6:45 AM.

A deep sense of accomplishment welled up in Judy. She felt great today, amazing even, and seeing herself catching up to her normal wake up time was just icing on the cake. Judy finally had a spring in her step again, her little revelation yesterday had done wonders on her nerve riddled mind. She now could just carry on, a cute little fantasy nestled in her mind, contented in its secondary placement.

Judy couldn't wait for festival today. She was finally in the mood to just relax and chat with all her old friends and family, she didn't have doubts or fears clogging her enjoyment. She sped through breakfast, once her parents woke up about an hour later that is, and rushed outside. Bunny Burrow was a lot more busy than usual, not nearly as congested and bustling as Zootopia, but for so many of the residents of the small town to be up and about so early was a strange sight.

It was almost like her two lives were colliding in a strange way, the quiet calmness of her childhood combining with the controlled chaos of her current life. Judy had no idea how true the "controlled chaos" label was at that moment, blissfully carrying on with her romp through town. Her mind didn't dwell on the insanity that was Zootopia, the constant noise and bustling for long. But, as with many things that had been weighing on Judy recently, a part of it clung to her mind, a resilient nagging feeling that made a dull droning feeling of doubt. But, that small droning for the moment remained just that, small.

She spent most of the day just enjoying her surroundings. Judy was hopping from stall to stall, making idle small talk with just about anyone. It was nice, just letting the day slip away while she just chatted. There weren't any worries, no real problems, just Judy and her old friends. Time always seemed to fly by when things got like this, Judy wouldn't notice an hour slipping by while chatting with her old schoolteacher, or another hour when catching up with Gideon and asking about his business. These hours soon added up, and when Judy looked up at the sky, it was already a muted orange.

The fact that she had chatted the day away really didn't phase Judy, she had been enjoying herself. Her highlight of the day had to be talking with a few of the younger animals in town, telling stories about her childhood and her time at the academy. Seeing their little eyes light up and inspirations spark made her happy, it reminded her of herself in a way. But now, the festival was quieting down for the day, and Judy started walking back to her parents' home.

As Judy was making her way back, she noticed a familiar figure approaching her. A smile spread across Judy's face as she went to go meet them. It was one of Judy's closest friends from her childhood. The two instantly hugged each other, it was the first time they really saw each other since Judy left for the academy, they really hadn't done the best jobs in keeping up. But now, the two were chatting again, sitting down at a bench and just chattering.

Judy talked about the Night Howler case, and meeting Nick, and every other minute thing that had happened in the past several months. Her friend listened to it all, eagerly nodding and holding on to every word. After a while, Judy winded down in her story, catching her friend up in everything. And then, in return, her friend started to tell her story. She recounted being sad after Judy left, and kind of just moping around for a while. But then, she met a male bunny. The two hit it off almost instantly, they were insanely alike, and soon started to date. Only a few weeks ago, he had popped the question to Judy's friend, their wedding was scheduled for three months from now.

"Judy? A-are you okay?" the friend asked worriedly, grabbing Judy's paws gingerly. Judy looked at her friend confused, only just realizing the tears strolling down her eyes. The moment she noticed this, the tears only streamed faster and harder.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine! I'm j-just so happy for you, I can't control my emotions!" Judy stammered out, choking back a sob, "I'll see you soon! C-congratulations!" With that Judy scampered off, tears still flowing down her cheeks. She soon reached her home, rushing in and swiftly slamming the door to her room behind her. Her confidence and happiness that drove her today had crumbled. But why?

Everything had been happy today, great even. She had caught up with friends, gotten to know people better, but yet she felt terrible right now. It felt wrong, and as Judy curled up meekly in a ball on her bed, it only felt worse. But, Judy couldn't lie to herself. She knew exactly why she felt terrible, why hearing that her friend was getting married was in an amazing relationship.

She wanted that.

She wanted so badly to have a relationship that good. To be able to just be with someone and be happy. The idea was her deepest desire as of right now. She was already living her dream as a cop, but now she wanted to live the dream off the job too. Judy wanted that companionship.

Judy wanted Nick.

Judy realized a fantasy isn't enough. Daydreaming about Nick doting on her was not going to hold her over forever. She needed to at least try and express her feelings. "If only that dumb fox had a phone..." she groaned, wiping her tears away. Judy felt better already, a resolve welling up within her. She was heading home tomorrow night, after the last day of the festival, and then she'd... She'd tell him. She'd just run up to him, and hug him. It didn't matter who would be around them, how he'd react. She was just going to come out and say it.

"Nick Wilde, I think I'm in love with you"