The Adventures of Azalea and Twig (book 6)

Chapter 38

     Poppy climbed out of the backpack, and onto Molly's shoulder.

     "Hello!" she said, cheerfully, waving to the owner of the building they where in.

     He raised an eyebrow at her, looking confused.

     "Poppy..." Molly whispered, sternly. "I told you to stay out of sight."

     "I know, but I have a plan," Poppy whispered back.

     Inside the backpack, Barb was beginning to climb out.

     "Barb!" Branch yelled in a whisper. "What are you doing!?"
"I want a front row seat when things blow up right in Popsqueek's face," she stated.

     "No, no, no! We... we need to stay hidden!" Branch said, nervously, his heart racing.

     "Popcorn has already blown that," Barb said. "We'll be fine."

     She climbed out of the bag, leaving Branch alone.

     "N... no! Poppy! Barb! Come... come back..." he gulped, slowly climbing to peek out of the backpack.

     "Sup!?" Barb yelled walking onto Molly's shoulder, as she leaned onto Poppy.

     "Barb!?" Molly yelled, seeing Barb out in sight now as well. "Not you too! I told you all to stay hidden!"

     "You ain't the boss of me," Barb shrugged.

     "Anyways... I have a proposition for you, sir," Poppy said to the owner, getting to the point.

     "Mmhmm... and what is that?" he asked, crossing his arms.

     "Well... we need a place to stay, and you need a band, so... what if we perform for you."

     "Hmmm..." He seemed intrigued by the offer. "Can you two sing?"

     "Can we sing? Did you hear that, Popsqueek? He asked if we could sing!? Ha!"

     Barb cracked up laughing at the ridiculous question.

     "Yes, sir..." Poppy said. "We can sing. We love singing! Singing, dancing, and hugging is what we do best!"

     "I don't know... two is kinda small for a band..." the owner said.

     "What about three?" Poppy asked. "Hey Branch!"

     She looked over, seeing Branch peeking out of the bag to see what was happening.

     He gasped, and immediately dropped back down, hiding from sight.

     "Come on, Boy toy!" Barb yelled. "Get your blue butt out here!" He didn't come out.

     Barb sighed, and then cracked her knuckles a bit.

     "Don't worry. I got this..."

     She jumped back into the bag, Branch screaming in surprise.

     "Wait...Barb... don't do this..." he begged.

     Suddenly, there where all different sounds of fighting, coming from the backpack.

     "AHHH! No! Barb! Stop!" Branch cried out.

     A chainsaw noise broke out, everyone in the building stopping what they where doing to watch, in confusion.

     "BAAAAARB!"

     Quickly, Branch scrambled to run out of the backpack, ducking behind Poppy for protection, as he shook in terror, breathing heavily.

     Barb climbed out of the backpack with a big smile, chainsaw still in hand.

     "Seriously, Barb!?" Poppy yelled. "How did you even get that!? I took it from you years ago!"
"And I stole it back," Barb shrugged, putting the chainsaw in her hair.

     "Your a vicious one..." the owner said, looking at Barb. "I like that. Respect."

     He and Barb fist bumped, and then he looked at Branch, who shrunk farther behind Poppy.

     "The wimp sings too?" he asked.

     "Hey!" Branch yelled, coming out from behind Poppy. "I am not a wimp! And I'll have you know, my grandma says I have the voice of an angel!"

     "Means nothing, kid. Grandmas say that stuff all the time. They lie to make their grandchildren feel special, when there's nothing special about them at all."

     Branch looked up at him, his eye twitching in anger.

     "Don't... disrespect... my grandma..." Branch threatened, glaring up at the owner, ready to attack.

     "Whoa, Branch," Poppy said, putting her hands on his shoulders. "Easy..."

     Branch sighed, taking a deep breath.

     "We singing for this jerk or not?" he asked, crossing his arms, still glaring up at the owner.

     "Fine..." the owner said. "But you better be good. Otherwise my costumers will chew you up and spit you out."
"Oh... we'll be good all right," Branch said, angrily. "You just watch..."