Writer's block and school have hindered me on the other two stories but not this one. Muse can be weird.
With good friends to love us. We'll field every blow.
AAAAAHHHHH!
Confused, surprised students appeared from their rooms or stopped in the hall to investigate the sudden, random screaming. It lasted for a few seconds before stopping.
"That's just the Screamer!" The dorm adviser, a male armadillo wearing glasses, assured. "Everything is alright! I promise that you have nothing to worry about. Please, go back to what you were doing!"
Still bewildered yet laughing at the explanation, the students returned to their business. The dorm adviser returned to the current room to see a confused Judy.
"That's been going on since I was a 1L. No matter what we do, the mammal's a ghost. We can't even identify the species from the location of the scream, and you never know when it will happen. Could be at night. Could be during the day."
Judy groaned at having to put up with the noise during her time at school. "I hope it doesn't happen when I'm sleeping."
"I haven't received any complaints from the Screamer at night if that's any consolation."
"That does make me feel a little better." She would prefer to take action but made a mental note to investigate later. "Do you know how the Screamer came to be?"
"I heard it was Bogo that drove the student mad. Then again, he's driven others insane ever since he began teaching here. I heard he ripped into this first-year student so bad this morning the poor mammal lost her breakfast after class."
Judy blushed and played with her ear. "That was me."
The armadillo took pity on the doe. "Not the best start to his class," He checked his list and found the tasks to be completed. "That's about all I can tell you about the dorms. Any other questions?"
"Is there a pool?"
"Across the square. Do you swim?"
"Just curious. Exercise improves my studying. It clears your head and relieves the stress from your body."
The armadillo nodded. "One more thing. Everything said about grades is true. You've got to work your tail off. Try to get a job if you don't make it."
Judy smiled confidently at the armadillo. "I'll make it."
The dorm adviser smiled at her before leaving. "Ciao."
Judy closed the door and resumed organizing her room. After everything was in its proper place, she sat at the desk and got to studying. The doe currently took six courses this semester and needed to plan her study schedule accordingly to avoid being overwhelmed. She knew law school would be difficult but was ready to take on the challenge to achieve her dream of becoming a lawyer.
A few hours passed when someone knocked on her door. "Coming!" Wondering who it could be, Judy went to answer and was surprised to see a smiling red fox standing outside. The vulpine wore a white dress shirt, black pants, and a blue tie with red stripes. The fox also held a few sheets of paper in one arm. Judy could see that the predator was trying to avoid showing teeth while smiling.
"Hi there. Can I come in?" A male and friendly voice spoke.
Judy had a moment of hesitation about letting her natural enemy enter the safety of her room but reconsidered since he had the manners to knock first. "Sure."
"Thank you."
The bunny moved to the side, and the fox casually entered and looked around. Judy's room had a single bed, drawers for clothes, a mirror, and a desk for school work. The vulpine noticed the papers and books on the table and the pile of stuffed rabbits on the bed, amused at seeing the latter. "Nice place."
"Thank you." Judy closed the door and returned to the desk. She was more confused than nervous at the fox's visit. "Excuse me, but have I seen you before?" The doe finally asked but not with the question she wanted.
The fox turned his attention to her, still smiling. "My name's Nick Wilde, and I'm in your Contracts class. I also live across from you."
Slightly assured at his friendliness, a smile grew on her face. "I'm Judy Hopps. May I ask what you are doing here?"
Taking it as an invitation to continue, Nick approached Judy and showed the papers in his paws. "I came to let you borrow this. The notes you missed in Contracts after your spectacle."
Judy's expression went wide, and her ears shot up when she remembered about needing to copy the missed notes. "Oh, thank you!" She reached for them when Nick pulled his arms just out of her reach.
"But there is a catch."
Judy sighed, cursing herself for expecting a freebie. She had heard of deals between students to aid each other. The doe didn't expect it to happen on the first day, but given the events this morning, she should have known better. She already had a few students in mind to ask in her classes. "How much?"
Nick shook his head. "I don't want your money."
The bunny's nose twitched in confusion, tilting her head at Nick's unexpected decline. "Then what do you want?" With money out of the way, she knew favors were next.
"I want you to join a study group I'm forming."
That didn't sound like a typical favor to Judy. "Study group?"
"Yeah, first-year students get into groups and meet once a week to review the class material and case books. They make outlines for the courses and share them with the group. It's very helpful when studying for exams."
"And the school will let us do that?" The bunny was under the assumption that one must do all the work in a professional school.
"It's actually encouraged." Nick then placed his notes on the desk. "I'll give you time to think about it. In the meantime, I'll be spending this week selecting students for the group. I want fresh, eager minds. You can give me your answer when you return the notes."
Judy was surprised at the gesture and now even more confused. "Wait. Why did you want something from me if you were going to give the notes?"
Nick shot a wink at her. "I wanted to be sure I had your attention when making the offer." He then chuckled. "You're actually the first one I asked, Carrots."
The doe leaned back in the chair with her arms crossed and a smug look. "Oh, giving nicknames already? Are you sure you want someone who forgot the first day's assignment in your study group?"
The tod leaned back against the wall, paws in the pockets and inwardly admitting that Judy got him there. "I'm good at reading mammals, and I'm positive that you'll benefit the group. You were just caught with your pants down in Bogo's class. It happens to everyone who takes him from what I hear."
Judy smiled, feeling an overwhelming joy at Nick overlooking her mistake and giving her a chance. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Nick's eyes fell to a small open container on the desk. "Ooh! Blueberries! Mind if I have some?"
"Go ahead!" Judy pushed the container closer.
"Thank you."
Judy watched as Nick picked up a small pawful of blueberries and ate a few. The doe was still trying to wrap her head at how quickly Nick made her from being uncomfortable to being friends, but she was grateful nonetheless.
After Nick polished off some blueberries, he pointed to the picture on her desk. "That your family?"
Judy glanced at the photo and then back at him. "Yep! We're farmers back in Bunnyburrow."
"I can tell from the clothing. Any of them lawyers?"
"A couple with a few more studying to be one. My dad realized the benefits of having lawyers representing the family's interests."
"I'm more surprised at how many relatives you have in the picture."
"Oh, that's just a small fraction."
Nick raised an eyebrow at the statement. "Small fraction?"
"I have 365 siblings and many more relatives." She stated.
The fox nearly choked on a blueberry at the staggering numbers. "That's…how…why…You know what. I'm not even going to ask."
Judy giggled and shrugged her arms. "What can I say? We bunnies are good at multiplying."
"Clearly." He said before popping another blueberry in his mouth. The fox noticed the books and papers laid out on the table. "Studying already? It's only the first day."
Judy sighed as she leaned forward and picked up a pencil. "I have Criminal Law first thing tomorrow morning, and I don't want to repeat my mistake from this morning."
"Lucky for you, I do too. We can sit together in class if you want."
Judy nodded. "I wouldn't mind that."
Nick then became serious. "You want some advice?"
The doe stopped and looked up at the fox. "Huh?"
"Take Contracts with a different professor. It will be easier for you."
Judy raised her paw and confidently pointed at Nick. "Bogo is the greatest professor of contract law in the world."
"Yeah," Nick conceded. "But you didn't make a good first impression. He may have doubts about your future in law."
A look of determination appeared on her face. "We'll see. I'll show him that I have what it takes to get an A in his class and to be a lawyer."
Nick nodded, feeling more confident about the bunny. "Thanks again for the blueberries. Remember to return the notes and give your decision. I'll be honest. It would greatly benefit us both if you joined."
"I'll let you know. Thanks for stopping by."
Nick shot a two-finger salute as he left, and Judy returned a wave before returning to her studies. While copying the notes, the doe couldn't help but wonder why Nick would go out of his way to help her. The idea of a study group grew more appealing as she dwelled on the idea. It would take some pressure off, but that would mean relying on another mammal to make a good outline. That would also depend on Nick picking the right mammals.
There was also the matter of how her parents raised her with the perception of foxes. They warned how a fox and a lawyer were a dangerous combination, but Judy countered that they could also be beneficial. The phone ringing interrupted the doe from her thoughts. She picked it up to see the aforementioned bunnies on the caller ID screen. Judy took a deep breath and answered, knowing that ignoring the call would only worry her parents.
"Hi, Mom. Dad." She said upon seeing their faces.
"Hi, sweetheart!" Bonnie greeted.
"Hey there, Jude the Dude! How was your first day of law school?" Stu asked.
"Tiring," Judy said, the exhaustion evident in her voice. "I'm already working on class assignments."
"Oh my goodness! Already?" Bonnie exclaimed. "Your other brothers and sisters had lectures on their first days."
"It's only with this one professor so far, but I managed," Judy assured, trying not to sound overwhelmed despite how the morning went. "I want to be ready for the others even if they do end up giving lectures on the first day."
"That's good, bun bun," Bonnie said, her delight returning. "Anything else you want to tell us?"
"Yes, one student has asked me to join a study group." She figured to give her parents some good news to allay their fears of being alone in Zootopia.
"That's wonderful, sweetheart! Already making friends the first day!"
"See any foxes yet?" Stu interjected.
Judy resisted rolling her eyes at the question. "Yes, Dad," She said with slight irritation. "But that doesn't mean the ones here are shifty and untrustworthy. If they were, the university wouldn't let them in the first place."
That combined with Bonnie's glare had Stu slightly relax. "Okay, but just be careful. It's all I ask."
"I promise." Judy glanced at the clock and noticed the time. "I need to get back to studying, but I'll call you again tomorrow."
"Alright, bun bun. I love you." Bonnie said.
"Goodnight, Jude!" Stu said.
Her parents hung up, and Judy let out a sigh of relief, setting her phone on the table. She hated lying to her parents, but the bunny didn't want to put up with her parents' intense questioning if they found out her first friend at law school was a fox.
As if I needed another issue to worry about.
Realizing she was wasting time on those thoughts, Judy decided to set them aside for now and resume studying, trusting Nick's judgment for forming the study group.
The next morning, Judy woke up much earlier than yesterday, fully prepared for the day. With everything ready, the bunny stopped by his room to return the notes and inform him of her decision. Standing in front of the door, Judy raised her free arm and knocked on the door a few times. She waited a few moments before calling his name. "Nick, are you up yet?" The doe continued to wait until finally hearing the door opening and saw Nick's appearance.
Judy had to stifle a giggle. The fox's fur was a mess, and he was in a white t-shirt and boxer briefs. "Morning."
"Morning," Nick said groggily. He was about to ask why she woke him up when he saw her holding his notes. It took a few moments for yesterday's conversation to surface. "So what's your answer?"
Judy handed him his notes. "I'll join."
Because of the lingering tiredness, Nick settled for a weak smile and took the papers. "I promise it will be worth it."
"I trust you." The bunny then motioned her head down the hall. "Now come on. We got one hour before Criminal Law starts and I want to get there early."
Her enthusiasm amused him to no end. "Alright, Hopps. I'll be quick. Meet me outside the building."
"See you then!" The doe turned to leave when she suddenly stopped and faced Nick again. "Wait, do you have a bike?"
Nick scoffed amusingly. "Of course I do."
"Great! See you soon!"
Nick watched an energetic Judy skip her way down the hall before disappearing from his sight. Once he was sure the bunny wouldn't hear him, the fox let out a chuckle and closed the door. Nick set the papers down on the cluttered table and gathered his towel and toiletries before heading to the showers. As the fox let the hot water run over him, it finally came to him that Judy said she trusted him, bringing a smile to his face and slowly brightening his morning.
That bunny never ceases to amaze.
