11

stolen glances & coat

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Priscilla, being a real saint, ended up inviting Diana to the party that Saturday - perhaps it was because she literally is the greatest (and most forgiving) cousin on the planet, or because she was in especially good spirits since Flash had asked her out on a date come Sunday night.

'Maybe Nana Tripletoe had been right in giving her old friend Vera a call,' Judy thought, as she entertain the possibility that nothing could ruin her friend's mood. And because she was also going to spend time with Duke, nothing could ruin her mood as well. For the first time since she'd arrived in Zootopia, she was genuinely excited to be getting ready for an off-campus party.

The bunny spent the majority of her Saturday going through her friend's closet, trying to figure out what to wear - not wanting to dress in anything that screamed expensive. She didn't want the weasel to think she was no different than the other elites on campus, yet she still wanted to look nice for him. She watched the folivoran study herself in the mirror while the doe debated between which earrings to wear with the white slacks and lilac, fitted cashmere sweater she'd borrowed from her.

Diana (also being herself) came barging in. "I am so. . .excited. My first. . . upperclassman party. . .Freshman mammals are. . .like, so childish."

Staring at her cousin with wide eyes - the younger folivoran was wearing a very short skirt and had enough makeup on to put even Gazelle to shame - Priscilla grabbed a handful of tissues and started wiping Diana's face. The younger female protested but the older one was not deterred. "Remember what we. . . talked about yesterday. . .Dinah.".

The upper-class sloth only allowed Diana to come after she agreed not to talk about money or prom dresses or spring break.

"Are we. . .ready?" Priscilla asked finally, as she studied herself in the mirror one last time. Though the lapin thought if she was asking herself more than the mammals present when she took a deep breath and opened their room door.

The three females arrived at a large private room at the top floor of an upscale building downtown that catered to the faculty, students, and parents of Zootopia Academy. It was a beautiful space, filled with all kinds of couches, a large window overlooking the city skyline, candles, and a slightly elevated stage where some students were already dancing. Judy scanned the venue for Duke, but she couldn't seem to find him anywhere.

"Who are you. . . looking for, Judy?" Priscilla asked when she caught the rabbit surveying the crowd.

"Oh, uhm, I'm just, having a look around. You know? Making sure there aren't any traps."

The sloth grimaced at the doe's comment.

"I'm kidding!" the bunny felt her phone vibrate and saw that the weasel had sent her a text. "Oh."

"Hey, what's. . .wrong?"

Judy's heart sank. "Oh, nothing, Izzy. Nothing at all." Her townie friend wasn't coming. He said that he truly wanted to but thought it would be best to avoid a certain mammal. Glaring over at Nicholas Wilde, who was in a corner with Flash and Beatrix, any hope she had for a remarkable evening completely dissolved. Now she was stuck in a room full of mammals who laughed at and looked down on her very existence. Instead of hanging out with Duke, she would have to brace herself for whatever torture was going to come her way tonight.

"Are you sure. . . you're okay, Judy?" her best friend looked concerned.

"Izzy, I'm really fine. Don't worry." The rabbit lied. Her evening was already ruined, she didn't want Priscilla's to turn out the same.

A moose waiter came over with a silver tray filled with an exquisite looking selection of hors d'oeuvres.

"Oooh. . .yum." Diana grabbed a handful of food. "So much better. . .than the ones they. . . serve in the. . .dining hall." She made a disgusted face while shoving a crostino with cranberry-fig and cheese in her mouth.

Priscilla sighed.

"Hello. . .ladies!" Flash approached with a huge smile on his face. "Thanks. . . for coming." He kissed the female sloth lightly on the cheek before hugging both the doe and the other folivoran.

While Priscilla never seemed to see the bad side of mammals, Judy genuinely believed that Flash didn't have a bad side. He even put up with Diana's incessant questions about the party, the food, and everything else she could think to ask. To say that the bunny was surprised the younger sloth didn't ask him to open up his wallet so she could see how much cash he has, was an understatement.

With Diana still playing twenty inappropriate questions, the rabbit started taking in her surroundings (or, more accurately, who was there at the party). The standard elites were in their respective cliques, and she did catch a few of them staring in their direction. She looked down at her outfit and realized that she could be dressed head to toe in designer clothing, yet they still look at her with disdain. She reminded them that there was a life outside the precious little bubble they lived in. And she knew they despised her for many things, especially for thriving despite their efforts to chase and bring her down.

Her attention was brought back to her own group and could see Priscilla's eyes growing wider every time her cousin opened her mouth.

"Dawn's here," Judy nodded towards the door, where an ewe stood. "And Diana, they just brought out something that looks like mini-Bug'Burgas." As she thought the younger sloth would, the other Tripletoe heiress homed in on the server and mercifully left. She leaned in closer to Priscilla and whispered, "I'll keep an eye on her. Have fun with Flash." Her friend smiled gratefully and went over to a group of couches with the host. She waved Dawn over, but Gareth, mistaking that the enthusiasm was for him, approached as well.

"Hello, Judith," he said. "Lovely to see you here and dressed in such a pleasing manner. What blend is that fabric?"

"Yeah, I, uh, nice seeing you as well, Gareth."

The yearling ram leaned in and put his hand on the small of the doe's back. "Judith, do you think I could persuade you in joining me on the dance floor?"

"Oh, I, uhm, have you met Dawn Bellwether?"

Dawn and Gareth exchanged pleasantries; the lapin was hoping this distraction would keep her from dancing with the latter.

"Shall we, Judith?" Gareth motioned toward the platform where a few mammals were moving to a slightly slow song.

Deciding that she may as well get it over with (as she couldn't think of a good excuse), Judy walked with ram to the dance floor. Once there, he awkwardly grabbed her waist, and she cautiously placed her arms around his shoulders. He started to move and, not a minute into the song, stepped on the rabbit's foot.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," he said, staring at their steps as if they were math equations he needed to solve.

"That's okay." Judy started to move back and forth, trying not to make her movements too sudden.

"Well, you're certainly an excellent dancer."

"Uh, thank you."

"I wonder if there's anything you can't do, Judith?" he mused on. "You can play an instrument, dance, are smart enough to get a scholarship and, might I add, could brew good coffee."

She forced out a laugh. "Oh, I, uh don't know."

"Once again, Judith, you are too humble."

"Hah! Thanks."

"You are more than welcome."

Judy tried to avoid any more awkward exchanges by pretending she was enthralled by a painting that hung on the wall behind Gareth until the song thankfully ended, allowing an escape from her misery that is the yearling ram.

"You l-look like you're h-having fun?" Dawn laughed as the doe approached.

The bunny rolled her eyes at her friend. "And you?"

"I m-mean, things h-have gotten e-easier for me..." The ewe bit her lip. She had always felt guilty that the torture she endured became less severe when the lapin arrived on campus. She tried to smile when the smaller female gave an understanding nod. "And the f-food's great t-too."

"Ooh that does look good. I'll go grab-"

Nicholas Wilde was suddenly in front of the does. "Hi."

"Uh, hello?"

The fox good-naturedly chuckled. "I was hoping you could join me for a dance."

Judy was completely shocked by his invitation.

When she didn't respond, the todd said, "Right, ah, I'll see you in a moment." And with that, he walked away.

"Corns and cobs!" She looked at Dawn. "Did Nicholas Wilde just ask me to dance?"

"He d-did." The ewe answered, her mouth still dropped open. "I t-think. . .he l-likes you, Judy."

"What?"

"That f-fox" - she jabbed a hoof in his direction - "likes y-you."

"But that's crazy Dawn!"

"I'm w-well aware he made a b-bad impression o-on you-"

"That's understating it—"

"But he o-obviously has f-feelings for you." There was amusement behind the sheep's eye.

"Oh fiddlesticks!"

Dawn paused. "And I t-think you h-have a thing for h-him, too."

"Okay, you've completely lost your mind." The rabbit huffed. "There's nothing going on between me and Nicholas. He's obviously just setting me up for something."

"Judy!"

"I'm being serious." She countered. "Plus, he asked and then just disappeared. He's planning something."

"Yeah, w-well, he's been s-stealing glances at y-you — and is h-heading over here again." Tilting her head where a fox was slowly making his way back.

He was staring intently at the smaller doe, then nodded towards the dance floor, and walked over there.

Judy looked at her friend. "Am I supposed to follow him now?"

The ewe rolled her eyes and pushed the lapin. "Ack! W-will you j-just go already?!"

In a complete daze, the rabbit got on the dance floor. It was like she having an out-of-body experience. She found herself going through different emotions, but also looking around to figure out where the possible ambush was coming from. The todd slipped his arms around her, with much more ease than Gareth had, and before she knew it, they were in something approximating an embrace.

Nicholas was several inches taller than her, and he leaned his muzzle down so their eyes locked.

'I was face-to-face with the enemy.' Her breath got caught in her throat.

"You made it home safe that night, I see." he said, testing the waters.

"Ha-hah-ho, yes. And I'm always touched by your concern for my safety."

Judy broke away from his gaze but ended up being greeted by dozens of eyeballs transfixed on them. At first, she thought they were waiting for something to happen. But then she noticed the jealousy and outrage on the other female mammals' faces. It seemed that not a single one of them could believe that Zootopia Academy's most eligible student would be slow dancing with her.

"Working has many benefits, you know." She turned back to him. "Not that you need a job — but it's really great for meeting a new friend."

The vulpine clenched his jaw. "Right, Duke Weaselton. He really has a knack in making friends." And added with a scoff. "Retaining them, however, has always been quite a challenge for him."

"Yeah. . . I'm pretty sure he cries himself to sleep every night, after losing such a wonderful friend as you."

Nicholas only greeted her response with silence. They swayed to the music for the remainder of the song, and when she thought she was finally going to be free, he tightened his grip around her waist — a new song began.

Judy furrowed her eyebrows and stated. "I can't figure you out at all."

"Why Miss Hopps, are you finding yourself thinking a lot about me these days?"

The bunny huffed at his conceitedness. "Oh hardly. And if you must know, you just don't seem to make any sense."

"And you do?" He smirked.

She thought for a moment. "No, I guess I don't." Stepping back from him and pulling her arms away. "But I'm not the one with issues about mammals and money — it's you who has a problem with those without money."

The fox looked down at the floor. "You're right. . .you don't understand me at all."

"We're a lost cause, then." She turned her back on him and walked off the dance floor.

Judy was trying to not seem desperate as she looked for her friends in the cluster of mammals around the room, when she felt a tug on her arm. It was Beatrix, who was with Phern Beaverly.

"And what do you think you're doing?" the lynx asked accusingly.

"Uhm, I'm sorry, but I don't know what you mean." She curtly replied.

The feline looked disgusted. "I heard from Priscilla that you've been hanging around with that Weaselton townie."

"So?"

Beatrix lip curled up. "So? He's not to be trusted."

"I really doubt you have any concern about my well-being or who I spend my time with."

"I couldn't care less about you in general." the feline admitted. "But I do care about Nicky and the mere mention of Duke's name upsets him. Especially after everything that dog has done to him."

"What Duke has done to Nicholas?"

"Ugh. I don't really have time for this. You're hopeless." Rolling her eyes the feline walked away.

Judy was about to go as well, but Phern blocked her path.

"You know, Hopps, for a country bumpkin who claims to have no interest in Nicky, you seem to spend enough time with him."

The bunny turned and backed away, just in time to see Priscilla waving her down from the other side of the room.

"Judy!" The sloth approached with a worried look. "What was. . .that about?"

Even her friend knew something had to be off if Beatrix and Phern were speaking to her. Especially the former — whose influence over her brother and his unexplained respect for her were the only things about Flash the rabbit didn't like. She didn't know what to tell Priscilla. She would do anything for her, but she couldn't turn back time.

"I...want to go home," Judy said, heading back to get her coat at the counter.

Flash approached the two. "Izzy. . .is Judy okay?"

"Oh yes, Flash. . . she's fine. . . She, uh, has. . . a bit of. . .a headache, so . . .we're going home."

The rabbit, surprised of the sloth's white lie, handed their tickets over to the attendant. "It was really a great party, Flash. Thanks so much for inviting us."

Before the folivoran host had a chance to respond, the mammal at the coat check handed Priscilla's coat then abashedly said. "Er, the other coat isn't back here."

"Uhm, but I gave you the ticket." The doe nervously chuckled.

"I know, Miss, but that hanger's empty."

"Wait. . .what?" Priscilla impugned.

Flash grabbed both tickets from the attendant and went behind the counter to look for the coat. But the lapin had a sinking feeling that he wasn't going to find it.

"What on earth is going on here?" Gareth came over, with Nicholas behind him.

"Nothing important," the bunny dismissed.

"This is. . .ridiculous!" Flash exclaimed. "How could a mammal. . .just walk off with. . .somebody else's coat?. . .I want to. . . see your manager."

The staff looked nervous. "That's not necessary, Sir. What did it, uh, look like, Miss?"

"It was a cream peacoat, it came just above my knees..."

Eyes growing wide. "Er, what brand?"

Judy looked back toward Gareth and Nicholas. "It was brandless."

"Oh. . ." The color drained from the attendant's face.

"What do you. . .mean, 'oh'?" Flash was furious.

This was the first time Judy has ever seen him angry. And she also realized that he was standing up for her.

'I am so used to being attacked, not defended.' Her bottom lip started quivering.

"Some females came over to get their coats earlier, then one of them said she'd lost her claim and identified that coat. And, well, I didn't think . . ." The staff was embarrassed. The rabbit already knew what was going to be said: When there were all these expensive and designer brands, who would lie about having such a nonglamorous item of clothing?

"I-uh, j-just forget about it." She tried to keep her voice even.

Priscilla wrapped an arm around her friend's trembling body.

"Oh Judy. . .I'm so sorry." Flash was aghast.

Gareth started to take off his blazer. "Here Judith, you could have my jacket."

The male folivoran took out his wallet. "Let me pay. . . you for it. . . I'm horrified that. . . something like this. . . happened at my party. . .I can't believe it."

The thing was, Judy could believe it. Something had to happen this evening. She couldn't attend a party without some sort of humiliation. All along, she'd assumed somebody was going to throw something at her, or trip her, or set her fur on fire. But instead, they'd stolen from her. And not because they wanted what she had but simply because they could. So, she quickly waved away Gareth's and Flash's offers (or even Nicholas's unexplainable gaze) then went into the night cold and unprotected — with her best friend and the reminder that things were never going to get easier.

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All major or minor characters and settings (even brand names) are owned and trademarked by Disney, and I do not claim ownership over them and the world of Zootopia (aside, of course, from my original characters and some fictional places that I added) - though I would like to thank Byron Howard and Richard Moore for giving us these anthropomorphic mammals that we love to hate (oh you bet I would include Jack and Skye) or hate to love (sorry not sorry for being a Nick and Judy shipper) because without them, this retelling would not have existed.

Hello folks! It's me (again), here with another sorry excuse for updating a little late lol. Though I do apologize for the delay since I've been focusing on adding more parts to my other work (just so it levels with the number of chapters in this one) and replying to your messages (both in FFN or AO3) as soon as I'm able.

Speaking of which, I will never not appreciate your comments or feedback in my stories, and just because I don't reply doesn't mean I don't read them or acknowledge them (I do, one hundred percent). And if you haven't noticed I tend to wait for a comment or so before updating so I at least have an idea of what are your concerns about the previous chapters or expectations for the future ones. But if you're anything like me, who'd rather discuss issues directly with the person/author of the story. . .know that my inbox is always open for you (or you could also reach out to my recently created account in Discord under the same username if you want to).