Stay open to all things. Unknown and New.


"Come on, Wilde! We're going to be late!"

"Will you relax, Carrots?"

Nick ended up taking longer in getting ready and found an irate Judy outside, arms crossed and foot thumping on the sidewalk. The fox could only offer a meek smile as the bunny huffed and got on her bike, ordering Nick to do so and follow her. He complied and watched amusingly as Judy pedaled and veered to avoid pedestrians, focused on getting to class. The tod offered passing apologies to the annoyed pedestrians the doe may have almost hit.

The two barely arrived on time for Criminal Law. In the classroom, they sat next to each other near the aisle in the middle rows. With his books and papers set out on the table, Nick turned to see Judy glaring at him for almost being late on the second day. The arrival of the Criminal Law professor saved him from her wrath. Much to Judy's relief and annoyance, the professor, a male camel, did give a lecture to introduce the course on their first meeting.

With that and joining Nick's study group, the bunny felt the day was off to a good start. In her mind, Judy wondered who else Nick will invite to the study group and how many there will be. After Criminal Law, Nick told her he would meet her later at lunch, saying that he spotted potential students for the group. The bunny agreed and left for the university's cafeteria to reserve a table for her, Nick, and whoever he invited.

Later, Nick and two other mammals entered the cafeteria. The fox paused for a moment to sniff out Judy. Once he picked up the doe's scent, Nick motioned the mammals with him to follow. In the middle of the cafeteria, the three found Judy studying at the table and saw she had gotten herself a salad and a cup of water for lunch.

Nick shouted her name to get the bunny's attention. "Hopps!"

Judy looked up to see him with a portly cheetah and an arctic shrew approaching her table. The cheetah lifted the arctic shrew onto the table before moving to Judy's left.

"Hi!" The bunny greeted with a smile.

Nick pointed to the arctic shrew. "This is Fru Fru Big," He then pointed to the cheetah. "And Benjamin Clawhauser. Two more for the study group," The fox introduced Judy to the others. "This is Judy Hopps."

"Oh, aren't you just the cutest thing!" Clawhauser exclaimed.

Judy slightly cringed at hearing the word cute. "Ooh, you probably don't know," She motioned with her paws to her left. "But a bunny can call another bunny cute." She then motioned to her right. "But when other animals do it, it's a little…" The bunny let the cheetah piece the puzzle together.

Clawhauser gasped in horror with his paws on his cheeks when he realized the implication. "I am so sorry."

Judy chuckled. "It's okay. Happens to everyone who first meets me. Just remember that."

"I promise." The cheetah affirmed.

Judy then turned her attention to Fru Fru and saw her apparel. "Hi, I love your outfit."

The shrew took the compliment and did a curtsy. "Oh, thank you!"

"I'm loving this group already!" Clawhauser said. "Any of you want anything? I'm going to get some coffee and donuts."

"No, thank you." Fru Fru said.

"Another water please?" Judy asked, raising her empty cup.

"Just a coffee. Black." Nick requested.

The cheetah nodded and departed for the lunch line.

Nick set his bag down and sat down in one of the chairs. "Actually, Fru Fru and Clawhauser weren't the ones I needed to talk to after Criminal Law. They'll be meeting us later for dinner tonight."

"Oh, okay!" Judy turned her attention to Fru Fru, who was currently unpacking her lunch. "Are you friends with Nick?"

"Mhm!" The shrew answered. "My daddy and his daddy know each other. Mine pays for Nicky's school as a reward for his representing the family."

"And in exchange," Nick said. "Mr. Big asked that I invite her to the group and help her be successful. Of course, after all his efforts to support my family, it was only natural."

"And Clawhauser?" Judy asked.

"Met him when I went to grab coffee, and he asked about my day," Nick continued. "When I mentioned the study group, he practically begged me to join. I was going to ask him regardless. Don't be fooled by his jovial nature. Underneath that is a cheetah who knows the material, or he wouldn't be in law school in the first place."

"I can tell," Judy said. "Where are we meeting the others for dinner?"

"At my friend Finnick's where I work, he's the manager of a bar not too far from the campus. The four of us can go there after we finish school for the day."

"You work?" Judy asked, confused at why Nick would need to with wealthy connections. "But Mr. Big is paying for your education."

"Spending money."

"Ah." When hearing his reason, she understood the desire to avoid relying on Fru Fru's father to provide everything.

Clawhauser returned with a tray of food and drinks for the table and passed out the cups. "One water for the bunny. One black coffee for the fox. And one coffee mixed with cream and sugar and a plate of donuts for myself."

As the cheetah went to sit down, his expression changed when he looked up. "Uh oh, he just walked in. Bogo with one of the justices of the Supreme Court."

Everyone else at the table turned their attention to the mammals' entrance. While focused on them, Judy accidentally knocked her water off the table with her elbow. The cup crashed on the floor, and she let out a startled squeak from the sound breaking her focus.

Clawhauser quickly assisted in cleaning up the mess. While the two were picking up the cup and drying the water, they heard loud footsteps approaching from behind. The table looked to see Bogo passing by. Judy noticed the apathetic look the Buffalo gave before returning her attention to her mess.

"Sorry, Clawhauser." The bunny said.

"It's okay, Hopps." Clawhauser gave her another cup of water he had brought just in case, and Judy thanked him for it.

Nick and Fru Fru had noticed Judy's gloominess ever since Bogo entered the cafeteria.

"Do you want to tell us what's wrong, Judy?" The shrew asked.

The doe took a big gulp of water before speaking. "Not here. I don't want to make a fool of myself even more. I'll tell you at dinner."

The others understood and changed topics. Despite being the only prey in the group so far, Judy slowly grew to like the new members. With six courses outnumbering the four so far, she wondered who else would join. The bunny trusted that Nick would make the right selection. When it came time to divide up the work, she already made up her mind on which course to outline, and no one would change her mind about it.


Later that evening, after all the classes ended for the day, the four exited the campus and were about to head in the direction of Finnick's when a polar bear appeared and blocked their path. Judy and Clawhauser became intimidated, but Fru Fru and Nick showed no fear. The Arctic shrew spoke before Judy and Clawhauser could question the predator's appearance.

"Troy!"

The polar bear leaned down with his paws out. Fru Fru moved forward and climbed on, and Troy raised himself back up. The shrew faced the others, noticing the confused faces from Judy and Clawhauser.

"Troy's my bodyguard! I know what you two are thinking, and I can explain," She directed her words at Judy and Clawhauser. "Don't worry. You're not in any danger. Daddy only wants to protect me off campus and understood the inconvenience on having Troy on campus. As long as you don't hurt me, everything will be alright between us." Given her wealthy background, it was no surprise to them that Fru Fru would have a bodyguard.

"Well then. Hello, Troy!" Judy finally greeted.

"Nice to meet you!" Clawhauser said.

Troy responded with only a nod.

"Shall we go?" Nick asked.

The four proceeded to Finnick's diner with the additional mammal.

"The other two are on their way," Nick said. "They'll let us know of their arrival."

"Can't wait!" Judy said.

"Hopps?" Clawhauser suddenly asked. "Do you want to tell us what's on your mind before we get to Finnick's? No one else around here will pay attention."

"Clawhauser!" Fru Fru chastised.

"No, he's right." Judy reasoned. "Better now than when we meet the other members," The doe took a deep breath before continuing. "I sleep in and almost come late to Bogo's class. I didn't read the case book. I panicked when he walked into the room. Everything I do is just wrong, and it's so unlike me,"

The others remained silent and were sympathetic, letting Judy release the stress that had been building up since the first day.

"And Bogo's reason why I came to school here. I could have stayed home and gone to law school in Bunnyburrow. But when I got interested in law, I started reading his books, his articles, and following his career in the government. All his work made me want to be taught by him. To me, he's the great guru of contract law." The bunny sighed deeply before continuing. "Sorry about that."

"Oh, it's okay Ju-Ju." Fru Fru said.

"She's right, Hopps. We're positive that you'll get through this." Clawhauser encouraged.

Their kind words brought her smile back. "Thanks guys. I guess those feelings finally caught up."

With the mood lightened again, they continued until arriving at a brick building. A neon sign hung above the entrance that displayed the words Finnick's Tavern. From the outside, the building appeared normal besides the windows to allow mammals to glimpse inside. Upon entering, music and chatter from customers greeted the group.

Nick had explained on the way that the tavern would be like this early in the week before picking up Friday nights and the weekends. The main customers and employees were students from the university, resulting in the location's popularity. Tables and booths were scattered around along with the bar located near the kitchen. A couple of flat-screen televisions hung around for patrons and customers to watch the various sports going on.

The group met Finnick upon their entrance. One of Nick's oldest friends, the fennec had begun working there many years ago as one of the waiters before working his way up to the general manager. He was wearing a black polo and blue shorts, the former being the standard uniform at the tavern.

"Hey, buddy!" Nick greeted.

"I thought you weren't working today."

"I'm not, but that doesn't mean I can't bring friends over. How've you been?"

"As you expect for the first week of school, mammals come to drown themselves in drinks and food as the realities of law school settle in. You're here for that too?"

Nick laughed, "Funny, but no. We're here for a study group meeting."

Finnick looked at the mammals before him, showing no fear towards the polar bear carrying Fru Fru. "Eh, I don't care as long as you buy something. How many do you have?"

"Four…er, five of us with two more coming and somewhere private if possible."

The fennec gave the group another look over. "Right this way."

Finnick led the group to a corner of the tavern and let them know to tell him when the others arrived so he could take their orders. The polar bear bodyguard set Fru Fru down on the tables and assisted the others in moving the tables together.

The moment they all took their seats, Nick felt his phone buzzed with an incoming text message. "That might be them." He took out his phone to read the message and then smiled at the group. "They're here. I'll be right back."

The others nodded as Nick left for the front entrance.

"This place isn't that bad," Judy said while looking around.

"Yeah, I wouldn't mind having our study group meetings here," Clawhauser said.

"As long as I have my polar bear, I don't mind coming here regularly." Fru Fru said.

Nick returned to their table with two mammals, an arctic vixen and a gray rabbit with black stripes on the face and ears.

"Everyone, this is Jack Savage and Skye Frost." Nick introduced.

The mammals exchanged waves with each other and the three sat down at the table.

"Jack. Skye," Nick continued and pointed to the mammals at the table. "This is Clawhauser, Fru Fru and her polar bear Troy, and…"

"Ah yes, I recognize you. Judy Hopps." Jack said.

"That obvious?" The doe said.

"Hard to miss with that display in Contracts yesterday morning," Skye said. "No offense."

Judy dismissed the comment with a wave. "None taken. I'm starting to get used to it."

"So what made you want to join the study group?" Clawhauser asked.

"I considered the advantages and disadvantages and decided to try it out," Jack said. "Study groups must have some merit if they've been in existence for this long."

"As for me," Skye said. "I'm not quite convinced about needing a study group, and I've warned Wilde about leaving if the meetings aren't helpful."

"I can promise you that it will be beneficial to all of us," Nick assured.

"So is this everyone?" Fru Fru asked.

"Yep, six courses. Six mammals," Nick said. "We can settle on the courses later. For now, let's get better acquainted with one another."

"How about we do that at my home tomorrow after Civil Procedure?" The shrew offered. "We can have lunch there as well. Is everyone alright with that?"

The others nodded with no hesitation.

"Great!"

At that moment, Finnick returned with a pencil and notepad out. "Everyone here?"

"Yep," Nick said.

"Finally, what are you ordering?"

The food and service at Finnick's tavern were excellent, and the six mammals spoke of themselves as they dined: their homes and family, their reason for pursuing a career in law, and the area of interest. Throughout dinner, Judy couldn't help but feel a sense of awe for the surrounding mammals as she listened to their stories. A sentiment she shared with Nick as the two walked back to their rooms after the group went their separate ways for the night.

"I knew it would be hard, but I never realized how hard it truly is. I never felt such competition before. When you think about it, you're up against some of the finest minds in the city. Just look at our study group. They're all brilliant!"

"Why thank you for the kind words, Carrots!"

Judy rolled her eyes at Nick's inflated ego. "Ugh, enjoy it now, Wilde. Anyways when I sit in those classrooms, I can't help but think,"

He could end up on the Supreme Court. She could be running Wolf Street. He might even be mayor. She might even be mayor!

"There's such a sense of power. You get what I'm trying to say?"

Nick looked down to see the emotion in her eyes and offered her a smile in response. "Of course I do."

Encouraged, the bunny continued speaking. "When you walk down the halls and pass the classrooms, you know that minds are being formed to run the world behind those doors!"

"Yep, I can see it right now. Look out, criminals! Because Judy Hopps is bringing you down justice!"

Judy punched him in the shoulder for the remark. "Stop that!" She failed at trying to sound angry and instead let out a giggle.

"Keep that up, and I'll have grounds to sue you for assault."

Judy stuck her tongue out at him before breaking out in laughter with Nick following suit. The two turned the corner to their rooms and heard yelling down the hall. It grew louder as they got closer and determined the source to be coming from two separate rooms.

"You shut up!"

"You shut up!"

"No, you!"

"No, you!"

"You!"

"You!"

Judy grumbled at bickering, debating if the two mammals were worse than the Screamer. "I'm surprised the dorm adviser hasn't done anything yet."

"Those two probably told him the same thing they told all of us," Nick said. "We're loud. Don't expect us to apologize for it." He imitated. "Honestly, it's fine with me if it keeps the Screamer quiet."

"I don't want to know what will happen if those two were in the same room." Judy then realized the type of school they were attending. "Oh sweet cheese and crackers, imagine those two in the courtroom as opposing lawyers. The judge would break the mallet from trying to calm them down."

"Nah, all the judge has to do is threaten them with contempt of court, and they'll keep quiet."

"Hopefully."

They finally arrived at their rooms, drowning out the shouting that continued.

"Welp, see you tomorrow in Contracts," Nick said.

"Yeah," The thought of Bogo's class tomorrow sapped away the happy feelings moments before.

Nick took notice of her unhappy tone and appearance. "Bogo still on your mind?"

"It's just," The bunny sighed deeply. "I got to redeem myself somehow. He might change his mind about me. I'll never know until I try."

"Don't think about it too much. There's not much you can do."

"But I can't shake the feeling! Something has to be done!"

The tod paused for a moment before placing a paw on the door to his room. "Just please don't push yourself too hard. I don't want this becoming an obsession for you. Good night, Hopps." Nick entered his room without expecting Judy to respond.

It didn't matter as the bunny stood alone in the hallway, worried that she might have upset him about her ambition. Nick's parting words continued on repeat in the doe's mind, realizing there may be some truth to it. "Good night, Nick." She finally muttered before sullenly entering her room.


Forming a group is one thing. Making it work is another. At least Judy gained more friends.