(They had to hear each other's voices. They had been through so much today. Both of them felt excitement when they saw the incoming call notification. Branch really wanted to tell Poppy about what he had been through today. That he went back to their place. Poppy wanted to tell Branch about what she learned. That her friends had excluded her today. Instead both of them casted those feelings off. Instead they engaged in a conversation about the latest tv shows, Bridget's bad attitude, and fearing for Larkins' first test.)

Branch: oh, by the way, Mrs. Harvey casted the phantom

Poppy: really who?

Branch: someone named Milton Moss, he's new to the theater world

Poppy: that name sounds familiar

Branch: well you know everyone so I wouldn't doubt it

Poppy: but he's new and you're new! You two could be friends!

Branch: that's exactly what he said

Poppy: Aw! He sounds so nice! I'm looking forward to meeting him

Branch: I feel like you look forward to meeting everyone

Poppy: wish I never met Bridget

Branch: well at least she won't be in the show

Poppy: is there anyone you wish you didn't meet?

(Branch almost said Creek but he forgot for a second, he was talking to Poppy)

Branch: the only person I don't regret meeting is you

(Poppy felt the smile overpowering her cheeks. Her heart started to flutter.)

Poppy: I guess we meet people for a reason. You know Sable? She was new and I introduced her to our friends

Branch: you are special

Poppy: hey, you didn't correct me when I mentioned our friends

Branch: must've been an error, they are your friends

Poppy: (groans)

Branch: I'll be honest…sometimes they seem fake

Poppy: fake?

Branch: yeah…I mean…you were the only one who reached out to me when I left the group. I never heard a word from them. Sometimes I had the feeling they wanted me gone.

Poppy: would it help that they just didn't know what to say? Maybe being with them in rehearsal will warm things up again

Branch: we can hope, anyways Pops I have to head to bed. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Goodnight

Poppy: goodnight branch! Sleep well!

(Poppy thought about what Branch said. Fake. It was such a strong word. What they demonstrated today reflected Branch's words. She tried to figure out what she was going to say to them. This was the first time she had to deal with this sort of conflict. Smidge had texted her saying it would have been more fun if Poppy had joined them. Poppy absorbed her feelings. She felt teary eyed that they had excluded her. She always went out of her way to make sure no one ever felt this way, and this feeling was so powerful. She knew she was going to have to start telling them the truth. Maybe Dr. Cloud was right, if they had a hard time accepting the fact that she was hanging out with Branch then maybe it was time to reevaluate things.)

(Branch felt like throwing up. Too many emotions were filling up in his head. He could not believe he saw his dad today. He could not believe the truth that he had learned. He had finally told someone about the passing of his grandma besides Gristle and Mrs. Harvey. He also found out something interesting. On his way home from the ice cream shop, he drove past the move theater and he spotted his old friends and sable with them, but no Poppy. He was confused when he didn't see her because she was always with them. It made him wonder if they excluded her, he didn't want to bring this up with her. He decided he was just over thinking and decided a good night's sleep would clear his mind.)

(Monday came very fast. As Poppy got ready for school, her heart started to beat fast. She had to say something to her friends. She had to. She never faced a conflict with them before, so she was nervous. As she pulled up to school, she saw them walking in together and smidge was with them as well. She looked around for Branch and saw him get off his motorcycle. She rushed over to him)

Branch: hey (smiles) good morning

Poppy: hi, I'm definitely walking with you to class, I just need to take care of something first

Branch: don't worry about me, go take care of what you need. Are you ok? You seem…nervous

Poppy: (shrugs) I guess it's just some pre rehearsal jitters

Branch: (chuckles) it's so cute when you're nervous

Poppy: Aw stop, but I'll be right back

(Poppy went into school trying to keep her head held high. She spotted her friends sitting in their spot, everyone was laughing and engaged in a conversation. She felt uncomfortable as she approached them.)

Poppy: hey guys

(Everyone stopped their conversation and looked towards her. Smidge bit her lip as she knew where the conversation was going to head.)

Satin: oh, hey Poppy! Good to see you!

Chenille: been a hot minute since you've hung with us in the morning

Guy: no Branch today?

Poppy: (takes a deep breathe) yeah, I know it's been a while. Look guys, I know I haven't been around lately, and I know I have to start being more honest with you. But first, I need you to be honest with me, why did you guys not invite me to the movies this weekend?

(Everyone at that table felt their stomachs drop. Some had to look away for a second. No one said a word for a while until the silence started to get uncomfortable.)

Cooper: how did you know about that?

Smidge: it was kind of my fault

Satin: what?

Smidge: we were talking on the phone and I thought she was coming with us so-

Chenille: sable!

Poppy: hey, don't get on her case. By you getting defensive, that shows you excluded me on purpose

Biggie: well Poppy…what do you want us to say? You've been hanging out with Branch a lot lately and being so secretive about everything

Guy: not to mention when you do hang out with us, he's the center of every conversation

Poppy: ok, you're right I have been spending time with him. I have been secretive. I just didn't think you guys would understand, but I want to explain. Can we talk about it during lunch? I feel like it would take too long to do it now

(Everyone nods)

Poppy: I won't say it didn't hurt me to be excluded, I thought we were better than that

Suki: it wasn't easy to do you know

Poppy: it wasn't easy to ask if I wanted to go to the movies?

Satin: it just seemed like you didn't care to hang with us the last couple of days

Poppy: I'm sorry…I really am

Biggie: I mean…we've been here for you more than Branch. He drops you and then you go running to him? It doesn't make sense

Poppy: he hasn't told me why yet, but I know in time he will. He was your friend at one point too, why did you guys never try to reach out to him?

Chenille: you were his best friend, if he didn't talk to you, why would we have better luck?

Guy: I'm not saying Branch is bad guy now, he just…has some explaining to do. Doesn't it seem weird he'd join the musical now?

Biggie: I'm telling you, it's for Poppy

Suki: I'm happy you guys are hanging out again, but don't forget about us. Plus…we don't want you to be disappointed again, Branch flipped a switch on us before, what's to say he wouldn't do it again?

Poppy: you guys are right; I promise I'll explain everything later

Satin: you're right too, it wasn't right of us to exclude you

Cooper: I'm sorry

Chenille: me too

Guy: me three

Biggie: me four

Smidge: the movie wasn't that good anyways

Suki: not really no

Poppy: thank you guys, I'm glad we had this talk

(The bell rings)

Poppy: I'll see you guys at lunch, you coming smidge?

Smidge: I'll catch up, I need to talk to one of my teachers about something first

Poppy: ok! See you guys later

(Poppy went down the hall to find Branch which didn't take too long.)

Branch: hey, everything ok?

Poppy: yeah, I guess so

Branch: you want to talk about it?

Poppy: well…um…my friends didn't invite me to hangout with them this weekend. They never did that before, so I just went to find out why

Branch: I didn't want to say anything, but I saw them hanging together near the theater when I was driving by and didn't see you. I didn't want to think the worse, but it looks like it was. It's my fault

Poppy: no don't say that Branch, I've been so secretive with them

Branch: why do they care so much about your business anyways? You have your own life

Poppy: I mean…we tell each other everything

Branch: well if they're ok with excluding you, maybe you shouldn't be telling them everything

Poppy: they're still my friends! I owe them an explanation

Branch: I guess so, just…be careful Pops. Like I said I don't want you to lose them because of me, but it doesn't seem like they have your best interest at heart

Poppy: they're not fake Branch

Branch: how would you know what fake is Poppy? You see the good in everyone

Poppy: well I know that Bridget was

Branch: yet for so long you failed to see the person who was fake right in front of you, especially with how he treated others, you even dated him! He wasn't good for you, yet you didn't even see that

(Branch knew he slipped up. He let his true feelings out about Creek. Poppy looked at him confused and hurt.)

Poppy: I can't believe you just said that! you don't know anything about my relationship with creek, I ended things with him because I wasn't happy with him!

Branch: so glad you figured that out after 4 years of knowing him

Poppy: where is this coming from Branch? What's your problem, why does everyone have to be the enemy with you? My friends and now Creek?

Branch: we need to get to class, we'll be late

(They were silent the rest of the way. Branch knew he was going to have to explain himself later. His one flaw about Poppy was that she just so oblivious sometimes. To her everything was all cupcakes and rainbows. After Larkins class, they didn't speak to each other. Was this their first fight? Poppy felt mad and confused with Branch said about her, so what if she saw good in everyone? At least she didn't think people were out to get her like Branch did. Still, she couldn't help but wonder why he got so defensive when Creek came up. She didn't even think he knew about them being a couple. Classes went by fast and at lunch Poppy didn't text Branch and neither did he. She headed over to the table she shared with her friends.)

Poppy: hey guys

Guy: hey pops! Good to see you

Biggie: you ok? I hope we didn't hurt your feelings too much

Poppy: no, it's not that

(When everyone else started to arrive, she took a deep breath. She knew branch wasn't going to be happy, but she had to tell them.)

Poppy: well…let me explain

Branch: you don't have to explain anything…I will…hi guys

(Poppy turned around fast. She was shocked Branch was here! Everyone else was shocked too. Branch took a moment to take everything in before he sat next to Poppy.)

Biggie: Branch…long time no see

Branch: yeah…

Suki: what'd you doing here?

Branch: well…if anyone is going to explain anything, it should come from me

Satin: we have a lot of questions that's for sure

Branch: I'm sure you do.

Chenille: so first of all, what's going on between you and poppy? You just disappear for 4 years and then decide to come back to her? We're confused

Branch: I…I honestly deep down always missed hanging out with you guys. When I saw Poppy in calculus class it opened my eyes on how much time went by. At first, I was an idiot and didn't even try to make amends the first day of class.

Smidge: you stood up for her though, you have been

Branch: well…I wasn't gonna let Larkins push her around. Anyways, me and Mrs. Harvey are close. I was forced to take theater class and she was a different kind of teacher. She was the one I could tell my problems to. She wanted me to be in the musical, I agreed to be part of it just not on stage. I figured it would help me grow close with Poppy and you guys again

Biggie: I knew it! It was for Poppy!

Cooper: why didn't you just call or text? Why did you think joining the musical would be the way?

Suki: shhh!

Branch: I was afraid. It's easier to ignore a phone call or text, you can't exactly ignore the stage manager…at the auditions I was blown away from Poppy's voice and it made me realize what I've been missing. After the auditions she caught me singing a song, so surprise I learned how to sing and play guitar for the last 4 years.

Guy: what?! You can sing?!

Satin: no way!

Cooper: sing for us!

Branch: no, I'm good. I'm not comfortable singing in front of others yet

Poppy: go on Branch

Branch: on the day of callbacks Larkins made Poppy cry and I couldn't let her ruin her chances at the callback so I decided to help tutor her so she can pass the test. We have been studying together after school. She's been wanting to walk with me to class, eat lunch with me, and stuff. I told her she didn't have to, but she insisted. She just didn't tell you guys because she didn't think you'd understand. I didn't think you guys liked me very much either, so I was uncomfortable as well. I'm trying to warm back up, it's harder than it seems. So, all I can say is I'm happy Poppy is back in my life and that I'm sorry for everything. I hope you guys can forgive me some day.

(Everyone smiled and gave smirks. Poppy knew the teasing was going to start. She also realized Branch left out the part of her and Branch kissing and confessing their feelings, which she understood.)

Satin: well…I think it's sweet you two are hanging out again. It's awesome you're joining the musical too!

Guy: it is! We had no idea you could sing!

Biggie: thank you for explaining everything Branch. I mean we were never mad, but we want to be in the loop as well

Branch: I understand

Chenille: which leads us into the next question…what happened to you? You didn't say goodbye or anything

Branch: Look guys, I can't tell you the whole story yet. I haven't even told Poppy yet. But I can tell you what started my downfall. I'm going to warn you, you may not believe me or like what you hear.

Poppy: we can take it Branch…if it was the start, we want to know

Branch: (takes a deep breathe) well…it was Creek

Biggie: huh? Creek?

Suki: what did he do?

Poppy: is this…what you were trying to say earlier?

Guy: Creek never mentioned a conflict with you two?

Branch: I didn't mean to lose my cool with you earlier Poppy. Remember when Creek was new? He joined our group. I thought everything was good. Turns out he didn't very much care for me. Didn't you guys ever notice that whenever he had hangouts, he never invited me?

Suki: he told us you were sick (realizes)…oh…

Branch: well…he never invited me whenever he was hosting a party or a get together. He would say horrible things to me when you guys weren't around. He would harass me over text. He made me feel terrible about myself. I didn't tell you guys because you seemed to like him so much that I felt like you wouldn't believe me. I couldn't even tell you Poppy, I tried to a couple times, but you told me I was just being silly or paranoid. Some of you said I was jealous of him. That summer before high school was the final straw. I remember being on my way to my grandma's, I was riding my bike. He found me and made me fall off. He then started saying all this stuff. I just couldn't take it anymore, so I punched him. It led to a physical fight to where the cops were called on us and we were arrested. I could have been charged since I gave him more injuries, but his parents arranged a deal to get us out of trouble. They paid to make the charge go away in exchange that we had to stay away from each other. I finally was freed from my bully, but I lost my friends in the process. I knew he would lie about the ordeal. I didn't think you guys would believe me since you always believed what he told you. So, I thought it was best to remove myself from the group. This isn't the whole story, but…it's what started it all.

Poppy: wow…wow…that makes so much sense now…all this time when you weren't there at his hangouts, we thought you didn't like him and weren't giving him a chance. Branch…I…I'm so sorry…

Biggie: I really wish you would've told us

Guy: yeah…you wouldn't have lost us

Poppy: you should have showed us the texts

Branch: how could I? I was embarrassed. The texts were too painful to share. And when a best friend says they're being bullied, his friends should take his word for it

Poppy: I just had no idea…all this time we were hanging out with him and believing you had the problem, I even dated that jerk too

Satin: he put on a huge show that's for sure

(Branch felt the tears corner in his eyes. He was trying his best to cover it up, but Poppy saw right through him and gave him a hug which was then joined by the others. Branch felt a little uncomfortable at first, but he embraced it. He wasn't sure how this would be going forward. Would this change his relationship with Poppy? Would he become friends with everyone again? He just felt relief that they finally knew the truth and they believed him. God why didn't he say something years ago? But then he remembered, Creek was a great manipulator. He promised Branch that he would make sure none of his friends would believe him. He would make it seem like Branch was the jealous one. All of his friends were young at the time too, and very naïve. After the hug, Poppy got up.)

Poppy: I'll be right back. I need to go have a little talk with Creek. I should've done this a long time ago

Branch: what?! Poppy no!

(Everyone of her friends giggled and each of them got up.)

Guy: Branch when will you learn that when Poppy gets an idea? There's no stopping her

Branch: (groans) I may have forgotten about that

This chapter went in a completely different direction than I originally planned but change is sometimes good right? Anyways, hope everyone is enjoying! Keep a lookout for a special guest in the next chapter!

~Ash