Chapter 3: Concerns

Stu and Bonnie looked at each other, and then at Judy as they tried to comprehend what she had told them. Judy had a FOX as a partner for the school play. Normally, Stu would flip, but Bonnie held his arm to prevent him from going crazy. He could accidentally scare Judy if he did that.

"Judy," Bonnie said before Judy looked up. She was obviously nervous.

"Judy, it's okay. We aren't mad. Just surprised. But why a fox?" Bonnie asked calmly. Judy sighed.

"I only got picked with him because he sat next to me. Plus, he's a new classmate," Judy explained. Stu rubbed his chin gently.

"Well, can't you just ask for a new partner?" Stu suggested.

"I could try, but I don't know if it will work. Students get their play parts soon," Judy replied.

"What's your partner's name?" Bonnie asked.

"Nick. Nick Wilde," Judy answered. The rest of the dinner went on as normal. Once dinner was over, Bonnie and Stu cleaned the plates and silverware, while Judy went up to her bedroom. Judy sat quietly, knowing her parents wouldn't take the news kindly. She guessed her dad didn't yell because her mom didn't want him to scare Judy. Of course, Judy's dad was only being kind for now... she knew he was not happy deep down. Eventually, it was bedtime, and after Judy got ready, she went to bed.

"Stu, I know what's going on. Let's go outside," Bonnie said before her and Stu went outside.

"Okay Stu, I know you're not happy about Judy's partner. Spill the beans!" Bonnie exclaimed.

"Okay! You're right! I'm NOT happy about Judy's partner!" Stu exclaimed in a frustrated voice. "I can't believe our daughter got teamed up for the school play, with a FOX!"

"Stu, I know it seems bad, but Judy said he's a new classmate. Besides, if Judy got along with Nick today, what makes you think Nick is a bad fox? We don't even know him," Bonnie said trying to reason with her husband.

"Well neither does Judy! She's only met him!" Stu replied in a frustrated voice. As the two bunny adults talked, they didn't know that Judy could hear every word from her bedroom window. Judy lied in bed under the covers crying; this reaction from her dad was what she was afraid of.

"We don't know what this Nick kid is like! How do we know this is a good choice for Judy?!" Stu exclaimed, clearly upset.

"Are you saying we can't even trust our own daughter to make her own friends?!" Bonnie retorted back. Stu sighed.

"I just don't want Judy to get hurt. Physically or emotionally," Stu said in a calmer voice. Bonnie went over and put her paw on Stu's shoulder.

"I know, Stu. But we need to let Judy make her own friends. And if she has a problem, she'll tell us," Bonnie replied gently. Stu smiled, knowing Bonnie was right. The two bunnies went into the house and went to bed.

*Meanwhile, at Nick's home...*

Nick's parents were shocked by what Nick had told them.

"A bunny partner? What is she like?" Nick's mom asked.

"Her name is Judy Hopps. She was nice and understood that I was nervous. She tried to help cheer me up," Nick explained.

"That's nice," Nick's mom said kindly. Soon, dinner was finished, and after Nick got some free time to himself, it was bedtime. Nick got under his covers and went to sleep, while his parents talked downstairs.

"I'm nervous. What if this bunny hurts Nick? He already got hurt at the Junior Ranger Scouts situation," Nick's mom said in a concerned voice.

"Relax, Nick said Judy was nice and understanding. It sounds like so far, Judy seems to be a nice bunny. We won't know for sure if she will be a good friend or not. We just need to give Nick and Judy some time to get to know each other more. There's nothing else we can do," Nick's dad replied. Nick's mom smiled.

"You're right. All we can do is give Nick and Judy a chance. I just hope nothing bad happens," Nick's mom responded. The two fox adults smiled and then went to bed.

It was going to be an interesting day at school tomorrow.