A/N: Time Skip this time around, reader. Promised myself that I wouldn't put too much effort into "baby Nick" and I think that I, in my opinion, have done justice to him as a baby. No Judy yet. Still not sure how I will end up implementing her into this story. Guess only time will tell. This next section will have skipped over Nick growing up as toddler and all the way until his first day in Elementary School. Yes, I did skip over preschool and kindergarten, but I am sure none of you want to see kids graduate from those grades based off of them surviving by not eating glue/crayons. Also I don't remember much from my days in that time period, so I don't have the ability to write fluently about it.

Now I present Nick's adventure in Elementary School!

Chapter 3: Educational Findings

The years flew by for Nick growing up, but it is as it is commonly said: "Time flies when you're having fun." This saying couldn't be more true as he and his litter mates rose up through the preliminary schooling. Whether it being having fun in the yard to being little rascals causing trouble in school or at home. Nick was excited to get into first grade because of the new environment that it advertised. He had heard of the dreaded homework but now he wouldn't be in a class with just his litter mates, which to him over shadowed homework. Instead Nick was going to be in a class with different members of different families. He was so excited, in fact, that the drawbacks that he heard from his older siblings didn't phase him; he wanted to make new friends outside his family and today he was going to do just that.

The previous night Nick spent most of his time going through the different scenarios with his new class tomorrow and all the fun he would have with his new friends. Thinking that it was a bad idea to stay awake too late on a school night he went to Abigale's room to help convince his consciousness. Sleeping next to her always calmed him down giving him the chance to get that much-needed shut-eye. Her passive ability to calm him down never failed and just like that night he fell asleep snuggled next to Abigale.

Nick never felt different among the masses of bunnies he lived with. He was under the impression that he was a bunny, just with different colored fur, longer tail and shorter ears. As the happy-go-lucky kit he has always been these differences never bothered him and thought today would be no different.

The morning of his first day Nick was asleep and as unmoving as a rock. Abigale also had to get to school today so rolling over and lightly pressing on Nick's nose did the trick on waking him up. The realization of how deep Nick was sleeping made his eyes shoot open. Meeting the gaze of Abigale he quickly said good morning kissed her on the cheek and ran down the hall back to his room. Nick quickly got showered and dressed. The bathroom wasn't as over run as normal as everyone was already eating breakfast.

Nick's freshly groomed fur and casual outfit of jeans and a plain green shirt he was ready to go to breakfast. Usually it's first come first served, but Nick knew that there were certain foods not everyone liked that he did. Gathering up on his plate a few vegetable based sausages and a piece of toast slathered with light butter. Sitting next to his litter mate Henry who only looked about half done with his plate.

Henry is half a head shorter than Nick, but his ears make up for the height. His fur is a lighter gray with black spots scattered throughout his fur making it look like he has an eye patch and a leather glove on at all times.

"What's up Henry," Nick started

"Oh, I don't know… just having breakfast."

"Well you better hurry up! At this pace I might beat you out of the kitchen!"

"Yeah… I guess you might."

"What's wrong Henry?"

"You know we're going back to school today. I'm scared."

"Scared? Of what, new kids? Don't think of them as strangers. They are new friends!"

With that Henry lifted his head. Didn't take much to convince him to look at things positively. His expression was brighter than it was and he hugged Nick, thanking him for the advice.

"Race you to the car!" Henry shouted as he got up from his seat.

"That's no fair! I haven't even started eating yet!" Nick laughed as he started scarfing his food down.

It was too late, Henry already put his dishes in the sink and bolted past Nick while he sat in his seat. Alone at the table Nick finished his food and in a frenzy to not be late to the car he bolted for the door. Upon exiting the dining room Nick ran into Abigale stepping back a bit from the collision. Abigale grabbing him before he could fall.

"I'd ask why you're running in the house, but you're almost late so I'll let it pass," Abigale playfully scolded.

"Sorry, but I don't want to be late," Nick said starting to walk past her.

"Don't think so. You're not leaving before you give me a hug!" Abigale pulled Nick into a warm hug and kissed him on the forehead, "Now get going! Don't be late on your first day!"

"Thanks mom, love you, BYE!" Nick said as he bolted past her to get outside to the car with the rest of his siblings.

Nick has grown up calling Abigale mom and even at this age when he knows the true definition of "mom" he stills calls her that. She has been his guardian angel since he was a baby showing him nothing but love and support. Nick hasn't really interacted with Bonnie growing up because he usually went to Abigale for all of his problems so to him Abigale was his mom. There is one thing that rarely occurs on his mind though, all his other siblings called Stu "dad," but Nick never really knew the meaning of such seeing as he didn't have a parent besides Abigale. The thought never really bothered Nick because to him Abigale was more than enough.

Racing out the door Nick could see and hear the vehicle sputter to life with the headlights flick on. There were still a few rabbits loading into it so Nick knew he had plenty of time and started slowing his pace. The vehicle's appearance was nothing special, it had many features on it that made it obvious that time has passed and that repairs have happened. It was a high-capacity transportation vehicle, HCTV, usually used in areas populated with animals larger than a rabbit, but smaller than a bear. In BunnyBurrow these vehicles were commonly owned by the larger families in the area and even decorated with unique designs to show it was theirs. The Hopps HCTV was a dark green with "Hopps" painted across each side in almost a graffiti like manner. The interior was different than standard HCTV's with customizations to make the driver's area lower. There was an extra layer of seating due to bunnies being the only mammals to receive rides from it and on each level were two rows of seats split down the middle for ease of access.

Upon entering the vehicle, Nick immediately heard the chatter of his siblings arguing over seats, having idle chat or greeting one another with the common "good morning." Nick looked for Henry to continue talking to him and even perhaps get him more pumped for school. Henry noticed Nick looking and made a waving gesture the simultaneously got Nick's attention and calling him over. Henry was sitting alone with his bag next to him attempting to save the seat. Nick happily sat down once Henry moved his belongings.

"So whatchu put in your bag for the first day?' Henry asked

"Not much really. All I really have is a pen, pencil, notebook and my lunch," Nick said, "I didn't think there would be much to pack since it's only the first day."

"Yeah, I didn't pack much. Do you think that we'll be in the same class?"

"Well I can't say. There wasn't something sent out beforehand was there?"

"I don't think so…" Henry thought out loud

"Well here's to hopping!" Nick laughed

Henry made a playful frown, "Good one," he said sarcastically

Henry and Nick stopped talking for a bit after that pun. During the silence between the two Nick heard all sorts of conversations going on, but could make sense of any of them. Instead Nick took note of all those around him spotting a few of his litter mates and even identifying the driver. The driver was an older sibling in the "B" litter. Older litters would usually drive younger litters to school and go themselves later in the day, that way they can do early morning farm work and give teachers a break between classes.

The rest of the car ride went by swiftly as all the vehicle's occupants eagerly, or nervously, awaited the first day of school to start. The vehicle came to a slow stop in a line of other vehicles of similar fashion, but different color. Slowly making it to the front of the line and eventually stopping with dull red lights flicked on indicating it was time to get off. The driver got up and dismissed each row to avoid the risk of a small riot of bunnies trying to empty out of the bus. Nick and Henry's section was the third to be dismissed.

After getting out onto the concrete Nick was greeted by a large courtyard and the need to stretch his legs. The walkway was about a half-circle with two doors on each end and between them a rock garden. In the middle of the garden was a sitting area accompanied by a small archway with a statue of a rabbit in a suit adjusting his glasses and holding a book. From what Nick could tell after seeing the plack on the square base was that the rabbit, Dr. Werman, was the founder of the school. And finally on each side of the sitting area were two red signs with white lettering spelling out "Field's Edge Academy."

After taking in the sight of the front of the school Nick turned to Henry who was staring at the school entrance:

"Well it looks nice enough," Nick stated putting his hands on his hips

"Seeing it up front is making it scarier…" Henry said worriedly

"Oh come on we've gotten this far! Let's get inside before it gets too crowded!" Nick said excitedly while grabbing Henry's arm almost dragging him along

"Ohhhh boy," Henry slowly said as they swiftly approached the right side entrance.

The two doors on either side of the courtyard led to the commons area, a large room with white flooring and cement walls painted red that are decorated with banners and glass cases full of trophies. The commons area has been decorated to welcome the returning or new students. Signs hang from the ceiling giving directions to the school receptionist at the back of the room as well as greeting the students and welcoming them back to school.

Nick and Henry wasted no time weaving through the small crowd that was forming from the outside and made it to the receptionist desk while the line was still short. Behind the desk was a female pig who was frantically flipping through files and assigning students to certain auditoriums. Students would state their names and grade then would be given a card with their assigned auditorium and homeroom for after the opening ceremony. Nick and Henry finally made it to the front, both stating names and grades and receiving their cards. Stepping away from the line and comparing the listed information.

"Auditorium B and Homeroom 124. What's your homeroom Nick?" Henry asked

"Auhh," Nick groaned, "we aren't in the same homeroom."

Henry leaned over to get a better look at Nick's card, "And we aren't even in the same auditorium… I think they messed your card up, Nick. Says your species is Red Fox."

"Wait, what? Red maybe, but I've never been called a fox. I'll go back and ask the pig lady, you go ahead. I'll look for you in the crowd. Save me a seat!" Nick said as he and Henry parted ways.

Nick looked back at the line, it was noticeably longer than when he and Henry first waited. Groaning to himself he got into the line before it could get any longer. Time seemed as if it were at a crawl while Nick was waiting, looking at the clock and rereading all the signs was the only pass time he could think of. Eavesdropping was out of the question because it was rude as well as almost impossible with the amount of concentration needed to do so.

Nick was about four people away from the front of the line until his shoulder was nudged. Nick didn't turn around to acknowledge it and waited for a small "sorry" or "excuse me" but instead another nudge a little stronger than the last time. To this Nick turned around to address the mammal. Before him he saw a mammal about the same height and near identical physical features to his. The fur was a light brown that darkened as it traveled to the ears, hands and feet. Nick was about to say something, but was swiftly cut off by her own words:

"You already have your ticket? What are you waiting in line for?" she asked

"Uhh well there is a mistake on mine and i wanted to see if I could get it sorted out," as soon as Nick finished saying this his card was swiped from his hand and the she mammal looked it up and down to see if she couldn't find the problem.

She returned the card saying, "I don't see anything wrong with it? Maybe the last name, but other than that it looks okay, Nick."

"How do you know my name?... Wait," Nick chuckled, "it's on my card. What's wrong with the last name?"

The girl huffed, "my name is Olivia, thanks for asking. And says your last name is Hopps and last I checked you aren't a rabbit even says so on your card. Kinda nice seeing another fox at this school!"

Nick was taken aback with realization as he looked this girl up and down, "She's a fox? Am I too!? She looks like me, but a different color!" Nick thought to himself with a shocked expression. "Well first off, my last name is right on my card. I am a Hopps, and how can you prove I'm a fox?" Nick asked slowly

"Well first o…"

"Next!" The pig lady said loudly not looking up from her desk

Nick flinched at holding up the line, "meet me over there after you get your card," Nick pointed to a bench by a closed custodian booth. The girl only nodded at his request.

Nick left the line still unsure of the contents of his card. Existential questions assaulted Nick's mind as he sat alone. "Am I really a fox? I'm in a bunny family, foxes and rabbits are complete opposites!" Nick sat thinking to himself for a little while longer until he noticed Olivia approaching him. Olivia hopped up on the bench and sat next to Nick.

"Like I was saying, it sure is nice to see another fox in school, the only other one is the Grey fox and he's in fourth grade," she said, "also you asked me how I'm sure you're a fox? Well you look pretty similar to me, so I just kinda figured. And you are actually a Hopps!? How do you end up in that situation!?"

Nick looked down and twiddled his thumbs trying to find an answer for her questions. He opened his mouth to respond, but was grabbed at the wrist and dragged to Auditorium A, "C'mon! Walk and talk!" she exclaimed.

On their way to the auditorium Nick stated all his concerns, questions and thoughts, but wasn't sure if she was even listening. She was always a physical couple steps ahead of him and not once did she turn her head to acknowledge what he was saying. They made it through the double doors into the large room with two large sets of bleachers on either side of the room, partially full with the different kinds of students. Olivia lead them up the bleachers and eventually found a spot and as soon as they say down she started addressing all of Nick's questions.

"So you think that since you were raised by bunnies that you are one? Well that is ridiculous, you can't just change species by hanging out with a different one!" she stated playfully.

"That explains a lot on how different I look compared to the rest of my family. Now I've got even more questions for Abbi…" Nick stated hesitantly

"Well let me be the first to congratulate you on being a fox," she laughed, "I can tell we're gonna be good friends!"

When Olivia said that it put a smile on his face and reminded him of why he was so excited for school. If it was even just a moment, Nick was excited for school to start whether him being a fox or a rabbit. "I think so, too! Here's so making my first friend at this school!" Nick said to her.

A voice casted through a sound system silenced the crowd and all eyes were on whoever was in the center of the room. The rally was started with crowd activities to make sure the students were awake and then proceeded to a "meet the faculty" event where the students were separated into groups determined by their homeroom. Nick was thinking about Henry and how he must think Nick abandoned him, but those thoughts were soon cut short when Olivia bumped into him and excitedly said they were in the same homeroom. Nick and Olivia walked and talked side by side among the other students.

"Pretty interesting start to the school year," Nick thought to himself.

Hey, reader! I hope you are enjoying this story so far. Also I am sorry for the late upload, what I had written originally for this chapter I really didn't like and it was too short. Other than that I should tell you of the plans I have for the future of the story. As it is now I don't believe it is as good as it can be, but I strive to get to the point where it is worthy of you to recommend it to other people. As always please leave a comment/criticism because they are always so fun to get/read and even learn from!