Hot Cocoa for Two (A Trolls Human AU)

Chapter 6- Beginnings

A/N Gosh, sorry for the long wait (if anyone is actually keeping with this book-) I'm trying to update more frequently!

"What if you play around with the yarn as if you're nervous? Since you're supposed to like Theseus?" Satin asked.

"It's not a modern-day crush story," Chenille rolled her eyes at her twin.

"I wasn't hearing you suggest anything," Satin scoffed.

"Guys, can we just, finish this?" I asked, trying not to sound annoyed. Branch was obviously great at acting, but the rest of us? Not so much.

"Ok from the top then," Guy said. 

Mental sigh.

After school...

I wandered into the auditorium, which was empty as usual. I went backstage to a little area my art teacher showed me a couple months ago. You could watch both the stage and the audience at the same time. It's for audio directors or something. Although I was an artist at heart, I loved music. Musicals were an inordinate way to express that (as long as the story wasn't cliché), and a great source of inspiration. 

Inattentively, I began humming one of (yes his, don't ask) Branch's latest hits, "Can't Stop The Feeling!" Ever since Barb played it, it's been resurfacing in my brain, as if I couldn't get away from-

"Why are you here?" A voice hissed behind me.

"HOLY-" I jumped around, holding my hands out as if the person was going to attack me. Which he wasn't.

"What do you mean 'What am I doing here?'" I frowned at Branch, rolling my eyes. "I was here first!"

"...Fair enough," he unclenched his jaw. "I just thought no one would be here..."

"Does Branch Timberlake need his alone time too?" I asked genuinely, but my voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Well what would you know?" He muttered under his breath. I sighed, pulling out my cell phone. 

"I'd better-"

"Whoa whoa whoa! If your gonna snap a pic, you gotta tell me first!" Branch smoothed his hair down. "Ok, I guess-

He stopped, staring at my probably beet-red face. No not blushing.

Pure annoyance.

"Sir, I have never met such an arrogant, self-centered boy- scratch that- person, in my whole life! I was just checking the time! This world doesn't revolve around you for your information!" I wasn't even bothered to keep my voice down. "Come to Earth, will ya?"

I stormed out of the room before he could even react. 

Yeah, I was overreacting, but I was so done with him. Did he really think I was taking a photo of him? How much more proud can a person be?

That afternoon...

"I'm hearing chemistry."

I almost choked on my hot cocoa, coughing it out. "I'm sorry, did I hear you right?"

"Yeah. I'm hearing chemistry," Barb repeated nonchalantly, sipping her drink, elbow rested on the countertop. She didn't even bother to look up.

"Are you even on the same planet as me?" I questioned, hiding my exasperation. "I practically ha..." I faltered, closing my mouth. I had never really hated someone before, and I candidly didn't want to admit it. "He's a jerk."

"But you know what they sa-ayyy," singsonged Barb, smirking.

"What?" I asked blankly. 

"There's a fine line between hate and love," she snickered, unable to drink her hot cocoa.