I- well, no, but, i-it doesn't matter! I wouldn't want to go anyway! These dances are always overrated..." he stuttered.

"Ah... sorry. I shouldn't have asked." You chuckled nervously.

"Dates? Ask out? Dance? What are these words you speak of??" Zim screeched in frustration.

"Oh, well for humans, it's traditional to ask a person to accompany them on what's called a date. It's kind of a romantic thing. For couples, and such... but friends too sometimes!" You tried to explain. Zim understood.

"I'm familiar with the concept of romance... it disgusts me." Zim spat.

"Ahhh... that doesn't surprise me..." you said, sort of disappointed. Zim noticed.

He spoke up. "That's not to say, er... I don't mind it. I guess."

You wondered why he said that.

"Well guys, I don't know about you, but I'm not going to that dance. We'd better get to class before Ms. Bitters snaps at us again about being late." Dib said. You and Zim nodded, and followed him on the way to class.

A little later, lunch rolled around. You decided to sit with Zim. You were getting along so well with him that you didn't want to stay away for too long.

You set your plate of food down on the table, next to where he sat. It was a peaceful moment, for about 3 seconds. Until Zim went on another usual rant about humans and Dib in particular.

"...so that is why I must continue to fight that pig-headed filth. We will never be friends. Never." Zim told you.

You absorbed all the information, gladly, enjoying the slop that the school lunch provided. Really, you weren't too picky about food...

"That concludes my rant." Zim crossed his arms. He looked at you momentarily to make sure you were still listening, and was glad to find you still invested.

"Hey, Zim... I've got a question, but you might not like it..." you started.

For a while, you thought about that dance. It really was the perfect chance to get to know Zim better. You really made it a goal at this point to see the good side to him. You knew it was there. You've seen it. You just wished other people, and Dib, could see it too.

"Well, what is it, (y/n)?" Zim asked.

"Do you want to be my date for the dance tonight?" You asked suddenly, the words coming from your mouth faster than your brain could decide whether it was still a good idea.

You almost regretted it, but...

"Oh. Sure." Zim said nonchalantly, as if he had so much more he wanted to say, but couldn't.

You were shocked that he would say yes. "You're okay with going? With me?" You asked again, to make sure he wasn't pulling your leg.

"Yes, (y/n). I said so, did I not? Just, ehm, u-uh... meet me at my base- I mean uh house, later." Zim responded. It was obvious that he was up to something.

You were going to find out. But for now, you were just pleasantly surprised that he agreed to accompany you.

"Sure thing, Zim!" You smiled.

A dance with an alien, huh? Wow.