Disclaimer: We don't own Trolls. The song in this chapter is "Because of You" by Ne-Yo.
The sun was setting by the time the trolls headed back to their village. Of course, as always, they went the safe way—through the gate and down a paved path the bergens had helped build. Because the bergens sprayed repellents and set traps, this path usually had very few obstacles for the trolls. Gristle and Bridget hadn't been able to keep their hands off each other the entire party, though, and the Snack Pack was thrilled.
"Ooh! I can't believe how well that worked! Who knew a new look could make such a difference!?" Poppy said excitedly as they made their way home. Maybe I should try that on Creek and see if he proposes then?
If it worked on Gristle, it seemed to her like it was worth a shot.
"Well, of course, it made a difference!" Satin said.
"Bridget's really pretty for a bergen. At least, once you get her out of the bland scullery maid outfit," Chenille added.
"I liked the thing you all did with her hair best, really! It was so colorful and elegant and—and beauuuuuutifuuuuuuul! I mean, to say the least, of course," Guy said, ending on a casual note after going overboard on his description of the look.
"That was the 'least'?" Smidge asked as she looked at him in awe.
Creek wasn't really involved in this conversation, just following along awkwardly behind everyone. Biggie and Cooper looked back, seeing his expression.
"Yo, dude! You okay?" Cooper asked.
"Oh, yes! R-right as r-rain, mate! I mean, it's not as though I just asked Poppy out to the lagoon for the most important date of our young lives, right?" he asked, sarcastic and nervous at the same time.
He was so nervous, he was hearing voices. Memories of things he'd been told recently, fighting with each other in his head.
"Creek! You good-for-nothing troll! Hurry it up, already! You know what will happen to you if you don't," Chef's angry voice ran through his head, sounding very threatening.
"You can't keep claiming to love her when you're going to get her eaten! That's not love, Creek!" Branch's furious voice followed.
"Just what are you waiting for!? An invitation!? Hurry up and make the girl yours, already!" Chef, her tone furious and impatient.
"Do you care about anyone besides yourself!?" Branch, sounding hurt.
"Obey me, Creek!"
"Grow a spine!"
"Creek!"
"Creek!"
"Obey me!"
"Fight back!"
Creek put a hand to his head. "Argh! Oh... My head hurts..."
As if his conscience wasn't enough of a problem, he was now being plagued by snippets from past conversations. If he did as Chef said, he'd stay out of trouble, but he'd hurt everyone he loved. If he obeyed his conscience—and Branch—then he'd suffer Chef's wrath instead. He really couldn't win, and it was killing him. And what if that one threat Chef had made was true? He didn't really want to think about that.
Biggie looked at him with concern and asked, "Are you alright, Creek?"
Creek looked, then shook his head to clear it. "I-I'm fine, mate. Just nervous is all."
"Oh, well, that's perfectly understandable. But I'm sure everything will go according to plan!"
"Yeah!" Cooper said, having been filled in on what Creek was planning to do by Biggie earlier that day. "'Cause I'm gonna be in my pod, sleeping, so I can't butt in!" He laughed.
"Butt in on what, ya guys?" DJ asked.
The three oldest looked and saw the rest of the Snack Pack had stopped walking and was looking at them in concern.
"Oh! Nothing, really," Biggie said, trying to wave it off.
"I just gotta stay out of people's business, that's all!" Cooper agreed.
"Oh, This about that thing we discussed earlier, Creek?" Guy asked slyly as he crossed his arms and grinned.
Creek tried to block out the mental war that was still raging in his head and approached Poppy, looking nervous. Having guilt and fear warring inside of him was anything but enjoyable, especially given the memories that it kept bringing up. "Y-yes...y-you could s-say that..." To the voices in his head, he snapped, Shut up, you two! I'm doing what I need to do! "And, uh, speaking of, Poppet, a-about this e-evening's meeting...um...might I suggest you wear something a tad bit more...f-fancy? ...T-this isn't y-your ordinary m-meeting, I'm afraid..."
Poppy stared at him, looking a little hopeful. Was he saying what she thought he was saying? "...It isn't?"
Satin and Chenille gasped, reaching the same conclusion as Poppy. "Girlish giggle!" Satin said. "Is this what I think it is!?"
"It's about time!" her twin agreed, punching her hands onto her hips.
Biggie shushed the girls, who both covered their mouths. They were sure they knew what Creek was up to, but that didn't mean they should spoil it completely.
DJ looked completely confused. "Uh... I'm lost, y'all. What exactly's—"
Guy covered her mouth, cutting her off, and Fuzzbert joined him.
"No worries, Creek! I'll make sure she has everything ready!" Smidge assured him. She then turned a supportive look to Poppy and asked, "Right, Boss?"
Poppy looked at Smidge, feeling slightly uncomfortable. She didn't really want Smidge's help—she could get ready for this on her own. Knowing Smidge, she'd either tease Poppy or give her awkward advice, making this an occasion where she was better off just handling it on her own. "Uuuhh... That's okay, Smidge... I think I've got this one covered," Poppy answered, giving Creek a loving smile.
For him to want her to dress up, she knew this wasn't just a normal date. Was her fairy tale about to come true?
Creek returned her smile...that is, until an unusual affliction he'd picked up on a meditative retreat reared its ugly head. A devil and an angel appeared on his shoulders, with Chef representing the devil—horns, pitchfork, and all—and Branch playing the angel—he even had wings and a halo.
"Creek, you know this isn't right!" said the angel Branch, although this version of the gray troll tended to speak more gently than the real one. "You're leading her into a trap, and she's going to get hurt or worse!"
The devil flew off Creek's shoulder and into his face instead. She then leaned toward the angel, pointing menacingly at it. "Don't listen to him! You know how dangerous that crazy Chef is!" She glared up at Creek, apparently angry, and said, "Now do as I tell you to and propose to her! It's not like you can do anything about it anyway, right?" She gave an evil, arrogant grin as she crossed her arms.
The angel flew out in front of Creek as well and said, "No, Creek, you can do something about it! You can confess everything to King Peppy. He can handle the situation, and your friends will be safe!" The Branch angel paused there, then crossed his arms and amended, "Well, except the one you trapped in a tower."
"And speaking of, why don't you just shut up and join him!?" the devil said, uncrossing her arms and leaning into the angel's face. Being Branch, the angel glared right back, unafraid. "You know he'll never listen to you, anyway! He's far too loyal to me." The devil Chef closed her eyes and crossed her arms once again, sticking her nose in the air smugly.
"Not happening!" the angel answered, leaning toward the devil. "Unlike some people, I actually care about others!"
The devil Chef pressed her forehead against the angel Branch's and pointed at Creek, who had his eyes shut and his teeth clenched as he growled, irritated. "Well, Creek here clearly doesn't, so why don't you just—"
Having had enough, Creek threw his arms up in frustration. Why did these two have to show up all the time anymore? How did he even end up with this absurd problem? Wasn't it bad enough that the real Branch and Chef were always trying to tell him what to do? He didn't need them appearing as his actual conscience, too. "Here's a thought! How 'bout you both pipe down and return from whence you came!? How 'bout that!?"
"Uh, Creek?" Poppy asked, snapping him back to reality.
Creek looked at everyone with wide eyes. They all looked concerned, and Cooper had raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"Are...your angel and devil at it again?" Biggie asked.
Creek had, for obvious reasons, said that he had a literal devil and angel appearing on his shoulders, trying to tell him what he should or shouldn't do, but he hadn't told his friends who the angel and devil were. They didn't need to know that, and it would hardly make any sense to them, anyway. It would just lead to awkward questions.
Creek sighed, nodding. At least he didn't need to explain why he had shouted at nothing. "Guess I never should've taken that extreme meditative retreat, huh?" He bonked himself in the head a bit, trying to clear it. "My head's been in a tizzy ever since!"
"Aw, it'll be okay, Creek. You'll see," Poppy assured him gently. "Well! I'm off to get ready for our big date tonight! See ya there!" She headed off, waving goodbye to the others as they made it back into the village. On her way home, she started humming a happy song.
Creek sighed. "Yes. See you there."
The angel and devil reappeared, with Branch saying, "Creek, you know what will happen if you go through with this."
The angel version of Branch looked concerned, not mad. It may have been based on the moody gray troll, but it didn't always act like him. This version of Branch didn't have a personal vendetta against Creek, after all—he hadn't done anything to his imaginary figure that haunted him.
"Ignore him, Creek. You know there's no choice!" Chef said, sounding less aggressive than her real-life counterpart but no less commanding.
Creek just hung his head and sighed, exasperated.
Poppy hurried home, now more eager than ever for this upcoming date. "Tonight's the night! I can see it in his eyes! This is the night my wish gets granted and I start my fairy tale ending with the man I love!" She put her hands to her cheeks, standing on one leg. She could just imagine the wonderful memories they'd make together as king and queen of Troll Village. Her fantasies about having a fairy tale love life were starting to look more like a reality to her. "Oh, I have got to look my best for this! This is a night neither of us will ever forget!"
She hurried to get a shower, then dried off and dressed for her date with Creek. For the occasion, she donned a blue dress with a pink ribbon around the waist. There were two layers to the skirt: the underlayer was solid, but the upper was a blue, gauzy fabric with a lighter strip in the front, and went down to her ankles. On either side of the lighter strip were purple strips. The dress had a square neckline, and the sleeves were the same material as the outer layer of the skirt, held on by ribbon straps. More of the gauzy material was attached to the back of the dress, fanning out and stretching from the top of the bodice to the bottom. There was glitter scattered throughout the entire dress, woven into the fabric. * She also donned a sky blue tiara with a pink rose on the side and a silver charm bracelet with pink and blue rose-shaped gems. She tied her hair into a ponytail, which she styled so that it hung down her back a bit and then curled back upward at the end.
Once she was ready, Poppy took a look at herself in the mirror, growing excited again. "Ooh, this is gonna be so perfect! I can't wait!"
Then, fully prepared for what she expected to be the most amazing day of her life, she ran out to meet Creek.
Creek waited anxiously for his date to arrive. He'd decorated the lagoon for the occasion, hanging hearts in various colors from the trees and streaming pink and blue lights across some poles he'd set up around the dinner table. He'd even gotten a group of trolls together to act as entertainment for the evening, with a maestro to lead them. They stood on the dock, waiting. The table had a lavender tablecloth on it with a rose in a blue vase in the center. Two white, heart-shaped dining chairs, exquisitely designed, waited on either side with pink cushions on the seats.
Creek himself had a white tuxedo on over a lavender shirt. He wore a lavender corsage and a blue bow tie to complete the look.
As he waited, he grew more and more nervous. He pulled at the collar of his shirt nervously. "Oh, boy... Is it hot out here, or is it just me?"
Suddenly he heard an impatient voice. Fortunately for him—or, perhaps, unfortunately—Chef's magic worked in such a way that Creek was the only one who could hear her, no matter how much she screamed. Honestly, revealing the problem to everyone would have been easy if Chef had just accidentally shouted about her plan while Creek was near another troll, so maybe he should have been upset that the others couldn't hear her.
"Creek! You've been stalling long enough!" she yelled, furious. "Now this one better be the real deal, or so help me, I'll have no choice but to—"
Not eager to hear the end of his master's threat, Creek, trembling some, interrupted quietly, "N-no worries, m-m-master! T-tonight I-I'm gonna a-ask the p-princess t-to marry me! J-just give me t-the time n-necessary t-to set t-the mood, a-and there's n-no way she'll s-say no!"
The part about this arrangement with Chef that was actually unfortunate was that everyone could hear him answer her. He had to make sure he kept his voice down when speaking to her around others, but the distance between himself and the others in the area at the moment helped him keep this one quiet. The fact that the others were currently distracted with preparations for his date helped, too. This meant he could speak just loudly enough that his anxiety showed, something Creek often felt Chef enjoyed—she was sick enough to get a kick out of terrifying someone, he knew.
"Well, she'd better not! I didn't raise you to subdue her for nothing! So you'd better get this one right, or else!"
Creek swallowed the lump in his throat, sweating buckets. It was times like this that he actually envied Branch—he didn't have to make the choice between living in agonizing pain or betraying everyone he cared for. "Y-y-yes, master! W-whatever you say!"
About then, Creek heard someone coming through the trees. He gave a start, looking that way.
"...It's time. Don't you dare fail me!" Chef said, and she went silent after that.
Creek cleared his throat, then moved slowly toward the approaching troll. "Here we go..."
Poppy looked around the lagoon, amazed. The decorations made the lagoon look so much more romantic than she'd ever seen it before, really putting her in the mood for a fancy dinner with her man. She could only imagine how long it had taken to get this just right. "Whoa. This is—"
"Eh-hem. Good evening, Princess. And might I say you look simply divine, if I do say so myself," Creek said, giving her a loving smile.
Poppy looked to her boyfriend and returned the smile, saying, "Aw, thank you. You look real handsome, too. And I love what you did with the place, Creek. Did you do all this just for me?"
"That I did, love. Anything for an amazing girl such as yourself."
Poppy blushed, putting her hands to her cheeks. "Aw...Creek..."
Creek held out a hand as he gave her a romantic look and said, "Come. Our dinner should be served shortly."
Poppy took his hand and let him lead her over to the table, where he pulled out one of the chairs for her.
"Ladies first, they always say."
Poppy giggled as she sat down. "Aw, you."
Creek pushed her chair in for her, then he walked around the table to his own seat. Just as he was about to join her, he remembered something. "Uh, hold that thought a moment, Poppet. I'll be right back," he said, and then he headed toward the dock and picked up a small bouquet of red roses. To the maestro, he said, "It's time, gents. Now, remember what we rehearsed."
The maestro nodded and turned to the others. They started playing the chosen song as Creek headed back to the table, carrying the bouquet.
Creek had chosen this song specially for this evening. It just seemed appropriate, given that just about every word matched how he truly felt for Poppy. He'd put a lot of thought into it, but there really wasn't anything more fitting.
"Ooh ooh ooh, nooroo," the band sang, the beginning of the song "Because of You" by Ne-Yo.
Reaching Poppy, Creek smiled at her and held out the bouquet. "Here, love. I picked these roses especially for you."
"Oh," sang the band.
Poppy's eyes widened, and she took the flowers, looking touched. "Oh, Creek... They're beautiful." She sniffed them, happy.
"Whoa, oh oh oh."
Creek held out a hand as he looked at her with love once again and asked, "May I have this dance, Princess?"
"Whoa, oh oh oh, whoa..."
Poppy set the bouquet on the table, smiling, and took his hand. "You may."
"Oom..."
The two moved away from the table, and Creek started singing the song as he led her in a kind of swing dance. "Want to, but I can't help it. I love the way it feels. It's got me stuck between my fantasy and what is real." Silently, he added, Literally, really, but why spoil the fantasy with reality right now, huh?
Choosing to ignore the reality of his dire situation for now, Creek just looked into Poppy's eyes, love overwhelming him. Poppy smiled back at him, her expression saying she felt the same.
"I need it when I want it. I want it when I don't. Tell myself I'll stop every day, knowin' that I won't," Creek sang on.
The other trolls he'd recruited sang, "Ooh."
"I got a problem, and I..." Creek trailed on as the band sang, "don't know what to do about it." Creek resumed, singing, "Even if I did, I don't know if I would quit, but I doubt it. I'm...taken by the thought of it."
The band backed Creek up as appropriate for harmony's sake.
Looking at this girl, Creek knew that, regardless of what else had happened in his life, Poppy was the best thing in it. No, I doubt I would quit loving her. I'd have turned gray ages ago if not for her endless joy and positivity. I'm so fortunate to have her in my life, no doubt.
The other trolls sang, "Ooh ooh ooh ooh."
"And I know this much is true," Creek sang as the others continued in the background. "Baby, you...have become my addiction."
He twirled her lovingly as he thought of how accurate that was. Oh, yes, truly. I simply can't live without her light shining in my darkened world. Branch gave up a diamond, for certain.
Poppy gave him another loving smile, enjoying both the dance and the song he'd chosen just for her. This is the best. Creek's just so light on his feet and such a good singer. How could it possibly get any better than this?
"I'm so strung out on you...I can barely move...but I like it," Creek sang, the other trolls still handling the harmony. "So then it's all because of you."
"All because of you," the others echoed.
"So then it's all because of you."
"All because of you."
"And it's all because of you."
"All because of you."
"So then it's all because..."
Poppy blushed, feeling happier than she ever thought was possible. "Oh...Creek..."
Creek smiled back at her, sincerity in his eyes. "Never get enough. She's the sweetest drug."
"Ooh-ooh-ooh."
"Think of it every second. I can't get nothing done," Creek sang, giving a teasing grin and shaking his head a bit, then he booped her nose.
Poppy giggled playfully and booped him back as the dance continued.
"Only concern is the next time I'm gon' get me some." Creek ran a hand down Poppy's cheek, looking at her with lust.
She just kept looking at him with love. Her fairy tale was finally coming true.
"Know I should stay away from 'cause it's no good for me," Creek sang.
Reality tried to rear its ugly head as the Branch angel appeared on his shoulder, a finger raised and his mouth open.
No comments, Branch or Branch shoulder angel, if you please, Creek thought.
The angel crossed his arms, scowling, and looked away. The devil Chef appeared, looking at the angel smugly. Her expression screamed, "I win."
"I try and try, but my obsession won't let me leave," Creek sang. In more ways than one. My master won't, either, but I"m more worried about what's in my heart for now.
Poppy blushed, seeing the love and sincerity in his eyes. "Creek..." she said. I agree. I can't leave, either.
"I got a problem, and I..." The band sang, "don't know what to do about it." As they finished that line, Creek sang, "Ooh, even if I did, I don't know if I would quit, but I doubt it. I'm...taken by the thought of it. Hey." Creek picked her up then and twirled her in a full circle before putting her down and continuing the dance with even more elegant moves than before, trying to match the mood of the music. "And I know this much is true. Baby, you...have become my addiction. I'm so strung out on you."
"Strung out on you," echoed the band.
"I...can barely move, ooh, but I like it."
"And I like it," someone echoed.
"So then it's all because of you."
"Oh, yeah."
"All because of you," echoed the others.
Creek slowed things down there, holding Poppy at arm's length and just rocking them both to the music. "So then it's all because of you."
"All because of you."
"And it's all because of you."
"All because of you."
"So then it's all because... Never get enough."
"Never get enough."
"She's the sweetest drug. Ooh-oh-oh." Creek twirled her again.
"Ain't no doubt," sang the others.
"No doubt...hey," Creek sang, and he dipped Poppy, then pulled her up, spinning her in a circle as he continued to move around the dance floor with her.
"So strung out."
"Strung out..." Creek sang passionately.
"Ain't no doubt."
"There ain't no grain of doubt, oh," Creek sang. He spun them both out, holding onto Poppy by just one hand, then they spun back together, and he took both her hands. Both of them were deeply lost in this dance now. The only thing that mattered to them was each other.
No grain of doubt what will happen, either. But I don't care. She's mine for now, at least, and that's all that matters.
I'm in heaven! This is better than any fairy tale ending any day! Creek's just too perfect for words! Poppy thought, completely unaware of Creek's own thoughts on this situation.
This was definitely better—the romantic atmosphere with the stars appearing in a red and purple sky as the sun vanished over the horizon, the beautiful music about Creek's love for her, and, of course, this wonderful dance. Not even Bell and the Beast's first date could compare to this. It put all of the fairy tales she loved so much to shame. What could ever compare?
"So strung out."
"Hey...over you," Creek sang.
"Over you," came the echo.
"You..."
"Over you."
"You..." Creek went back to rocking her as the song slowed down. "Ooh-oh-oh... Because of you. And it's all because of you. Ooh mm. Never get enough. She's the sweetest drug... She's the sweetest...drug..."
As the song ended, Creek and Poppy stopped dancing and just looked into each other's eyes lovingly.
"Oh, Creek...that was..." Poppy said, at a loss for words.
"...It's all because of you, Sunshine," Creek said, using a new pet name for her. He felt this one was fitting, given that she brightened up his every dreary day.
Poppy smiled affectionately at the new name and leaned in for a kiss. Creek leaned in to join her.
Just before their lips met, Klaus von Frosting cut in, saying, "Ah, aren't you two just the cutest couple ever?" He placed their food down on the table as the two pulled apart, startled.
"Ah, yes," Creek said. "We should head over there and get our dinners now, shouldn't we?"
Poppy giggled happily and took his hand. "Sure."
The two sat down to eat, making small talk as they did and enjoying each other's company. Poppy really was having the time of her life. In the background, the trolls Creek had recruited continued playing romantic music for the rest of the evening.
As they finished eating, Poppy said, "Ah... Now that was good. Klaus sure knows his way around the kitchen, huh?" She looked at Creek affectionately again and added, "The maestro's pretty good, too."
"That he is, love. But, you know, the night's not quite finished yet." Creek reached into his pocket as he got up and walked around the table to Poppy.
She watched, amazed, as Creek got down on one knee, holding a pink ring box in hand. Could this be the moment she'd been waiting for?
"Poppy, after what happened to me in those dreadful woods, I thought I'd never be able to relax and enjoy myself ever again. But, after getting to know you and basking in the glow of your never-ending cheer and laughter, I suddenly remembered what it was like to have hope, your endless 'can-do' attitude all but lifting my spirits higher than they'd ever been before. I owe everything I am to you, my love. And, because of that, I can't think of anyone else I'd love to spend the rest of my life with."
Poppy gasped, growing excited. "Creek! Are you saying what I think you are!?" she asked. Come on, wishing star! Make it come true!
Creek smiled lovingly, opening the box slowly as he continued. All other trolls in the area gathered nearby to watch. "Princess Poppy of Troll Village, will you do me the greatest honor of marrying me?" With the box fully open, Poppy saw a silver band set with a large diamond.
She was barely able to contain herself, tearing up from joy. "Yyeeeess! Yes, yes, yes! I thought you'd never ask! Of course, I will, Creek!" Poppy cried happily. Whoo-hoo! Finally! Thank you, shooting star! I should wish on those more often! Alright!
Creek grinned and slipped the ring on her finger, then pulled her up to stand face-to-face. They stood there, holding hands and looking at each other, their love all-consuming at the moment.
"Glad to hear it," Creek said. "Sorry for making you wait." He leaned in to kiss her.
Poppy giggled. "Oh, you." Then she joined him, their lips meeting.
Their audience jumped and cheered.
"Alright! They finally did it! I knew they would someday!" one troll cheered joyfully.
"I'd say this calls for a celebration! Who's up for one last round!?" another said as he held up his guitar, eager for another song.
The musicians all cheered in agreement and hurried off to play one final song for the couple—"I Swear" by All 4 One. Creek and Poppy broke their kiss and looked toward the band for a moment. Then they looked back at each other.
"Shall we?" Creek asked.
"Let's," Poppy answered.
And the two danced the night away. Well, they would have if Creek hadn't suddenly remembered he had another appointment he needed to keep. He didn't tell Poppy that, of course—he simply pointed out how late it was getting and that they should probably get to bed. Then he bid his new fiance good night and left.
It was about 3 in the morning when Creek finally made it to the tower—a bit later than usual, but Branch could tell why the moment he arrived. Creek seemed to be on cloud 9 and was wearing a white tuxedo, so he'd obviously just come from a date. This immediately put Branch in a foul mood since he knew what had most likely happened on that date, but Creek made it worse—he wouldn't stop talking about the amazing night he'd just had. Branch tolerated it for a full 30 minutes, leaning on the wall with his arms crossed, before, realizing that they were all doomed and there was no point trying to save himself anymore, he decided to let his attitude loose.
At the moment Branch lost his patience completely, Creek was standing on one leg with his hands on his cheeks, looking like he might just fly away any second. "It was absolutely stunning! Oh, the way we danced, and then—" He hugged his chest, closing his eyes and blushing furiously.
Looking at him, it was clear to Branch that the idiot had forgotten a few things yet again. "That's great," Branch cut him off. "Enjoy your fantasy while you can, Creek."
Stupidly, Creek missed the bitterness and hurt in Branch's tone and resumed his love-struck flamingo posing (as Branch wanted to call it). "Oh, I am! She was absolutely perfect in that dress and—" He spun on one foot, grabbing Branch's pillow off the bed as he did so. Then he held it out in front of him, staring at it lovingly as if it were Poppy. "Oh, when our lips met—" He moved the pillow closer and closer until he almost kissed it, but he stopped just short of it and squeezed it to his chest instead, collapsing on his back onto the floor and sighing in content.
Little did they know that, back in Troll Village, Poppy was also keeping her best friend up all night as she went on about the wonderful evening. She had gone straight to Smidge two hours ago, when their date ended, and was still standing in there going on about how great her date had been.
Smidge sweat, both happy for her friend but also concerned about how long this was going to go on. She was half asleep here as it was. "Uh, Poppy?"
"And the way he got down on one knee—" Poppy demonstrated, holding both hands to her heart and closing her eyes. She was just as eager to discuss the night's events as she could possibly be. She threw her arms up over her head and fell onto her back, and Smidge was positive that the princess couldn't be any happier than she was right then. "It's like a dream come true!" Poppy continued, oblivious to her friend's concern. She grabbed a pink teddy bear from nearby and hugged it to her chest, giggling excitedly. Or a wish, in this case! Those things really work! "Oh, Smidge, it was just so romantic, and—"
Smidge glanced at her clock and saw the time: 3:30 AM. She sweat. Oh, my ga.
Back in the tower, Creek stood up and said, "And the best part of all was she said yes! Oh, it's almost too good to be true!" He squeezed Branch's pillow tightly, smiling brightly.
Branch had heard more than enough, especially since Creek frequently brought up this ridiculous relationship of his that was doomed to a miserable end. It was like the guy just didn't care that he was deceiving and betraying everyone he knew—which, honestly, Branch didn't think he did. If he cared for any of them, he wouldn't be working for Chef. Harshly, Branch responded, "That's because it isn't, in case you're forgetting how your fairy tale ends, Creek."
Creek started, eyes widening, as if he really had forgotten. "I-I know, but—"
Slowly, he began to put down the pillow, looking uncomfortable all of a sudden. Did Branch always have to kill his fantasies with reality? Sure, Branch was right, but couldn't he just let Creek enjoy this until the ending came? How was that so much to ask?
"Poppy, I'm happy for you, I really am," Smidge said back in the village. "But do you think you could tell me all this tomorrow? You know, when I'm actually awake enough to enjoy it?"
"Huh? How come?" Poppy asked, cocking her head naively as she stood up, still clutching the teddy bear to her chest.
Smidge smacked her forehead, exasperated. She loved Poppy, really, but the girl could be so oblivious sometimes. It was like she didn't realize how late it was or how long she'd been there.
"Once she realizes what you've done, Creek, she's not going to like you so much," Branch reminded his idiotic and traitorous friend. "Better brace yourself for that one."
"I know that, but—"
Smidge lowered her hand and said, "Poppy. It's 3 in the morning. You know that, don't you?"
Poppy's eyes widened in shock. "I-it is?" She glanced at her hug watch, sweating. She didn't remember it ever going off over the last two hours. At least that explained why Smidge had interrupted her twice to hug her—Hug Time had rolled around. Was it really that late? It felt like it had just been a few minutes.
Smidge smacked herself again. "Oh, my ga."
This was worse than she thought. Apparently, Poppy was completely out of it.
"You're going to get her killed, Creek," Branch said back in the tower.
"I know!" Creek practically shouted, tossing his head in frustration. He tossed Branch's pillow back onto the bed and whirled to glare at Branch. The gray troll was being a real jerk these days, and Creek had just about had it. Sure, he might have been asking for it, but that didn't mean Branch had to deliver on it. "Oh, my Brahma, Branch! Give it a rest already! I've heard it all before!"
"I think you should go to bed, Poppy. You're clearly not thinking straight," Smidge said, giving her friend a lame look.
Poppy gave a sheepish grin. "Uuh...right... My bad. Hee hee." She gently set the bear down in front of her.
This was awkward. She'd thought she still had some time to talk to Smidge, but all she'd been doing was keeping her poor friend up half the night. Talk about rude.
"But you still don't care. So how's this for a proposal? Stop telling me about your fake love confession to Poppy. I don't want to hear that any more than you want me telling you to stop being a coward," Branch suggested. He thought that was fair—if Creek didn't want smacked in the face by reality, maybe he should stop bringing his stories of deception to a troll who'd already been deceived and hurt by him once in the past. He might find Branch more pleasant if he just stopped talking about how great a job he was doing of hurting another troll.
Poppy headed for the exit, knowing she'd overstayed her welcome. "Uh, night, Smidge! Sorry about that..."
Back in the tower, Creek sighed, looking down. It kind of sucked that he couldn't tell his best friend about such an important moment in his life without the guy getting mad at him, but it couldn't be helped. "Yeah, whatever." He headed for the window, knowing Branch probably didn't want him here right now, anyway. Besides that, he didn't really want to be here anymore, either. Getting yelled at for something he couldn't control was getting old, even if he did deserve it.
Branch didn't bother trying to stop him. He just closed his eyes, hating his life.
"Good night, Branch. See you tomorrow," Creek said, leaping out the window.
"Yeah. Whatever."
Smidge waved good night to Poppy as she left her pod. "Night." She stretched, yawning, as she headed back to bed.
Poppy stood outside the door, getting jittery once again. She couldn't help herself. Her dreams were all coming true right before her eyes. The best troll in the world had asked her to marry him, after all. What could possibly be better?
At the same time that she was doing that, Creek sat on his bug just outside the tower window, getting equally as worked up. Sure, he'd have to betray her someday, but that wouldn't stop him from enjoying her love while he had it.
"Ooh, whoo-hoo! He finally proposed!" Poppy cheered loudly, pumping a fist into the air and standing on one leg. She couldn't wait to start her life with the man she loved and live happily ever after.
At the same time, Creek threw his arms up and cried, "Alright! She said yes! Hooray for me!" Deciding to avoid talking to Branch again until the gray troll cooled off, he went right back to enjoying his fantasy. Just because the ending wouldn't be so great didn't mean he couldn't love it while it lasted.
"Poppy! Go to bed, already! I'm trying to sleep!" Smidge called.
Poppy cringed, grinning sheepishly again. "Oop! My bad, Smidge! Later!" she said, and she took off for her own pod.
Branch slammed the window shut and locked it, startling Creek. The guru troll yelped and slowly turned to look, wondering if he was in trouble again.
"Uh...Branch?" Creek asked hesitantly.
"Beat it, Creek," he answered coldly.
Creek cringed. Clearly, Branch was very angry at him. "Ooh... Yes...yes, I should really—" Then, ever the coward, he flew away.
Smidge climbed into bed, sighing. "Oh, she's got it bad, for sure." She flopped down to sleep.
Alone, Branch groaned, tossing his head back. "...Poppy's going to get seriously hurt, both physically and emotionally."
He ought to know—he was the first one Creek had betrayed. But he wasn't in love with the jerk. It was going to be a lot worse for the one who did love him. He headed toward his bed, saw the picture of Poppy when she was 11 hanging over the bed, and paused, looking at it.
She'd been a cute baby, and he remembered having fun with her in the short time between her birth and the loss of his family. She'd been irritating after that, but so had just about every other troll in the village. She might have been worse due to the constant misconception that he was her brother, but, looking back on it, she was still kind of endearing in her own weird way. She wasn't as bad as he'd made her out to be.
Being a jerk to her was one of his biggest regrets.
"...I really should have tried to get to know her..."
Knowing there wasn't much he could do for her or anyone else, he climbed into bed, grabbing Croco and holding on tight as he tried to get some sleep.
The clock was definitely ticking now, and the fact that they had no way of stopping it meant it was just a matter of time before disaster. Soon, Creek would marry Poppy, take everyone to Crumsville, and...
If he stopped coming, Branch didn't plan to wait until he starved to death. He'd end it himself. He could probably make it less painful than starvation.
* This dress is based on a Trolls kids' dress we found online, just recolored.