Chapter Four: Feelings
Zim and Gaz visited each other like this every day for almost a month, much to Dib's chagrin. Dib kept trying to convince Gaz that her friend was an alien, but she would have nothing of it. "Shut up, Dib. If you knew him, you wouldn't think like that."
It was on a particular afternoon in school that something odd happened. It was free period, where students could do what they wanted. Most students chose to hang out in the hallways, but Zim and Gaz took advantage of this time in the library, studying for a test. Zim appeared to be focused on his work. Gaz's mind, however, drifted in other directions. Zim's deep blue-gray eyes were focused intently on the page, almost giving the appearance of scanning it. He was quietly mumbling to himself, perhaps to help himself remember the information. Watching him sit there like that, Gaz suddenly felt a pull. She leaned in close towards him, and their lips connected. She stayed against him for about ten seconds, until she realized what she was doing. Gaz pulled back, mentally shouting at herself. What had she just done? She had possibly ruined what was a nice, friendly relationship with a nice, friendly boy. Zim on the other hand, was completely bewildered as to what just happened. The gesture was completely well, alien to him, but...somehow, it seemed like more than a gesture. And somehow, it felt...right. Both of their faces turned red, and they spoke no more to each other for the rest of the period.
. . .
Zim was happy when he went home. Gaz didn't show up that day, but this didn't bother him too greatly. He spent his time flipping through an Earth dictionary, trying to find what that was. His eyes fell upon the word 'kiss.' He hadn't heard that one before. He read the description: Kiss An affectionate gesture in which two people, generally male and female, meet at the lips. Often used to convey love. Love...that was another unfamiliar one. Zim flipped to the "L" section until he found it. Love: An intense feeling of affection towards another person; a profound and caring attraction towards someone. Zim's usually racing thoughts slowed down. Gaz had just kissed him. A kiss was a display of love. Love was burning passion for another person. Zim felt something when he thought of Gaz. Just Gaz, not anything Gaz said or did. Was it...love? He didn't know. He'd never felt anything like it before. After all, he was Irken. Irkens had no need for affection. No need for companionship. Zim's gaze fell back upon the dictionary. Love...