Branch lay on his back just staring up at the ceiling of his Aunt's pod, his head was killing him from the large lump that had developed over the last couple hours. The smell of whatever Aunt Hazel had made for dinner only reminded him of just how hungry he was, the only thing he had eaten that day was a single cupcake that someone shared with him. It had come as a total surprise to him when she offered him one of her cupcakes, it was lunch time and he went to go be alone when she appeared holding a cupcake and smiling. At first, he was reluctant to take it because he was afraid it was some sort of a trick.

"No thank you," he mumbled turning away from her.

"I know you're hungry," she replied sweetly "and I don't mind sharing."

Branch looked from her to the small cake "No, I'm not," he tried to lie but his stomach argued back loudly.

"Here," she said carefully placing it his hand when she stepped around in front of him.

Branch looked down at the cupcake and noticed it was pink just like her. "It's strawberry," she explained "and really tasty."

"Thank you," Branch whispered.

"I'm Poppy!" she said happily and extending her right hand out for him to shake.

"Branch," he replied as he slowly extended his own hand out.

Poppy's smile widened as she shook his hand "Nice to meet you."

"It's nice meeting you" he replied shyly as he sat down "and thank you again for the cupcake."

"You are very welcome," Poppy replied sweetly taking a seat across from him. "So how is it?" she asked gesturing toward the tiny cake.

Branch felt uncomfortable as he took a bite of the delectable cake. The taste was like heaven and the rich frosting only made it taste so much better. "It's delicious," he said between bites.

Poppy's big smile reappeared "I can bring you one everyday if you'd like?"

"Why would you do that?" he asked.

"Because," she explained leaning forward a bit "I see how the others act towards you and it's not nice at all."

Just as Branch was about to say something back someone called Poppy's name…."My friends are calling me," she said quickly getting to her feet "I'll talk to you later."

Branch watched her leave and he couldn't help but to smile slightly, she had been the first troll to be nice to him and he liked the feeling of it. The rest of the day flew by and soon it was time to go home, he walked along by himself. Creek had a play date with his friends that afternoon so that meant that he would be walking home alone. To his relief it was an easy walk until the pod came into view, he stopped wishing that he was anywhere but here. A part of him wanted to just keep walking but where would he go? He took in a deep breath and walked up to the pod, he slowly opened the door and entered.

The sound of his sobbing filled his ears, he knew right away it was his aunt that crying. "Aunt Hazel?" he asked as he made his way toward her sobs "Are you alright?" He found her sitting at the kitchen table looking at an old photo album. Without any hesitation the young troll wrapped his arms around her and embraced her in a hug. At first, she seemed to welcome it but in a flash her body tensed up and the next thing Branch knew he was being shoved away. The force caused him to lose balance and before he could stop himself he fell forward hitting his forehead on the counter.

"DON'T YOU EVER TOUCH ME!" Aunt Hazel hissed pulling him up into a standing position "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?"

"You were crying….so I…" He tried to explain as he used his hand to cover the rapidly growing lump that now was forming on his forehead.

"So, you thought that you would trick me into liking you?" Aunt Hazel interrupted now pulling her nephew along beside her until they reached Branch's sleeping nook.

Branch looked down at his makeshift bed "I'm sorry," he mumbled "I didn't mean to upset you."

"And to think that I was going to let you eat dinner with my family tonight," she replied with such disgust in her voice as she turned and left him standing alone in the room. Branch let out a sad sigh as he laid down on the floor staring up at the ceiling, all he did was try to comfort his aunt when she was upset and all he seemed to do was make her hate him even more.

No matter the many times Branch had fallen asleep with the burning hunger feeling in his stomach it never seemed to get any easier. Most nights he would toss and turn trying to ignore it, but it was next to impossible to do. Tonight, was one of those sleepless nights and Branch found himself sitting up hunched over with his arms wrapped around his tummy. He knew it would be breaking the rules to even think about sneaking some food to ease his hunger and he did not want to get in even more trouble than he already was in, so he chose to ignore it the best that he could.