What is this? Did Lapis go on a writing spree after updating one of his stories?! Nah, I had this one stirring too and the virus is now giving me time to write...which possibly lead me on a writing spree.


Friday morning,

Bzzt! Bzzt! Bzzt!

The cellphone stirred Judy as she was reviewing a case for Contracts. The rabbit glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was Jack Savage. Curious, she set her pencil down and answered the call.

"Hello?"

"Judy? Where are you? Are you ready?"

Confused, she glanced at the clock and let out a startled squeak when seeing the time: 7:00 A.M. "Sorry! I'm coming down now!"

Judy hung up and, after nearly tripping over her chair, sprinted outside. There, she met with Jack, Fru Fru and her bear, and the foxes; the latter mammals stopping a moment to wave at Judy before resuming their tasks. Just then, an exhausted Clawhauser dragged his feet to the group and stopped for a moment to take deep breaths, bending down with his paws on his knees.

The behavior caught Judy's curiosity and concern. "What happened to you?"

The cheetah took one breath before answering. "Punishment…"

The rabbit flinched back, feeling incredulous. "Nick's punishing you with exercise?"

"Says…no donuts…unless I lose…five pounds…can't cheat…either…canine nose…"

"Then what are you supposed to eat at the party?"

A look of disgust came over his face. "Veggies…" His face then turned to a pleading look. "Speaking of which…know any recipes that will help? Any that tastes sweet?"

Judy nodded and was about to respond with a few suggestions when a car horn interrupted the conversation. She turned to see an irritated Jack standing next to the driver's seat with his paw on the wheel through an open window.

"Hopps, we got an hour to move all this stuff to our rooms and then get to Bogo's!"

The rabbit nodded and turned back to the cheetah. "I'll tell you after class."

Clawhauser returned the gesture, and he and Judy assisted their friends with bringing the party supplies inside their rooms. The group managed to finish their tasks, clean themselves up, and make it to class with minutes to spare.

All the while, Judy couldn't shake the excitement from her mind. "This weekend is going to be awesome!"


Contracts proceeded as normal. Today's subject had been reliance, a topic Bogo discussed heavily from what Judy discovered. While favorite would not be the right word, his passion for this particular principle would make one think so. She made sure to circle and mark the day's lecture as important. The rabbit had a feeling this would no doubt be on the midterm exam.

"Wiles v. Lothian. First the facts. Then the principles," Bogo moved over to the seating chart and put on his reading glasses. "Mr. Antlerson."

Achoo!

Bucky snapped his head up from hearing his name. With the class almost over, the kudu's mind was already elsewhere. He quietly stood up and opened his mouth to answer. But no words came out. The rest of the class could see the kudu doing poorly in trying to remember the case, either intimidated by the professor or assuming the case had not been properly studied.

Bogo continued to wait while staring at Bucky, and the student continued to stumble and search for an answer. With his patience running out, Bogo looked at the seating chart again and called on another student. "Miss Frost."

The arctic vixen stood up and began reciting the facts. "In 1944, a gentlemammal by the name of Wiles,"

"Wiles was a lady." Bogo interrupted.

The correction caused the arctic vixen to halt, and her ears wilted from her mistake.

Achoo!

Luckily for Skye, the sneeze broke the awkward situation and saved herself from further embarrassment.

Bogo paid no heed and proceeded with the class. "It seems this case is not deemed important for the minds of this class. Perhaps you will have better luck with Lupus v. Mammalian Storage."

Achoo!

The Cape Buffalo read a name from the seating chart. "Miss Fangmeyer."

The tiger hastily stood up and started sifting through her notes; all the while trying to answer the question. "Uh, Lupus v. Mammalian Storage. 1917 I believe. Amos Lupus was a doctor…"

Achoo!

Bellwether suddenly stood up and interjected. "Amos Lupus was a doctor who sued Feed & Grain in 1904. That case is unrelated and has no relation to Lupus v. Mammalian Storage."

"Precisely. Now Bellwether, do you know the facts to this case?"

Achoo!

Finally at his limit, Bogo turned his attention to the sneezing student. "Will the young mammal who is sneezing persistently and objectionably please stand?"

An arctic wolf stood while Bogo took a moment to find his place on the seating chart.

"Are you seriously ill, Mr. Grizzoli?"

Achoo!

"Do you have bronchitis? Asthma?"

The mammal shook his head and sneezed again.

"Are you allergic to something?"

Grizzoli nervously chuckled while wiping his nose. "I hope not sir."

Bogo crossed his arms and glared at the wolf. "Is there any reason to believe that you are allergic to me?"

This drew a laugh from the class.

The arctic wolf chuckled too. "I hope not sir."

"I too, Mr. Grizzoli. The only thing that would make this worse is if I became allergic to you. You may sit down now and attempt to control yourself."

The wolf sneezed again and obeyed.

Arms still crossed, Bogo scanned his classroom in disappointment. "The case of Lupus v. Mammalian Storage is entirely fictitious. Created by me and solely to determine if you are familiar with today's subject."

Some of the students, including a few of the study group, grew frustrated. Heads lowered in shame, papers flipped, and writing utensils tossed. Bogo ignored the reactions even if some were not so subtle.

"And since being familiar has apparently led to being contempt for this entire class period. I have reason to believe that this week has been a total waste of time."

Judy was mentally beating herself up for not catching his trick. It always irked her at how Bogo continued to find ways to catch the rabbit off guard. Then again, she should have known better at this point in the semester. Still, she hated the feeling of being inadequate and made a fool despite knowing the eventuality in her career.

"So for this weekend's assignment," Bogo continued. "You will thoroughly review all cases covered this far by next Monday morning from Hogkins v. McGrizzly to Bark v. West. Plus fifteen new ones that are in chapters 5 through 7."

While the reaction from the study group varied, all were some form of shock, despair, and anger. Jack sighed and shook his head as he turned to a new page to write down the information. Nick put on his mask to avoid expressing any reaction. The amount of work threatened Clawhauser to let out a whine as his ears and face fell. Skye felt as if it was an insult to injury to her mistake earlier. Fru Fru was rightfully worried at how this will affect their weekend plans. While Judy could bear the workload, she didn't appreciate its purpose for the class.

"Be prepared to be questioned on the facts and the principles. I shall expect very good answers." With that, the Cape Buffalo slammed his book closed.

Achoo!

The professor gave one last glare the arctic wolf while he gathered the seating chart and his books. "Mr. Grizzoli, unless you can overcome your symptoms, one of us has to go." He held his belongings in one arm. "For the moment, it is I."

Grizzoli felt an incoming sneeze and was powerless to prevent it. The sound echoed through the room as the professor walked to the staff entrance. The wolf became horrified at what transpired and went still. The entire class held their breath, waiting for Bogo's reaction and expecting the worse. But it appeared he chose not to respond and simply walk out of the room. As soon as the door closed, the class erupted into chaos and disbelief, not caring if Bogo heard their commotion on the way out.


With Contracts being the only morning class that day, the group decided to take an early lunch at Finnick's. They chose to walk to their destination, hoping to blow off the negative emotions that had been stirring inside since class ended. No one said anything to each other except to acknowledge any passerby they encountered. Judy debated on the idea of comforting her friends, but in the end, she remained silent like everyone else.

The group finally arrived at the Tavern, and Finnick happened to be at the front when they entered. The fennec immediately noticed their behavior.

"What happened to you?"

"I'll explain later." Nick deadpanned. "Any corner tables available?"

The red fox's response shocked him, signaling that it was serious. "Y-yeah."

"We'll take one and bring us a couple of pitchers of beer please." Nick requested.

Finnick looked taken aback at the request. Something must have affected the group when Nick of all mammals was in a bad mood. Still, the fennec had rules to follow. "Alright then, but you'll only get three. One for the cheetah and the other two split between the rest. You're going to need some food too."

"Fine, bring us two orders of sampler appetizers too and apply my employee discount."

Knowing when to not press further, Finnick simply wrote down their ordering and directed them to a corner table. "Take a seat."

The group didn't hesitate for a moment. Even after settling down, silence prevailed, letting the background music and chatter try to drown out their emotions.

Judy nervously glanced at her friends, and it was killing her inside that she didn't know what to do. The assignments weren't an issue. Her diligence in the subject meant the group could use her outlines of the previous cases to familiarize themselves while she worked on the newer ones. No, it was the party they had planned this weekend. She didn't want to cut their losses, still holding out that something can be arranged where the group can study and party. The question was what?

At that moment, Finnick and another mammal arrived with their beer and appetizers. As requested, Clawhauser received a pitcher for himself while the rest received mugs. After Finnick and the mammal left, most of the group took one long swig of their drinks before slamming their mugs down, a few letting out belches and excusing themselves for the act.

Finally, Nick broke the silence with a sarcastic remark. "Do you think Bogo has a fun radar that goes off at even the hint of entertainment?"

Skye let out a frustrated growl. "The mammal's a dictator! Correction. He's worse than a dictator!"

"For the first time in my life, homicide sounds more justified by the second," Jack remarked.

Sensing it was not or never, Judy reluctantly addressed the elephant in the room. "So what about this weekend?"

Nick sighed heavily as he took another gulp. "I don't think it can happen with that avalanche."

"Well that's just rotten!" Clawhauser cried.

Fru Fru had had enough of the sulking and finally intervened. "Come on fellas! Are we seriously letting Bogo decide our weekend plans?" The others slowly turned their heads to the shrew. "We've got two hundred dollars worth of food and drinks in two rooms! We can't let all our efforts go to waste!" The shrew slowly lowered her arms and head, trying not to break down. "Not after everything we went through to make this happen!"

The arctic shrew suddenly felt a pair of paws around her, nearly going into defense mode when she turned around and saw that it was Judy. Fru Fru let out a sigh of relief and let the rabbit bring her in for a hug. The dam holding back the emotional torrent finally burst, and no one denied that they hated the situation.

Nick took one look around at the table, and the sight made him sick to his stomach. Ben, Jack, and Skye had scowls while Judy and Fru Fru were consoling each other, trying not to cry. Already in a sour mood, this was the last straw. "You know what? She's right." Nick lifted himself into a sitting position and polished off his drink before slamming the glass on the table with authority. "I, for one, refuse to let Bogo cancel our weekend plans."

Jack turned his head to the red fox while still keeping it on the table. "Then what exactly are we supposed to do?"

With a smile on his face, Nick stood on top of his chair. "Who says the party has to be canceled?" This managed to get the attention of the rest of the study group. Nick then pounded a fist on the table. "I say we have the party tonight. That will give us the weekend to study." The fox didn't know where that confidence came from, but he was glad for it. He partially placed the blame on the alcohol.

"That's the idea!" Fru Fru exclaimed as all eyes turned to her. "We can find a place on campus to turn into a party zone!"

"Right!" Judy concurred. "Normally I would not condone not studying, but we already put our time and effort into this. I hate giving up, and I won't give up now."

The table became silent once again. While half of the group was in favor, they would prefer a unanimous decision. It would not feel the same if all of them were not enjoying the time together. Still, a decision had to be made before the afternoon classes started, or the party would be postponed or even canceled.

"Ah screw it!" Jack cried. "I hate this assignment anyways."

Judy and Fru Fru started to become hopeful at the buck's response, and they didn't have to wait to hear from the other two.

"That's what study groups are for," Skye said, sighing heavily. "I expect us to be in the library first thing after lunch."

"Nick?" Clawhauser asked.

The fox turned to the cheetah. "Yes, Ben?"

The feline twiddled his fingers nervously. "Will you lift our deal just for tonight?"

Nick knew why his friend asked him that. While the cheetah wasn't off the hook, the fox wasn't heartless. They could resume after the weekend. "Alright, just this once. Bogo's assignment is already bringing us down. No need for your lack of sweets to make things worse."

Clawhauser breathed a huge sigh of relief and slump back in his chair. "Thank you!" He couldn't wait to gorge himself in all the goodies his friends had bought for the party.

"Okay then!" Nick exclaimed as he refilled his mug. "Let's have a toast first." He raised his glass in the air. "Objection your Honor!"

The others raised their mugs too. "Objection!"

They all downed their drinks before slamming their glasses on the table and letting out loud belches, drawing a laugh from the group. After things calmed down, they began making changes to their party while helping themselves to the appetizers.

"First order of business," Nick began. "Where do you want to have the party?"

"Can we host it here?" Judy asked.

Nick shook his head. "Too short notice. Especially since its Friday night."

"How about our rooms?" Fru Fru proposed.

"It would have to be in mine since yours are small," Clawhauser said. "Just give me time to clean up if we go with that option."

"Fru, can we have a party at your place?" Skye asked.

The shrew shook her head. "Daddy prefers that we not dirty the home or disturb the others."

"Are there any available spots that will take us on short notice?" Jack inquired.

Nick sighed heavily as he placed his head in his paws. "I don't know. I rather not disturb the other students from their studying. Our enjoyment shouldn't worsen their misery."

"You folks need help setting up a party?" The male voice came from behind and the group turned around to see Wolfard and Fangmeyer sitting nearby with their own mugs and pitchers. The wolf had been the one to ask the question.

Nick immediately took charge, turning in his seat to face them. "Depends. Why the sudden interest?"

"You think you're the only ones thinking of ways to bring Bogo to court over this?" Fangmeyer remarked. "We know enough students that wouldn't mind the noise."

"We also have a few places in mind that you can have your party," Wolfard said before a smirk appeared on his face. "Provided that we tag along."

Not wanting to turn down help, Nick returned Wolfard's smirk with his own. "I think we can work something out."