Ch. 50:
It was the first weekend after winter break and Clawhauser had invited Judy and Fru Fru for a girls' day out, raving about this bakery he had found during the holidays that was simply to die for.
"I've been trying something new every time I come," Clawhauser told them as they walked down the street, Fru Fru sitting in Judy's paws. "And every pastry is a ten outta ten."
"That's pretty impressive," Judy noted with a smile. It was so nice to hang out with her friends again after a whole break without them.
"It is until I remind myself that Ben has never not liked a sweet he's eaten," Fru Fru quipped.
Clawhauser gave the shrew a humorous look, "Maybe that's true but I swear there's something special about this place."
"As long as we get to hang out I'm happy," Judy said.
Fru Fru smirked up at her, "As long as you know what we're going to be talking about."
"Don't worry I know," Judy replied with a giggle. It still made her laugh, the expressions on her friends' faces that first day back at school. They were standing by Judy's locker, Clawhauser telling the girls about his older brothers who had visited, when Nick walked over and casually placed a paw on the small of Judy's back and asked for her and her friends to eat lunch with him. She had replied with a flirty "maybe" making Nick chuckle before he walked off to class. It had left the shrew and cheetah with bulging eyes and hanging jaws.
However Ben and Fru were polite and didn't hammer either Nick or Judy with questions, even Finnick and Honey stayed quite. Judy wasn't sure who it was hardest for.
But now school was over, Nick headed off to spend some much needed time with his pals and Ben and Fru had their bunny friend to themselves.
The bakery Ben had taken them to was in one word: adorable. Small, snuggled between a clothing department and a post office. It was the color of cream, the shingle roof a relaxing and pleasant pink and the windows were frosted. It even had one of those red and white spinning poles above the door.
On one window read the painted words: Grey Family Bakery.
"Isn't it cute?" Ben asked them ecstatically. The girls voiced their agreement as they stepped through the door, a bell letting out a dainty ring, announcing their arrival.
Judy and Fru Fru inhaled deeply as soon as they stepped I, the cool air rich with the smell of sweets, cakes and pies of all different flavors. Judy felt full just by breathing in.
"What happened to losing weight?" Fru Fru asked as they followed Clawhauser to the counter, besides them the only customer was an elderly goat munching on a slice of apple pie.
"I recently found the perfect way to lose weight," the chubby cheetah purred. "Dance!"
Before Judy could speak a door behind the counter opened, bringing in a stronger whiff of baking goods and, much to her surprise, a red fox.
Naturally she immediately compared him to Nick and his older brother, the only red foxes she knew. This one was obviously heftier than they were, after all he did work at a bakery. His fur had a more fuzzy quality, less scruffy, and his fur parted neatly at the top of his head. Judy couldn't help but feel this fox would feel quite at home in a place like Bunnyburrow.
He rubbed four stained paws on his pink apron, walking toward the three customers as he did so, but not looking at them until he stopped.
When his blue eyes met Judy's they widened in shock, making her ears droop in confusion. What did she do wrong?
But whatever it was the husky fox quickly shook himself out of it and offered a friendly smile to Clawhauser, "If it's not our brand new favorite customer."
Ben returned the grin, "I just had to bring my friends to try something."
"That is what we're here for," the fox replied. "What can I get you?" He indicated to the menu hanging above his head.
The three friends studied the list, Ben picked a Triple Chocolate Volcano, the fox jokingly commented that no one had ever finished one. Ben said challenge accepted.
Fru Fru who actually cared about keeping her figure ordered a fruit salad. The fox offered some low-fat whip cream and she thanked him.
Judy ordered a slice of the carrot cake. The fox offered no comment, I fact he barely looked at her as he rang their orders up and told them to find a seat while they waited, and Judy couldn't help feeling a rise of defensiveness but decided not to say anything.
The three made themselves comfortable in the booth and Ben and Fru waited a full second before pouncing on their friend:
"YOU AND NICK ARE DATING!?"
Judy jumped at their yell, the old goat sending them a glare. "Yes, we are," she said calmly, paws folded in her lap.
"No, no, no," Fru Fru wagged a finger. "You're not leaving us with three words. We need details! And go slowly!"
Rolling her eyes Judy obeyed, telling them how she and Nick had gotten closer over the break, how Nick was the ranger scout from all those years ago, how they had kissed and how she simply asked him to date her and he had said yes.
The two looked to be biting the insides of their cheeks to keep from squealing madly, Judy smirked at them, her ears turning a dark shade of pink.
Just then the fox walked over, expertly holding the three orders in his paws and placing them gently on the table before them, once again he seemed to be avoiding making eye contact with Judy as he smiled for the table, "Hope you three enjoy. Just ring the bell by the cash register if you need anything." With that he headed off to the counter where the goat was ready to pay for his pie.
Judy picked up her fork and stabbed at the carrot cake, picking up a piece and placing it on her tongue. Her eyes widened and her ears pricked up-this was the best carrot cake she had ever tasted and she could suddenly see her coming to the Grey Family Bakery everyday after school for a snack.
Fru Fru was eating her fruit salad with well-mannered etiquette, her pleasant smile telling Judy the shrew was just as fond of her meal.
The two girls looked to Clawhauser who was eagerly shoveling large spoonfuls of the Triple Chocolate Volcano into his large maw.
"So you said something about dancing?" Judy asked.
The cheetah's eyes widened and he quickly nodded, crumbs spewing from his mouth as he spoke, "Oh yeah, oh yeah, I found a studio that teaches dance lessons. It's so much fun; you girls should come and see!"
Judy liked the idea of seeing Clawhauser ballroom dancing or maybe even some of the more fast-paced dancing styles. Fru Fru spoke, "Forget us, get Gazelle to come see your talent. Maybe she'll invite you to be one of her back up dancers."
Ben looked like a little cub on Christmas morning. "That would be amazing," he breathed ecstatically.
Judy pointed her fork at Fru Fru, her carrot cake already half-finished. "So what have you been up to?"
"I spent time with Daddy, watching all home videos." She shook her head in embarrassment, "I was such a crazy little kid. But the biggest thing that happened is that I made a dress."
Judy tilted her head to the side, "You did?"
"Fru Fru's always had an eye for fashion," Ben informed her, "Since we were in elementary school."
"And I'm just now learning about it?" Judy asked.
"Your love life has been super entertaining and took up a lot of our time," Fru stated. "But so after I finished the dress I decided to send a picture of it to this competition I read about in a magazine. If you win they'd show your dress in the next addition of Glamour Fur magazine."
"Did you win?" Judy asked.
But the shrew shook her head, "No, but I was called by the fashion designer who judges the competition, Coco Catnel, who told me she saw serious potential and is willing to take me under her wing this summer."
Judy's and Ben's faces split into grins. "Fru that's so great!" Judy gushed.
"Why didn't you say anything before?" Ben demanded good-naturedly.
The shrew shrugged, looking uncharacteristically bashful. "I wanted it to be a surprise. But you guys she's one of the biggest fashion designers in Zootopia! If she really likes the clothes I come up with…I could be a huge fashion designer!"
"We know you can do it," Judy told her with utmost confidence.
They talked about their dreams, Judy promising to come out Fru Fru's dress and to come visit Clawhauser during one of his dancing lessons, finishing up their treats as they did so. The cheetah throwing his arms in the air and letting out a delighted whoop as he finished the last bite of the Triple Chocolate Volcano, the girls laughed and applauded him.
The red fox had been writing something on a notebook when he heard Clawhauser's triumphant exclamation. He smiled and shook his head when the large cheetah walked over and placed the empty plate on the counter, "Did it!" he grinned cheekily.
"Shouldn't have doubted you," the fox smiled. "Same time tomorrow then?"
"As long as you're not closed, right girls?"
Judy, now holding Fru as they walked to the counter to pay for their finished food, nodded in agreement, even if this fox apparently had a thing against the rabbit she still wanted to come back for another slice of that carrot cake.
The three paid for their meals, Fru Fru crawling onto the cheetah's shoulder as the two walked out of the bakery, Judy turned to follow them.
"Excuse me?" the fox spoke up, his voice quiet and hesitant.
Judy stopped walking to look at him over her shoulder, "Yes?"
"I um…" he trailed off awkwardly for a moment. "My name's Gideon. Gideon Grey."
Not understanding why he all of a sudden brought it up Judy still managed a polite smile, "I'm Judy."
This Gideon Grey was giving her a weird look, as if he was expecting something from her. What, she had no idea. But when the hefty fox couldn't find what he was looking for he offered another cautious smile. "Hope to see you and your friends again, Miss Judy."
.
Nick let out an annoyed huff and glared at Finnick, "Take a picture, Fin, it'll last longer."
"I just might have to."
The two foxes along with Honey were relaxing in the fennec's van, the radio low as he played some random song none of them knew. All three were enjoying a cherry flavored pawpsicle.
"I just can't believe it," Finnick sat from the driver seat, leaning against the door. "She asked you."
"What's ya trying to say, Fin?" Honey called from where she was sprawled on her backside in the back of the van, licking her pawpsicle, "Girls can't be the one to ask?"
"Yeah, Fin what are you trying to say?" Nick added relaxing in the passenger seat with his feet atop the dashboard, knowing it would annoy his friend.
"My disbelief is over the fact that unlike Nick here, the bunny has options," Finnick said.
"Your opinion of me makes me feel so uplifted and encouraged," the red fox said dryly, having finished his pawpsicle a few minutes and now had the red stained stick between his teeth. "How am I not vain?"
Honey chuckled behind them, "Personally I think it's cute Hopps took the reins and asked him. How was the kissing?"
"None of neither of you two's business," Nick replied, noting how Finnick's ears had perked with interest.
"You didn't accidentally bite her lip did you?" Finnick asked with a smirk.
"No," Nick snapped. "I just didn't date her so I can tell you two all about it."
Honey sat up and leaned between the two seats, smiling proudly at Nick, "She's brought out the best of you, Nicky."
The fox felt his ears heat up.
Finnick watched how flustered his friend was, thinking to himself maybe the little charity he had started to save up money for the bet wouldn't be needed after all.
"Come on," he said, finishing up his pawpsicle. "We got work to do."
There you go! All of you were dying for some Gideon Grey, I have saved your lives! And don't worry he's going to be popping up more now that I finally know what to do with his flour covered tail.
In other news I decided to have a Q&A on my tumblr. If you guys have any questions you'd like to ask send them my way. But keep in mind I won't be answered any questions that would reveal big spoilers so now 'Why did Judy punch Nick' or basically anything that translates to: 'what's going to happen next.' Best I can do is give you some tiny hints.
My tumblr username is helthehatter.
