The next day, a nervous but yet happy Poppy was waiting for a certain teal troll to show up at the park. In the bushes nearby was hiding a really familiar glitter troll. Well he was just the same Guy Diamond except for the fact that he was wearing clothes indeed and sunglasses so that Branch or even Poppy couldn't recognize him since he was going to practically and was stalking them. "Why hasn't he come here yet?"GD whisper asked himself.
"It's been twenty minutes now!"
(Guy Diamond practically labeled himself as stalker number 1.)
"Oh please Branch, this is your first date that I made for you!"GD thought.
"Maybe I gotta wait here and stay disguised."
Then suddenly, a red mask wearing troll appeared besides Guy Diamond.
"What the heck?!"the silver glitter troll practically yelled as the masked troll tilted her head slightly.
"Eh? Sup Guy Diamond,"Smidge said. (This was stalker number 2 now.)
"Why are you wearing that?! That's so creepy!"GD said shifting away from Smidge a bit.
"For disguise of course,"Smidge replied.
"Like the others."
"Others?"GD asked raising an eyebrow. What did Smidge mean?
Well he finally understood what she meant when he saw Biggie disguised as a giant glowworm who was holding Mr.Dinkles, DJ Suki wearing a mask too, Satin and Chenille disguised as bushes and Cooper disguised as a giant skitterbug.
"We're here!!"DJ Suki exclaimed.
"Oh this an official date between the two!"Biggie said.
"I'm so excited! Aren't you as well Mr.Dinkles?"
"Meep,"was all that Mr.Dinkles said.
"Ah well Poppy is wearing that dress we made her for the upcoming party so that makes it even more better!"Satin clasped her hands together.
"I bet that Branch wouldn't stop staring at her because of that,"Chenille giggled.
"I guess I'm going to eat some of my cupcakes while observing Branch and Poppy!"Cooper grinned chuckling.
"More like stalking them,"Smidge smirked.
(Stalker number 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 if you count Mr.Dinkles as one)
"Why are y'all here?!"GD said as he put his hands on his hips. He wanted to be the only one who was going to stalk Branch and Poppy.
"Psst, you know,"DJ Suki swatted her hand in the air chuckling.
"And what is that mask?! It's creepy like Smidge's!"GD said freaked out.
"For disguise of course,"DJ Suki replied.
"Oh! Branch's coming!"Biggie said all of a sudden as everyone froze, not knowing what to do.
"Heh?!!"
As soon as Biggie said that, a certain teal troll came into view. He was wearing his usual vest and shorts but it appeared as though he had combed his royal blue hair. He sighed as he walked up to the queen. "Have you been waiting long?"
"Nope I just came here a few minutes ago,"Poppy assured smiling as Branch gave her a small smile back.
The Snack Pack gave their two friends a thumbs up each even though they couldn't technically see them. Well it's the thought that counts right?
"Woah,"Branch said observing his surroundings.
"Why didn't I come to this place before?"
"You haven't?"Poppy asked surprised as she laughed.
"And yet I thought that you were someone who practically knew every corner of the world."
"Haha very funny,"Branch said sarcastically.
"There's so many things we can actually do here so what do you want to do first?"
"Why don't you decide something for us to do?"
"Hm well if you ask me for that,"Branch said crossing his arms.
"I think we should do something easy first. And safe! Definitely safe! Don't want either of us to get hurt now right?"
Poppy giggled. "As you wish Mr.Paranoid!"
"Hm good,"Branch said satisfied then widened his eyes.
"Wait what did you call me?!"
Poppy giggled again. After sometime of goofing around while the Snack Pack smirked stalking them, the two trolls decided to do something.
"Maybe you should decide what should we do,"Branch said.
"Well..."Poppy started trying to think of someone to do.
"Let's eat ice cream! I love ice cream!"
Branch chuckled. Classic Poppy.
After eating ice cream, something else caught Poppy's eye.
"Branch!! Let's go sit on that roller coaster!!"
Branch gasped as his jaw dropped looking at the direction where Poppy was pointing in.
"W-what.. well I-I don't think that's safe!! We definitely should do something safe!"
"Aw come on Branch I have sat in it with the Snack Pack before and its pretty fun!"Poppy said.
"Looks dangerous to me,"Branch said as he saw trolls sitting in the coaster cheering and yelling happily rather than scared.
"Are you sure you want to g-go there?"
"Please Branch,"Poppy pleaded giving him puppy-eyes.
"For me?"
Branch sighed and knew he would later regret this.
"I just don't want you getting hurt that's all."
"Don't worry Branch, that roller coaster is safe."Poppy smiled as she pulled his hand.
"Let's go!"
Branch noticed the fact how happy Poppy was today. Well she is always happy but today seemed a little more different. She seemed unknowingly bright today. And even Poppy noticed that Branch's colors were looking more brighter than usual and this caused her to feel more happy for him than ever.
Branch felt himself get lost as he gazed at her while she pulled him in the direction of where the roller coaster was. He had always known she was pretty-
No he had always known she was beautiful on the inside as well as on the outside. She didn't ever seem to give up no matter what and that was one of the reasons he loved her. Branch felt his cheeks warming up as he turned away and covered the lower part of his face with his arm.
"What's the matter Branch? Let's go."Poppy said crossing her arms.
"He blushes,"a smirking Smidge said to the other members of the Snack Pack as they could clearly see the blush that was on Branch's face.
"He definitely blushes,"GD nodded snickering.
Sometime later after a lot of screaming and yelling coming from Branch and excitement coming from Poppy when they rode the roller coaster, both of them sat on a bench side by side. Branch had his face in his hands clearly dreading and regretting what he had just experienced and probably thinking about why he had agreed to do it in the first place.
"That was really really fun!"Poppy exclaimed happily as she looked at Branch.
"What do you think?"
"Uhh,"Branch mumbled out still feeling a bit dizzy after the whole ordeal but he nodded.
"Great to hear that you had fun too Branch,"Poppy smiled sweetly as Branch looked at her.
"Um hey just want to let you know something."Branch said fiddling with his thumbs as he smiled looking at the ground.
"I've been thinking about this day every night.. I just think that how good it'd be if we hang out every night like this together."
Poppy didn't know what to say.
"And to be honest I do like parks..uhh except roller coasters sometimes because they can seriously be dangerous and make someone like me dizzy!"Branch said nervously as Poppy giggled.
"Anyways thanks for choosing this location... but moreover thank you. I'm simply glad and happy that you came with me. I-I'm glad that you're here."
"No thank you Branch for letting me in,"Poppy smiled looking at the ground while Branch just nodded with a slight smile on his face.
"ARE YOU LOOKING FOR TROUBLE?"Poppy and Branch heard a voice boom as they both jumped a bit in the air startled.
"What the heck?"Branch said as he and Poppy looked in the direction the booming voice came from.
"I SAY APOLOGIZE TO ME NOW!!!!"the voice said revealing himself to be none other than Groth the Bergen.
"YOU GOT YOUR STUPID CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM FALL ON MY SHOES!!!"
Apparently a red glitter troll named Archer accidentally spilt his ice cream all over Groth's new shoes.
"It was just a little accident sir,"Archer grinned showing all of his white teeth.
"It's all fine.."
"Huh?!! Fine!!"Groth said getting mad as Poppy intervened them.
"Huh?! Poppy?!"Branch practically shouted.
"Uhm calm down we don't need to fight,"Poppy said with a calm tone.
"Why don't we just talk about this?"
"TALK?! I DO NOT HAVE TIME TO DO THAT!"Groth boomed.
Branch could have strangled Groth if he could for shouting at Poppy but he thought it was pretty pointless since he was definitely smaller than Groth himself. Plus he didn't want the Trolls and Bergens to be divided again.
"I'm sure we can solve this calmly so Archer I'm pretty sure it was an accident but even then you should apologize,"Poppy said smiling.
"Yeah right, this is Poppy,"Branch thought as he smiled.
"The one who always keeps everyone together and happy. The one who never ever gives up and tries to solve everything. And the result of her actions, always tend to be a good thing."
Branch sighed in relief, now that the matter had been solved as Archer apologized to Groth for his mistake. Simply looking at the bare ground while he thought,
"And that's why Poppy has a lot of...friends.."
"Branch!!!!"An auto-tuned voice yelled as Branch nearly fell off from the bench, once again startled.
"Are you alright?!!!"
"You seemed a bit lost in your own world for a moment!"another voice said as Biggie revealed himself in his giant glowworm attire.
"Why are you all here?!"Branch pointed at the Snack Pack who has now revealed themselves completely. Branch was definitely freaked out by their weird and creepy disguises and masks.
"Whoops,"the Snack Pack said as they nervously chuckled once they realized they had been spotted.
"W-we're hanging since the holidays are near of course!"Satin and Chenille said in unison, not meeting Branch's eyes as all of them took off their respective disguises.
"And the truth is?"Branch asked rolling his eyes.
"Uhm,"GD said as he nervously faked a laugh.
"The truth is we're stalking you."
"I KNEW IT!!"Branch groaned.
"Oh come on we were just worried about your 'date'!"DJ Suki said.
"Yeah 'date'!"Smidge said exaggerating the word 'date.'
"A hot date!!!"Cooper added grinning.
"I-it's not a dat-"Branch started saying but was cut off by Poppy who walked up to them.
"What are you all doing?"
"Oh Poppy what a coincidence!"GD said grinning as Branch blushed mentally slapping himself.
"Why are you all here?"Poppy asked surprised.
"It's not like I don't want you all to be here, you all just appeared so unexpectedly! Is there a reason why if I may ask?"
"They're stalking us of course!"Branch said annoyed as he shot a glare towards the Snack Pack who faked a grin each.
"We're not stalking! We just follow you two to everywhere you go! And observe you!"
"It's the same thing!"Branch groaned.
"You glittery goat!"
"G-glittery goat?!"GD asked bewildered as he blinked his eyes rapidly.
"Well since we revealed ourselves, we will leave you together! That's what couples should be!"Biggie declared.
"I agree,"Smidge said crossing her arms.
"WE'RE NOT!!"Branch denied blushing red.
"Oh yeah,"Satin giggled.
"How about we go and present our offer to the famous Nova Swift huh sis?"
"If you say so Satin but I'm showing her our new line of clothes!"Chenille said.
"No I will!"Satin said.
"No I will!"Chenille said.
And soon the two began arguing on who would present their new line of clothes to the famous Nova Swift.
"Why are people all around me couples?"GD started sobbing all of a sudden.
"Aw don't be sad Guy Diamond, you'll find a pretty girlfriend someday."Smidge said.
"I guess so,"Guy Diamond said sarcastically.
"Oh! By the way! Do you guys want to have a mini party at my house tonight?!"DJ Suki asked.
"I'll be sure to cook up some beats!"
"That sounds awesome!"Poppy grinned.
"Party? Cool!!"GD said as he added in his auto-tuned voice.
"I won't forget to bring in the glitter!"
"Wow! Really?"Biggie asked as DJ Suki nodded.
"Yeah!"she answered.
"Oh! And maybe we could take a break from fashion as well, don't you agree Satin?"Chenille asked.
"Normally I don't agree with you but this time I have to say your right!"the pink twin said.
"Cool DJ,"Smidge said.
"I'll cook our dinner!"Biggie said.
"I have made a new soup recipe which I would love for you guys to check out."
"I'll cook with ya too buddy!"Cooper said.
"And there shall be cupcakes for dessert!"
"Oh goodie!"Biggie said.
"Then I guess we should head off for my place soon,"DJ Suki said smiling.
"Yay!"everyone except Branch said who simply smiled seeing the happy faces of the group especially Poppy's.
"They're true best friends,"Branch thought still smiling naturally.
"As I thought before, Poppy definitely has lots of friends. Everyone is a good person and everyone is happy. They're all so unique in their one ways."
Then Branch saw it, well he didn't exactly knew if he was hallucinating or what but it was right in front of him. There was a green fuzzy spider who stared at Branch with its four eyes.
"Uh,"Branch muttered looking at the strange creature.
"Is there anything you want?"
"Do you know what a murderer is?"the spider asked innocently in a soft tone.
The question took Branch a bit aback.
"Sorry?"he asked.
"Can you touch it?"the spider asked.
"Can you eat it?"
Branch froze not knowing what to do or say.
"Can you kill it?"it asked him once more.
Branch once again didn't say anything.
He couldn't even move nor bring himself to say anything. Was this all a figment of his imagination or was it truly happening in real life? Whatever the case was, Branch was too frozen out of shock to do anything.
"Are you a murderer?"the spider asked innocently once again. This time however Branch was plunged into the past as he visioned himself as his 6-year old self.
"And I need you now tonight. And I need you more than ever and if you only hold me tight, we'll be holding on forever,"a little 6-year old Branch sang with his eyes closed, tightly clutching a red rose unknowingly of the danger that was yet to come upon him. A Bergen with glowing yellow eyes proceeded towards his way but he was too lost in his singing to notice that. He didn't notice it but someone did, his grandma. His grandma Rosiepuff reacted quickly and shouted for Branch to move from there but he didn't hear her. He however opened his eyes and gasped when he saw the Bergen trying to reach him with their hand. He froze, out of fright and didn't knew what to do. It was coming to grab him closer...and closer.. even more closer but just as it went to grab him, his grandma pushed him out of the way as the Bergen took her instead while Branch shouted for her.
"GRANDMA!!!"
Branch gasped taking deep breaths then sadly looked at the ground, not saying a single word.
"See you this evening guys!"DJ Suki said as she, Satin and Chenille turned around to leave.
"We'll catch up with you later!"GD said gesturing to himself, Biggie and Cooper.
"Have fun!"Biggie said.
Poppy waved at them then heard Smidge say,
"Poppy do you want to talk for a bit?"
"Is it about Branch?"Poppy asked.
"Well yeah and you know what I'm going to be talking about right? It's not like I hate him or anything, you were right he is a nice guy but uh I still remember the old days when he used to be harsh with everyone."Smidge said as Poppy simply nodded.
"And I don't want that happening again but hey it's still your decision and since I'm your right hand troll, if you're happy then I'm happy after all YOLO!!!"the small yellow troll exclaimed with a smile on her face.
"Thanks Smidge,"Poppy said hugging her friend who happily returned the hug.
"See you later Poppy,"Smidge parted and waved at Poppy as she left from there.
"And good luck!!"
"Branch?"Poppy then turned to find the teal troll and smiled when she spotted him.
"Hey! Branch! Over here!"
"Ah, uh,"the teal troll said giving her a small smile that couldn't last long.
"Did they all go back already?"
"Yep!"Poppy nodded popping the 'p'
"Is everything alright Branch? You seem a bit tired.."
"Oh! Pssh I'm fine!"Branch said quickly.
"I guess we should go to DJ's then,"Poppy said smiling.
"Uh yeah I guess,"Branch muttered.
"Branch,"Poppy said to get his attention.
"Hm?"
"I'm sorry I wasn't by your side at all the parties before. I should have known you would feel uncomfortable."
"It's alright Poppy I understand. You're the queen you have better work to do.."Branch muttered the last part while Poppy didn't seem to hint the sadness in his tone. Although she did suspect something wrong, she thought everything was alright for his sake.
"Thanks Branch,"she said holding his hand and headed off for their friend's houses
"Ahahahaha!!"An enthusiastic Guy Diamond opened the door for them.
"Glad to see you came here sooner!"
"Hey guys,"Biggie greeted them.
"You're just in time for dinner!"
"Yay I guess we can extend this party to a sleepover then!"DJ Suki said smiling.
"Yay!"answered Cooper who was wearing a blindfold.
"What's that for?"Branch asked half-heartedly.
"For fun!! Haha!!"Cooper said as he bumped into a wall.
"I'm okay!"
Branch sighed, not in the mood of doing anything. Poppy noticed this again and she really was worried now so she sat besides him on the couch.
"Branch is everything seriously okay?"
"Oh hey there Poppy,"Branch muttered.
"What's the matter?"the pink troll asked giving him a small smile.
"Nothing,"he replied.
"Hm.."Poppy said as she tried to think of something both of them could talk about.
"Hey Branch do you remember the first time we met?"
Branch simply nodded. It had been a really long long time.
8-year old Poppy chased a butterfly which she found beautiful.
"Come back here butterfly!"she said giggling. Being a child she didn't mind the fact that she was going deeper into the forest close to the village and unknowingly going in any direction. Then the butterfly flew away higher and higher until Poppy couldn't see it anymore. "Where did you go Mr.Butterfly?"she asked but got no response. The pink princess then took sometime to see her surroundings. They weren't the lively beautiful garden she was playing in a few moments before, it was more like the dark and dreary forest now.
"Hello?"Poppy called out. "Is anybody there?" There was no doubt that she was lost now.
"D-daddy?"she cried afraid.
Then she heard the bushes rustle. "Huh?"she said as a figure revealed himself. It was a young troll pretty much just like her except a bit older and the main thing was that he was grey having black hair. He had a grumpy look on his face with his eyebrows raised as to who was the troll right in front of him.
"Uhh,"he said observing Poppy.
"What are you doing in the woods all alone?! Don't you know the fact that there are many predators here?!"
"I-I got lost,"Poppy sniffled.
"I-I just want to go back home to my daddy."
For once it looked as if the grey troll's expression softened but he quickly put a scowl on his face.
"Well far hard luck! If you except me to help you then don't even think about it!"
"H-hey y-you can't just l-leave my here alone uhm..what's your name?"Poppy asked.
"I don't tell my name to strangers,"the grey troll said.
"Well I'm not a stranger because my daddy says that strangers are people who we don't know but I already know you now right?"Poppy said making the grey troll groan.
"You're so difficult,"he said.
"I'll help you go home but then you're not going to do anything stupid on the way back you understand me?"
Poppy nodded and the grey troll gestured for her to follow him.
"So where do you live?"
"In the forest,"he muttered.
"Who do you live with?"Poppy asked again.
"I live alone,"he said sternly.
"But you seem so young to live alone,
"I can manage to live on my own,"
"You know your the first troll who I've seen is grey,"the pink princess said as the grey troll stiffened a bit.
"Uh well I guess so anyways Princess there's the village,"
"Thanks!"Poppy said but then it struck her.
"How did you know I was a princess?"
"Well.. I do come to the village sometimes and so I know a bunch of stuff,"he muttered.
Poppy smiled as Branch looked away.
"Ooh! You should come to my birthday party next week!"
"No thanks I'm good,"he replied.
"Aw please,"Poppy said but the grey troll shook his head.
"No means no,"
"Well at least tell me your name then! Or I'll keep on bugging you!"Poppy pouted crossing her arms.
"Branch,"the grey troll said.
"What?"Poppy asked.
"My name is Branch,"he said looking at her with his electric blue eyes.
"You know at first I didn't really think anyone lived in the forest,"Poppy said laughing.
"But then again who knows what is out there. But I'm just so glad I met you that day Branch or..or we would have.."
Poppy bit her lower lip at the sudden thought of what could have happened if she never met Branch. There would have been no one who would have warned the trolls about the Bergen's, there would have been no one to give the Trolls and her hope that everything would be alright. And worst of all, she never would have known this sweet troll.
"Heh, yeah,"Branch said.
"Poppy?"
Poppy looked his way.
"D-do you remember when I told you and the others about my grandma?"
"Branch.."Poppy said in a concerned tone.
"Do you remember when I told you that MY singing killed my grandma?"he asked as his face fell.
"A-and told you that the Bergen took her instead of me?"
"Branch.."Poppy said turning him to make him face her but instead Branch looked at the ground.
"A-and all these years, I was so harsh on everyone..on you and hurt you just because I couldn't stand the fact how you all could be happy in the first place."
Branch stop-"Poppy started saying but the latter cut her off.
"I crushed every single of your invitations without acknowledging the fact on how hard you worked on them."Branch muttered.
"Do you remember all those times Poppy? Grandma..I-I killed her as well... I killed my own grandma!! I-it was all my fault."
"Branch of course it isn't your fault!"Poppy grabbed his hands, holding his gaze.
"I-I'm nothing but a murderer,"he mumbled as he escaped Poppy's grip.
"I should go now,"
"Branch wait-"Poppy said.
"I'm fine I just need to go.."he said then looked at DJ Suki.
"DJ I have to go now but thanks for the party,"
"Huh?"DJ Suki said.
"Leaving so soon? Aren't you staying for the sleepover?"
"Well I don't feel quite well so-"Branch said but then stopped saying that suddenly.
"We'll see you tomorrow then Branch! Have a good sleep tonight!"
"Goodnight!"he heard the others except Poppy saying.
And that's the last thing he heard before walking out the door into the cold and windy night.
-A/N-
4K words! Heck yeah! XDWow things took quite a turn now didn't they?
And also I mentioned some Trolls the beat goes on characters such as Groth, Archer and Nova Swift. What do you all think? Was that spider a mere figment of Branch's imagination or was it actually just a random spider being curious and asking him questions?
Tell me in the comments/reviews
Also stay tuned for more!
-Arrow-