Chapter 2: The morning of the big day
The next day Judy was awoken by her alarm clock; a sign of the start of a good day is waking up on time. She could not wait to get started; she could only hope she would not run into a certain fox today.
Of course, life always has other plans
She hurried off the bed and picked up the stuff she would need for the shower and made a run towards the communal showers. Since today was going to be the "official" first day of school, Judy knew the communal showers were going to be busy if she didn't hurry now. She was able to make it before any signs of "traffic" was there. It seemed that it was just her and a pig janitor. She quickly took a shower and wrapped herself up using a white towel that stopped slightly above her knees.
As she made her way out of the bathroom, she saw a familiar red and cream furred fox walking her direction with a towel and clear bag full of what she could only assume was things he'd need in order to clean himself in the shower.
What is he doing here? The only mammals who shower using this specific communal bathroom are the mammals that occupy this floor… Oh no… Does that mea-
"Well hello Carrots, fancy meeting you here."
Judy couldn't help but notice the way his eyes did a once over on her appearance. Of course, she was still fresh out of the shower and wrapped in a towel that could only do so much when covering her. Which would explain the blush that threatened to creep into her cheeks. The fact that they were alone in the middle of the hallway didn't help. She also knew that she had to choose her words carefully unless she wants him to know where her dorm is. She really didn't want to have to run into him more often than necessary. But of course, she also wanted to know what dorm to avoid being around.
Still a grinning Nick couldn't help but give her his signature half lidded look. He knew she wasn't a fan of his presence after embarrassing her not once, but twice yesterday. The second time being in front of their fellow classmates. Nick being Nick also couldn't pass up the opportunity to have some fun either. Noticing how she still hasn't responded and only huffed in annoyance he had to poke fun at her just one more time. So, he winked at her just to try and see if she noticed how long she has been standing in front of him and just stared.
The wink he sent her way only infuriated Judy more. Only when he started laughing did she realize she had been staring at him for a while like she had yesterday. Only this time she realized why he winked at her. He wasn't wearing a shirt. He was only wearing grey athletic shorts; Nick had his whole upper body on display, and she was able to see how fit he was for a fox. Of course, the only other fox she had ever seen was Gideon Gray and his mom and dad; which wasn't a fair comparison since they have always been more on the more fuller side. Nick had slightly broad shoulders and she now knew why his leather jacket from yesterday looked to be tight fitting around the upper arm area. He had a good amount of muscle, not too much that it made him look like a body builder, but enough to make him slightly intimidating. She had now been staring too long; she had to say something, or he would say the same thing he told her yesterday.
"You… You got some nerve even directing a word at me after you humiliated me yesterday in front of my fellow classmates. And that's not even mentioning how you were such a jerk to me earlier in the entrance to the school" Judy couldn't keep the slight quiver in her voice as she tried to sound as angry as possible.
Nick had to admit maybe he did go a little too far with humiliating her in front of their fellow students. He might as well apologize now that they seemed to be occupying the same floor and use the same showers from the looks of it.
"Right, I may have gone a little too far with humiliating you, but given the fact that we may continue to encounter each other in this hallway how about I apologize? Does that sound good for you?" Asked a very sincere Nick
"Fine, but I'll only accept it if you don't pull your little stunt from yesterday" From the tone of her voice Nick knew she was serious about this.
"I can do that" Replied Nick with a shrug,
"I'm so incredibly sorry, can you forgive me?" Nick then extends his paw for a paw shake.
Judy was skeptical about shaking his paw, but she did hear the sincerity in his voice when he apologized. But considering his earlier words about running into each other more times than not, she had to at least give it another go. So, she did; only she hadn't considered everything enough because when she extended her paw, she didn't realize the arm that she had extended was keeping her towel tucked in so it wouldn't undo.
She realized a second to late and by the expression on Nicks face he didn't either.
Nick's eyes widened in horror at the sight of her towel dropping to the floor. He hadn't thought of the towel being supported by that arm specifically. He hoped she wouldn't think he had taken that into consideration when he offered her his paw. He was so shocked at seeing a naked bunny in front of him that all he could do now is stare. He never thought in a million years he'd see a bunny naked of all things. He also couldn't help but notice how curvy her body really is. He has seen a couple of vixens naked in the past; he is no angel after all. But vixens don't tend to curve so sharply around the waist area; neither would they be so full around the thigh area. A vixen could only wish they were this curvy.
Earth to Nick! Can't you see you're staring at a naked bunny who happens to be a FEMALE! Who didn't consent to you seeing her in only her fur! Dumb Fox!
Judy hurriedly tried picking up her towel and attempted to wrap the towel around herself, but the embarrassment of such a situation had her paws shaking uncontrollably.
What would mammals think if they saw her in the hallway naked and practically showcasing her body to a half-naked fox. Not just any fox, but Nick the fox that humiliated her yesterday by calling her a stalker…. Sweet Cheese and Crackers! I Can't get this damn towel back on!
Nick quickly shakes himself off his daze and realized Judy is struggling with the towel. By the looks of it, it's not hard to figure out why. She's clearly embarrassed of the whole situation. So, Nick took it upon himself to help her; he knew when things were no longer funny and knew he had to do something. After all his mother did raise a gentle mammal when he needs to be of course.
"Judy I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to cause that. Here let me help you." As Nick said this, he holds his own towel out and wraps it around her in one fluid motion and gave her the end of it for her to tuck in. The towel is almost identical to hers if not for the size difference.
Judy quickly grabbed the end of the towel offered and tucked it in. Her ears flopped down in front of her face to cover her eyes and her paws reached up to press her ears further into her head. She knew from how hot they were that she was completely red from embarrassment. How could she not? She exposed her whole body to a male, not just any male but Nick Wilde for crying out loud! He had taken both chances yesterday to make fun of her. She could only hope against hope that he doesn't humiliate her once more. She was so consumed by her embarrassment that she was unaware of the slight tremble and muffled sobs escaping her.
Nick has dealt with all types of situations at such a young age, how could he not? He's been a hustler since he was 12 years old. From almost getting iced over a skunk butt rug, courtesy of Mr. Big to almost getting arrested for tax fraud. Both times his silver tongue had helped him out of these situations. The one thing that he cannot for the life of him figure out how to "solve" or help a crying female. It's like the deep-rooted motto he goes by "Don't let them see that they get to you". In order to comfort or help a crying female, you must show some type of feeling other than indifference. You also must be able to empathize with her and show that you do indeed care. You also must show that you want to help because you care. In short, he'll have to put down the mask and help her feel better as well as help her get to her dorm. At this point if mammals catch a bunny half naked in the middle of the hallway crying while having a half-naked fox in front of her can bring a lot of unwanted attention. None of it will be good; he is a fox after all. Mammals assume he's untrustworthy, cunning, sly, and manipulative just for being born a fox. He finally decides that taking off his mask will be the better option of the two.
Nick proceeds to step closer to Judy and kneels so they're at eye level. He brings his paw up to cup Judy's chin and with his free paw he pry's Judy's paws off her face. He also makes sure he puts her arms down to her sides to prevent another accident with the towel. He then gently grabs Judy's ears and places them behind her head.
Judy feels how soft Nick handles both her arms and ears; she decides to open her eyes slowly. When she finally manages to meet his eyes, she is surprised to see how completely different they look. Sure, it's harder for her to see due to her blurred vision, but she can still see his eyes clearly. His eyes are so full of emotion, she notices regret, worry and is that a hint of warmth slightly hidden?
Wait, blurred vision? Am I crying?!
Just as Judy begins to realize she's crying; she also realizes something else...
Hold on, Nick cares that I'm crying? He could have just laughed at me and walked away. Why would he stay? There is something else in those emerald, green eyes of his… Is that.. is it affection?..
"Judy, it's ok. You're ok, see?" Nick gestures to her body now wrapped in a much larger towel than the one still on the floor. The towel practically drags on the floor much like a dress would.
"Don't worry, nobody was here to see anything either. It's just you and me, ok? Now why don't we pick up your things and go back to your dorm."
Nick then picks up the bag she brought as well as her towel, and finally his bag. He then proceeds to take her paw in his and start walking down the hall back from the direction he came from.
"What is your dorm number?" Asks a still concerned Nick
"42" Replied Judy in an almost inaudible whisper. (Keyword "almost")
Nick continues to lead Judy down the hall until he reaches the dorm with the correct number. He quickly pulls Judy's card key from her transparent bag and swipes it until he hears the click the door makes when unlocked. He then twists the knob and pushes the door wide open and gestures Judy in with an arm extended towards the entrance.
Judy quickly enters her dorm and pauses when she realizes Nick is still outside the door. She quickly turns and looks quizzically at Nick only to realize how flustered he seems suddenly.
"Why aren't you coming in?" Judy asks very confused.
She then noticed how much more intense his ears blushed after asking that question and it hit her.
Of course, he's blushing you're half naked and inviting him into your dorm. To top it all off he saw you in all your glory when you completely disregarded the towel.
Judy mentally cursed herself for her complete disregard of the situation. She doesn't even know how to feel at this point. A couple minutes ago she was pissed off because of how indifferent and rude Nick had been to her yesterday. Then, she decides to forgive him because he apologized. Next thing she knew she was exposing herself to Nick, and finally being escorted to her dorm by the same "indifferent and rude fox" while crying of embarrassment. But they still need to talk about what just happened, otherwise it'll just be plain awkward to be around him at all. Making up her mind she decides to break the sudden tension that settled upon them after her last question.
"Whatever you're thinking, stop thinking it" was the first thing to come out of Judy's mouth.
Judy heard the small awkward chuckle coming from the fox as he seemed to visibly relax. Meanwhile, Judy turned and glanced at the clock sitting in her desk and realized it was already 6:14am and her first class of the day starts at 7:30am. She still has a little more than an hour before her classes starts. But she also has to locate her classes in this big school and have breakfast before getting there. That meant she had to make her talk with Nick quick and maybe walking with him while they talk was better than standing around wasting precious time.
"How far is your dorm?" Asked Judy
The question directed to the fox startled him more than it relaxed him.
What an odd question to ask after what she suggested a second ago.
Again, Nick being Nick couldn't help himself. When an opportunity presented himself, he just had to seize it.
"Why Carrots, if you want an invitation, you can just ask, although you might be slightly overdressed." Replied a grinning Nick.
That insufferable fox! I really need to stop expecting so much from him.
"That's it, I'm done trying to talk to you. Dumb fox!" Judy pushed the Nick off the doorway and slammed the door. After making sure it's locked she started uttering a colorful assortment of vegetable names and fruits.
Nick was caught off guard by Judy pushing him and slamming the door in his face. Of course, he should have expected it given that he cracked an inappropriate joke too early. Specially after such an incident. Usually, he wouldn't really care that much for her reaction he's still Nick after all. This is what he does but going back to that incident has him thinking. It does make him feel slightly guilty for such an action but maybe that has to do with the shared embarrassment. In awkward situations he usually finds himself cracking jokes. What can he say? Teasing is part of the charm he was born with. He could still remember the way her body curves and how well the light grey shade of her fur compliments the white fur of her body. The way her white fur from her muzzle goes down her neck and narrows ever so slightly and almost disappears under her bel-
Nick shook his head to get rid of anymore thoughts he might have related to her body. He told himself that thinking of her that way just and to do with him still trying to shake off the shock of witnessing something he never thought he's witness. Nick just shrugged and put on his mask before turning around and started making his way to the room on next to the Judy's and closed the door.
Author's Notes: I know what you're thinking, but bare with me here. Chapter 2 was originally going to be longer than my first chapter I'm talking 7k words but I decided to cut it short. This way you guys don't get bored and I can dedicate Chapter 3 to the actual first day of college. I also involve more of the mammals mention in the first chapter. Like Benjamin, Fru Fru, and maybe some hare we all love. That's enough of spoilers for now. Let me know what you guys think; too much too soon; not enough, more character development, etc. Also I don't have a specific upload schedule. I don't think I have mentioned this before, but I am a college student and it keeps me pretty busy, but I also have kids of my own that I spend my time with whenever I'm not in college. Anyways, let me know what you guys think. Until next time!