Cheers, Jeers, and Peers

"Don't be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart."
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

Nick wasn't one to sleep heavily at any given time, but it could never be said that he was a light sleeper either. He generally slept through his first alarm by quickly shutting it off in favor of curling himself under the sheets more. It then fell to whoever was around - usually his mother, or Skye the few times she stayed over on a weekend - to promptly get his tail out of bed before he was late for school. That method had been the usual and despite him attempting to catch a few more z's, he repeated the motions.

Again, as always, when he shut off the 'call of academia' he felt a gentle tapping on his shoulder; he attempted to feign a deep sleep.

He felt like it might work this time as with so much happening, his mother just might let him play hooky for the day. And, to further theatricalize his display, he groggily yawned and snuggled the pillow.

"Mmmm... five more minuhhhh..." he groaned, lolling his tongue out and mentally giving himself a thumbs up.

In the first few seconds where the shoulder shaking didn't come, Nick felt as though victory was assured. However, that feeling, like many things in life, was subject to sway at a moments notice.

"Come on, buddy. You'll be late for school."

Despite the gentle and excited tone that rang through his ears, Nick's eyes shot open in horror. He swiveled his head in the direction of the voice he knew wasn't his mothers and was met nose to nose with a smiling white canid. Fear struck his heart for unknown reasons and he shuffled away from the wolf, yelping and falling over the edge of his comfortable bed only to end up in an awkward mess of flailing limbs on the floor.

"W-what are you doing here?!" he shouted, mind reeling at every possible reason of why the deputy would show up. "Wait, how are you here in my ro-"

No sooner had he started asking, his eyes focused on the space around him. Gone was the little-remodeled half of a one bedroom apartment, and here and now was a full room to himself. Forgetting that he had moved from Zootopia, the fox's senses started to come together one by one.

When Nick had gotten to his feet and wrapped himself in his blanket, Eliot wagged his tail and jingled a little key in his paw. "I had to get you for your first day of school," he explained. "I almost couldn't find a way in or a ladder, but when I picked up this odd rock outside and took aim at the porch window, the spare key fell out of it."

Taking a few deep breaths and going over what was said to him, Nick's jaw dropped. "How were you gonna get in the house with a roc-"

"I'll meet you downstairs. You're gonna love your new school, I just know it!" the wolf said, waving towards Nick hurriedly. "And don't forget, I'm also your truent officer!"

Now alone in his room, the puzzled fox scratched his head and shook off the rest of his sleepy state. The deputy showing up had shaken him. What kind of world had he woken up in where a cop could just walk in unannounced? Not only that, but said cop was just eager to get him to school on time?

At least summer's a few weeks away, he figured. As it was on the verge of June anyway, all he imagined doing was finishing the course of his sophomore year and enjoying his summer vacation in the burrows. It wasn't the city, but, from what he gathered, they had plenty of festivals year round.

And from his research on the school itself, they had events that stretched on for a while. A smile plastered itself on his face as the prospect of meeting new mammals was on the rise. Not only that, but meeting predators like himself would have to be a plus from the school setting he had before.

Though it wasn't that he feared having prey around him, it was that, given his experiences, they weren't always the best to be around. However, his smile only grew once he reminded himself of a little bunny that had been genuinely friendly towards him and matched his sass incredibly.

Scanning the room, he meandered over to his bags. While still not fully unpacked - he figured he'd do that throughout the week - he did, at least, have everything organized. He quickly donned a fresh set of clothes and thought about what lay ahead for him at school.

I wonder if Carrots and I will be in any classes together?

"So, that's why you wanted me to pull information on ghost house."

Readjusting his tie for the third time that morning, Jack finally felt as though it was presentable. He smoothed over the fabric of his school uniform once more to get any stray wrinkles out. Being an astute mammal, he could never stand to have them in any establishment, save for working in the field.

Satisfied and ensuring that his stripes were covered from the camera on his cellphone, he pocketed the device and gave a gave a warm smile to his cherished friend.

Judy continued idly kicking her legs over the side of the trickling fountain at the front of the schoolyard. Her head cast skyward as she enjoyed the gentle spring breeze. "Mhm," she hummed with a smile. "I think it'd be great for him to know some of the history of his new residence."

She had been thinking of the fox all night, wondering how his first day would go as well him adjusting to life in the burrows. Plenty of mammals had come to their humble town from the splendour of city living, but not all had still been able to find comfort in the simple pleasures of the country.

One such mammal stood beside her, soaking in the sunlight of the early morning as well as her cousin.

"Is it really a ghost house?" asked Dawn, casting a glance to the ewe next to her while fixing her head wool and tidying her backpack. Adjusting her glasses for what had to be the eighth time since she stood there, the white wooled ewe scratched at a little patch of gauze on her cheek. Clutched almost deathly in her hooves was an oversized book on leadership. While she was almost as astute as Jack, the black sheep beside her was a bit laxer in her studies. Barring what she dared to dream for her future, she still kept reading her comic book casually.

"I don't think so," Sharla replied, flipping a page with a hoof but never looking up. "It was one of those things we heard as kids, but never really got to see if it was true."

Judy nodded. When she and Jack visited the old residence years ago, there were no signs of hauntings. Just some old run down house and a bunch of rumors. On the verge of expounding on what Sharla said, she stopped when a shadow blocked her view. Just passing by her was another student, currently enamored by the view to her left.

"I think it's rather exciting," said the pig with a smile, her voice a bit higher than normal. Her lime-green eyes focused on a grey wolf and sheep making their way toward them. She straightened her bowtie and re-shouldered her satchel. "The burrows are a great place to live, but it could use a little more livelihood."

Judy hummed in agreement. Burrow life was simple, easy going and almost monotonous for the most part. Rarely did anything - save for the festivals and school events - ever truly peak her interest, and when they did, they were mere shadows of what she hoped for. The most exciting thing in her life, in fact, had been that she was on board for the 'Junior Deputy in Training' at the sheriff's office. She longed for adventure, to help others and to stand out. That was best reserved for the city. However, for her to achieve her goals, this was the best possible option.

"Well, what happened to the house?" Judy inquired, hopping down and brushing off her skirt. She leaned down to pick up her school bag. She paused momentarily when her paw brushed against the carrot pen she had kept with her all those years. Mentally reminding herself that a fox gave it to her, her mind drifted to more thoughts about her soon to be new classmate.

He was nice on the surface, and hopefully a kind mammal deep down. A new face to the school and someone that seemed like he could fit into their oddball group. Yet... there was something that she was forgetting about him that she couldn't put her paw on.

Jack pulled out a few sheets of paper from his bag. All neatly organized and numbered, he leafed through them and singled out a page. "There are different rumors to it, but from what I could gather, the story starts with an odd rabbit owning the house until some other mammal bought the property." He stopped to stare in Sharla's direction, her eyes barely lifting from her comic book. "She's someone whom I believe you're familiar with, Sharla. A rather peculiar Angoran bunny."

When he spoke the species, every mammal in their group turned their attention to him, save for Delilah and Dawn. The sow had taken off to chat with the approaching wolf accompanied by a light grey ram, and the white wooled ewe gave the spectacle a weak, aggravated sigh.

Just as much as Delilah was focused with her chat, Sharla's eyes shot open. She lowered her comic from eye level long enough for her to put two and two together. "Wait... you mean the crazy old Angoran bunny that chased me with a stick when I went to visit my grandpa a few years ago? That rabbit?!"

Placing his notes back, Jack hummed. "If by 'that rabbit' you mean one of the founding gardeners, then yes." He padded over to the fountain, watching a stray cloud pass by in the reflection of the rippling water. "Some time while she still owned the house, there were four disappearances there that started investigations. Some reports say potential murder, others say it was some kidnapping, but nothing was ever found. It happened long before we were born, a little over 40 years ago or so. But nothing's progressed from the house since."

Odd, Judy thought. That's about Mom's age. I wonder if she knew anything about the house growing up? She made a mental note to ask her later on, around dinner or so.

"But that's when the story generally diverges," continued Jack. "A few say that she went crazy and ate them, one says that some government agency came and left, others say that it was some mysterious 'Bear Witch' that was in the area," Sharla started chuckling at the title, "It's really a mix of things that happened, but they all lead to a few things. Mostly that she stayed a little while longer before moving to the West Wood Communal Burrow. By that time Ms. Hoarf-"

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT'S OVER?!"

A shrill voice silenced Jack in an instant. The bunnies and ewes, interest piqued, now watched along with much of the arriving students in the courtyard. Standing opposite of the fountain by one of the architectural pillars, was a wide-eyed, black-furred rabbit. His ears were pinned down as his jaw hung open; a tall off-white doe shrugged in front of him.

Judy rolled her eyes, she knew where this song and dance was going just by the parties involved. And when she saw the other mammal - a bunny whose fur was a shade of brown so light that it was nearly yellow - it meant that she was right from the beginning. I warned him that it would end like this. He should have never gone out with her instead.

They watched the scene unfold. "You heard me, Blake. We've been together for what... a week? And you still haven't gotten over Marsha!"

Her voice raised, and others watching on including a disinterested bunny couple that kept their distance. Blake cast them a pleading look while Marsha never made eye contact; her new boyfriend casually wrapping his arm around her to walk away from their school's newest morning gossip.

Seeing no way out, he answered. "I-i just broke up with her last week," he explained, fidgeting. "I-I'm still trying to-"

The doe silenced him with a paw held up. "You know what, we're through!"

And like that, another schoolmate of Judy's was now single. It'd be posted on Furbook later.

As the doe left the stunned buck and skipped her way towards Judy, the purple-eyed doe sighed. She didn't want to talk to her either now or... well, until maybe dinner time, but the point still stood that they were family; littermates at that.

So, with a huff, Judy greeted them.

"Jasmine," she deadpanned; the green-eyed, white-furred doe giving her a curt wave in return as the other trailed along.

"Jada," she said to the other; equal emerald eyes rolled at her sister as she passed by.

Her sisters, her two oldest littermates who had bonded over the years but somehow always managed to get under her fur about this and that, were quite well known throughout the school grounds.

While Jada (Jade to most) was the oldest of their liter and oftentimes competitive with Judy when it came to assisting their parents on the farm, Jasmine was always picking on her youngest littermate about not ever having found a boyfriend. And though both of the older doe's had dated several bucks in their short time at school, they never kept relationships long, especially Jasmine. She was often thought to have gone through a buck a minute at times; a week in this case.

Blake was no exception.

Still, Jasmine smiled. "Hey, Jackie." she cooed, almost ignoring her sister entirely. "I can't believe you're still hanging out with Jude the dude. Why can't you just hang out with a real doe?" Batting her eyes at the buck - with as much eyeshadow as her school allowed her to have before she'd be called in for questioning about potential abuse - she waited for him to answer.

Judy frowned at this. Jasmine had often tried to get Jack to go out with her since she started dating. And though he was grafted into the family - not an uncommon thing when they had no familial relation and he wasn't exactly adopted; he was only a Hopps in title - he had never had a close relation to the green-eyed doe. Not only that, Jack was somehow clueless when she made her passes.

He didn't seem to understand what 'hitting on a girl' meant exactly, and even when it was explained, his response was that he had never hit a girl in his life.

However, that never deterred him from his straightforward answer. "I prefer to be near Judy, Jasmine. She and I are partners on the 'Junior Deputy in Training' initiative that the sheriff started," At that, Judy smiled. She was glad to be a part of a team, even though some of her teammates could use a bit less of a straightforward approach. I swear Swinton's going to be a part of the mob one day. "Besides, out of all the littermates in your generation, she and I have similar interests." He paused for a moment, remembering one last detail. "And though Juniper is an exception, she's currently on hall monitor duty along with Maria."

His boring statement given, Jada shook her head. "Come on, Jas. We can't be late for homeroom again." she urged, starting her way to the stairs leading up to the school entrance.

The bunny shrugged. "Anyways, where's the new kid? Think he has a girlfriend yet?"

If there was one thing that Judy would absolutely not want, it was for Jasmine to lay a paw on Nick; Jada too. Sure, she may not really know him, but leaving him to the fate of those sisters? That was cruelty.

Jada scoffed from afar. "It's not like you'd ever find one, Judith. You're too much of a prude to ever have a boyfriend."

"I don't think he's either of your types." Judy deadpanned, waving her sisters on and out of the way.

When the menacing Hopps siblings were out of sight, Judy had to mull over a few things. Why would Nick date a bunny? I mean sure, some mammals will date or marry outside of their species like the Fanghanel's. Or even adopt like the Wolfson's.But... that's different. A fox and a bunny together?

Interspecies couples were fairly common in Bunnyburrow, but they were generally either predator couples or prey couples. It was rare for a predator and prey mammal to date, but not unheard of. And while she held no ill thoughts about foxes, she easily recalled the day that changed for her and her best friend.

It was then that Judy's blood ran cold. She finally remembered what she needed to tell Jack.

With a nervous smile, she turned to the buck "Hey, Jack. Listen, I have to tell you something about Nick."

The buck smiled. "And I have a lot to tell him. I think he should know that the last mammals to have owned the house was a family of foxes. Can you believe it? Foxes of all mammals. The accounts never mentioned the name, though." Judy shrunk a little and the sheep cousins gave him cautionary looks.

"Jack I-"

"Judith! You may want to hurry, the bell's about to ring!" came the voice of Delilah, happily talking to the wolf beside her as they headed up to school. "And bring that Nick fellow along with you, he shouldn't be late for his first day of class."

She nearly choked as she nodded. Now standing to tell him, she braced herself. Okay, Judy. It's now or never. Just tell him and he'll calm down.

"Jack," she reiterated as he gathered his bags as well. With him focusing, she huffed. "I think you should know that Nick... well, you see the thing is that he's a-"

*BEEP BEEP*

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

Both the loud, resounding echo of a honking horn and the shrill shriek of a fellow student halted Judy immediately. She and her group all turned their heads to see a mortified otter dash past them while a police cruiser from the sheriff's office had made its way onto the grass, its bumper mere centimeters away from hitting a pillar.

Judy facepawed. Not again!

As she tried to rush her explanation, the driver's side door flung open and the smiling white wolf ran out. He paid no heed to the other students as he rounded the car and waved to Judy.

"JUDY! JACK!" he beckoned excitedly. "Your new classmate is finally here!"

And with that, Judy resigned herself to allowing Jack to find out for himself. She mentally kicked herself for losing the opportunity, but Jack simply straightened his tie and walked forward.

"It'll be nice to see a new face around the campus," he replied. "I can only hope he finds his new home and school a welcoming experience and a mirthful opportunity."

Eliot nodded and pried the passenger door open, though he found a little resistance with the mammal still desperately holding on for dear life. But when he did finally did open the door apart and Jack extended his paw in greeting, the whole world nearly stopped; or at least that's what it felt like.

Jack's ears fell, Judy gave a nervous smile, and Sharla and Dawn dropped their collective books. For just beyond them - teeth clenched, tail tucked, and claws dug firmly into the seat from the sheer horror that was the wolf's driving - sat a fox. He breathed heavily and stared out into eternity.

The two ewes gathered their books and started briskly walking away, leaving a terrified bunny and his friend behind.

"Alright, buddy. School's almost started so we have to get you to meet the best faculty member in the world!" said Eliot, beaming with pride. He quickly grabbed the almost statue-like form of Nick - even though his claws protested, ripping out bits and pieces of the seat - and carried him off without a word.

This left the other statue like figure for Judy to deal with, and she gladly obliged; she owed it to him. With his paw still extended, and a horrified expression somehow stuck to his face, the doe pushed the numbed buck up the stairs just as the first bell rang.

It took a few minutes for Nick's life to stop flashing before his eyes. He was finally up to the part where the Deputy hit a curb and nearly ran over a screaming blur before stopping just in front of a pillar. Much of that, he had hoped, was just a dream, but the cascading rows of lockers and bristle of fur brought him up to speed. It was all real.

He looked up, finding himself being carried down a brightly lit, and almost empty hallway. With natural sunlight pouring in from his right, it felt more like a college university than a high school. The fox stared in wonder at how vastly different it was from his old, cramped and monotoned former high school on the edge of Happytown.

Several murals were somehow integrated into the locker spaces with bright colours depicting some kind of floral design or smiling mammal's face. There were a few tubes overhead that he could see some small rodents passing through in one direction or another. And when he came to certain corners, the halls were either larger or smaller and had flashing stop or yield signs, but he couldn't figure out why.

Having had enough of being hauled around, he cleared his throat to ask his tour guide, "Can you put me down now?"

The wolf, who had been running almost non stop, finally took heed to his passenger. "Oh good, you're back! And just in time to mee my Pumpkin, too." He let the tod down, setting him on his feet while they stood outside of frosted glass door.

Nick couldn't see inside, but he understood from the word 'counselor' written on it, that this going to be an interesting experience. This cop could use some counseling, alright. But what did he mean by his 'Pumpkin'? he thought. Wait, is he a farmer as well?

Eliot knocked on the door and giddily swished his tail. Not long after, the door swung open and they were greeted by a slender, tan-furred mammal, the likes Nick had never seen before.

From the apparel and simple greeting of a curt hello, he could tell that the mammal was female. Her blue dress was as bright as her sky-blue eyes, and the gold necklace she wore shimmered like the badge pinned over her heart. And though Nick could tell that she was faculty, what she was was entirely new.

If he had to guess, she was some kind of... canine, tiger hybrid from the shape of her snout and the little stripes that ran down her tail, but he hadn't heard of any hybrids existing, and certainly not between those two species.

He never got a chance to ask when Eliot threw himself at her.

"Pumpkin!" He shouted, sweeping the surprised mammal off her feet and into his arms at an alarming speed. He nuzzled her neck and ears as she snickered, falsely pushing him a bit away all while saying, "Not in front of the students."

A second or two later, he pointed at Nick. "See! I told you he's a fox."

"Yes he is, dear." Eliot's 'Pumpkin' answered, finally finding her bearings through her fit of giggles. "You'll have to excuse him. He doesn't see too many foxes around these days."

When she brushed off her dress and put on a wide smile, she leaned over and offered a paw shake. "My name is Chloe, Chloe Fanghanel. And I'll be your new counselor."

Nick gladly shook her paw but raised his brow at the two of them. Wait, Pumpkin? That's his Pumpkin? And his last name's Fanghanel, so does that mean... he mused, only now seeing the gold rings on their fingers. They're MARRIED?!

He hadn't seen any interspecies couples while he was in the city, so this came as a surprise to him. Although, he didn't know whether to feel happy for the wolf or a bit saddened for his spouse from his antics. I wonder if Skye and Eliot would get along.

For a long moment, Nick just idly stared at the two, no words passed between them and the only sound to break the silence was Eliot's rapidly flailing tail. Only when Chloe chuckled did Nick realize he had zoned out.

"I know that look," she stated, already reading Nick's forethought when he grinned back. She placed a paw over her heart. "If I'm right, you're curious as to what I am like so many others. I am a thylacine," Chloe explained. "We're native to Pawstralia."

Huh... never heard of them. Nick nodded but never stopped his grin. "That was going to be my second guess."

The thylacine had to stifle her giggle as her husband continued to nuzzle her ear and wrap his tail around her defensively.

"I hope you're enjoying your stay with us in the Burrows so far, Mr. Wilde," Nick felt himself deflate a little at the name but didn't let it show. Or too much, from what he thought. The way the Chloe tilted her head at him meant that she knew that something was up, she did claim to be a counselor, after all.

"I've managed to read your reports and old school files," She paused to see anything from an expression change to a sigh from Nick, but could only see his ear flicker. Mentally noting that for later, she clasped her paws together. "I'm terribly sorry for all of that. Rest assured, however, Paragon Grove doesn't take lightly to such behavior from other students. I believe you'll find them very helpful and friendly."

Nick simply nodded. He had hoped that she was right, and Judy seemed to fit that. There was, however that bunny that he barely saw freezing up out of the corner of his eye.

*RING*

Rather loud and a bit closer than he thought, a bell perked up all their ears.

"Oh! That's the last attendance bell," Chloe exclaimed, stepping away from Eliot for a moment to go back to her desk. She came back with a clipboard and a pen. "Let's get you to your homeroom class. It looks like you're with Ms. Wolfson. She'll help you set out your schedule and we'll get you your new school uniform by lunchtime."

On her way out, Nick caught the faintest whisper from Eliot to his beloved wife. His ear twitched when he asked if "he heard right and that they were in the same class," to which the thylacine hummed and nodded. The wolf howled.

As the three made their brisk walk to the new class. Nick wondered what he meant, but equally questioned, Wait... school uniform?!

"Why didn't you tell me he was a fox?" Jack asked, now tapping his paw across the auditorium desk while Judy patted his shoulder.

He had, since entering the school, not stopped pacing or finding some way to have a mini-freakout. From the foot tapping and looking over his shoulder, to the constant twitch of his nose and nearly jumping whenever any flash of red came close, Jack was a nervous wreck.

"I was going to?" was her reply, though more of a question than anything.

He cast a distraught glare at her.

She sighed. "Jack, I know you're upset, and I should have told you. But Nick's not a bad guy."

The buck's ears rose. "Judy, he's a fox, he's a dangerous predator," Jack whispered,"Don't you remember what happened to Gideon and how he got expelled?"

The doe couldn't believe what he heard. "Jack, how can you say that when you haven't even gotten to know him?" she shot back, anger apparent in her hushed tone when she knew some of her classmates could likely hear her. "You're friends with Luproc, his cousin is Mrs. Wolfson's son, you all have Mr. Fanghanel as your Scoutmaster, and your godmother's a coyote."

Adding to her stance, she pointed to where the wolf sat a few rows higher. He and Delilah had continued their conversation right beside the bored looking grey ram next to them. After that, Judy pointed to the teacher - a brightly dressed Manned Wolf - sitting quietly just before the morning announcements were given. She casually flipped through one of the various books on her desk and gave the occasional glance around to ensure everything was going smoothly.

Nearly huffing and showing all the evidence around her, Judy thought that she had at least gotten her immediate friends on her side. However, one look at them told her that she was far from the truth.

"Judy, that's great and all but they're not foxes," said Sharla, Dawn nodding beside her. "I mean... most predators around here are okay, but for him to be a fox? And from the city? You can't trust them."

"She's right, Judy," Dawn chimed in, tilting her head just enough to where Judy could see the leftover gauze patch. "Remember when I told you a fox did this? They seemed fine at first, but that's just them trying to trick you."

That left only Jack, who gave Judy a sigh. Anything that he would have said was drowned out by the door to the classroom almost being kicked in; half of the students jumped, but Mrs. Wolfson only set down her book and smiled.

"It's about time you got here." She stood, towering over her desk at how lanky her limbs were before she raised a paw to silence the room's commotion.

"Alright, alright, class. Settle down," she instructed, side-eyeing a bouncing ball of white fluff just beyond the threshold. "We have a new student joining us today."

Judy gasped along with Jack and the ewes on their row, though three of them had equal looks of 'please no' written clearly on their muzzles.

Mrs. Wolfson waved the student forward, ushering him in. "Let's all give a Paragon worthy welcome to Bunnyburrow's newest resident: Nicholas Wide."

Many of the students began clapping their hooves or paws together before Nick strolled in. He tried his best to look nonchalant, but he couldn't control his tail twitches or slightly raised hackles. And as he got closer and closer to the teachers desk, he heard the applause die down slowly before he felt the stares start pouring in on him.

Now consciously aware of it, he scanned the room but kept his smirk on. Never let them see that they get to you. he mentally chanted.

Most of the eyes landing on him were from surprised mammals, and they gave him either looks of sheer disgust or disinterest. Others looked curious, but only one face amidst the sea of muzzles and ears, gave him even the slightest comfort: Judy.

"Please take any seat available while we get started." he heard behind him as the bunny waved him up to her row. Oddly enough, there were only a few other open seats, but he either didn't care to see who they were next to, or some mammal had sneakily shifted over a little to occupy it.

Judy, however, was enjoying this moment. Not only did she get the experience of bringing Nick to his new home yesterday, but to know that they shared the same homeroom? This is perfect! It's just what he needs!

Gears in her mind were turning as to how she could make a difference in his life and even Jacks to show him that Nick wasn't a bad guy. And if there was anything that Judy loved more than anything, it was proving to the world that she could make a difference.

So with a little sly bunny smile, she pat the empty seat next to her, ignoring the pleas of the bunny and sheep beside her. She had never been more happy about her seating choice and having an empty spot there for so long.

The fox hiked up the steps, ignoring the others and sat by Judy. His bag set beside him, he smiled at his only friend.

"Hey Carrots," he welcomed.

"Hey Blueberries," she answered.

"eh..e-" Jack choked, his pupils had shrunk enough to look like miniature suns.

From the moment he took his seat, a loud clicking - like the shutter of a camera - resounded across the room. Eyes turned to see a wolf with his phone aimed at the fox as he was escorted out by a worried looking thylacine. She got him out... only for him to dash back in, tripping as he took more pictures and howled.

The last the students saw of the deputy was him being dragged out by his foot-paws by an embarrassed counselor while he snapped photos like he was at a high-speed photo-op. He may have even achieved a world record.

Not waiting for him to make his way back in, Mrs. Wolfson huffed and closed the door with a laugh. She looked at the wall mounted clock and nodded. "All rise for our morning pledge."

The students complied, shuffling bags and chairs as they stood in unison. All except Nick.

Figuring he didn't know what was going on, Judy grabbed his paw and pulled him up out of his seat. And as surprised as he looked, Judy's ears picked up on a few gasps as well.

Disregarding the ones closest to her, the doe heard them come from across the aisle to where her siblings sat. Jade and Jasmine were astonished but for the life of her, Judy couldn't understand why. It wasn't until she looked down at where they focused, that it finally clicked and she let Nick's paw go.

But the bewildered, contorted faces of her siblings burned in her mind as well as the fox's numbed and dumbfounded ogle. And if that weren't enough, Jasmine's muzzle twisted into something of a foreboding, competitive grin. Judy didn't really know what to make of it concerning Nick, but she hoped that it didn't mean what it usually did.

Turning her attention to the front of the class, the speakers began to play their school anthem. It was one of her favourite things in the morning, even though some students either didn't sing on key or butchered the words.

Still, she knew, and that was all that mattered.

~A Paragon, herald of peace~

Her head held high, she sang with the voices resonating with hers.

~In this grove, we seek to dream~

And that's what she wanted: to dream of a better world, a brighter future.

~Through time's unrest, our friends behest~

She chanced and stole glances over to the fox, he only tried keeping up with the words. He ended up only mimicking them.

~The crown of petals woven for thee~

Darting her eyes to Jack, he had his head bowed. She understood why.

~'Neath starry sky, 'bove ground raised high~

Judy looked up. The ceiling of their classroom was a series of glass panes. The natural light beamed down on them.

~Though tears may shed, though hearts may cry~

Knowing that's what it may take to make the world a better place, she risked one last glance at the fox.

~We will stand, here 'round our tree~

Her eyes trailed up the green, gaudy Pawaiian shirt and to his chin.

~That's where we'll be~

Stifling a giggle, her eyes trailed up and she held the last note, being lost in emerald eyes that pierced her very soul.

~Together~

No longer did she try to sneak peaks at the fox. Much like a letter she wrote about a dream she had years ago, just before her was a field of green that sparkled like the stars. She never wanted to leave

~In our dreams~

As the verse ended and the students took their seats again, the final bell rang. School was in session.

Don't let the fears of your past break apart your dream

[A/N]

Okay, it's finally back! WOOOOO! Not only that, but there's a vote up on my DA and FF page that I'll run until the next chapter rolls out. It's about their school mascot. The vote is on which tree should be at the heart of the grove. I'll have it up for a while as well as the symbolism for each tree, so vote and see which one you think may be best. Just remember, this is one of the major ones to effect the storyline!

That and another vote will take place once that chapter is posted. And this one's about Skye! I'll be doing a separate story about her until a few key points take place in the storyline. That vote will be to see whether or not you'd like it as a separate story entirely, or an attachment at the end of a few chapters.

That story, however, will be named "Skyebound".

And don't forget: if you have an idea for a chapter, please let me know. So far I have a few awesome ones that you all have given me in either reviews or PM's.

[Trivia and Notes]

The part with Eliot nearly hitting a student is based on my experience in college... several, actually. I still, to this day, have no clue as to how our school chancellor kept sneaking up on me with an SUV and beeping the horn. That's right an SUV! This practical twelve-ton vehicle that's a cross between a limo and a tank, in BROAD DAYLIGHT! At least 4 times!

Jada (Jade) belongs to the awesome Spinster-4-Hire.

And Chloe is a thylacine and the spouse of Eliot. Seriously, I LOVE these two OC's of Koraru-san's. XD

Jasmine and Juniper are Judy's sisters that made their first appearance in 'A Spring In Your Step' which will be updated soon. While Luproc and Delilah are from the story 'Immemorial'. Consider this story what they'd be like in high school.

[FF Review Responses]

Merecor: When they figure it out, it will be an awesome day. XD

GusTheBear: Thank you. More to come!

Metal Amadeus: HA! Very close. The next chapter will be something like that.

Guest1502: Next chapter is here!

Cimar of Turalis WildeHopps: Thank you. And the chapter after this will be intense!

InTheLionsDenOnDA: I couldn't traumatize Nick like that. It'd be too cruel. XD And ghosts o.o (There is some connection there that I'm waiting for someone to figure out)

WolfofAvalon: I know, right? No worries, though. He'll have plenty of bunny to keep him company. XD

[Other Sites]

fanfiction:
~dancinglunarwolves

deviantart: [snippet exclusive]
dancinglunarwolves

archiveofourown:
users/DancingLunarWolves/works

If you liked this story and have time please post a review, and if you would like to keep up with the story please fav or follow. Questions, comments, concerns, feel free to message me about anything. If you'd like updates, please check the profile page and or message me.

Till Next Time
-DLW