"Just so I get this straight, Carrots, we're taking the word of a bunny that hides in dark classrooms and stalks you to malls?"
The moment the girls had returned from dress shopping Judy had texted Nick to meet her outside the schools and told him about her encounter with Ruby.
"I don't like it either, but we're currently stuck in our investigation and this could be something to go on. Now do you know any place where we can run the plate number?"
"As a matter of fact, I do. Flash's uncle works at the DMV, so I can have Flash call in the favor and I can see from the look on your face you are horrified by the idea." he smirked.
"Nick, do you know how long we'll be there?!"
"Which is why we'll go tomorrow since it'll still be the weekend and we won't have to miss class or curfew."
She sighed, "Alright, first thing after breakfast, meet me right here."
"You got it." he gave a thumbs-up.
She smiled, "See you tomorrow, Slick."
As she was walking up the stairs to the second floor, the headmistress suddenly called out to her.
"Oh, Judy! Might I have a word with you?"
"Oh, of course, Headmistress." they went into her office.
"Judy, I have been reviewing your test scores from midterms and I can't tell you how proud I am of you."
The bunny blushed, "Well, thank you ma'am, that means a lot coming from you."
"In fact, I was so proud that I contacted a friend of mine in the admissions department at the University of Zootopia and he suggested that you should apply for their independent study program."
Her eyes widen, "Gosh, Headmistress Bellwether, that's wonderful but I'm not really sure if that's something I want."
"Oh, but Judy, this is a very important program that could help you get into any career you want."
She gapped while uttering in disbelief, "Any… career… I want?"
Bellwether beamed, "That's right. Have you given much thought on your future, Judy?"
"Well… the only thing I ever wanted was to come to this school and since I have achieved that, I haven't really thought about any possible career choices."
"Well, you should start. For if you pass your finals next semester with exceptional grades… You'll be able to skip."
Judy gasped, "Would I really?"
"Only if you meet the grade, but I have every confidence you will pull through."
"What would happen if I do get in the independent study program?"
"You would be working by yourself at the University and would be even living in the dorms there."
"So… I would have to leave the academy?"
"Just for a short while, the program is only for a semester, once you're finished there I would gladly welcome you back to the academy."
"This would all happen next year, right?"
"Correct."
"And if I get those good grades to skip then that would mean it'll be my last year…"
"It certainly would."
She went deep into thought, It is a great opportunity since it could help me get the career of my choice but if it is my last year then I won't be able to see my friends for a whole semester! And what about Nick? It'll be his last year regardless, but if we became steady then I wouldn't see him for a whole semester either! I'm going to need time to think about this…
"Headmistress, is it all right that I think about it first? It's such a huge decision after all."
"Of course, my dear, but don't wait too long we'll need to send in the application by spring."
"I'm sure I'll have an answer by then."
"Good. Oh, and I've been meaning to ask, how you found any more clues on who is responsible for that horrible graffiti?"
"Ah…" Judy bit her lip figuring a good way to say this without giving too much, "I can't promise you anything but we do have something that could help but we're not sure if it'll work."
"I see. Well, thank you, Miss Hopps, you may return to whatever it was you were doing. And oh, yes, you may use the dining hall to help Miss Big's campaign."
She smiled at the news, "Thank you, ma'am! We really appreciate that!"
The sheep chuckled, "You're quite welcome, and if you need any more help let me know."
Judy nodded as she left and started up the stairs again. When she got on the second floor she noticed the trophy case and saw the many trophies and medals she had won for her school. She didn't want to leave for a whole semester if she felt the school needed her to win events to keep the school's reputation up. She fell in love with All-Girls ever since she was little when she had saw a bus and a class from the academy visiting Bunnyburrow that was trying understand more about the rural towns that lived nearby Zootopia.
She overheard the students talking about how much they enjoy the academy and since then she started looking up the school and realized that she wanted to go there. And now that she was she couldn't be happier but with this new offer involving the independent study program she would gain the career of her choice. But what was the career of her choice? She would have to seriously think about this. Because after All-Girls what was she was going to do with her life?
One thing's for sure I'm not going to be a carrot farmer…
But that was a problem wasn't it? She spent all her life thinking what she wasn't going to be that she never thought what she wanted to be. It was another mystery she had to solve.
Fru squealed, "She said yes?! She actually said YES?!"
Judy giggled, "Yes, she said we can use the cafeteria to perform the song, by the way, how's that coming?" she asked the gazelle.
"Just getting started, but give me a few more days and it should be done."
"Great. And by the way, Headmistress Bellwether also told me that it'll be possible for me to skip!"
They gasped and shouted out in excitement.
"Oh, Judy that's so amazing!" Fru beamed.
Dawn said, "I knew you were smart but this makes you super smart!"
Giselle smiled, "It certainly does."
"Well, we'll have to wait and see if that is the case, because I have to pass my finals with flying colors if not more."
"Oh, you're bound to!" exclaimed the shrew.
"And we'll help you study." stated Dawn.
Judy smiled at her best friends, "You girls are the best friends a bunny can have!" and she got them in a group hug as she thought how much harder it would be to enter that study program now.
It was the best guitar in the world. Nick moved his paw over the cold metal and strings he hadn't touched since before his father died. He didn't know why he brought this to school with him but on the day he left for the academy he felt he wanted to bring something of his dad's with him and the guitar was the first thing he thought of.
He had vowed he wouldn't play this again but the Battle of the Bands was the perfect revenge scheme to get back at Buffalo Butt and Lionfart for putting him in detention. He started plucking at the strings and quickly looked around the dorm checking to make sure he was alone. When he felt sure he was he started playing but ended up cringing to the sound, he admitted to the guys he would be rusty but he didn't think he would be this rusty.
Well, it's not like I was planning on being a musician anyway… His eyes widen, now that he thought about it, what did he want to be? After being at those job interviews with his mom he didn't see much of a future for himself. But his dad managed to graduate from this school and got a high-paying job until he passed away. And this year, he would have to take CAT or the Career Aptitude Test.
He wasn't nervous but he didn't know if taking the test would be a good idea or not. Would he even like the results? Would it tell him he would be a con-artist like he was in that dream he had just months before? And what about next year when he would graduate? What about… Judy…?
He looked out the window, he found himself to be doing that a lot lately. But it felt like something was calling to him and he liked to think it was Judy. With each passing day they had been getting closer and closer, no longer were they rivals but friends that can count on each other. He wanted to get together with her in a romantic relationship but Judy was taking things slow which he could understand given her last boyfriend was a sleazebag but his emotions made him impatient.
It's my last year next year, Carrots. I would like to date you before then, but if you keep things the way they are then I will be gone before you know it. I don't want to rush you but I hope you realize that.
He sighed. He suddenly wished he could take back all the things he did to her last year. He wished he hadn't let his cynicism get the better of him when they first met then he could have befriended her on the spot and they would be going together right now and having a date.
He dejectedly was about to go back to plucking his guitar strings when his phone rang and when he answered it he could see Carrots on the other end.
"Hey Carrots, it has only been two hours since we last talked."
"But in those two hours the Headmistress asked see to me and told me some great news."
"Like what?"
"Like…" she said with a smirk, "I get to skip a year."
"What?!" he jumped up in surprise nearly knocking his instrument over and quickly caught it.
"Yeah! She told me that if I pass finals next semester with exceptional grades then I would be able to skip!"
"Carrots, this is wonderful!" and it really was. This meant they can graduate around the same time!
"I know, it's a big jump but I think I can do it."
"Please. You are the smartest bunny over there you'll be able to pass and skip to the final year."
"Says the sly fox that used to call me a dumb bunny for enrolling in the first place."
"A thing of the past, Carrots." he smirked, "Now I'm being a bit more supportive."
"And yet you still call me Carrots…"
"Because it's endearing. Don't tell me you don't like it." She kept quiet and that just made him smirk further, "I thought so."
"As long as you keep calling me Carrots I'm going to keep calling you Slick."
"Whatever makes you happy."
"I'd be happy if you tell me what you're doing with a guitar."
"What this? This is just something for a school event called the Battle of the Bands."
"Really? You never told me you can play."
"You never asked. Besides, I haven't played a guitar in years, listen." he put down the phone and began playing but it was just as bad as when he first tested it out. Once he stopped he had the phone to his face again which in the video Judy was grimacing. "I'll be better by the time of the event." he stated.
"Well, you know what they say, practice makes perfect. So good luck, you're going to need it."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence."
She gave an amused smile. "Well, I have to get to dinner now, I'll see you tomorrow?"
"I'll be there."
"See you then, good night."
"Good night, Carrots and thanks for the update."
"I thought you might like that. Considering it could mean big things for the future."
"What does that mean?"
"I'll tell you tomorrow, bye!" and she hung up.
Nick was confused by what she meant by 'it could mean big things for the future.' Could it be… she was hoping to have a future with him? One thing's for sure, wherever he was going to go in life, he hoped that Judy would be right there beside him.