Chapter 4: Teasing and Bullies
The next day, Judy and Nick both went to their classes as normal. In English class, their teacher Ms. Pouch told everyone that play parts would be posted the next day. The rest of the day went on as normal until lunchtime.
"I just hope we get good parts in the play. I'm nervous," Judy told Nick as she ate a carrot.
"I hope so too. I don't want be seen as a bad guy," Nick replied in agreement. The two mammals ate their lunch together, and when they were done, they went to play with everyone else outside.
"Tag, you're it!" one of Judy's friends said as they played tag. Judy played with them, until they got tired from running. Judy and her friends sat down.
"So Judy, how are you doing? Anything new?" the sheep asked her.
"I'm good. Nothing much is new really," Judy replied casually.
"Really? What about that fox you've been hanging out with?" Judy's other friend asked.
"You mean Nick? So what? He's in my English class. We're just partners in the play," Judy said, acting like it was nothing.
"Oh, I don't think so. I think you LIKE him," the sheep said teasing a little. Judy rolled her eyes.
"Oh stop it. Nick and I are just good friends," Judy commented.
"Really? You've been having lunch with him for the past two days, and he's in your English class. I think you're just all buddy-buddy with him!" The sheep replied.
"Yeah, maybe you like him, like him!" The other friend said. Judy blushed from the awkwardness of the situation.
"No I don't!" Judy retorted.
"Judy has a boyfriend! Judy has a boyfriend!" Judy's friends teased as they sang what they said.
"No I don't!" Judy exclaimed before her friends stopped singing. Judy sighed.
"You guys, Nick is not my boyfriend. Nick and I are just good friends. Besides, he's new to school, and I just figured he could use a friend. Not even some predators are giving him a chance," Judy explained. Her friends smiled.
"Judy, if you want to be friends with a fox, that's fine. Just be careful. You know, since foxes are predators," the sheep told Judy.
"I will be careful. Besides, Nick seems like a nice guy," Judy responded.
*Meanwhile, on the other side of the playground...*
Nick was kicking a soccer ball with a mink and a ferret, having a good time. Unfortunately, Nick accidentally kicked the ball too far. Nick apologized as the mink and ferret went to get the ball. Suddenly, Nick heard a voice he did not like.
"Hey, is that Wilde?" a voice said as Nick turned around. Nick froze as a bison and his pal walked over to him.
"Yes. Why?" Nick asked nervously. The bison smiled.
"I heard you were just a dumb fox. What are you doing here? And where's your muzzle?" the bison teased.
"I'm going to school here. And that muzzle is gone," Nick replied.
"What muzzle?" a deer asked.
"Nick here got upset when we said he couldn't join the Scouts, and he tried to attack us. So, we put a muzzle on him," the bison said.
"That's a lie. I didn't attack anyone," Nick responded.
"You got upset when the Scouts said you were untrustworthy to join, and you attacked them! So they had to put a muzzle on you," the bison explained.
"No I didn't! They put the muzzle on me before I could join!" Nick retorted.
"I find that hard to believe. Besides, we heard what you did from the Scouts themselves!" The bison said negatively. Then without warning, the bison pushed Nick to the ground.
"Hey!" Nick said hitting the ground. What had he done to deserve this? Then, out of nowhere, the bison gently stepped on Nick's tail. Pain shot up Nick's tail and to his spine.
"Ow!" Nick exclaimed feeling the pain. The bison smiled, then towered over Nick.
"You know, maybe those Scouts were right; you can't trust a fox without a muzzle. Well, maybe the same thing is true for foxes without muzzles. They can't be trusted either!" The bison said harshly. He then leaned towards Nick and said softly "Nobody is ever going to trust you... and you will never make any friends..." The bison then got off of Nick's tail and him and his pal left.
Nick lay frozen, comprehending what had happened. Nick refused to cry, but his heart said otherwise. Nick was hurt by what the bison had done, but he couldn't let the bison get to him.
Suddenly, the bell rang, and everyone went back inside the school.