Opposites Attract

Chapter 28~ Meet the Hopps!

~Nick's POV~

"You have nothing to worry about, Nick!" Judy says as she takes out her phone. "See, my parents just sent a message saying that they're really excited to meet you today!"

"Uh, yeah, that's because they think I'm coming along as your chummy, old work partner. Not your significant other."

This brings her to a halt while getting dressed and she pauses mid-buttoning. I feel guilty for creating the silence and killing her mood but someone had to be realistic about what's to come. I watch her resume putting on her outfit as I fiddle around with my stiff collar.

"Uh, one question," I ask, staring at her checkered overalls.

She silently turns to face me, still frowning.

"How comes you're dressed in a laid-back, country bumpkin outfit, while I look like I'm ready to attend a business meeting?"

"First impressions, Nick." She replies. "They've seen me a million times. However, this is the first time they're meeting you."

"Please, I can sell myself just fine. I don't need the help of an outfit. But, if it makes you feel less stressed..."

The truth is I'm as stressed as she is. I'm just better at hiding it. After leaving the bedroom and entering the kitchen, we quickly came to realise that none of us could stomach breakfast. Concerned, I watch Judy gulp a whole mug of black coffee instead. Yikes. I'm pretty sure caffeine and anxiety are not a good mix...but I will hold my tongue for the possible repercussions later.

Once finished, we then lock the door behind us and walk downtown, while Jittery Judy pulls out our tickets for the train. As if waiting for the Zootopia Express wasn't agonising enough, the system kept announcing that ours was delayed, due to complications. So much for first impressions. If we are already trying to convince Judy's parents to accept me, a fox, as her new boyfriend, being late is not going to help my case.

We stay planted on the seats of the platform and patiently wait. I look to my right and watch a wolf sit next to a bunny family. The mother instantly leans away and pulls her child onto her lap, gripping hard. Watching them, I instantly begin to feel another tight grip in my stomach, starting to churn. My hands turn sweaty, and all of a sudden I'm secretly praying that this train stays delayed and never turns up at all.

"Carrots, you sure this is a good idea? Maybe they need more time...your parents are older, country folk living a steady life - not much drama goes on over there. This news might give them a heart attack!"

The wind picks up. Judy instinctively clings onto the fluttering tickets on her lap, to stop them from being blown away, all while in a concentrated trance. "The longer I avoid it, the worse it will be." She says, staring straight ahead of her. "I can't stand having another MuzzleTime call and lying to their faces any longer." She grips the tickets tighter. "They deserve to know the truth."

Unfortunately, our express train finally arrived. We stepped inside and found a comfortable place to sit to try and reduce how uncomfortable we were feeling. Moments later, the doors shut, and the vehicle begins to move, gradually quickening its pace. There's no backing out now.

"What am I going to do if this all goes wrong?" Judy cries, hiding her fearful face in her paws.

"I can always bribe them with a generous carrot supply in exchange for their approval?"

"Now's not the time for jokes, Nick."

I wince. "Sorry... Coping mechanism."

The scenery became more and more alien. Buildings were being replaced with bushes; roads were being replaced with meadows. It's as if I stepped into a whole other world.