AN: What's up everybody it's NerdAlert, now I have some sad news. Due to time constraints and being super busy both Suki's Mission and No troll left behind are on hiatus… and I know you'll all hate me for it but I've been having such good feedback on Tough Love and I just feel like that deserves my focus right now, I'll be doing this new story, Tough Love and occasionally a Musical Troll tale story but that's it. I'm incredibly sorry and I'll update them when the time comes, but for now try to enjoy the stories I do put out. I own nothing.
Chapter One: Romance by locker
New Troll City, the top of the world. Home to many magical creatures and beings, all living in peace. The city had several different sections of living spaces, providing homes to the different people of the city. There was the mushroom district where the Smurfs resided, the lake district where you'd find the Snorks. Across the river was Bergen town, and in the center of it all sat Troll Tree square.
Amongst this bustling city was a small humble purple pod with green markings on it. Inside lived three trolls Rosiepuff and her two grandsons, Branch and Biggie. Branch was eating breakfast and working on his camera, while Biggie was feeding his pet worm Mr. Dinkles. Rosiepuff walked in and sighed, lightly smacking the back of Branch's head.
"Ow!" He whined, and Rosiepuff rolled her eyes. "I told you not to work on your electronics at the table, last time you set it on fire. And Biggie we buy worm food, don't feed him from your plate." Biggie looked up at her sadly but did as he was told. Branch however kept working on his camera, saying with his mouth full. "I'm just trying to up the shutter speed, it won't cause any fires."
Rosie looked at him in disgust, saying. "Don't talk with your mouth full, just make sure your on time today okay Branch?" Branch nodded, not that he could control whether or not he got shoved in a locker. But he decided it was fruitless to argue, especially with her. Finally finished with his camera and his food, he and Biggie got up and kissed her on the cheek. "Bye Grandma!" They both shouted as they left, and she smiled as they walked down the street.
As they walked down the busy streets Biggie nudged Branch, asking. "So Branch, are you going to actually talk to Poppy today?" Branch blushed a bit, shoving his taller younger brother. Biggie chuckled at this, ruffling Branch's hair. "You know I could put in a good word for you, she is my friend after all." Branch looked at him like he was crazy, shaking his head frantically.
"NO! Are you kidding me, think about it. 'Hey Poppy my older brother likes you.' that right there! Think about how lame that sounds. Besides she's dating that Creep guy." Biggie said. "Creek." To correct him, only for Branch to shrug. "I stand by what I said." Biggie rolled his eyes but didn't continue, and soon they arrived at school. Branch split off from Biggie, saying. "Later bro." And Biggie replied. "Bye." And Branch set off for where his friends were, the electronics lab.
And sure enough that's where they were. Bridget, a bergen who wore surplus amounts of dull pink. Brainy, a smurf who wore glasses and a dark blue polo. And finally Clumsy, a smurf who wore a striped black and green t-shirt. They were called many things, dorks, dweebs, nerds, chumps. But they mostly known as the loser squad by bullies, and none of them had the power to say otherwise.
"Hey guys!" He said sitting down next to Clumsy, and they all looked up and greeted him. "Oh Branch, Clumsy and I have this wager for you." Brainy said causing Branch to roll his eyes. Like clockwork he thought. Clumsy butted in, stealing Brainy's thunder. "If you win the upcoming science fair you have to talk to Poppy, like an actual conversation not just a passing hello!"
Branch frowned. "Uhg why is everyone so fascinated in my love life?! Lay off guys okay, you forget I know all your secrets!" That statement shut both Brainy and Clumsy up quickly, and Bridget just laughed. "Isn't she dating that Creep guy? She asked, and Branch smiled. Bridget understood him. "Exactly, so quit it okay?" Brainy held up his hands defensively.
"Whatever dude, just trying to help you out." Branch sighed and pulled out his sketchbook and started drawing a superhero, and just waited for class to begin. 'Poppy wouldn't notice me, even if my hair was on fire.' he thought to himself, and then the bell rang.
Poppy walked through the halls happy as could be, and surrounded by friends. She was the most popular person in school, not because she was rich or cooler than everyone. No she was popular because she was nice to everyone, and anyone. Poppy's friends consisted of trolls, smurfs, snorks and bergens.
There was Biggie, Satin, Chenille, Guy Diamond, DJ Suki, Fuzzbert, Smidge Cooper and her boyfriend Creek who were all trolls like her. There was Smurfette, her sister Stormy, Lilly and Blossom who were smurfs. Allstar, Casey, Junior and Daffney who were all snorks. And last but certainly not least was Gristle Jr, who was a Bergen.
Poppy always tried to spread cheer and happiness wherever she went, with singing, dancing and hugging! And if was one thing she couldn't stand, it was bullying. Today she was with her troll friends who were referred to as the Snack Pack, so she turned to Biggie and asked. "Hey Biggie, how's your brother doing?" Biggie slightly panicked at this question, knowing about his brother's crush on Poppy. But he managed to calm himself and answer.
"Oh he's doing great! You know, good grades and stuff like that. Oh and he's gonna bake Grandma the best cake for her birthday next week!" Poppy's eyebrows shot up upon hearing this. "He can bake?" Biggie slapped his hands over his mouth, looking at the rest of the group. "I wasn't supposed to say that! Guy's you have to promise not to tell anyone, Branch doesn't like telling people that!"
Smidge walked up on his side and said. "Our lips are sealed Biggie!" And he sighed with relief, and the all went their separate ways for first period. Poppy was about to wanted her classroom when she heard shouting. She peered around the corner and saw a large troll by the name of Boulder, shoving Branch into a locker.
"The principal will hear about this, you meathead!" He shouted only for the locker door to be shut in his face, and Boulder started laughing. "Whatever loser, it's my word against yours! Enjoy being late." And he stalked away leaving Branch alone, Poppy knew if she helped Branch she'd be late. But she couldn't leave him like that, so she walked over to the locker and knocked softly.
Branch shot up, asking. "Who's there?" Poppy answered. "Poppy, your brothers friend… um is this your locker? Do you have the combination?" Branch winced to himself, Poppy saw him get shoved in a locker? Talk about embarrassing, but he answered. "No it's Boulders, but after the third time the custodian gave it to me. It 12-32-68."
Poppy put the combo in and opened the locker, Branch stepped out and stretched his limbs. Poppy stood there and the second bell rang, signaling that they were late for class. Branch looked at her feeling kind of guilty, she was never late to class but here she was because of him.
They started towards first period, not bothering to hustle. "Sorry about making you late." Poppy shrugged, and just kept walking forward. "Eh, it's fine. I couldn't just leave you in there, I suffer from a mild case of claustrophobia myself. Also are you really going to tell the principal what Boulder did?" Branch shook his head sadly.
"No, he'd know it was me and do something even worse. So it's best to just leave it be, besides the principal is convinced I'm making it up." Poppy frowned at his words, making up her mind to do something. "Well I saw it too, and the principal knows I don't lie!" Branch's eyes widened and he shook his head and waved his arms around.
"No no no Poppy! You can't do that or he'll go after you!" But Poppy merely scoffed, and rolled her eyes. "Please, my dad's a police chief! Delinquents like Boulder wouldn't dare go near the daughter of a policeman." Branch tried to find an excuse, but her logic was pretty sound. But before he could say something their teacher, a Bergen named Beltrice scared both of them.
"There you two are, I hope you have a good explanation for this!" Before Branch could answer Poppy piped up. "I saw Boulder shoving Branch in a locker so I decided to help him out." The teacher raised a brow at her and looked to Branch for confirmation, who nodded in response.
She readjusted her glasses and cleared her throat. "Well I can't give you tardy slips for something that isn't your fault I guess, both of you report to the principal's office after school to tell him the details of the incident." She was about to walk into the class when Poppy said. "Um ma'am! Could you not announce to the class what happened? It's kind of embarrassing for him."
She curtly nodded and they all walked in, Poppy winking to Branch making him blush like mad. And he sat there not paying much attention to what the teacher was saying, side glancing at Poppy ever chance he could. "So make sure you get these permission slips signed before Monday because that's when we're taking a trip to Brand Corp, so don't dawdle about this! Now while I pass these out turn to page 634 and read the second paragraph down."
The rest of the day went pretty smoothly for Branch, except for lunch where Boulder knocked his food to the ground. But he had a spare so he didn't complain too much, all up until the moment of Truth. There he stood at the principal's door, knowing Poppy was already in there waiting for him.
He shakily reached for the knob, hesitantly opening the door and stepping in the office. Poppy saw him and smiled waving at him, and sitting next to her was Clumsy and Hefty Smurf. But what caught Branch's attention was the black eye that Clumsy had, and he rushed over to his friend. "Clumsy! Dude, are you okay?" Clumsy nodded and was going to explain, but Hefty cut in.
"Boulder was wailing on him, I stopped him before things got too serious but it was unacceptable! Boulder needs to own up to his actions!" Branch looked from Clumsy to Hefty, cautiously asking. "Um… weren't you Boulder's friend?" Hefty sighed and shook his head. "Not anymore…"
Deciding not to stress Hefty out anymore, he sat in between Clumsy and Poppy. Just then the principal came out, a tall snork by the name of Snorkington. "Students, please come in."
AN: So what do you guys think? I really appreciate feedback, and constructive criticism. I'll be updating this a little more regularly, but Tough Love will take priority. Please like and leave a review, see y'all next chapter. Cyber High-Five!