Ch. 14:

When Sven didn't come to school that first day, years ago, Charlie who was just a cub, feared her friend was sick. She had waited impatiently for the final bell to ring before she sprinted out of class and raced to her friend's house. She'd help take care of him, fix him sandwiches and tuck him in and read to him until he was all better.

Charlie knocked on the door of the Jingle home but no one answered, after trying to knock a few more times she peered into the window to see all the living room furniture was gone, the room completely bare. Charlie's jaw dropped. Did Sven's family get robbed?

"They're not there, honey," the neighboring polar bear called from her door, having spotted the cheetah.

Charlie looked over to the predator, frowning in confusion. "Where are they?"

"They moved," the polar bear answered. "Left Zootopia completely I heard."

Charlie's heart twisted and her throat closed up as she nodded mutely and walked home. By the time she walked into her own house her mother saw she was sobbing.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" Mrs. Spotwood hurried over and picked her daughter up, cuddling her against her chest.

Charlie sniffled into her mother's apron, "He-he's gone! Sven moved away and-and he didn't even say goodbye."

"Oh, baby," Mrs. Spotwood nuzzled against her daughter's head as she carried her to the young cub's room and sat on the bed. "I'm so sorry."

"Why…why did he leave without telling me?" Charlie hiccupped. "I thought we were friends."

"Maybe he didn't know how to tell you," her mother offered. "But it's going to be alright, I had a friend of mine move away once but I was okay after a while. I had my other friends to keep me company, and you have Winter and that nice little girl, Gazelle."

Charlie knew that, but neither of those two could replace Sven. "I thought we'd stay together forever."

"I know," her mother breathed understandingly, rubbing a paw comfortingly over her daughter's back.

"He told me I would be Mrs. Jingle."

The paw stopped, "Pardon?"

"Sven told me if he ever won Chase and Pin he'd marry me. That can't happen now that he's gone forever."

"Oh sweetie, even if he stayed you wouldn't have married him."

Charlie looked up at her mother through the tears in her eyes, "Why not?"

"Well Charlotte, you're a cheetah, and he's a reindeer. It wouldn't work out."

Charlie frowned, "I've seen different species marry before."

"I know but most of those at least have a few things in common, both are prey, both are predators, both are from the same habitat. You and Sven, you're just too different, it would never work out. You'd just make each other miserable."

Charlie had never thought that could happen, but as her mother continued telling her of what all could go wrong with an interspecies couple Charlie was starting to be grateful that Sven had left after all.

It was her second day of freshman year and she was pulling books out of her locker when she heard a voice call her name. Even though the voice had gotten deeper she still recognized it instantly. Charlie had whirled around to see Sven standing there in the hall like he had never left.

He was grinning at her, his eyes shining, his antlers had finally grown in, and he was so tall and so handsome and so perfect. For just a moment Charlie was filled with such relief and happiness and love her legs nearly gave out.

Then reality came back. He had left her, had disappeared for years, and even if she forgave him (which she did almost immediately), they couldn't be together. They were two completely different species, it would never work out. And she had to let Sven know that.

So with that grim fact in mind and what was left of her anger, Charlie punched her old friend in the snout, managing to not let it show that the punch had probably hurt her paw as much as it did his nose.

And now the two were juniors and Sven looked to have finally gotten over her. Avoiding her around classes and not even looking at her anymore. A part of Charlie was relieved; now that Sven was over her he could find another pretty reindeer and be happy which was what he deserved. Meanwhile she would pretend that she didn't desperately wish she wasn't a cheetah and that she wasn't still in love with him and that having to stay away from him broke her heart.

.

Rick opened his bedroom door and nearly tripped over a cup of Stagbucks coffee that was left in front of his door. Despite his still bitter mood he smirked and picked up the cup, taking a sip to realize it was mocha. His favorite.

Nick always left his brother a treat when he was feeling guilty.

Last night he had returned home from dropping off Amelia to find Nick lying on the couch, his younger brother making a disappointing clicking noise with his tongue when Rick entered. The sound and the sight of his brother instantly put the older fox on edge and he looked toward the hall with dread. "I thought it was karaoke night."

"There was a line," Nick said, examining his claws as he took a swig of cola. "By the way, Mom was cleaning the hallway."

Rick swallowed knowing that meant she had closed his door and opened Nick's…and he had told Judy to go into the room with the open door. He stared at his brother in horror, "What did you do?"

"All I did was come home to take a nap," Nick replied, flicking his tail causally. "But what do you know my bed was already occupied by a bunny."

"She mixed up our rooms," Rick told him.

"I figured as much. But it worked out actually, finally got my payback from when she stalked me."

"What-did-you-do?" Rick's question came out as a snarl.

Nick stood up, walking over to his brother and raising his paws, "I simply got on my bed, but I managed to leer over her like I was planning on eating her too. If she was a feline I'd say I successfully took off five of her nine lives."

Rick gaped and headed toward the hallway, "Where is she?"

"She left," Nick strolled after his brother, clasping his paws behind his back, "Ran, to be more precise."

Rick whirled around and bared his fangs, "What is wrong with you!?"

Nick took a step back, "Say it don't spray it, bro."

"Nick!"

The younger fox rolled his eyes, "I embarrassed her, it's not like I attacked her. It's not my fault you like some annoying, nosy, acts like she's so perfect rabbit-"

"You're right. It's not your fault," Rick interrupted, his voice dripping with sardonic frustration. "But you know what is?"

"Enlighten me," Nick yawned.

"It's your fault you never grew up and let the past go. It's your fault that every time you see any couple, any couple, you either see our parents or you and Sue."

Nick flinched, curling his lip at his brother, "That was a low blow."

"And ruining my relationships isn't?" his brother demanded. "I try to be patient with you and your hate on romance and how you plan to live alone for the rest of your miserable life! But now you're ruining my life and getting in the way of me being happy!" Rick stomped to his room, his heart pounding painfully in his chest, he hadn't yelled at Nick in a long time. "If you want to ruin your own life and never be happy then fine, it's not my business. But get in the way of my life and my happiness one more time Nick and you better hope either Mother or a higher power will protect you from me." He slammed the door behind him.

Rick had called Judy that night, tripping over as many apologies that he could think of. But Judy had assured him it was fine, even said she kind of deserved it after the stunt she had pulled all that time ago. Something had been off about her voice though; it had held such melancholy, and a guilt that made the fox anxious. They had hung up but Rick felt the conversation hadn't been over.

It was Wednesday and Rick walked into the school, finishing up Nick's apology before tossing it into a nearby trash can and heading to class. Nick had been picked up earlier by Finnick, probably wanting to avoid his brother for a while after the blow out. But that was okay, despite Rick's anger and his frustration with Nick's emotional issues they were still brothers that loved each other, they'd argue and then forgive each other no matter what.
What the senior was worried about was Judy. He had to find her and make sure she was really okay. That chance came sooner than he expected.

He was on his way to lunch with some senior friends when he spotted Judy waiting for him at the entrance of the cafeteria. He instantly smiled upon spotting her but the smile slowly faded when he saw her expression. She looked despondent.

His friends filed into the cafeteria without him, Rick stopping before Judy and offering a comforting smile when she met his eyes. "Hey, everything okay?"

"Sure…" she spoke, her voice quiet. "I just…I need to talk to you."

Rick glanced around before beckoning her farther down an empty hall. When he turned to face her he hurried to speak, "I am really sorry about Nick, I swear it won't happen again."

"That's not the problem," Judy replied.

Rick's brows rose, "There's a problem?"

Judy started, apparently not meaning to say that. She took a deep breath, "I like you, Rick."

It took the fox a second to process those words and then he broke into a wide grin as his heart sped up, he had finally heard the words he had wanted to hear since the rabbit had smacked him in the nose and he had seen those beautiful violet eyes. "I like you, too."

Judy flinched as if the words physically hurt her and Rick's euphoria was quick-lived. "Judy?"

She swallowed, and couldn't meet his eyes. "Not…not like that. I like you, Rick. You're a really good friend but I can't…I can't see you as anything but that, a friend."

Rick's ears pressed back against his skull, he stared at Judy who was looking anywhere but at him. It was odd that just a moment ago his heart had been warm with elation but now, with just a few simple words his heart had dropped to his stomach and his throat was tightening up.

"Did I do something wrong?" he asked, his voice now as quiet as the rabbit's.

Judy shook her head, "No, you did absolutely nothing wrong."

And yet she didn't want him.

"Is there someone else?"
She shook her head again, her violet eyes on her feet.

"Is it because I'm a fox?" his voice cracked as he dared to ask.

Judy's head shot up, her eyes wide with dismay. "No! That has nothing to do with this!"

"Then why?" Rick's voice rose and he quickly took a breath to calm down. "Why?"

Judy looked at him with misting eyes, "Rick…when you kissed me, did you feel a spark?"

Rick answered without hesitation, "Yes."

Judy looked away. "I didn't…"
It was Rick's turn to cringe as if her words had stabbed him. "Oh."

"I wanted to," Judy insisted. "I wanted to have my heart skip a beat! I want to want to kiss you again! But I don't. And you deserve someone who'll appreciate you more than me." She took in Rick's expression and her head lowered, her paws balled into fists to keep from shaking. "I'm so sorry, Rick." Her eyes glanced up at him and he was pretty positive he saw a tinge of pity and for a moment a thought came to his mind: She knows, she knows about Dad. But he didn't say anything; even if she did it had nothing to do with what was happening right now.

Rick swallowed, taking in the rabbit's dejected expression, her fisted paws and trembling shoulders. "I know…" he breathed, and he did. If Judy didn't feel anything for him than he wouldn't try to force her, she hadn't done this on purpose, she hadn't been stringing him along, she tried. It just wasn't meant to be. Not that that made the rejection hurt any less.

"Its fine," he lied, pulling up a smile.

Judy glanced up at him, her expression saying he wasn't fooling her in the least.

"It's fine Judy…really."

When she didn't reply he continued on, "But I need to get to lunch; I'm starving."

He reached his paw out as if to touch her but then pulled back at the last second as if doing so would burn him. He swallowed and managed to keep his voice steady, "See you later, Binky."

He turned around and walked down the hall. Judy didn't call him back, and as hard as it was, Rick managed not to look back. Both their hearts had been broken during this conversation, but for two completely different reasons.

.

Hours later school was over and Rick was in his room with the door firmly shut. He was reading through his anatomy book, trying to keep his mind as far away from anything that remotely reminded him of Judy. It wasn't working.

He had liked her so much, she had been different. But he had lost her before he even had her.

His door opened and he glanced up, expecting his mother who was the only one to ever open the door when it was closed. His heart dropped when he saw his brother, Nick had his back to Rick and was looking at him over his shoulder. He could tell by the look on Nick's face that he knew what had happened. Judy had probably told Fru Fru which was understandable, and she had probably told Finnick (Rick had been told of the shrew's crush), and Finnick told Nick.

"Please don't start," Rick told him, his voice tired.

Nick stepped into the room and turned his body to reveal he was carrying a tray topped with a giant bowl of buttery popcorn and two cans of soda. He stepped up to Rick's bed and without a word pushed the tray into his brother's chest, forcing Rick to hold it. Nick then walked over to Rick's DVD self, picked one up and put it in the senior's DVD player. He then sat down on the bed next to his brother and picked up the popcorn bowl, eating as the DVD played its trailers.

Rick was staring at the younger fox, not sure what Nick was doing. And then his brother wrapped his tail around Rick's and suddenly they were kits again, hiding under the table during a thunder storm and staying up late at night to watch a scary movie…curled up in bed with their mother after their father left and she couldn't stop crying. The two brothers always wrapped their tails together to remind them that no matter how bad things got they always had, and always would have, each other.

Rick smiled at his brother tenderly. "Nick…"

"Hm?" his brother asked eyes on the screen as he chewed on his popcorn.

"Thank you."

"For what? Taking advantage of the fact that your TV is better than mine? Yeah, no problem Dick, anytime."

Rick chuckled and reached over to grab a pawful of popcorn. "What are we watching?"
"Teen Wolf Too."

The older fox's brows rose, "You like that movie?"

"Never seen it before," Nick answered, "But Honey told me I look like the actor, Jason Biteman."

Rick looked at the star of the film, "Huh. You could be half wolf."

Nick humorously howled.

Oh RICK! I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry-I love you your sweet and perfect and my baby I'll make it up to you-I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry!

Also someone praise me for the brilliant pun: Jason Biteman. I'm so proud of myself for that one.