A Rival

Their second lesson was going to be that afternoon. Like the first time, Branch took extra care of the bunker. Everything was clean and he had chopped strawberries and prepared some chocolate fudge for the after-class snack.

He had day-dreamed about her lips since he woke up that morning. Whenever he came across her during a village event he'd inevitably stare at her glossy smile, feeling something stir inside him like an uncontrollable will to talk to her, take her in his arms and claim her as his.

How ridiculous was it?

A loud rumble made him curse out loud. He quickly left the kitchen. Rain was the last thing he needed at the moment. If it poured too hard Poppy wouldn't be able to reach the bunker and they would have to cancel the lesson.

To his relief, he heard her knocking as soon as he stepped on the elevator. She looked dry, using her hair as an umbrella to protect herself from the rain.

"Hey, the storm is going to be bad." Poppy said more loudly than usual, because the wind was blowing too hard and the rustling leaves made a lot of noise around them.

"Come inside, quick." Taking her hand without noticing, Branch locked the trapdoor above them. Poppy brushed her hair dry with her fingers all the way down the living room, causing the survivalist to wonder how it felt like to run his hands on her pink locks.

"I'm going to visit Queen Barb tomorrow." Poppy announced, causing Branch to snap out of his wandering thoughts.

"Really? What for?" He sat down on the couch and she shortly joined him with a big smile. She was feeling relaxed, unlike their first lesson, it was like it was just him and her in the world, with passion melting their hearts.

"There will be a festival next weekend and I'll go there to see how she's planning it." She was supposed to mention the Festival… but at Branch's curious look, she turned into a trembling mess and quickly amended, "Besides, since the Metroll is a success here, I was wondering if I could pitch her a high-speed rail. It would be so cool to be able to go to Volcano Rock City without having to fly there."

Branch was about to offer to go with her, but she added that Val had offered to go and show her around, so he decided to keep quiet and hope everything went well on their trip.

"So… here I am." Suddenly realizing the reason why she was in the bunker, Poppy blinked a couple of times, feeling hesitant for the first time that day.

"Ah, yes." Branch looked down, taking her hands in his. Poppy looked down at their connection, then back up at his eyes. "For today, I thought we could hug while kissing." From what he had read, there was a lot of touching involved. The oldest novels indicated a bold hand on a lady's waist while gently exploring her lips and the most contemporary ones described a lot of grabbing on every body part during a heavy make out.

"It sounds nice." Innocently blinking at him, Poppy had no idea what he had meant. Branch wondered how much she knew about relationships. Maybe flapping her long eyelashes was her flirting limit.

He let go of her hands and let his fingers slowly trail its way up her arms. Poppy watched him curiously, then the moment he softly grazed the skin of her shoulders, he could see the curiosity vanishing to give room to an intense gaze. She discreetly shuddered and he tugged her hair behind her ear before slowly leaning forward to capture her lower lip in his mouth.

It was exactly how he was going to start their every kiss. It felt right, making it sort of a ritual. First, tasting her lip, slowly moving to the side to feel how it softly adjusted to him. Her breath tickled his nose and he inhaled the sweetest air before wrapping his arms around her completely.

She puckered her lips against his, moving her head to the other side while she returned his hug. The sudden need to press himself against her caused him to gasp and lean his forehead forward. She returned by tightening the embrace.

"I'm sorry. Did I squeeze you?" She suddenly said, breaking their lips apart, but keeping her arms around his neck.

"No… it was brilliant, Poppy." Hair, it wasn't easy to keep the teaching façade. Not when all he wanted was to let go and explore her even further. "One more time."

He didn't need to tell her what to do, because she was already leaning forward. He noticed she mimicked his first touch, pressing her lips firmly against his before contently sighing. Still gentle, he ran a hand to her waist, amused that she was so petite that he could easily cover her with his hands. He could feel their fronts touching and he almost squeaked when he felt the way her chest glued to his, causing him to feel a lot more than he was supposed to.

Her lips molded against his and she relaxed the next moment, parting her mouth unconsciously inviting him to explore more than he already had. The way his heart started beating fast bothered him. The rhythm made him flick his tongue out and explore the length of her lips, tasting the remains of the sweet strawberry gloss.

Branch realized he wanted nothing more of this world. He had found his holy grail, Poppy certainly was his sanctuary. There was something inspiring, filling him up with energy and need. She was renewing him by burning him to ashes.

A preview to the third lesson seemed to be required, because she instinctively opened her lips, timidly, but curiously inviting him in. At first, it felt a little odd, like walking inside someone's home for the first time, he checked his limits. She'd touch him and retreat, waiting for him to go deeper inside. He adjusted their angles, realizing he was so nervous, so stiff, that his neck had started to hurt.

He slowly retreated, causing her to open her eyes just when he opened his. Her lips were puffy, her eyes were glassy with need and he hadn't realized he had his fingers tangled in her hair. She was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen.

"Uh…" He removed his hands to touch his own neck, feeling how sore it was. "We should save that for lesson three."

"Oh…" Obviously disappointed, Poppy looked down, adjusting her clothes. "Sure."

Another thunder reminded them that they were going to spend more time alone inside the bunker.

"I have strawberries and chocolate fondue." Branch stood up and offered a hand to help her up as well. She was glad to have his hands because as soon as she stood on her feet, she realized her body wasn't working properly, like all the energy had left to focus on their kissing section.

"Sounds nice." She smiled.

The kitchen had a different air as well. Somehow everything felt unusual. It was like walking in a dreamland. Their world had permanently changed once they connected the way they did.

"You seem to know a lot about kissing." Poppy couldn't help her curiosity. Maybe she was too in love with him, but every single detail, every touch, or shaking breath seemed so right that she had no other explanation for it except to think he had more experience than he was leading on.

"Well, I'm studying to uncomplicate things for us." It was a mystery how he felt about her comment. His stomach flipped as if he was complimented on his kissing skills and a huge pride filled his chest, like he had achieved the highest grade on a very difficult test. On the other hand, it worried him that she thought he had previous experience so he felt the need to explain. "There's a lot of math beneath the surface that I had to turn into actions."

"Really?" Amused, Poppy watched her boyfriend's meticulously cut strawberries on a plate in the middle of the table. "Kisses involve math?"

"Well, everything is math," chuckling, Branch licked his lips, "for example, the mood equals time plus privacy. We can't build up a good atmosphere for intimacy if we're in public."

Poppy froze hearing that.

"Would you like water or juice?" Branch interrupted his own thoughts to ask her. He was standing in front of the fridge, with the door open and looking inside trying to decide what to have to drink.

Having a hard time breathing, Poppy studied him. It looked like he wasn't affected by their kiss like she was. Then again, of course he wasn't, Poppy felt like chuckling at her ridiculous thoughts. He was focused on practicing. She was the one holding her heart in her hands and anxious to explain about the Kissing Booth. He was taking it as 'classes', like a problem he had to solve.

"Poppy?" She heard him calling louder this time.

"Huh?"

"Water or juice?"

She couldn't stay and have a normal snack with him. Branch looked at her so handsome she felt like crying. Could she tell him she got involved in a Kissing Booth? She was so blessed to have him as her boyfriend and still… she was afraid he would take it badly.

Would she ever have the courage to explain why she had asked to kiss him in the first place?

"Actually, I need to go." Poppy laughed nervously. "I have to prepare for tomorrow. International trip and everything…"

"Poppy! There's a storm outside!" Branch alarmingly pointed out, but she had already turned on her heels and dashed out of the kitchen, leaving a confused survivalist holding a glass and a jar in his hands.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"I'm telling you, Popsqueak, roasted jackfruit is the best dish we have." Val couldn't stop talking about the delicacies of Volcano Rock City as soon as they crossed the lava river that welcomed them to the Rock Trolls' home.

Poppy was glad Val was so energetic. She needed a good distraction and even though the rock girl noticed the Pop Queen wasn't brightly bubby as usual, she made no effort to hold her excitement back.

"So, you said Queen Barb invited you to a concert at the Royal Club, right? For a jam section, maybe?

"For a couple of… 'skulls' as she put it. Whatever it means." Poppy shrugged.

"Oh, strong drink. Do not take more than one and balance it with water." Val explained. "I can take a dozen of those, but you pop trolls aren't used to that kind of beverage." Poppy didn't pay attention to where they were going, but as soon as they walked inside a trashy bar, she knew they had arrived at the meeting place.

"Popcorn!" Barb cackled loudly once the pink girl walked inside, standing out in a sea of dark and pastel colored trolls. Indeed, Poppy looked down at her blue dress. She felt like a lightbulb. "I thought you were going to be here earlier!"

A chair, a table, drinks and portions of food were placed in front of her before the Pop Queen could say anything. It seemed Queen Barb was as excited to have her at Volcano Rock City as Val Thundershock.

"First things first," Barb dropped on her side, using a spare chair to put her feet up, "You will be the last one at the Kissing Booth.'

"Why?" Val stared in surprise at both queens.

"I'm going to have a Queen for the Kissing Booth this year." Barb grinned and Val frowned, looking at Poppy expressionless face. "It's going to be a blast! It's the grand finale!"

"Poppy, did you tell Branch?" Val wasn't exactly good with mushy stuff, but she knew Branch liked his privacy and he would need time to work on his courage to be the first in line for her. Hair, that awkward laugh after a mere kiss on the cheek in public was pathetic enough.

"Actually," Poppy took a deep breath, she was hoping for an opening to suggest quitting the Kissing Booth. "I'm not sure if Branch will like what I have to say, Val." Especially after explaining that the mood only worked privately, Poppy mentally added.

Val shut her mouth, completely bewildered, then sat heavily on the chair. The pink girl looked down at her drink and the purple girl quickly glanced at Barb who just blinked an eye at her.

"You're a grown, confident troll, who is sexy as hell, Popsqueak." Barb said, raising her glass to join Poppy for a first sip. "Branch knows if he doesn't kiss you someone else will."

"Sitting here wasted and wounded

At this old piano

Trying hard to capture

The moment this morning I don't know"

"Oh c'mon! Who let Floyd get on my stage?!" Barb yelled, but trolls around her had their eyes glued on the muddy red skinned troll who seemed to be wasted beyond words but still was playing the guitar like the professional he was. "Show off…"

"'Cause a bottle of Vodka's still lodged in my head

And some blonde gave me nightmares

Think that she's still in my bed

As I dream about movies

They won't make of me when I'm dead"

"I thought Prince Floyd wasn't even in Volcano Rock City anymore." Val grinned, obviously happy to see the troll who decided to display his talent for free. Poppy turned her head to Val in confusion, who immediately offered an explanation. "He's Queen's Barb brother."

"Lost the crown to me because I was 1.5 seconds faster at hatching out of the egg." Barb took another sip of her drink. "He would be a shame as King."

"With an ironclad fist

I wake up and french kiss the morning

While some marching band keeps its own beat in my head

While we're talking

About all of the things that I long to believe

About love, the truth, what you mean to me

And the truth is

Baby you're all that I need"

"Gotta admit, though. He's a damn good singer." Barb ordered another drink, "What is it, Popcorn? Drink up."

Poppy had her eyes glued on the stage inspecting their genetics. Floyd looked a lot like Barb. They had the same skin tone; his ears were pierced with spikes and both his arms were covered with tattoos. Her stomach flipped when she remembered Branch's tattoos in his Rock Troll transformation. Without paying much attention to it, Poppy took her drink and tasted it.

It didn't taste like any drink they had back in Trollstopia, but it was good anyway.

How would it be like to kiss Branch when he was all covered in tattoos? Uh…

"I want to lay you down in a bed of roses

For tonight I'll sleep on a bed of nails

Oh I want to be just as close as the Holy Ghost is

And lay you down on a bed of roses"

"As I was saying, this year we'll raise funds to reconstruct the countries I destroyed in my World Tour." Barb completely ignored her brother, but Poppy and Val were having a little trouble doing the same. "Damn, Floyd, you idiot, I'm talking politics here. Can't you wait to boost your ego?"

"Hey, sorry, sis." The music stopped and the prince stood up. The audience clapped at the short display of talent while he grabbed his glass of bourbon and sat at the girls' table. "Sorry to see you back in your pop outfit, your highness." The daring prince teased Poppy with an intimacy he wasn't allowed. "You looked hotter in rocker clothes."

"Oh boy, he's drunk." Barb rolled her eyes with little patience.

"My last drinking night, sis." Floyd finished his glass with one big gulp. "Geralda broke up with me and I swear I'll be a serious troll now."

"Good for her. You're a bad influence. Anyway, sorry about my brother, Poppy." Barb got back in her business mood. "So, I can count on you, right? Kissing Booth? Pinky promise and all that..."

"Sure. I'll be there."

"Good to know," Floyed winked at the Pop Queen before standing up and going to the bar.

"Barb, seriously, I don't think this is a good idea." Val stormed into the bathroom, going after Barb. She didn't feel comfortable leaving Poppy alone, but she had to know how far her queen was willing to go.

"C'mon, Thundershock. It's just a plain, harmless game to speed things up for Poppy and Branch." Barb grinned, studying her face in the mirror and not sparing the younger girl a second glance.

"Prince Floyd just set his eyes on Poppy and you know he will be in line." Val insisted. Queen Barb leaned against the sink and crossed her ankles. "What if Branch doesn't show up?"

"Then we spice things up." Ticking her tongue, Barb winked at Val. "Maybe Branch will need a good and old rival to grow some balls..."

"But… but..." Val blinked a couple of times, wondering if the absurd plan could work.

"Genius, huh?"