What? Another update so soon? Let's just say I went on a little spree and pumped some words out. But I won't release it all right away as I tend to post one chapter a month for any of my ongoing stories. Only reason I'm breaking it is to make up for missing March. I missed April as well so you can expect two updates as well. Which stories depend.


October, Fall Semester

Monday morning,

As the clock struck ten, students flowed into Bogo's classroom, not wanting to be late. Clawhauser entered first, and then the rest of the group followed behind to avoid being trampled by the larger mammals. For this class, Judy carried Fru Fru to her seat since their spots were near each other in the front. On the way, the rabbit spotted a golden horse student kneeling on the ground and desperately trying to pick up the books.

Judy thought about helping but soon recognized the size difference as an issue. She and Fru Fru were also running out of time to get to their seats. A fact the shrew raised when she noticed her friend not moving.

"Judy, what are you doing?"

The doe snapped back into focus. "Sorry."

The rabbit could only sigh and reluctantly continued to the front rows. Bogo had entered the room by the time Judy dropped Fru Fru off. The rabbit made it to her seat just when the professor set his books and seating chart down. The Cape Buffalo went to the chalkboard and wrote the following words:

Reliance on a Promisee.

"Reliance on a Promisee. The case of Weinberg v. Robinson." He put on his reading glasses and looked at the seating chart. "Mr. Colton."

Judy heard someone behind standing and turned to see it was the golden horse she wanted to help earlier. The rabbit noted how nervous Colton appeared and felt pity for him.

"The facts, Mr. Colton, if you would please."

"This suit was brought forward by the plaintiff, Mrs. Anne Weinberg, against her former employer Robinson. The dispute arose from an alleged contract whereby Mrs. Weinberg was guaranteed an 800 dollars pension upon retirement."

Judy was impressed with how well the horse could recite the facts, seeing how he looked to be having a nervous breakdown only moments ago. She attributed the nervousness to being in Bogo's class.

"Very good. Can you tell us on what grounds did Mrs. Weinberg bring this suit?"

Judy saw the confidence instantly disappear from Colton and the nervous horse from before returned. The rabbit knew the answer and debated if she should raise her paw.

Bogo began to grow impatient. "Yes, Mr. Colton?"

The professor's words brought the horse out of his blank stare. He slowly looked down at his books and notes.

"I…uh…"

Having seen enough, Judy raised her paw.

Thankfully, Bogo decided not to prolong the horse's suffering and turned to the rabbit. "Miss Hopps?"

She stood. "The payments were made for a time after Mrs. Weinberg's retirement. The first objection came when Mr. Hill, the company president, died, and his wife succeeded the company and cut off the payments after reviewing company policy."

BAM!

The loud noise attracted the attention of everyone else in the classroom to the source. Colton was reaching over his cluttered desk for a book that had fallen to the floor.

Bogo did not take too kindly to the distraction. "Mr. Colton, what are you doing?"

The horse managed to make eye contact. "M-my notes, sir."

The professor raised an eyebrow. "Your notes?"

He nervously nodded. "I was trying to get them in order, sir."

The Cape Buffalo narrowed his eyes. "The only notes you should be writing are the ones from the discussion. In my class, the time is for thinking and speaking. Not for reading."

"Y-yes, sir."

"Now, could you enlighten us with your opinion of the court's judgment of this case?"

Colton stood. "With a new company president, the defendant employed a new accounting firm and questioned the validity of the contract."

"Yes, those are the facts. What I want to hear are your thoughts."

No words came out of the horse's mouth except for a nervous gulp.

It became clear to Bogo that the student had not prepared for class. "Mr. Colton, the common saying is that justice is blind. Not dumb!"

The rest of the students desperately tried to hold in their laughter, but that didn't stop a few snorts and snickers from escaping.

"You may sit down now, Mr. Colton."

Judy could relate to his predicament as she had been a victim on the first day. At that moment, the rabbit made it a mission to seek him out after class, if only to offer comfort and assurance. The rest of Contracts passed with few incidents, but it was clear to everyone in the room that Bogo would not be calling on Colton for the remainder of the period.

"Before we conclude this morning, this is a courtesy reminder that the midterm examination is on Friday of next week at 10 AM."

Oh sweet cheese and crackers! The midterm!

The mood of the room dropped as well.

"Because of the various sizes of mammals, the room will be divided according to height, but the midterm will still be taken at the same time. As a result, you will be granted a five-minute grace period to arrive at the assigned classroom. Once that allotted time has passed, you will not be permitted to take the exam. For questions about make-ups, please refer to the class syllabus. Are there any questions?"

Multiple paws and hooves rose.

The display didn't affect Bogo as he looked at the seating chart. "Miss Fangmeyer?"

The tigress stood. "Professor Bogo, could you give us any guidelines on the test material? It would be of great help to us."

"You are correct on that account. Any further questions?"

Fangmeyer was peeved at the non-answer but chose not to pursue further and sat down.

Bogo's eyes then landed on a smirking Nick. "Mr. Wilde?"

The fox stood. "Sir, may we safely assume-"

"How many times must I say it?" Irritation in his voice. "In my classroom, you may safely assume nothing!"

"Sorry, sir." The fox sat back down and glanced over at Judy.

The rabbit could only subtly shake her head.

Dumb fox.

"Mr. Clawhauser?"

The cheetah stood. "A question about the landmark cases or cases that set important legal precedents. Will they make up the majority of the exam?"

"Absolutely not. Any further questions?"

Judy looked around her, and it appeared that everyone else who had willowered their arms had similar questions. Until a voice called out.

"Uh, Professor Bogo?"

Judy turned to see that it was Colton, who appeared to be in a panicked state.

"Yes, Mr. Colton?"

"Are you saying the exam will not be about the landmark cases, sir?"

"You have excellent recall, Mr. Colton."

Judy could see that the horse was trying not to hyperventilate. "But sir, I've been breaking my back over those cases! And you aren't going to test on them?"

"Perhaps I have not made myself perfectly clear." Bogo turned to the entire room. "In my class, you will study everything because I may test you on anything. That includes landmark cases, obscure cases, and even hypothetical ones. My intention is to test minds, not memories. You have to analyze if you have any hopes of passing my examination. Analyze and apply if you intend to practice law." He proceeded to close his books and gather the seating chart. "Good day."

There was an air of anxiety as the students gathered their belongings and flowed out of the classroom. Once the study group was far from the building, they voiced their opinions on Bogo's midterm.

"We can't outguess him!" Clawhauser exclaimed. "He could test us on anything!"

At that moment, Colton rushed by them. "Excuse me! Pardon me!"

Remembering her mental note, Judy tried to reach out. "Colton, wait!"

"What are you doing, Judy?" Skye asked. The vixen failed to understand why her friend's focus would currently be elsewhere.

"I'm worried for him. He looked like Bogo just sentenced him to death."

Jack could understand the sentiment. but he also knew it was not the time to be charitable. "Judy, it's good that you care about him, but we need to get back to the dorm and study for our exams. Every second counts."

But Judy paid them no heed and proceeded onward. "I'll meet up with you later. I have to try."

The others were left standing on the grass by the sidewalk as they watched Judy disappear into the crowd.

Fru Fru raised a possible reason for her wanting to help the horse. "I think she's trying to make up for not helping him at the beginning of class. I saw it on her face while walking to our seats."

Nick sighed and sagged his shoulders. "That's Judy for you. This won't take long, so let's prepare and wait for her to return."


Judy weaved her way through the path in the direction that Colton went. Luckily, her hearing managed to pick up his frantic mumbling, and she wasted no time following it. The rabbit eventually found the horse in a semi-secluded location and was frantically talking to someone on the phone. Judy could pick up on the conversation on her approach.

"Bogo just said he wouldn't test on the famous cases…I know you warned me about that! The point is that I need more of your time now. Please!...Look I'll pay you double! Yes, double!...Okay. Okay thanks!" Colton ended the conversation and let out a deep sigh.

Judy started to have second thoughts about approching Colton. It would mean that she had been eavesdropping on his conversation, which would already put the anxious horse in a worse mood. After debating for a few moments, she decided to follow and see where he went. Her answer soon arrived when arriving at a familiar room: Bogo's office.

"Perfect!" She thought. "I can make it look like I'm coming to see Bogo!" The rabbit loitered near the door and listened in, waiting to hear of Colton's next move.

Meanwhile, inside the office, the horse stood before the antelope secretary. "Hi, I'm here for Professor Bogo's office hours."

"One moment," The secretary picked up the office telephone. "Professor Bogo, I am sending in a student for your office hours…I understand." She put the headset down. "You may go in."

"Thank you." Colton proceeded inside and saw the Cape Buffalo sitting at his desk. "Professor Bogo?"

The professor looked up and saw the horse. "Yes, Mr.?"

"Colton."

Bogo set his pen and papers down. "Mr. Colton, how can I help?"

The law student wasted no time pleading his case. "Sir, I just want to say that I'm not dumb! I can do the work. I know it! I have a photographic memory!"

"A what?"

The interruption caused the horse to be confused. "Photographic memory."

Bogo's eyes narrowed, and his demeanor changed upon hearing those two words. "A photographic memory is absolutely no use to you. Unless you can analyze and organize the facts in your brain."

"But I can memorize a book and read it to you in perfect order weeks later! It's worked throughout all of school and college!"

"It may work for others, Mr. Colton. But not for me. Good day."

Colton knew the conversation was over when Bogo said good day. The sullen horse quietly trotted out of the office and the waiting area, barely saying goodbye to the secretary. Once outside, he heard a voice call out to him.

"Colton?"

The horse turned to see a grey rabbit standing outside the office. "Can I help you?"

The rabbit made her approach. "Judy Hopps. We have Contracts I with Bogo."

Luckily, his memory didn't fail him that time. "Ah, I recognize you. Can I help you?"

"I just wanted to offer to help you study and be a part of our group for the midterm. I understand your situation. After all, it happened to me on the first day."

Colton paused to think over the option. He was familiar with the spectacle between Hopps and Bogo on the first day and had seen her improvement over the weeks. But in the end, he decided to decline the help. "Thanks for the offer, but I already have a tutor. But I have no doubt that you know your stuff from seeing how you answer in class."

His answer caused Judy's ears to droop. "Oh, okay. But my offer still stands if you need it."

"I'll take it under advisement."

With that, Colton took his leave. Judy watched as the horse disappeared into the hallway, feeling more concerned for him after the encounter. If he didn't already have a tutor, the rabbit would have pursued further. While the feelings lingered, she had no choice but to respect his decision this time. Pushing aside the feelings for now, Judy returned to her friends, where the midterm exam loomed over the students of Bogo's Contracts I.


Judy had severely underestimated the level of panic and anxiety from Bogo's midterm in addition to the other exams. While she did experience seeing students flooding study areas and the library, it was never to this magnitude before. One could be forgiven for assuming Bogo's midterm was an entrance exam to an elite school. The rabbit got a taste of that reality the next day.

Upon exiting her dorm to head for class, Judy caught sight of the numerous mammals flooding the hallway, sitting or standing.

Sweet cheese and crackers!

Pushing aside the urge to ask the mammals to move, Judy steadied her feet, held onto her belongings, and hopped to the stairway. A few mammals complained of her actions, but Judy could care less in this situation. If they weren't going to be courteous, why should she? The rabbit had to pay extra attention on the lower levels that housed larger mammals to avoid being trampled by students or crushed by objects.

The rabbit finally made it outside and breathed a sigh of relief before going for her bicycle. Judy knew she would have to return to the dorm, but she hoped the students would return to their rooms by then.

The second incident came at lunch. As Judy entered the cafeteria, she found it at more capacity than usual.

You have got to be kidding me!

From where she stood, Judy could see students occupying every table with their meals and study material. The rabbit also saw a few leave to get more food to justify staying in the cafeteria. But even then, the students carried their books or notes with them. After a quick scan of both areas from her position, Judy turned around and walked back out. She decided to order from one of the fast-food establishments and enjoy her meal at a semi-secluded location, using the time as a break.

After finishing her meal, Judy wanted to check out one last place before returning to her dorm and resume studying. The rabbit stood in front of the library, curious to see if the staff enforced the rules during exam time.

Much to her faux shock, 1Ls studying for their midterms filled every table and study room. She even caught a glimpse of a fight breaking out over case books pertaining to Contracts. The rabbit also saw the staff intervening and removing the students from the library.

At least there is still some civility.

On her way out, a familiar mammal caught her eye: it was Colton sitting alone at a table surrounded by numerous books and notes. Curiosity got the better of Judy, and she approached the horse.

"Colton?" She said in a low voice.

Hearing his name, the horse looked to his side and down to find Judy standing before him. "Hopps? What are you doing here?"

The rabbit quickly came up with an excuse. "I was trying to get a book from the library when I saw you. I wanted to check to see how you are holding up. Are you waiting for your tutor?"

"Y-yeah."

Once again, Judy could do little to help him at this time. "Alright then, my offer to help still stands if you need it." She turned to leave and began walking away when Colton's next words caused her to halt.

"You can't."

Her ears shot up, and she turned around in shock. "What did you say?"

Colton realized then that trying to mutter in a library near a rabbit was not a good idea. Because of those factors, the horse reluctantly went with the truth. "I know you understand my situation, but it's not the same."

Judy moved closer to whisper. "What do you mean?"

"I mean. When Bogo calls on you, everything flows. But for me? I freeze. When he's glaring at me, I get paralyzed."

"Well, that's why I want to help. Maybe if you had a small audience-"

"I don't want them to see!"

The outburst and glare nearly caused Judy to squeak. She took a moment to regain composure before responding. "See what?"

"I don't want them to think I'm begging for help. It's bad enough as it is. The whole class was laughing at me that morning!"

It became evident to Judy that the stress was getting to him. "Colton, you're blowing this out of proportion! You need to relax a little."

The horse turned away, closed his eyes, and chuckled wryly. "This is me relaxing, Hopps. When I'm tense is when I am lying in bed at night and telling myself that 'I've got to relax because I'm making things worse, and I know I am smart, so why aren't things going better?!" He became more expressive with each word and raised the volume near the end of the sentence.

Judy was at a loss, and it seemed any encouragement had little to no effect. So she went with a neutral response. "I don't know what to say. I could say that 'Everything is okay' or 'Things will turn out alright', but we both know that is nonsense."

Colton closed his eyes and sighed heavily. "It's alright. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

Silence fell between the two before the presence of a third broke it. A bespectacled ibex entered and sat down at the table.

"Hello, Taylor. Sorry for being late. Let's begin now." The ibex had not seen Judy: the rabbit hidden by the table arrangement.

Taylor? I guess that's his first name.

The horse refocused on the meeting. "Uh, yeah. No problem. Which case should we start with?"

Judy knew then it was time to make herself scarce and was again thankful for her small size.


It was only because of the study group's diligence that they managed to reserve their room in the library, but only for their weekly meeting. Even then, they had to wait until Friday to access the room. For the other days, they studied in Clawhauser's room, where Troy could fit and the cheetah could provide them with snacks, albeit sugary ones. And because it was exam time, Fru Fru permitted Troy on campus to help her get the shrew to her destination.

It was Wednesday, and the study group met up in Clawhauser's room with the library and other study areas occupied. Troy stood off to the side, ready to assist when called upon. Exhaustion was on their faces, and even Judy showed hints of the toll.

After finishing another case, Judy pulled up her outline and checked the next one on the list. "Ross v. Ellison. That decision was overturned on appeal. Let's compare the decisions."

"We should start with the lower court decision," Nick proposed. "Analyze how the plaintiff ended up in the Appeals court."

The others agreed and began studying the case.

CRASH!

The banging against the door and the subsequent noise caused the room to erupt in squeaks, yips, and a meow. Heads turned to the door to discover the cause for the loud disruption: Wolfard was desperately trying to shut Fangmeyer out of the room, and the latter having jammed her paw in an effort to prevent the former from closing the door.

Nick got understandably angry at the display. "Get out! We're trying to study here!"

Troy moved to remove the mammals from the premises.

In one last attempt to plead, Wolfard raised a sheet of paper in his free paw. "I found an old copy of Bogo's exam! Help me, and I'll share it with you!"

His offer got their attention, and Troy paused to see the group's response.

Fru Fru made eye contact with her bear. "Restrain him and keep the tigress out."

Troy nodded and wrapped his arm around the wolf's neck while placing a paw on the door to hold back against Fangmeyer's strength.

Wolfard's voice strained against the constriction. "It's Green Hill v. Bowling Railroad! It's from a 2002 failed midterm!"

"Which you stole it from me, you mutt!" Fangmeyer's voice came through the door. "I paid for that, and I ain't sharing it with anyone else!"

Nick had had enough of their antics and quickly shut down the conversation. "We already got that case!"

His words were enough to make Wolfard and Fangmeyer pause.

"You already have that case?!" an exasperated Wolfard asked.

Nick bore his teeth. "Yes," He snarled. "Now get out of here!"

Fru Fru snapped her fingers, and Troy immediately pushed the door open and threw Wolfard out. The polar bear quickly locked the door before either mammal outside could attempt to break in again.

While Wolfard was recovering, he suddenly felt his paw be grabbed and hoisted. When the disorientation faded, he yelped when finding himself face to face with an angry Fangmeyer. Wolfard meekly raised the past exam in front of the tigress, who promptly ripped it from his possession and released him unceremoniously on the ground before storming off.

Wolfard got up and went after his friend. "Come on, Fangmeyer! I was only kidding!"

Troy kept an ear on the door, hearing for the two mammals. Once out of range, the polar bear signaled to the group.

"Alright," Judy said. "Now that that's over. Let's get back to work."

"Nope!" Nick said as he stood and gathered his belongings. "I'm going crazy here!"

He made for the door and tried to leave when Troy stood in his path. Fru Fru had signaled for the polar bear to block the door while Nick was packing.

The fox groaned. "Could you kindly move?"

Troy only grunted in response which Nick took that as a no.

"What are you doing, Nick?" Clawhauser asked.

He turned around to his friends. "What does it look like I'm doing? Going to find another place to study! As leader of the group, I am executing my authority."

"Where?" Jack asked. "I thought you said you couldn't study on campus?"

"Off campus."

"Okay then," Jack said. "But the question still stands. Where?"

"Anywhere but here!" Nick then looked to Fru Fru. "Fru, can we please study at your place?"

"I'd have to ask Daddy first." She placed her paws on her hips. "But I still have to say yes."

"Then I'll go to a hotel!" Nick was determined to avoid having to study on campus as much as possible.

"With what money?" Skye asked, curious at how he was going to enact his plan.

The tod raised his fingers and rubbed them together. "Ten years of working for my dad since I was twelve and before my senior year of college."

Judy made one last attempt to reason with him. She left her spot and approached him, putting on her bunny eyes. "Nick, you can't do this."

It almost worked, but insanity still reigned. Nick closed his eyes and looked away. "You're not changing my mind, Carrots. It's Panic City here."

Judy dropped her facade and huffed. "Don't you think you're exaggerating?"

Nick faced her again and raised a finger for a rebuttal when all of a sudden…

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

The scream caused everyone in the room to look towards the ceiling. Their eyes remained glued to it until the noise ended. The disruption caused everyone in the room and in the hall to go silent. It was only momentarily before the chatter resumed outside, and the study group followed shortly after.

Fru Fru promptly took out her phone. "I'll call my daddy."

Clawhauser got off his bed and began searching through his stuff. "I'm going to pack lots and lots of snacks."

Jack and Skye approached Fru Fru.

"How long can we stay?" The striped rabbit asked.

"Should we stay overnight?" The arctic vixen added.

Judy let out a deep sigh, seeing as she was outnumbered. "I'll prepare my outline and notes."

For once, Nick was happy for the Screamer. "That's the spirit!"


Ah Good times...good times...