AN: Surprise! A new chapter already? Well I just couldn't stop writing after the last chapter, and I hope you guys enjoy it! I don't own trolls or any of its characters.
Poppy had several plans for the evening, first they made cookies! Then they did each other's hair, then they did karaoke. Then they made cupcakes, told ghost stories. And finally truth or dare! Everything went off without a hitch, but Poppy couldn't help but think about the time she and Branch played truth or dare. She shook her head, she didn't want to dwell on that right now. It was Satin's turn, and she turned to Smidge. "Smidge, truth or dare?"
Smidge crossed her arms and thought about it, tapping her fingers against her forearm. "Dare!" She challenged, Satin smiled deviously. "Alright, I dare you to serenade Biggie!" Smidge blushed a little, but laughed it off. "Easy! Consider it done." She said triumphantly, then she looked at Suki. "Yo DJ, truth or dare?"
Suki shrugged, saying. "Truth." Smidge tried to think of a good one, the she asked. "Have you ever written a song that you didn't share with everyone?" The question was innocent enough, but DJ wrote a lot of songs in her private time. There was one that she never intended to share, but that one was embarrassing. She blushed, and nodded.
"Ooooooooo! I wanna hear it now." Chenille said, and she and her twin giggled at their friend. DJ just ignored them, but then she realized Poppy was a bit checked out. So she turned to her, asking. "Poppy, truth or dare?" Poppy snapped back into attention, she didn't want to say any truths right now. "Dare." Suki hummed, then said. "Sing a song about someone you know, without telling us who."
Poppy thought of people she knew, but her mind just went to Branch. So she started to sing, softly.
WELL I HEARD THERE WAS A SECRET CHORD, THAT PEPPY PLAYED AND IT PLEASED THE HORDE.
BUT YOU DON'T REALLY CARE FOR MUSIC DO YA?
WELL IT GOES LIKE THIS, THE FOURTH, THE FIFTH.
THE MINOR FALL, AND THE MAJOR LIFT.
THE BAFFLED KING COMPOSING, HALLELUJAH.
HALLELUJAH!
HALLELUJAH!
HALLELUJAH!
HALLELUUU-UU-UU-UU-UU-UUJAH!
When she finished, Chenille said. "Branch." Poppy's jaw dropped, how could she guess it that fast? Satin seeming to read her thoughts, resang her lyrics. "But you don't really care for music do ya? Come on, that's obviously Branch." Poppy huffed, sticking out her lip in a pout. She thought she was clever, but then she sighed. And DJ asked. "Poppy, what's bothering you?"
She really didn't want to get into this right now, but they were her friends. She could tell them anything,she took a deep breath. "It's just… this whole help Branch thing is kinda stressing me out. Every time I feel like he's opening up and I'm close, he turns right around to his old self and pretends like nothing happened." All the girls looked at each other, a bit concerned.
"He makes me so frustrated, but I'm responsible for all the kingdom's Happiness. I just feel that ignoring it is wrong, but there's also nothing I can do. It makes me feel so… helpless." Suki knew partly why Branch was distancing himself, so she understood the situation a little. She put a comforting hand on Poppy's shoulder, and said. "Sometimes people make bad choices if they're mad, or scared, or stressed, or embarrassed. But if you just throw a little love their way, you'll bring out their best side. It might not show immediately, but it'll pan out."
Chenille got confused, and asked. "Wait, I thought she liked Creek?" This made Poppy blush dark pink, and Suki roll her eyes. "Not that kind of love! Supportive love, friendship love!" Suki said, slapping her forehead. "Oooh!" Chenille said as it dawned on her, nodding in understanding. Despite being slightly embarrassed, Poppy did feel a little better. She didn't exactly understand her feelings towards Branch, but Suki's words made sense.
"Thanks DJ." She said, hugging her best friend. "Okay it's my turn, who is ready for the Queen of truth or dare!?" All the girls shouted, and continued with their game all night. The next morning Poppy had a class to teach, and she was bringing all her friends.
"Okay kids, we're here today to answer all your questions." All the kids hands shot up, Poppy picked the little yellow girl with blue hair. "Yes, Marcy?" Marcy just stared up with the most innocent look, and asked. "Where do babies come from?" Poppy coughed, and started laughing nervously. "Heh-eh next question!" She picked a little boy with blue skin, and purple hair.
"What is real happiness, my mommy said it's all around us but what does that mean?" Poppy smiled, she knew just how to answer this one. "Well you momma is right, it is all around you. But most of all it's inside of you, and everyone." she noticed a pencil on the ground, and picked it up.
HAPPINESS, IS FINDING A PENCIL.
Cooper chimed in, with his big goofy grin.
PIZZA WITH SAUSAGE.
Then Creek started singing
TELLING THE TIME.
Then one of the kids sang out.
HAPPINESS, IS LEARNING TO WHISTLE.
Then another joined in.
TYING YOUR SHOE FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.
Poppy smiled as the kids sang, taking the lead again.
HAPPINESS, IS PLAYING THE DRUMS.
Then all of them joined in, creating a quire of troll kids.
AND HAPPINESS IS WALKING HAND IN HAND.
Biggie got an idea, and sang.
HAPPINESS IS TWO KINDS OF ICE CREAM.
Then DJ added quietly.
KNOWING A SECRET.
Smidge chimed in.
CLIMBING A TREE.
The kids started singing again.
HAPPINESS IS FIVE DIFFERENT CRAYONS.
CATCHING A FIREFLY, SETTING HIM FREE.
Then Poppy sang loudly, getting everyone's attention.
HAPPINESS IS BEING ALONE EVERY NOW AND THEN.
All the troll children got in a circle, holding hands with the older Trolls.
AND HAPPINESS IS COMING HOME AGAIN.
They all sang together, Poppy smiled at them. She thought of Branch causing her to droop a bit, but Creek squeezed her hand. She smiled at him, at least Creek would always be there for her.
HAPPINESS IS MORNING AND EVENING, DAYTIME AND NIGHTTIME TOO.
FOR HAPPINESS IS ANYONE AND ANYTHING AT ALL THAT'S LOVED BY YOU.
Chenille put her arm around Satin, singing.
HAPPINESS IS HAVING A SISTER.
And Satin sang right back.
SHARING A HAIRDO.
They both sang together.
GETTING ALONG.
Then all of them sang together.
HAPPINESS IS SINGING TOGETHER WHEN DAY IS THROUGH.
AND HAPPINESS IS THOSE WHO SING WITH YOU.
HAPPINESS IS MORNING AND EVENING, DAYTIME AND NIGHTTIME TOO.
Then Poppy gathered them all up into a group hug, and sang gently.
FOR HAPPINESS IS ANYONE AND ANYTHING AT ALL THAT'S LOVED BY YOU.
They all separated, and Creek said. "Now who wants to learn about inner peace?" All the kid cheered, sitting in front of him. Poppy smiled at Creek while he taught the kids, leaning on a windowsill by the far wall. She looked out the window, the sunshine lighting up the forest beautifully . Out of the corner of her eye she spotted Branch, he was collecting sticks like always.
He was somewhat out of view from everyone, and was unaware Poppy could see him. When Poppy saw his face it confirmed what she believed, he had a look of sadness and loneliness. This made her feel sad, but she was determined. She may have been confused about her feelings, but she knew that everyone deserved to be happy. So silently, she whispered to herself.
"I'm not giving up Branch."
Six years later…
AN: Hey guys sorry if the group song was a bit clunky, but any other way I wrote it sounded worse. Anyway the next chapter is going to be the last, so I hope you are ready. Another thing, I realized last chapter that the age of Poppy and Branch doesn't make much sense if Branch remembers Poppy's mother and she doesn't. I remembered review about their ages not making much sense, so I guess you can disregard the ages I said at the beginning. I'd say Branch is about 4 years older than Poppy, so it's not too creepy that he's crushing on a younger girl. Anywho i hope you enjoyed it, Cyber high-five!
