Yeah, it's a short one. It's also the second to last.

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Chapter 35 : A Default Choice

Judy looks at the budding flowers of Bunnyburrow's city center. Spring is already well advanced, and she's glad to be able to enjoy the air that evening.

She's also glad that she was able to work a visit home in he busy uni schedule that month.

She's directing herself toward Gideon's bakery, shooting him a text to say she'll be waiting for him in front of his shop.

She spends some time exchanging greetings with passerbys, sometimes taking news from the few she knows. Lost in thought, she doesn't hear the vulpine approach her, and jumps as a finger taps her shoulder.

"Oh, Gid- Hester?"

"Hey Judy." The vixen greets with a smile.

"H-hey. How are you?"

"I'm fine. Do you have a minute to talk?"

The doe hesitates, sending a glance toward Gideon's shop.

"It won't be long. Besides we had a busy day and he'll need some time to close everything up."

"Alright."

They cross the street and head to the park nearby, sitting on a bench a bit hidden from the main paths.

"So…?"

"So..." The vixen hesitates. "You two are still dating."

"Wha- No. Well, yes, we are."

"Ah?"

"I mean, we both have less time for each other, but I'm trying to be here at least once a month." The doe explains.

Biting her lips, the vulpine looks for her words. "Listen… I know it's not my business but… You can't keep doing this."

"Doing what?" The doe asks, suspecting where this discussion is going.

"You can't keep stringing him along. It's not fair."

"To you?" The doe asks defensively.

"To him. It's not fair to him."

"You're right, it's not your business." The doe frowns, getting up from the bench.

"It's not fair to not let him move on."

"I… He can do what he wants. He knows he can break up with me and start dating someone else."

"Can he, though?"

Judy falls mute, taking that question in.

"Judy, if you want to be with him, be with him. Make it official. Tell your parents. It would make you both happy."

"Yeah, but… The MII was approved, and… I know I'll get into the ZPA. My grades are high enough, and I meet the physical requirements."

"So you're going to break up with him before getting into the Academy?"

The doe looks away, nervously scratching the back of her neck.

"You see, that's exactly what I'm talking about." States the vixen, crossing her arms. "You won't give up on your dream for him, I can understand that. But It's not a reason to-"

"If you want to try your luck with him, go ahead. He's free to make his own choices. If you want to try and have him break up with me to be with you, why don't you try it? Just because you haven't gotten over your crush for him, doesn't mean I have to back off. "

"Over my- I've dated at Uni, you know? I've had few boyfriends, I fell in love, I got my heart broken. I moved on. It's not about my supposed crush on him and you know it."

"So you just happened to send him an application, or was he the only one to offer you a job?"

"I have a bachelor in management administration, it's not that hard for me to find a job somewhere else, maybe even in Zootopia."

"Then why not-"

"Because I happen to like this town, okay? This is my home. And yeah, there are other businesses here that were ready to hire me, but there aren't many where bringing a coffee to my condescending boss in the morning wouldn't be one of my tasks. There aren't many where I'd be looked down upon because I'm a vixen or female. There aren't many where I know both my boss and my pay will actually decent for my skill, education and compared to my colleagues. And yeah, it does help that he's nice and friendly and cute!"

"So it's about-"

The vixen suddenly gets up with a furious expression. It's been a long time since Judy got worried about violence from a vulpine. She's not scared, she knows she can take the vixen. Getting slapped still hurts.

"Just because I could be remotely interested in him, that means that you'll disregard whatever I say? Do I need to quit my job and stay away from him for you to stop being an idiot?"

Anger has left her features all that remain is this serious expression that forebodes words that can't be retracted. "You like him that you like him and that he likes you, that's obvious. I can believe you two are still in love with each other too. But there are things I'm absolutely certain of : First, he'd be ready wait for you during the two years it takes to get through the ZPA even if a likely outcome is for you two to break up. Second : One of the main reasons you're still with him is that you're afraid you'll lose both him and your dream if you fail to become a cop."

"And what's so wrong about that?"

"Gideon isn't a default choice."

Judy's breath hitches, hearing words she uttered years before.

"I..."

"Think on it, okay?"

And just like that, the vixen turns around and walks away, leaving Judy alone in the park.