The Mystery of Zim Part 5

The next day, Zim was not at school.

Tak had been dreading the school day all night. Having to face Zim again would just be too impossible for her to feel secure. But once she had arrived, she noticed no green headed boy.
Sighing with relief, she began to unpack, tension easing from her muscles. She was not doomed. Not unless Zim came later, but he was usually the first person in the classroom. So that was highly unlikely.

The next day, he was not there either.

Tak considered this like a small vacation for her emotions. Dib may be annoying, but no Zim was like playing a game that involved getting a camel to fit through a needle... And winning.
She thanked her luck.

Zim still had not been seen.

Tak began to wonder at that point... Not so much worry as it was curiosity. Zim wasn't embarrassed easily. She was sure he wouldn't miss school because he had been rejected. No, especially not since he singlehandedly ruined Operation Impending Doom One... And still come to the Tallest, begging for a mission.
No, so he was probably sick, she guessed.

Zim had quit school.

Or so she had heard. Rumor had it that he was being reassigned to a new school. Tak tried to shrug it off, but still couldn't help but feel... Guilty, perhaps?
'That's it!' She thought to herself bitterly. 'If that big smeet isn't here tomorrow, I'm going to see what's going on for myself!'  

There was a letter on her desk the next day.

Tak really didn't notice it until she was sitting down, and when she did, she was surprised. It was folded up very tiny, about the size of a gum wrapper. Suspicion raised inside of her, pumping through her very veins.
Unsure, she unfolded the note.
'Tak,
Please come over tonight.
Zim'
She froze. This was all she had gotten?! No explaining why he'd been gone?! No 'I'm sorry about dinner Tak.'?!
And more importantly, why hadn't he spoken highly of himself in the note?!

-/-

As soon as school had ended, Tak practically sprinted to Zim's base. She was done. All she wanted was a friggin' reason of why he hadn't been at school.
Rudely, she threw the door open, out of breath and frustrated. And Zim was not anywhere in the living quarters.
"Alright Zim! I'm here, like you asked! This better be good!" She huffed loudly, placing a hand on her hip. Her eyes scanned the room.
Nothing.
That's what got her a little freaked out.
Shaking off the feeling of panic, Tak stormed over to the kitchen. No messy spaghetti sauce, no smelly garlic. It was neutral.
Tak shut off her disguise hastily, getting a sickening feeling from standing there.
This was not Zim's house.
It simply couldn't be.
There was no evidence that anyone had even lived there!
Tak stood still for a moment, trying to get a conclusion. But no pieces where snapping together.
That's when she noticed another note on the table. Timidly, she picked up.
'Dear Tak,
I think I am in love with you.
It hurts. Every time I see you, I get this gooey feeling. I don't like it.
I don't think I can live near you anymore. You invade my mind daily and I find that I cannot focus on my mission.
So I have left. Feel free to destroy my base. It has nothing of value in it anymore.
Zim'

Tak frowned, feeling guilt run through her. She never meant for the little dipwad to change bases! She meant for him to leave her alone!
Didn't she? Because now she didn't feel like that.
"Zim..." She mumbled softly, her eyes welling up with liquid. Suddenly, she didn't hate Zim. Suddenly, she felt lonely.
Suddenly she wanted him back.
But how could she find him?
-/-

"Let me get this straight... Zim left because he was being an emotional sissy, and after years of vowing to crush him to pieces, you now love him? I'm sorry, when did this happen?"
Tak narrowed humanized eyes at Dib, anger brewing inside of her. "Don't ask questions. Can you find him or not?!"
Dib grinned smugly. "Depends... What's in it for me?" Tak sighed, swearing to destroy Dib after all this.
"I'll let you have the joy of living another day without me trying to kill you. Any other dumb questions?" She hissed, fists clenched at her side. Dib scowled, mumbling about alien unfairness.
"Good. Now," Tak smirked. "What's the plan, Stalking King Dib?"
-/-