Real Life and writer's block. That's all I can say. Anyways, here's the next chapter
When Contracts ended, Judy sprinted out the door as fast as her limp allowed her. This gave Nick and the others the chance to catch up to her just outside the building.
"Carrots, wait up!"
She halted in her steps and turned around to face him. She crossed her arms and had an annoyed look on her face. "What Nick? I'm wasting time here!"
"I know, but what exactly are you planning to do?"
"Going to the Law Library. I can't go to the public one with my limp and my broken bike."
"But you're still banned. How are you going to get back in?"
"I'll figure something out. Now is there anything important that we need to discuss?"
Realizing that he wasn't going to change her mind, Nick reluctantly dropped the subject and informed everyone else of the meeting. "Meeting at 9 in front of the library tonight. I assume that time is good for everyone?"
There were no objections from the others.
"Okay then. If no one has anything else to say, you're free to go."
A few moments passed, and no one said anything.
"Good," Judy said before turning around and limping off.
"And with that, I'll take my leave," Jack said and then walked away.
Fru Fru tugged at Skye's leg, and the vixen proceeded to lift her. "Skye and I are heading to the mall for a few hours." She said. "Don't worry. We'll be back here on time."
While Nick did have his reservations, he trusted the shrew would make good on her promise. "Alright then. Have fun."
"We will!" Skye said.
The two girls took their leave, and soon, only Nick and Clawhauser remained.
The fox braced himself from the incoming request.
"Nick?" The cheetah asked.
The fox closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh, trying to keep himself composed. "I know Ben." He opened his eyes and turned to Ben, pointing a finger at him. "But I am not wasting the day searching, or you're on your own!"
The worry intensified, and the cheetah vigorously nodded his head. "I promise. I just need you to check the library since that's where it went missing."
Nick raised his eyebrow, dreading the alternatives. "And if I don't find it?"
"Then help me write a new one."
The urge to strangle the cheetah grew stronger, but the species difference and threat of academic consequences stopped him. Still, he felt like jumping on top of him. He prayed that it wouldn't come to that.
Judy did her best to hurry with the limp, but even she realized that aggravating it would put her back in the infirmary. She'd rather not spend another night there and fall further behind in school. Before long, the bunny arrived at the library and hastily approached the front entrance until a familiar voice halted her.
"I would say that I'm surprised to see you here, but that would be a lie."
Surprised, Judy turned around to see Natalie getting up from a stone bench and approaching her.
"What are you doing here?"
She stopped in front of Judy and led her to the side to prevent the two from blocking the entrance. "Taking a break from the wonders that is Law Review. I see you're trying to get into the library. Just what exactly is your plan?"
"How else? Plead my case like a lawyer!"
Natalie raised an eyebrow. "And if it doesn't work?"
"I'll sneak in if I have to!"
She expected no less. Natalie knew that Judy could get into more trouble if she didn't stop her right now. The white rabbit had hoped that Judy could be reasoned with, but she should have known better, given her behavior over the last 24 hours. This attempt confirmed her decision. Natalie sighed deeply and closed her eyes. "Alright, come with me."
Judy became confused, tilting her head sideways. "Huh?"
She opened her eyes and had a look of determination. "I'm going to help you with your report."
The answer shocked her, but her independent spirit immediately took over. "Thank you, but I honestly prefer to do the work myself."
Natalie could only shake her head. "Not that kind of help. Just follow me, please. My break time is over."
Despite her hesitation, curiosity got the better of Judy. She wondered how the white rabbit could help. "Okay..."
She began following the 3L away from the library, Natalie paying mind to Judy's injury.
At that same time, Nick and Ben were approaching the library and stopped just a few steps away from the entrance.
"Now don't even think about stepping given the entrance," Nick warned. "I don't want them getting any wrong ideas, and then I get banned."
"I promise. Just find my outline please!"
Nick grumbled as he turned around and entered the library. The fox headed to where the group was studying yesterday. To him, the chances of finding the outline were low and that another law student had already taken it. Then again, with it being so large, not even an elephant would bother taking it.
Arriving at the floor, Nick followed the path he assumed Ben had taken to the Property section. Unfortunately, upon arriving at his destination, he realized that the shelves were the size of Clawhauser. Why I haven't kicked him out of the group is beyond me.
He sighed and pulled out his phone to text the cheetah about the books he removed before getting kicked out. He still would have to search for them, but at least the field would be narrowed. Nick went to retrieve a step ladder when he received Ben's reply on the list of books. Five books may seem little to a cheetah, but it might as well be a volume to the fox. After thanking Ben, Nick found the step ladder and began his search.
The first few results turned up empty, and it led to an increasing dread of having to rewrite the outline. Nick prayed that it was still somewhere in the building. While searching in the next area, his eyes caught something peculiar a few shelves above him. When he moved closer and stood in front of the spot, he became aghast. Smashed right between the books was that blasted outline. Nick could tell from the sugary aroma of donuts coming off of the papers.
"Huh, at least the large size is good for something."
Moving the ladder to the spot, Nick climbed up to the shelf and with both paws, slowly removed the outline. He carefully kept the pages together, lest he created more work for himself. The last thing he needed was Ben freaking out from seeing the outline disorganized and assuming the worst.
Secured in his paws, Nick descended the ladder and carefully placed the outline in his bag, surprised that the entire thing could fit. "Alright, let's get this back to donut boy." While he went to return the ladder, Nick suddenly got an idea, and his mind started to wander.
Outside, Clawhauser sat anxiously, waiting for his friend to return, staring at the door. He immediately became hopeful when Nick appeared, and it took everything for him not to charge forward.
Nick stopped in front of him and could see that the anticipation was killing him. And he loved it.
"Well?!" Clawhauser exclaimed.
The cheetah watcheed Nick set his bag down and pull the zipper. His eyes grew wide when he saw the words *Clawhauser on Property* appear.
"Oh thank you, Nick!" He held his paws out to receive the outline, only to be confused when he didn't hand it over and only stared back at him. He didn't understand why. "What's wrong?"
"You want the outline back. You're going to have to earn it."
"Wait, what?" He couldn't believe what Nick just said. "What do you mean?"
Nick slid the outline back in the bag. "I've tolerated this behavior because it meant our success in Property. But I draw the line when it starts affecting other mammals." He then raised a finger. "First you pick a fight with me over a joke." He raised a second digit. "Then you get Judy kicked out of the library because you couldn't have any self-control. That's two strikes already. If you want to remain in this group, you need to get your behavior under control. Now whether or not you choose to say is your decision," Nick then patted the outline inside his bag. "But if you want your outline organized…"
Clawhauser quickly got on his knees and folded his paws. "Look, Nick. I'm sorry okay! I want to stay, and I promise to be good. Just give me the outline! Please!"
Nick huffed and holstered his bag. "I forgive you, but you still have to earn the outline back."
Ben glared at him, nearly in a snarl. "You know I can just take it by force."
Nick returned the gesture, not intimidated one iota. "I'm a fox. That's all you need to know."
The two continued the staring contest, ignoring the mammals passing by and spectating. Ben knew he could easily overpower Nick. But he also knew that he could get in trouble with the school and that Nick could damage his outline in the process. Right now, the fox had leverage over him and nothing to lose. Finally, realizing the futility, Clawhauser deflated and slumped even more.
"Fine, I'll do anything."
A large satisfactory smile grew on his face, his teeth bearing. "That's more like it."
Ben nervously gulped, wondering what Nick had in store for him. He began to wonder if he was better off prying the outline from Nick.
Fru Fru and Skye rode to a mall a couple of miles from the campus. Troy accompanied the girls and carried their bags during their shopping spree. The vixen was shocked that the shrew insisted on paying for their purchases, and it was only after agreeing that Skye could pay for their lunch that she relented.
Once they finished their spree, the girls and Troy stopped to rest at the food court. Troy reserved a table for them and watched the bags while the girls went to get food. They ended up splitting a single Oriental meal.
"I would never have imagined you eating fast food," Skye said, before eating a piece of shrimp.
"A girl can splurge once in a while. Of course, I have to keep my manners. It wouldn't look good for the image."
"Oh so close! Almost turned you into a regular mammal."
The girls shared a laugh at the joke, and they remained silent for the rest of the meal.
"Thanks for bringing out here," Skye said, after another sip of her drink. "I needed that."
"What are friends for? I mean when was the last time any of us took time off from studying?"
The vixen set her drink down and started thinking. Her mind combed through the memories from the beginning of the semester until now. "Huh, not that I can recall. It's been non-stop studying since the first day."
"Exactly! Even law students need time off. Now I'm not saying, don't do anything. Save that after you win a case, but keep your mind active by other activities. Like shopping with your friends!"
Skye nodded. "And exercising." She remembered feeling less stressful after their workout. How her body forced her to recuperate before resuming her studies. This led her to another question. "Do you think that's what the others need?"
"If it works for us, I don't see why not for them."
Skye had no reason to disagree, but there was still one obstacle. "We'd have to convince them to set aside a day where we can all be together."
"We can bring it up at the end of tonight's meeting! Casually toss in the idea."
"I like that," Skye said, smiling. "Of course, we need ideas. It has to be something everyone can agree on."
"If you're not busy right now, I would love to brainstorm together. Chances are I would suggest something fancy because of my background. Your input can help narrow things down to something more reasonable."
Skye chuckled. "True, I doubt the boys would enjoy shopping for clothes at the mall. Not to mention the rest of us don't have your dad's money."
"That will certainly be taken into consideration," The shrew motioned to Troy, and the polar bear stood up. "Come on. We can discuss this on the way back to campus."
Skye nodded and after throwing their trash away, they returned to the limo and rode back to campus.
"Where are you taking me?" Judy repeated.
"I won't tell you if you keep asking," Natalie said.
"Can you blame me? Where else would I find the information for the report?"
"You'll see when we get there. Now drop the questions."
Judy huffed but kept her mouth shut as they continued walking. It had been a few minutes since the rabbits left the library premises. Eventually, they arrived at a descending staircase near the side of a building.
"We're here," Natalie said.
Thankfully, curiosity got the better of Judy, and she remained silent as the two rabbits descended to the bottom. Natalie turned to smile at Judy before opening the door, and Judy's jaw dropped at that same moment.
The room was huge with numerous tables and chairs, and many mammals were hard at work. One corner had a refrigerator, microwave, and both vending and coffee machines. There were a few computers, but some mammals brought their own to work. Others were giving out tasks to various mammals.
"Welcome to Law Review, Judy," Natalie said.
The last two words caused her to nearly freeze as the grey rabbit slowly faced the other rabbit. "L-law Review?"
Natalie nodded, still smiling. "Yep."
Judy was still in shock and awe, so Natalie pulled her inside and closed the door. It was enough to snap Judy back, causing the grey rabbit to be embarrassed. While she followed Natalie, her eyes kept wandering around Law Review.
Various staff and editors greeted Natalie and asked why she brought Judy along. The white rabbit explained that she needed her help for a quick task. Being the president of Law Review, they trusted her reason and didn't ask any more questions. Meanwhile, Judy felt like an outsider the entire time and simply let Natalie take the lead.
The two rabbits finally arrived at a large desk. Judy knew it belonged to Natalie and was not surprised to see it being bigger than the rest. Perks of being the president she assumed. Her desk had various photos of her and other rabbits, assumed to be her relatives and friends. Various personal effects also decorated the desks.
"Have a seat," Natalie said, pulling her chair out for Judy.
The grey rabbit was still confused at her reason for being here. "What are you doing?"
"I'm going to show you the law if that's what you want," She quickly continued before Judy could respond. "I know what you're thinking, but this is different. Yes, you need to do the work yourself, but I can still assist you with the sources. After all, clerks do that for their bosses."
The analogy made sense to her. Judy knew she would be doing that in the future before striking out on her own. She nodded and sat down. "So does Law Review have copies from the library?"
"Of course, the library would be loud and chaotic like here if we didn't. It makes ours and their job easier." She typed on the keyboard and clicked the mouse until stopping. "Here are the city reports. You're going to need those." Natalie opened another tab, "And the restatement of Contracts in all its multi-volumes." She opened one more tab. "And may I suggest Bogo on Contract Law, the source of all modern Contract Law theory. Of course, the challenge is to go through all twelve volumes."
Despite her instincts, in a rare moment, reason won over. Judy would have to skim, given how much time she had left. "Thank you, for all of this."
"Believe me, we don't do this for everyone." Natalie grabbed a chair from a nearby table and pulled it up next to Judy. "Now get to work, I won't be able to keep you here after hours." She said, bringing her bag up in her lap.
Judy nodded and opened her bag to resume her work.
