Disclaimer: We don't own Trolls. The song in this chapter is "That's the Way" by Jo Dee Messina.
Come the next day, the twins finally found a song for Branch...by asking Hank, a known country fan. If Chenille had her way, they wouldn't have bothered him—she wasn't a fan of twangy country music. Satin was the one who decided they should ask Hank—she didn't mind country music. Unbeknownst to any of the three trolls, a pink mist encircled Hank's head, causing him to choose a very specific song that the mist itself wanted Poppy and Branch to hear.
As Hank finished the song, the twins looked at each other uncertainly.
"Well, it's not my favorite genre, but it works, don't you think?" Chenille asked.
"I think so. We should go tell Poppy," Satin answered.
The twins thanked Hank for the suggestion before they hurried off for Poppy's pod. Knowing how Poppy felt about country music, this was going to be interesting.
Poppy, meanwhile, was lying on her stomach and reading Branch's response to her previous letter. Like those before, it had evolved. He'd even put her name on it this time rather than just diving right in.
Poppy,
I'm glad I was able to help, and I'm glad you were able to help DJ out with her problem. It's not like I really did much, though. I just told you to be careful what you say, that's all. Not a big deal.
I guess lilacs are fine. It doesn't matter to me. I won't be there.
As for what Smidge did, are you telling me that Guy and Biggie don't want to wrestle the bergens? Come on, I'm sure they can take them! That's sarcasm, in case you missed it. Good luck getting that one worked out. If Biggie's anything like he used to be, he's too gentle for any kind of wrestling match.
Things are going fine here. You haven't heard much about it because there hasn't been much to say. Ever heard the saying "no news is good news?" I'm doing okay, all things considered.
Your friend,
Branch
Poppy giggled, kicking her feet in the air. She was really starting to enjoy this secret pen-pal thing they had going on. "Oh, Branch. You big, old go—"
The twins came charging in then, crying, "Poppy! We found a song!"
Poppy's face lit up, and she quickly went to put Branch's latest letter in the box with the others. "Yeah!?" she asked, excited.
If they had her song, she could finally go see Branch again, something she was surprisingly looking forward to. He was quickly becoming one of her best friends, someone she wanted to spend time with, and she couldn't wait to get going.
"Well..." Satin hesitated. She knew how Poppy felt about this genre of music.
"It's country," Chenille finished.
Poppy gave a start, staring at them with wide-eyed shock. "...What?" she asked, her voice small.
The twins nodded.
That managed to kill Poppy's mood in seconds. She was sure some other genre should have had something useful, maybe rock, but all anyone ever thought to bring was country. Why did it always have to be country? Was there something she didn't know about that genre? It was starting to look like there was.
She stared another moment, absorbing this fact. Then she groaned, tossing her head. "Oh, alright. Let's hear it," she said, exasperated but resigned to her fate.
The twins pulled out the track and put it in Poppy's player so she could hear it. For a bit, Poppy listened lamely. As the first verse played, her eyes widened.
"...No... You gotta be kidding me!" she said during the refrain. Again? Really?
How many uplifting songs did that genre have? More specifically, how many did it have that were perfect for Branch's situation? First "Ride" told him to face the world with his head high, even if it hurt. Then "Moments" said that life wasn't all bad. Now this. Poppy couldn't believe that a bunch of buck-toothed rednecks could come up with so much hope in troubled times, so was her view on rednecks and country music wrong?
"Poppy?" Satin asked, concerned. "Are you okay?"
Before the second verse began, Poppy turned the music off and snatched it out of the player. She'd worry about how much she didn't know later. For now, Branch needed her, and she needed to find an excuse that would let her go see him. Her previous excuse—resting—wouldn't work so well now that she could walk some. "Okay! Yeah! T-that's great, you guys! I'm sure he's gonna love it!" she said, seemingly uncomfortable. Then, growing determined, she continued, "Now we just need a good enough excuse to get me back out there! Any ideas?"
"No. But we can cover for you," Chenille offered.
Poppy put a hand to her chin, thinking up a good excuse to go see Branch. Having the twins cover for her would work better if she could actually go somewhere. Sure, she could say she wanted to visit Bergen Town again, but that seemed like too much of a hassle since her feet were still recovering. Smidge had carried her the last few times she'd gone, but she also hadn't been around Poppy much since the letter-writing had started. Then, of course, there was the fact that climbing on and off a flyer bug could be considered a little hard on her feet. "Hmm..." Her eyes widened as a better idea came to her, one that would help relieve her current boredom as well. She grinned mischievously and asked, "Say, how'd you girls feel about taking a camping trip in the north woods with everyone? Then it wouldn't take nearly as long to get to and from the tower, and we could set up a couple of activities to split the group for an hour or two. Think that could work?" She gave them a sly grin.
This plan was brilliant. Creek may want to tag along with anything else, so, if they planned to do different activities at times on a camping trip, Poppy could go see Branch unnoticed, and Creek could still have fun with her. It was a win for everyone.
Satin looked excited. "Ooh, yes!"
Poppy beamed, throwing her arms up in excitement. She was finally getting out of bed for some fun. "Great! Then go tell everyone, and I'll start packing for this weekend! My feet should be fine if we take a wagon along for if I get tired! And to help carry the supplies, of course." Her eyes widened for a moment as she remembered the upcoming wrestling match. She looked at the twins in concern and amended, "Uh, that is, assuming Smidge, Biggie, and Guy got that little issue of theirs sorted out." Poppy laughed awkwardly, really hoping they had managed that.
The twins nodded, and Chenille said, "Don't worry, Poppy. That's all been taken care of."
"We'll go tell them!" Satin said.
"We're inviting Creek, too, right?" Chenille clarified.
"Yes. It'd be suspicious if we didn't," Poppy answered seriously, crossing her arms.
The twins nodded, smiling, and left to invite the Snack Pack on a camping trip.
Poppy sat there a moment before she said, "Right! Now, to answer that silly old gray troll!" She took out some paper, smiling with amusement, and started working on her reply. Branch could be a real goofball sometimes.
That afternoon, Poppy's letter arrived in the tower. Branch hadn't really been doing anything—just playing chess by himself. When the zip beetle arrived, he opened the letter and read:
Dear Branch,
Thank you so much for the helpful advice. I totally planned on having my wedding without helping you out first. Seriously. When are ya gonna learn that my motto is "No troll left behind," and that includes you? So of course, you'll be at my wedding 'cause it's not gonna happen until everyone is safe!
And what do you mean, you didn't do much? That advice was killer and it worked like a charm! Why, if not for that, I may have choked on the first verse and lost that battle for sure! DJ's had a rap battle show since she was a trolling, but Master Control was taking all the fun out of it! He needed taken down or the show'd be over for good! So your advice did way more for us than you think. It saved DJ's show from going under, so you're a hero, Branch! The hero of rap battling!
So stop putting yourself down all the time! I told you to look at the good inside so you'd start to feel better, and being kind and caring enough to help out are two more good things you shouldn't overlook. There's more good in you than you know, so start looking for that instead of all your flaws. You'll find it easier to like and forgive yourself if you do.
And, speaking of saving lives, Guy and Biggie got out of their scheduled wrestling match with the bergens Skullcrusher and Death's Door. They're going on a camping trip with the rest of the Snack Pack instead! Hope to see you soon! Maybe we can spend some time together this weekend! Take care until then!
Your friend,
Poppy
"Well, glad those guys got out of that one," Branch said to himself, looking at the part about Biggie and Guy. "Trolls wrestling bergens. Doesn't sound like a good idea." He thought about it for a second, then amended, "Well, maybe Smidge. From what Creek's told me, she could probably take them." He re-read the part about the camping trip and maybe seeing each other come the weekend, then said, "I hope she comes here soon."
Unsure what he'd even write in response to Poppy's latest letter, Branch put it away with the others and went back to his solo chess match. Eventually, he came up with a response to her, which he sent out that night, after Creek had come and gone.
The rest of the week was fairly uneventful. Biggie and Guy checked up on Smidge regularly to be sure she wouldn't accidentally put someone else in danger, like she had them. Creek worked feverishly to prepare his and Poppy's chosen venue for the wedding. Poppy got bored enough that she threw a Hair for Feet dance party. And Cooper learned how to swim exactly like a dolphin, although how and why were things that nobody really wanted to know.
Through all of this, Poppy kept Branch up to date through a couple more letters. She was truly starting to enjoy his sarcastic, goofy, or mischievous responses. It was more fun than scrapbooking at times. She also kept telling Branch about her wedding plans, although he didn't really have anything to say about any of that in his responses.
By the time the weekend came, the entire Snack Pack was excited about their camping trip. The ten of them met up on the northern edge of the village, supplies packed and ready to go. Every one of them had been assigned a different item to bring just to make sure nothing was forgotten.
"Alright! Roll call! Cooper!" said Smidge, calling names from a list of trolls and supplies. She had a pencil in her hand and a brown backpack with a sleeping bag strapped to the top.
"I'm here!" Cooper answered cheerily, a purple bag on his own back. "And I got the stuff for the s'mores!"
Smidge nodded and checked that off her list. "Good. Guy!"
"Heeeeereeee!" he answered in an autotune. "And I've got the inflatable rafts!" He tapped his silver, glittery backpack, smiling.
Smidge checked that off. "Satin? Chenille?"
"We're here!" they answered in unison. Both had backpacks on their own backs, one blue and one purple.
"And we've got the make-overs covered!" Satin added, smiling.
Chenille elaborated, "Make-up, hair, and nails."
"Good, good. And the portable shower and hair dryers?" Smidge asked, pencil at the ready.
"Of course!" Chenille answered.
"Great! I was worried for a second! DJ Suki?"
"Present! And I've got, uh...the music player and, uh...sandwiches?" she said, as if she'd forgotten what she was supposed to bring. A brown bag with a white and red sleeping bag was slung over her shoulder, and she had a small boom box in hand. When she mentioned the sandwiches, she pulled a bunch of individually-wrapped sandwiches from her hair, looking uncertain.
Smidge blinked, looking at her with concern. "What about the cooler and drinks?"
DJ stared a second before slapping a hand to her forehead. "Duh! I knew I forgot somethin'!" She stuffed the sandwiches and boom box in her hair, then turned to run off. "Be back in a few, ya guys!" she said before running off to get the forgotten items.
Smidge just shook her head as she watched DJ go. That girl would forget her head if it wasn't attached to her shoulders. "Well, while she does that, Biggie? You ready, at least?"
"Oh, yes! I've got the wagon and the tents right here!" he answered, pulling over a little red wagon with the tents bound up inside. Strapped to his back was a light green backpack and a sleeping bag that most likely resembled Mr. Dinkles.
"Meep!" said Mr. Dinkles from Biggie's arms.
"Good. And you're both here," Smidge said, checking their names off her list. She continued, "Uh, let's see. Fuzzbert?"
Fuzzbert nodded and tossed down a knapsack full of cooking supplies and cans of food. Presumably, his own personal items were in there as well.
"Good. You've got dinner covered. Creek?"
"I'm here, love. And I brought some life jackets and canoes in my own cart, as well," he answered with a smile, gesturing to a cart with the aforementioned supplies. "Also a nice, large picnic blanket for us to eat on." Silently, he added, And to hide my special meals for Branch under until we arrive and I find a better place to stash them.
Creek wouldn't even be going on this camping trip if it wasn't to the north of Troll Village. It would be difficult for him to get to Branch each night otherwise. It could still prove challenging, anyway, depending on what everyone decided to do during the night. Regardless, he figured he could pull it off, so he'd packed up his own yellow backpack and sleeping bag and decided to go with them. It shouldn't present any serious trouble, and it would give him the chance to spend some quality time with Poppy, so it was worth the hassle. Poppy had been pretty moody ever since she'd hurt herself out in the woods, but at least she was safe and could have fun again. Creek planned to make up for lost time.
"Good! I'm looking forward to that one! And finally, Poppy!"
"Here!" she answered as she waved cheerily, a blue backpack and pink sleeping bag strapped to her back. "And I've got the flashlights and song sheets! Since no one wanted me carrying anything too heavy right now." She looked a bit annoyed at that. Secretly, she also had some fluffleberry cake and a bag of candy on her. Of course, nobody needed to know about that, given who these items were for.
"Well, you're gonna be on the wagon!" Cooper said, pointing at Biggie's wagon, which had enough space clear on it for a single troll to sit.
"Not all the way there, Coop!" Poppy protested, putting her hands on her hips. "I'm only gonna be using it if I need to! Sheesh!"
"Well, anyway, once DJ gets back with our drinks, we should be all set, guys," Smidge told them. "'Cause I've got the hang gliders you boys requested, too!" She patted her own large bag, grinning proudly.
Trolls normally just used their hair to go hair gliding, but they knew of hang gliders from the bergens, who didn't have that ability. While it may have seemed a little strange, the Snack Pack boys had decided to try hair gliding without their hair and would be using these bergen contraptions instead. Half the fun would be figuring out how to use a hang glider in the first place. The excuse behind this was simple: It'll be fun to try it a different way. The real reason was more useful: It would take them more time to set up and figure out hang gliders than it would to just use their hair, so that would buy Poppy more time to spend with Branch. The whole point of this trip, after all, was to give her a chance to see him.
"Oh, excellent!" Biggie said, clapping a little. "Thank you, Smidge!"
"Yes! I do enjoy a good trip through the sky now and then," Creek said with a smile, stretching one arm out in front of him and the other behind as he balanced gracefully on one foot.
DJ came running back over then, a red and white cooler in hand. "I'm back!"
"Then what are we waiting for!?" Smidge asked the Snack Pack. "Let's go have some fun!"
They answered in sync, none of their answers coherent because they all said something different, and the Snack Pack set off to camp to the north.
Soon, deep in the north woods, the Snack Pack had found a clearing near both a lake and a stream, so they hurried to set up camp. Poppy, tired from walking so much, waited in the wagon as her friends pitched tents, gathered firewood, and got everything else ready. When he was sure no one was looking, Creek swapped his picnic blanket with a towel, making sure to keep his meals for Branch hidden beneath it so he could lay the picnic blanket out for Poppy, who had been riding in the wagon for about half of their trip. Not being all that comfortable in it, she moved to Creek's picnic blanket the moment he had laid it out. Once they'd finished that, they decided to split up and explore the area.
"So I'll take Cooper and DJ and check out what's to the east of us!" Guy said. "Hopefully, we'll find a good, clear spot higher up for flyyyyyyyying!"
"I'll go with Creek and Fuzzbert to the west!" Smidge said. "We're gonna get a better look at that creek and see just how safe it is to raft in!"
"Biggie, Satin, and I will head north and see if there's anything interesting out there," Chenille said.
"Hey, you guys! No fair! What about me?" Poppy whined.
Biggie looked at her apologetically and said, "Sorry, Poppy, but you need to take it easy."
"You're still hurt, remember?" Satin added. "You don't want to make your feet worse, do you?"
"They're right, Sunshine," Creek said sympathetically. He walked over and knelt in front of her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "But fear not. I'll take you out to see it all later. Just the two of us, alright?"
Poppy sighed in defeat. "Yeah, okay," she said, pouting.
"There, there, love. It'll be alright." Creek got up and turned to Smidge, saying, "Alright, Smidge. Lead the way!"
"Right! This way!" she said, and everyone took off in their separate groups.
Poppy waited for a bit, making sure they were out of earshot, then got up. "Finally! I thought they'd never leave! Now to go see Branch!"
In truth, she'd known they were going scouting without her—she'd asked them to do that. Once Creek had said he'd be joining them on this camping trip, the Snack Pack (minus Creek, of course) had gathered and discussed ways to split up without making Creek suspicious. There were very few opportunities on this trip for her to get away from the group, given that Creek was with them, so she had to make some herself, and this was one they had planned. If she was going to have any chance to see Branch this weekend, she'd need to keep Creek away from her for an extended period of time, after all. So, knowing that Smidge would keep Creek away for as long as she could, Poppy snatched the cake and candy out of her bag, stuffed them in her hair, and ran off toward the tower, excited to see the gray troll again.
Branch was doing his laundry when he heard a girl out the window.
"Brapunzel, Brapunzel! Let down your hair!" Poppy giggled. "That I might climb the coal-black stair!" she laughed out.
Startled, Branch turned toward the window. Then he teetered on the border of being amused and annoyed. Rather than respond in any verbal way, he headed to the window and took a look outside. "Hey, princess!" he called down to the pink troll standing at the foot of the tower.
"Hey!" she said, waving. "How's it going!? ...Rapunztroll?" She giggled a bit more before whipping her own hair up to make a pink stairway, grinning broadly.
Branch rolled his eyes and moved to the side so she could get in easier. "Going about as well as it could be."
Poppy clamored through the window then, saying, "So! Did you get my letter about Cooper's new, unusual skill?"
That same letter had also spoken of the type of font she planned to use for the wedding invitations and how much glitter she wanted involved in the whole fiasco, so Branch could hardly forget that letter. Given that he'd recently admitted to having stronger feelings for Poppy than just friendship, anything about her wedding plans burned.
"Oh, yeah, I got it," he answered. "And, you know, somehow it doesn't surprise me in the least."
"Yeah. Can't say I'm surprised, either," Poppy said. Then she changed the subject. "So!" She moved toward him and poked him in the chest pointedly a couple of times. "I've noticed you've been completely ignoring my wedding plans." She shoved him a bit, looking both amused and annoyed. "You big doofus!" She threw her arms up, cheerful. "Of course, you'll be there! I said I wasn't having the thing without you!" She flicked his nose playfully, giving him a smug grin.
"Oh, joy," Branch said sarcastically as he rolled his eyes.
The way he was acting, it didn't seem to Poppy like he'd been taking her advice. In fact, that attitude seemed like exactly the opposite of what he should be giving her if he truly wanted to get out of this tower. "...Branch? Have you been doing any of the things I told you to? If you'd just follow my instructions already, then maybe you'd start to feel better, and we can work on making you happy from there!" Exasperated, she answered her question for herself. "Honestly! How do you expect to ever get better if you don't—"
"I've been doing what you said, Poppy," he cut her off.
Poppy stopped, looking hopeful. "Yeah!?"
"Yeah. And I am feeling a little better."
"...What do you mean by a little better?" she asked, concerned. "Talk to me, boy. I can't help you if I don't know what's going on."
"I don't feel so bad about what I did in the past, and I'm trying not to blame myself for...Trollstice. Most of the time, I can remind myself it wasn't all my fault. It's getting better, Poppy."
Poppy thought about that answer a bit, debating whether it was good or not. He said he was trying not to blame himself for Trollstice, which seemed to imply that he still did. However, he also said he didn't feel as bad about his past mistakes, and Trollstice was one of those. She couldn't decide if he'd forgiven himself or not.
Regardless, it sounded like he was starting to recover, so maybe he'd been taking her advice, after all.
"...Good!" Poppy said, smiling at him proudly. "Sounds like you're finally on the right track, huh?"
"Yeah," Branch answered with a slight smile.
"Great!" Grinning awkwardly, she brought her hand, clenched into a fist, up to her chest and started dancing around slightly as she continued, "Then I guess you're ready for another riveting round of ridiculous mood-lifting music, huh?" She sounded mostly cheery but also really disturbed.
That was all the clue Branch needed to know what genre she came bearing this time. "Oh, boy. Now what do you have, country girl?" he teased.
Annoyed, Poppy shoved him. "Knock it off! It's not my fault!"
Hair forbid she tell him she may be considering giving country-western music a try soon. Sure, she was curious after so many powerful mood-lifting songs, but she'd never hear the end of it if she said any of that to Branch. He was enjoying teasing her about this enough as it was. She didn't need to give him more ammo.
Branch laughed. "Maybe not, but your reaction is."
Poppy looked at him lamely, annoyed, a hand on her hip. Then she rolled her eyes and grumbled, "Maybe not, but your reaction is." She gave a humph as she went to his CD player to put the track in.
The song that started up this time sounded like an older song, and its melody was somewhere in the middle, compared to the two before. It wasn't super cheery, like "Ride," but it wasn't as sad as "Moments."
"For the record, this came from cowtroll Hank. Not my doing," Poppy said dismissively, sticking her nose in the air, as "That's the Way" by Jo Dee Messina played. She gave another humph, still annoyed at his teasing.
Branch smirked. "Cowgirl."
Poppy grabbed a book off his shelf and threw it at him. Branch just laughed, shielding himself with an arm. Then, as the words started up, they were both quiet, listening.
"Everybody wants an easy ride on the merry-go-round that we call life. Take a drive on cruise control, then you wait to find it's a windin' road."
"Oh, yeah," Branch said, rolling his eyes.
Poppy sighed and muttered, "You're the cowboy. You love everything I bring ya that's country!"
The song continued while she was complaining. "I had my dreams in view when the money ran out and the engine blew."
Poppy finished her little complaint right about then. She humphed again, crossing her arms and looking away in annoyance. Branch just rolled his eyes, smirking at her, and kept listening to the song.
"Hung my tears out to dry, then my dreams fell out of that clear blue sky," the song continued.
Actually, they came climbing through the window singing about how they were going to get back up again, he amended. But, of course, he had no intention of saying that out loud.
"And I, I was walking the clouds, feeling so safe and sound. Then somethin' else knocks me down," the song continued.
Branch frowned. That would be about right for his life. Something else always knocked him down. "...Ugh." He silently pleaded, Please don't.
"Hold on. Just wait," Poppy said.
He didn't have to wait long as the song continued, "Well, ohh. That's the way it is."
"That's the way it is," echoed in the background.
"You gotta roll with the punches. That's the way it goes."
"That's the way it goes."
"You gotta bend when the wind blows."
Branch stared at the CD player in disbelief. That's her advice? Deal with it?
"You live, you learn. You crash and burn. It's hit or miss."
"That's the way," the background said.
"And that's the way it is," the main song continued.
Unpleasant as it was to think about, that was true. There were things in life that just couldn't be controlled. "...Yeah."
"I guess," Poppy muttered. She put a hand to her head, exasperated. Why did country musicians and Branch have to look at life that way? "Ugh."
The song continued, starting on the verse that Poppy hadn't heard yet. "One fine day, you wake up, completely hopelessly falling in love."
Neither of them saw the pink mist that encircled both of them, influencing their thoughts as the song continued.
Poppy started, eyes widening a bit. "Wait a sec, what?"
That line was exactly how her feelings for Creek had developed. She wasn't even entirely aware she had feelings for him until the twins pointed it out, then she still didn't get it until her dad had "the talk" with her. And then she wasn't sure she should act on it until she was older. The whole thing had come on suddenly and strong, just like the song said.
Branch raised an eyebrow, wondering if this song just planned on playing out his entire life story. Uh...please go in a different direction.
"He's just what you're looking for, the only problem is that the man's not sure," the song continued.
Poppy stared, stunned. "...Whaaat...?" Silently, she wondered, Creek's sure, right? I-I mean, Branch said he—B-but he also said it was all a—Argh! What's really going on here!? Now I'm not even sure!
Branch had told her that Creek did love her, but was that just him trying to be nice, like he tended to do these days? He'd also told her Chef ordered Creek to marry her, so, even if he did love her, was it really good enough? Was his love for her even real if he was willing to give it all up for Chef's evil plot, or was everything she'd been through with Creek just an act? Poppy's head was spinning as she tried to make sense of it.
Why had the twins picked this song? It was supposed to help Branch, not confuse her.
While Poppy worried about that, under the mist's influence, Branch thought of all the reasons Poppy was just what he was looking for, like how she'd tried to understand him when no one else did or always wanted to make him happy back when they were kids. Then, of course, there was everything she was doing to try to help him now, like teaching him different life lessons to help his heart heal and make him feel better, or putting his needs above her own and putting her health at risk. She'd even been keeping his feelings about Croco in mind, never teasing him about it and using it to help him instead. And, of course, there was the fact that she was one hundred percent certain she could help him, no doubts at all.
She really was everything he wanted. But there was a huge problem with it.
...Uh, pretty sure the girl is sure she's not interested. Guess this is going kind of in a different direction...
The next line set his mind at ease, at least—there was no way it could be describing his life when the musician sang, "Another guy will give you everything, only problem is you don't feel a thing."
And then the mist influenced Poppy's thoughts, getting her thinking of Branch taking care of her feet, trying to give her the last of his food, and giving up his bed to her while she'd been staying with him. She even remembered some moments from her childhood when Branch had shown concern for her—kissing her cuts or scrapes if nobody else was around or checking in on her when she was sick in bed. Little things that she'd overlooked because of the attitude he'd always given her back then. Looking back on them, now, however...
She stared, sweating, stunned, as her eyes slowly wandered to look at Branch. She thought about the things she'd learned from that psychiatrist about some people covering things up with anger. In her childhood memories of him, Branch was almost always acting annoyed or frustrated, but could that have been covering up his concern? Sure, he'd been sort of gentle that day at the jungle gym, but... As she stared at him, she was seeing him in a whole new light, even back in those early days.
Branch looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Why was she looking at him like that?
Poppy looked away suddenly, clasping her hands behind her back. "Nothing!" she answered, looking awkward.
Branch just looked at her curiously.
"Well, I know from experience, nothing's ever gonna make perfect sense," the song continued.
Yeah, including Poppy, Branch thought.
Yeah, no kidding. Stupid wishing star, Poppy thought, annoyed. Never should've—
"Oh. One day, you get what you want, but it's not what you think," the song played on.
Branch gave a start and looked back to the CD player. He stared at it, thinking about that. I wanted out of my engagement, and I got it. Definitely not what I thought it would be...
Having a crush on his ex-fiance while she was engaged to someone else was entirely unexpected.
Poppy also gave a start and looked at the machine. "What?" she said, surprised. I wanted a fairy tale wedding with Creek! And it's nothing but a—Argh! That's no fair at all!
Being led to a male Rapunzel to play the role of his love interest was definitely not what she expected.
"Then you get what you need..."
Poppy's eyes widened in shock at that line. No way! That couldn't— Her eyes slowly wandered to Branch again, unsure and surprised.
Branch didn't notice Poppy looking at him because, at the same time she did, he looked away, rubbing his head. "Er...yyeah..." He didn't want to say it aloud. I guess I do need Poppy. She's...a better antidepressant than Creek ever was.
She'd be an even better one if she'd just stop breaking his heart by making him fall for her while constantly reminding him that she was already engaged.
Poppy stared, at a complete loss. I don't need Branch! This is so wrong. Ugh.
Then the mist reminded Poppy of what she liked in a guy—kindness, fun-loving, a good singer and dancer, bravery, mischievousness, smart, adventurous, caring, and handsomeness. Of course, that just left her more annoyed.
Okay, so, yeah, Branch does match up with some of those characteristics. But he's not even close to fun enough. And, sure, he's kind and caring to the point of driving me nuts sometimes, but he's also extremely paranoid, timid, and downright depressing. I can remember that much from our childhoods, at least. So there's no way he's the troll I wished for! No way at all.
The song continued, "Well, oh. That's the way it is."
"That's the way it is."
"You gotta roll with the punches. That's the way it goes."
"That's the way it goes."
"You gotta bend when the wind blows. You live, you learn. You crash and burn. It's hit or miss."
"That's the way."
"And that's the way it is. Yeah. They say your soul is growing, but sometimes I feel like throwing something."
Branch sweat. Been there, done that.
"Yeah, no kidding," Poppy muttered, glaring at the CD player with her hands on her hips. "I feel like throwing you."
"Come again?" Branch asked, glancing at her. What's gotten into her? Didn't she bring this song? Why does it sound like she doesn't like what it's saying, either?
"And that's the way it is. You gotta roll with the punches. That's the way it goes. You gotta bend when the wind blows. That's the way it is."
"That's the way it is," echoed in the background again.
"You gotta roll with the punches."
"That's the way it goes."
"That's the way it goes."
"You gotta bend when the wind blows. You live, you learn. You crash and burn. It's hit or miss."
"That's the way..."
"Ohh... That's the way it is..."
Poppy just kept glaring at the CD player, hands on her hips. Then the pink mist interfered again, reminding Poppy about Branch's "moments" and what he'd said about how he used to be: "I used to sing and dance, and everything else trolls do."
Poppy started, eyes widening. N-no way...but, if that's true, then— She cut that thought off, staring at Branch curiously.
Feeling eyes on him, Branch gave her a puzzled look. Poppy started and quickly looked away, looking a bit awkward now and blushing from embarrassment. That was the third time she'd been staring at him and the second time she'd been caught. If she didn't knock it off, he'd probably think she had some sort of weird staring complex.
"That's the way it is," said the background on the song.
"Oh, that's the way it is," the singer said.
"You gotta roll with the punches," the background music continued at the same time. "Yeah, that's the way it goes."
"Yeah. That's the way it is."
"Whoa, oh, whoa, whoa," crooned the background.
"That's the way it is."
As the song continued, the background lines kept repeating the same thing on loop over and over while the singer interjected with her own lines.
"That's the way it is," the background loop continued.
"You gotta roll with the punches," the singer and the background said together.
"Yeah, that's the way it goes. Whoa, oh, whoa, whoa..." said the background as the singer went, "Ohh... You gotta bend when the wind blows..."
As the mist faded away, Poppy kept thinking about Branch without its influence now that he wasn't looking at her like she was a weirdo. Branch was once just like everyone else. Singing, dancing, and hugging, but...what was he really like? Did he have a good voice? Was he tons of fun and more mischievous? I mean, he talks that way in his letters sometimes, so...maybe? Who is the troll that's hiding underneath all this moodiness and worry? And is there a way to bring him back out of it all? She put a hand to her chin, thinking about that, as the song continued.
"That's the way it is," sang the background.
"Ohh... That's the way it goes..." sang the artist at the same time the background loop continued, "You gotta roll with the punches."
"That's the way it is."
"Yeah, that's the way it goes."
"That's the way it goes." Meanwhile, the background continued looping, "Whoa, oh, whoa, whoa..."
"Ohh...yeah..."
"That's the way it is."
"You gotta roll with the punches," both sang together.
The song continued, the lines growing fainter and fainter until the song faded out completely.
Branch stared at the CD player for a second, thinking about it. It wasn't really new information, but it was saying that life would throw you for a loop and you needed to learn to live with it anyway. Of course, with how many punches life had already thrown at him, he felt like he had already been beaten to a pulp by it and was just getting kicked while he was down every time anything else went wrong. If something happened to Poppy, for example...
"...Huh. Guess that's good advice," he said, unwilling to finish that thought.
Poppy looked at Branch, seeing that same annoying, somewhat resigned expression on his face, and decided to worry about her own mental dilemma later. This Branch clearly wasn't going anywhere any time soon, and this was the Branch she had to worry about right now.
"Yeah, if you like taking advice from some stupid—And after waiting all the way til four in the morning just to—" she muttered. "Arrhh!" she cried, frustrated, as she threw her arms up. "Why'd I even—" Silently, she complained, Stuck with a moody gray Branch instead of my—
Branch raised an eyebrow at her. He was just going to let the "you can't make me, star" thing slide, but she had just brought it up again. "Uh...what did you do? Make some wish on a shooting star that didn't turn out right? You know they don't actually make wishes come true, right?"
Poppy started, eyes wide. Then she whipped her head around to look at him. "I'm sorry, what? How'd you—"
Of all the things he could have guessed, she never thought he'd think of that one. He didn't even believe in magic when they were little, so how would he even know that wishing on a shooting star was a thing? She only learned it recently, after all.
Branch sweat and looked away, rubbing his head. "I, uh...might have done that once myself."
Poppy stared at him, eyes wide in shock. "...You? Branch. Just how desperate are you to—"
It was hard to imagine the scientifically-minded troll ever doing something like that. But when could he have done it? It couldn't have been that same night. ...Could it?
"So that's your song, huh?" Branch cut her off, eager for a change of subject. "Are you going to come here with a new one every time you visit?"
"Hey! Don't change the subject like that! I'm seriously freaking out right now!" Poppy panicked, putting her hands on her head. If fate had somehow set this all up, that didn't bode well for her.
"Why?"
"Well, normally I wouldn't do this, but since this is just plain weird, here goes! Yes, I did make a wish on a star about 2 months ago and, since I'm not too worried about finding out where it's heading to, I..." She took a deep breath, bracing herself. He was bound to tease her for something so childish. This was going to be embarrassing. At a rapid speed, she continued, "—wished for a fairy tale love to live happily ever after with, okay!?" She looked very awkward now as she took some deep breaths.
Branch's eyes widened. The timing had to be a coincidence. "W-wait, about two months ago?"
Poppy looked at him, concern growing. "Yeah. I waited up all night for it, even. Why? Is there something I should know?" She put her hands on her hips, looking at him with suspicion. If he said what she feared he would...
Branch took a step back, his eyes, if anything, wider. "...Uh, all night?"
"Arh!" Poppy complained, throwing her arms up in frustration. As she continued, she made a bunch of agitated and angry gestures with her hands and even forgot to breathe. "Yes! So my friends and I were out stargazing when all of a sudden, a shooting star flew overhead, and everyone started wishing except me 'cause I didn't even know about making a wish until the dumb thing had passed, so I sat up all night, hoping a star could get Creek to propose to me, so I wished for true love to live happily ever after with, like the fairy tales, then, when Creek finally proposed, I thought the star was responsible for it, so I wore a fairy tale princess dress to the proposal dinner, and—"
Talking more to himself than her, Branch shook his head and said, "There's no way we actually did that..."
"Did what?" Poppy asked, pausing mid-rant to look at him in concern.
Branch suddenly realized he'd said that out loud. "...Poppy, about two months ago, early in the morning, is when I made a wish," he said.
Poppy stared, eyes wide. "...What...?" She looked up, uncomfortable yet curious.
Branch nodded and said, "We...might have been wishing on the same star."
Poppy just kept staring at the ceiling, beyond which she knew the stars were, unseen by the light of day. But...if that's true, then did my wish for true love really line up with whatever Branch wished for that well? But I like Creek more, so how does that work? I mean, sure, I have no clue what Branch was like before, and he has gotten a lot nicer and more helpful and caring, but still!
I wanted a way out of this mess, and it...kinda looks like I'm getting it? Branch thought, hesitant to get his hopes up but unable to deny that something was weird about all of this. I mean, everyone knows what Chef's planning now, so they should be able to take care of it, and Poppy's... Just having her around helps. Well, she may not want her wish, but I still do!
If shooting stars really could grant wishes, Branch intended to get his. Of course, that meant he wouldn't be telling Poppy what he wished for, whether she asked or not. He wasn't completely sure that was actually what was going on here, but there was no harm in acting like it might be happening. Then, at least, he couldn't kill his own chance of escaping this nightmare he'd been trapped in for 16 years.
Poppy looked down, sweating awkwardly. The idea that she and Branch had wished on the same star was weird enough without having to consider the possibility that their wishes had lined up well enough to cause this to unfold. "Eh, heh heh. Well, guess that's the way it is, huh!? Might as well 'bend when the wind blows' and get back up again, huh?" She moved her arms in front of her in the way someone might while marching, that awkward grin still on her face.
"...Uh..."
She looked at him, gesturing with her arms out in front of her, and continued, "I mean, think about it, Branch! Our lives just threw us a major curveball, and who knows where it'll lead us! But, rather than worrying about that, we might as well just roll with it and face whatever storms may lie ahead!" She threw her arms out to the sides, beaming. "Life's not as easy as taking a walk in the park sometimes," she then muttered, "unfortunately," before continuing louder, "but, if you act like it mostly is, there's no surprise it can throw your way that can keep you down! So, when life knocks you down, just get right back up again, and everything will work itself out!" Silently, she added, There! Back on track, despite that little detour in the middle there! Hopefully, Branch will follow the example I'm setting for him right now! After all, I was just knocked over and got back up again, right!?
Branch just stared at her for a second. That sounded like better advice when she put it that way than it did from just the song. Then, finally, he smiled slightly. "Right."
"Atta boy! See? You can do this, Branch!" She gestured at him with both hands, smiling proudly. "You just gotta believe in yourself a little more, and you'll be happy in no time!"
He could see what Creek meant about the sun following her everywhere she went. Most of the smiles Branch offered around Creek were forced or the product of getting his mind off his situation for a moment, yet Poppy was able to make him smile a bit while she talked about this mess he was in. She was some kind of miracle.
"...You are contagious, so I guess it's only a matter of time," he said, still smiling at her.
Poppy blinked, confused. "I'm what, now?"
Branch just shook his head and said, "Never mind. So how long until you need to be back?"
She put a hand to her chin, thinking. "Hmm... About half an hour or an hour and a half. Depends on how long Smidge takes 'scouting out' the creek for rafting while I sit alone at camp 'resting my sore feet.' Which reminds me!" She flopped down on the floor, saying, "I should be doing that! I ran the whole way over here!"
Branch put a hand to his head, exasperated. "Ugh, Poppy! You have to stop doing that!"
"Hey, it's been a couple weeks! So it's not like they're as bad off as before! Look!" She wiggled her bare feet (Dr. Moonbloom had cleared her to stop wearing the slippers), saying, "They aren't even bleeding, so—"
Branch took one look at the dirty bandages and went to grab a first aid kit.
Poppy blinked, looking concerned. "Uh, Branch? Wwhat are you doing?" she asked, pulling her feet up to her chest protectively and wrapping her arms around her legs.
"Changing your bandages," he answered simply as he walked back over to her.
Poppy blinked again, relaxing some. She uncurled slightly and leaned back, resting on her hands. That wasn't so bad. Ooh... Yeah, I guess I see where he's going with that, but...I walked halfway to camp, so that might look a little suspicious. Unless I dove into the medical supplies Smidge packed up in my bag for me. But it's still not necessary. Trying to save them both some trouble, she said, "Uh, that's okay, Branch! They're not really that bad! And I—"
"Humor me," he said, sitting down on the floor and holding a hand out expectantly.
In an attempt to change the subject, Poppy pulled out the cake and candy, saying, "Uh, wouldn't you rather just chow down on this here cake instead? Or am I jumping the gun in thinking this is your favorite dessert, Branch?" She held out the fluffleberry cake with an awkward grin.
Branch looked at the cake and raised an eyebrow, curious. "Uh, no, you're right about that. Why did you bring that?" he asked.
Poppy's face lit up. It seemed her distraction was working. "Because! You're out here all alone and with no one to bake anything sweet for you! So it's only fair I bring you something every once in a while, right?" Beaming, she held up the bag and added, "I even brought you some more candy! Since, you know, you're probably out of it by now."
Branch stared at her for a bit, surprised that she had brought him those things just to be nice. Sure, Creek brought fluffleberry cake every now and then, but it was usually to cheer Branch up once he'd done something especially upsetting or on special occasions. Given that Creek didn't know the recipe himself, it was always more of a hassle for him to get his hands on fluffleberry cake, so Branch didn't expect to get it often.
He briefly wondered if Poppy had gotten the recipe from her dad on the pretense of making some for her fiance before smiling and taking the bag and cake, both of which he set aside for the moment. "Thanks, Poppy. Now, about your feet?"
Poppy started, eyes widening. She sweat. "Uh...do I have to? I mean, you probably need those, and—"
"Again, humor me."
Poppy sighed and stretched out her feet. So much for that distraction. It seemed Branch never quit when he was concerned about someone's health. He'd always get his way at times like this, so why try? "Okay, fine. But you better keep that yucky medicine stuff off them this time 'cause—"
Branch gently took one of her feet and undid the bandages, saying, "Relax, Poppy, if nothing's infected or oozing, that won't be necessary."
She sweat, swallowing hard, and cringed as she braced herself. Looking at her feet, Branch saw nothing wrong with them, although they were a little dirty. He debated for a moment whether he should clean them, then set her foot down and got to his feet.
"I'll be right back," he said, heading for the bathroom.
Poppy sweat, nervous again. "Uh... T-that's alright, Branch... I-I'm sure they'll be okay. N-no need to—"
Branch came back with a washrag and a bowl of water, saying, "Poppy, they're dirty. You don't want them getting infected, do you?"
Poppy sighed in defeat. "No..." she said, her tone reminiscent of a child who didn't want to get a bath.
"Then hold still." Branch sat back down and unwrapped the bandages on her other foot, then gently took one and cleaned it, using nothing but water this time.
Poppy winced a little, but it wasn't nearly as bad as the last time he'd done this. "Ow, ow, ow... Arh! Why me? Why, why me?" she whined, putting her head in her hands and shaking it a bit.
"Relax, Poppy. It's not that bad."
She crossed her arms, pouting, apparently annoyed now. "Hmph!"
"So you're out here camping?" Branch asked to distract her while he cleaned up her feet.
"Yeah. That's the cover everyone came up with so I could come—" She winced, then continued, "—s-see you for a bit. A-and it's a two-day trip, too." She held up two fingers, smiling through the pain.
"That mean I'll be seeing you again sometime this weekend?" he asked, his tone hopeful for a change.
Poppy smiled eagerly, nodding. "Uh-huh. The plan's to send out all the guys on a hang g-gliding adventure while the g-girls head over to the pond we f-found and g-go canoeing. And while they're do—ing—" she flinched in pain, "—that, I was planning on heading over here!" She threw her arms up in excitement, beaming. Then she leaned back on her hands again, frowning in pain. "S-say, you about done with that thing, Branch? It burns!"
"Are they going to pick you up when they're done canoeing, then?" he asked, concerned about the logistics of this plan. From the sound of things, Creek was with them. She couldn't afford to be caught away from the group. "How are you going to know when you have to head back?"
"Smidge will stop by to get me then. Trolls can go a long time when they're h-having fun like that, so it's hard to say how long it'll take!"
With Poppy's feet clean, Branch put the washrag down and patted her feet dry gently. "Sounds good."
"Yeah, if you can keep your doctor hands to yourself. Who are you, my dad?" she muttered, arms crossed in annoyance. Then, smiling, she continued cheerfully and louder, "Yep. Looking forward to it. You have got to see this scrapbook I've been—" Now super excited and happy again, Poppy started ranting on and on about the scrapbook she'd been working on lately and everything it showed.
Branch just wrapped her feet in clean bandages as she went on and on, but he was smiling again. Still childish, but somehow it's not as annoying as it used to be.
The thing that had always annoyed him the most about Poppy—apart from her insistence that he was her brother—was how immature she was. Her childish innocence had gotten on his nerves because she just couldn't see the danger in the world. He supposed part of why her immaturity didn't bother him anymore was that she did see the danger now and just chose not to focus on it all the time. As hard as it was for him to do that, he appreciated Poppy's ability to act like everything was fine when she knew that there were problems lying just around the corner. It made it easier for him to ignore them for a bit.
"Oh, oh! And there's one of Chenille making a gift for Satin, and—" She kept going.
When she finally stopped for air, Branch said, "Sounds great, Poppy. I can't wait."