HeyitsTwinDrake- Yes, there will be more appearances of canon characters from the movie! And thanks for the support!

PointyHairedJedi- Thank you! If I wasn't so busy, I'd be writing all day! I just love it.

Granth- Thanks!

Robert Escher- Perhaps it will! ;)

AnthroDragon- I wonder...

JG Girl- It's true.

Guest- Wait, what? You mean security, or something else? Sorry, just a bit confused.

Alan- I don't have a concrete uploading schedule due to how complex life can be. I'd say my best estimate is every 2-3 days?

Vivanai- Thank you, and I'm glad you liked the ending!

Goldyx- Haha! I wish I could update more (which I will once my school gets out for the summer!)

CipherFiveZero- For sure! Cookies N' Creme is life! ^.^

Maliaki- Life is hectic, isn't it? Poor Nick. :(

F23X- Very true. And yes, Judy really is his angel. If only he'd realize that...

Zootopians- :O

Jar3d-o3- Yes, it will indeed! ;D

Flippindaku- Thank you so much! Means a lot!

Crazyanimaltlou- Thanks! Glad you're liking it!

leiyn- Don't we all? He just needs a hug, doesn't he?

Flaredra- Very true with the quotes about life! And yes, I wouldn't expect Nick to freak out over the fox repellant considering what she means to him already (at least not realistically).

Briannabba- Thank you! :)

Just-a-guy-having-fun- Big ups and downs, huh?

Guest- Thank you!

WingsOfBronze- Indeed!

Guest- I agree, and I'm glad you're looking forward to the rest of the story!

CarilanioX- Yes, I've written a number of novels, but haven't taken any steps to get them published just yet. But thank you for the compliments! It means a lot to me, and truly keeps me writing!

Number66- Awesome thoughts! Glad you're liking it! :)

Nikkimarie1113- Thanks, and will do!

Lance Of Denial- Indeed he is! Sad thing is, many children go through this type of stuff everyday. I've witnessed it in many public middle schools, and I've befriended the people I see being barraged over their race, sexuality, etc. It's something I've always done because if I simply ignore it, I feel overwhelmingly guilty in the end.

Guest- Thanks, and I'm glad you're looking forward to Chapter 7!

Don't have much to say today, except for a few things I'd like to address. I want to ask the number of you who are in schools to do this: look around you, and see who is alone. Analyze the reasons why they may be alone, and then ask yourself: "What would I want if I was in this situation?" I see more and more of it each day. I remember seeing it constantly in middle school; the prejudice, racism, unjustified hatred and inexplicable acts of violence against other children. Please, if you see someone who looks alone and like they simply need a friendly voice to talk to, please ACT. If no one makes a step forwards, then some people are left one step closer to suicide. In other words, try to expand your horizons! Make some new friends! Talk to the people labelled as "weird", because it's true that the quietest of people are simply waiting for the right person to come along so that they can let themselves flood out of their shells, to be displayed in front of a worthy presence. Anyways, yeah, I don't have much to say besides that. Enjoy chapter seven!

Judy POV

"Judy!" I hear my father's voice yell, and I reel back, my back slamming against the wall of my room.

I know I need to confront him, but my apprehension holds me back with a grip of iron it seems.

I close my hands tightly as I hear my parents approaching my bedroom door, and brace myself mentally.

"Open the door, Judy! Now!"

Something tells me to just open the door so I can move past this self-inflicted wound, but I don't move, looking much like a statue in the way I stand. I'm frozen in every place besides my wandering eyes, which scan my room nervously.

I finally give in as I hear them debating whether or not to call the police.

"Please, just leave me alone!" I speak boldly through the door, and I hear silence on the other side.

"I told you the teenage years would be this way!" I hear my mom tell my dad, both of them at wit's end.

"She's only twelve, though!" my dad replies.

"Unlock the door, Judy!" my mom says, growing quite impatient.

I finally unlock the door, and both of my parents rush in with fox repellant, which I roll mentally roll my eyes at.

"How dare you ride off with someone we don't even know!" my dad scolds me loudly as they stand in front of me, and I shrug.

"I'm sorry, but you gave me a reason to" I reply, causing a look of bewilderment to fill the faces of both of my parents.

"What?"

Here we go.

"I'm sick of this...this...hatred...towards foxes!" I admit proudly, my dad looking at me as if I just admitted I killed someone.

"I made a friend today, yes! And guess what? He's a fox, and he's a really awesome person!" I tell them.

My dad crosses his arms and blinks his eyes several times, obviously in shock.

"A...a...fox?" my mother asks me blankly, to which I nod. She doesn't look upset exactly; looking more surprised than anything. On the other hand, my father looks as though his eyes could burn holes through me.

"You can't be serious, Judy!" my father nearly yells at me, and I shake at the sound of his furious voice.

"Yes, I am serious!" I tell him defiantly, and they both nearly gasp, "You don't even know Nick! He's the best person I've met in a long time! Don't you care about what I think!?"

They roll their eyes, and my dad looks much angrier than he has in months, or even years.

"Our son just died and you're really going to put us through this?" he asks me loudly.

I feel a ping of guilt, but nonetheless, I continue.

"I'm sorry, but I can't let you judge him before you've even said "hi" to him! That's just not right!" I say in Nick's defense.

"Look, Judy! You know how foxes are" he begins, and I roll my eyes, "That's why fox repellant was invented!"

"Look, hun" my mother begins, trying to calm my dad down, but he shakes her hand off of his shoulder.

"No! Can't you see?! Our daughter has been...brainwashed!" he yells in exasperation.

Until now, I've never felt anything close to rage regarding my father. I've always been neutral about the fox-discrimination, mostly because I didn't know any foxes like I do now.

"No, dad!" I scream equally as loud, "I'm not the one thinking...thinking...irrationally!"

My mother excuses herself, unable to take the arguing, and my father stares me down as she exits the room.

"Don't you dare speak with this fox again. I mean it, Judy" he tells me coldly, and I glare at him sharply.

"I'm sorry dad, but I can't obey you this time" I speak with a purpose.

"You will do as I say" he mutters angrily, and then exits the room.

I slam my door upon seeing the last of his dark blue shirt fade down the hallway, and tears stream down my face.

How can people be so ignorant!? Nick is so...so...nice! He's nothing near the likes of liars or pests!

Luckily, Nick doesn't reply until my parents exit the room.

"Something bad has happened" his reply reads simply, and I grimace for his sake.

Can't this kid catch a break?

"What?" I reply to him in a panicked way, still breathing hard with frustration.

I honestly don't see how anyone could ever meet Nick and not walk away from him thinking that he's a spectacular person, because he really is.

"My dad destroyed our TV and stuff because he's mad at us" he sends, along with a singular frowning face.

Life really does attacking Nick, it seems. I really am glad that I sat down and talked to him this morning, because if I had moved...well, I don't want to think about it.

I skip dinner due to my severe anger, and spend the rest of the night in my new room texting Nick with a newfound feeling of friendship.

After a long while of texting, I glance at my clock, and notice that it's getting quite late.

"Hey, it's getting late! Might as well get some sleep for tomorrow" I say.

I assume the school will just mark us with an unexcused absence for our last few classes, and refrain from any sort of punishment. After all, it was for good reason.

"Okay, might as well. My mom and I are staying at a hotel tonight until the cops find my dad" he texts back, and I worry for him.

What if his dad tries to hurt him? That will just further increase the stigma around foxes and immorality!

"Nick, please be careful. I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Okay, I will" he replies with a smiling emoticon.

"Goodnight!" I say with a smiling face, which he returns.

I place my phone down on my bedside table to charge, and climb into my bed, my emotions strained beyond healthy limits; both upwards and downwards.

Something about Nick just makes me glow on the inside, and it makes me feel like I'm floating in the middle of outer space.

I lie in my bed, staring up at the letter from the police department that encourages me to keep going. Yes, my parents may be upset with me, but I've never been one to quit.

I will bring justice to not only the city of Zootopia, but also to the animals around the world who might need it.

Nick POV

It's safe to say that I've never seen my mother more distraught than now.

We called the police right away, but my father somehow managed to escape the premises. Like he said in the text, he's out to get us now. My life is about to get a touch harder, although I still have the one person I never imagined would like me in the least bit.

Judy, well...she's...amazing, to say the least. Amazing to me, amazing in what she does, and amazing in who she is.

I gaze over at my at my mother as she brushes her teeth in the hotel mirror, the tear stains still fresh on her fur.

The sight of our belongings crushed, shattered and ruined has taken a toll on her mentally, obviously. The pain can almost be seen etched across her face.

My own being is crossed beyond measure at this point. On one side of me, happiness rules me, and thoughts of video games, exploration, reading and Judy reign supreme. On the other half, thoughts of uncertainty, pressure, anxiety and self hatred control me, pushing my emotions to the edge of the cliff, otherwise known as my breaking point.

I think back to all my close memories; some that I absolutely deplore reminiscing on now, and ponder the progress I've made.

What was your goal again, Nick? I ask myself, Oh, that's right! Make a friend! And guess what? You succeeded.

My other half will eventually delude my mind into truly believing this can turn out horribly, though.

I roll over in my bed, waiting for my mother to turn out the lamp, and think back to Judy.

She's something special, surely, but there's something else here. It's a feeling deep down in my stomach when I see her, and a sensation I can't quite put into words.

The more I think of it, the more I confuse myself.

I tried convincing myself that it's a normal thing to feel around a new friend, but I knew the whole time that this is something much more severe.

My eyes begin to slowly shut, feeling as though perhaps anchors are attached to my eyelids.

The last thing I see is my mother turn out the lamp beside me with a troubled look, and then my vision fades to nothingness.

I scan the area in a startled panic, my pupils growing with concern with each second that passes.

What's going on?

I'm on the sofa back at my house, and this time it isn't torn to shreds by my father.

I gasp and glance beside me, noticing Judy sitting, silently at my side. I notice that we're watching a movie, and my stomach drops.

Wait, what?

Judy turns and looks at me with a smile, and scoots a bit closer to my side.

I begin to feel dizzy, questions flooding through my mind.

She's really close now; in fact, our sides are practically touching.

I'm blushing an insane amount, and I see her looking into my eyes.

"It's okay" she simply says in her sweet voice, and she begins leaning forward.

Wait what?!

I feel her warm hand grasp mine gently, but with passion, and her face nears me.

What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? My mind repeats.

I wake up panting, and glance at the clock out of instinct.

2:02 AM.

"Just a dream" I whisper to myself, my heart racing.

But now, there's a new question on my mind.

What's going on with me? Am I sick? Is this normal? It can't be.

"Mom!" I whisper over to my mother's bed as she sleep, no longer able to hold this strangeness inside.

"Nick? What's wrong?" she asks sleepily, propping her head up on her pillow with her elbow.

"There's something wrong with me! I swear!" I try and convince her, "I can't stop thinking about Judy! Like, I know she's my friend, but jeez! This isn't normal!" I express.

Now, I know it isn't normal for most kids to open up to their mothers like this, but for me, my mother is all I've had for years, so it comes naturally.

"Nick" she says with a chuckle, "Go back to sleep. You're fine!"

Well, if she's not concerned, it can't be anything major.

"Okay goodnight" I mumble, still not one hundred percent sure I'm not sick or something.

"Goodnight" she says with a patient smirk, and then closes her eyes once more.

I can worry about this tomorrow if it keeps up, but for now, I need some sleep...

I jolt awake at the sound of the alarm clock, and rub my eyes dully.

After the dream about Judy, I don't recall dreaming of anything else interesting. I glance around the hotel room as my mother stirs, my body aching from tiredness.

Great, the morning...

Although I still hate school, I'm a bit happier today, for obvious reasons: today, once again, I'll have someone to face the world with.

My feet touch the floor as I slide out of my bed, and I yawn vividly, stretching my arms out in cliché fashion.

"Wow, I didn't have to drag you out of bed!" my mother states, quite shocked.

I rub my chin.

"That's true" I reply, knowing my motivation for the day, but not telling it aloud.

"Now, you're going to have an awesome day at school" she encourages me optimistically, and I scoff.

"Yeah, right" I reply cynically, although I'm not concerned about having the best day ever.

Honestly, as long as Judy is there, I'll be fine.

I walk over to the bathroom mirror, looking much like a zombie, and begin brushing my fur a bit, which shocks my mother.

"Um...Nick? You okay?" she asks me, knowing full-well I never take the time to groom myself in the morning.

"Erm...yeah" I say back, avoiding eye-contact.

"Are you trying to impress Judy or something?" she asks teasingly, and I struggle not to blush.

"No, I'm just...I thought...I'll just look good today" I try to create a valid excuse.

Honestly, I'm doing it for the exact reason she suggested; I can't explain why, either. Maybe it's a normal thing to desire looking adequate in front of your friends. I wouldn't know, considering I've been a complete loner until now.

"Uh huh" she replies as she opens her laptop to check her email, "I talked to the bus driver, and he'll stop by in about twenty minutes, so hurry. I'll go down to the lobby with you".

I nod in understanding, and resume my daily routine of brushing my teeth, getting dressed, and then my mom and I head down to the lobby to grab a bagel or something from the breakfast area.

Luckily, my dad didn't destroy my school supplies, which the police gave to us after their investigation.

Apparently, they still haven't found him, which shocks me. Usually the Zootopia Police are very nimble with catching criminals, but my dad must be good at evading.

After getting a bite to eat, I head outside of the lobby, leaving my mother after saying goodbye.

I see the school bus in the distance, and I smile for once over something school related. It's crazy just how one person can change your perspective on virtually everything.

The school bus pulls up beside me, and I walk up the stairs boldly, the stares of the animals around me bouncing off of me harmlessly.

In fact, I don't even bother sneaking a hostile look their way, but instead keep walking, looking straight towards the back of the bus, towards the only kid that matters.

With every step I take, the happier I feel; almost inexplicably happy. It's absolutely absurd how close I am to shining with a light inside my soul, igniting every part of my being, and who I am.

"Hey!" I say as I reach the back of the bus, and Judy immediately glances up from her phone, her violet eyes gleaming at the sight of me.

"Hey! How was the hotel?" she asks me as she scoots over a bit to allow me to sit down.

"It was alright. Better than being at home with my dad" I say nonchalantly as I pull my backpack off of me, placing it on the floor.

"I'd imagine" she replies, "Why'd you not text me this morning?" she asks me in a mock-upset voice, and I chuckle.

"Guess it just slipped my mind" I say, checking my texts.

I see what she's talking about immediately, as I spot three texts from her.

"Hey!"

"Good morning!"

"How are u feeling?"

Wow, she cared enough to send three texts. For someone that never receives texts, this is basically unheard of.

"I was worried you weren't awake, and like...not coming to school or something" she tells me, which I find really sweet. I'm glad that there's someone out there who has me on their mind...

"Well, I'm here now" I say with a grin, and she giggles.

"Yeah, that's right" she speaks.

"So, are your parents still mad?" I ask her, and she rolls her eyes at the thought.

"They're really starting to annoy me, let's just say that. They...don't like you even though they haven't met you, and I think that's really...stupid" she tells me.

I've heard that one all too many times.

The bus windows look foggy; as if they haven't been cleaned in years as I try to stare out into the graceful sunrise, envisioning this mystical conversation to be much like the radiant shine of the sun.

"I know why" I mutter, and she frowns slightly.

"That doesn't matter, you know that? That you're a fox? It doesn't matter to me. I look past the surface, and everyone else should do the same" she proclaims.

Man, she becomes more awesome with every word she speaks.

"Thanks Judy, that...it means a lot to me" I stutter, and her eyes seem to sparkle at my words.

"Anytime, Nick! That's what friends are for, right?" she asks, and I shrug sheepishly.

Upon a few moments of uneventfulness, a familiar voice cracks the silence.

It's one I've definitely heard before, and one I never thought I'd hear again.

"Um...hi"

I peer up at the lamb before me, remembering him from a few days ago on the bus.

"What do you need?" I ask as politely as possible, not wanting to get into a fight with the child, or anything along those lines.

"I'm Melvin, remember?" he asks me, and I slowly nod with squinted eyes, obviously suspicious that he might pull another trick.

"Yes, I remember you..." I mumble just loud enough for him to hear me.

"Look, I know I'm not the most trustworthy...especially after what I said to you, but I have to be honest: I'm tired of being one of "them" he says, gesturing to the crowd around us.

"All they care about is making themselves look "cool" or whatever, and making others look like they aren't good enough. I know I made a mistake a few days ago, and I genuinely thought you were a cool guy when I met you, so..."

"If you're expecting me to trust you, you're insane!" I exclaim, and he takes a step back from me.

"Nick" he says, addressing me by my name and not by "fox", "How can I prove myself? I see what you guys are doing here, and it's awesome! I heard you guys talking in class! You both want a better world, and I love that! A world without labels and stereotypes! I'm all for that!"

"Then why'd you treat me like that? Why?" I ask him, and he looks as though no words will form in his mind.

"I...I...thought that was what being...cool was. I thought that if I put you down, then I'd be "cool". I'm really sorry about the things I said" he begs, and I can tell that he's being at least somewhat serious.

"You...actually want to be friends with us?" Judy asks, knowing why I lack trust in the situation.

He nods, the other children sneering at him, and I finally begin to believe him.

"Um, alright, but you aren't going to gain my trust immediately" I inform him.

He slumps down in the back seat next to me.

"Oh, yeah, I completely understand that! I mean, I did lie to you about...that stuff. The school talked to us about treating people better, and I felt horrible, so I decided that I'm going to move on to a...better set of friends..." he trials off.

This is truly unbelievable to me, however.

"Just...me and Nick?" Judy asks him.

"Well, from what I've seen, you don't care about what anyone else thinks. That's what I want; quality over quantity" he admits, staring down at the floor.

After the other students see him talking to us, he'll be shunned by everyone else, and banned from any interaction as they will deem him "weird". Once you choose to be yourself, there's no going back. It's like a baby bird taken from it's nest; the mother will never accept the hatchling back.

I look over at Judy again, and notice that she's already staring at me with a blissful expression, which she quickly wipes off her face upon me noticing her.

There's just something about her that makes me feel different, and it's only a matter of time before I figure it out.

Things are about to get quite interesting! I'm not going to rant or anything, so I'll leave you with this: "Love is always blind at first. Sometimes it takes a magical hand to help open the eyes, so that the full potential may be seen and embraced through a relationship overflowing with the most priceless of love".