Truth or Dare

Chapter 1 The Dare

When Poppy had leapt out of bed that morning she could have had little idea how she was going to start a series of events that was ultimately going to change her life and another troll's from that moment on. A wash and brush up picking out her trademark tank top for school and she was out the door with a toasted bagel in her hand and a sweet goodbye kiss to her father.

"You go light up the world my little princess!"

Poppy giggled. "Don't worry dad, I will!"

Humming a little tune to herself, Poppy slung her school bag on her shoulder and walked to Pop High with a skip to her step and a song on her tongue.

*TOD*

The first lessons skipped by easily, grinning and giggling with her good friends between classes until the bell finally rang for lunch. So far it was a normal and rather happy day for Poppy apart from an incident by the lockers when she inadvertently stepped back to shut her locker and got abruptly ploughed into by the school's well known loner. Books and papers spilled across the floor from the collision.

Poppy honestly didn't know who was in the wrong but it seemed to her that the older troll hadn't been paying attention in the slightest.

"Oh for the love of -!" He blustered as he grabbed several pages off the floor.

"I'm sorry! Branch, are you okay?"

"Watch who you're stepping into!"

Poppy held out a spiral bound notebook. "I did say I was sorry," and she smiled.

It was only then that the troll looked up and immediately stuttered into silence. He pulled down the hood he was wearing to cover his eyes and practically snatched the book from Poppy's hand. "Thanks," he mumbled before hurrying off in the opposite direction.

"I'm fine by the way!" She called after him with a slight frown.

"Hey Pops, you okay?"

Poppy's smile rejuvenated itself as she spun about to greet one of her friends. "I am now!" She glomped DJ. "Where are the others?"

"Cafeteria I think."

"What day is it again?"

"Pizza!" DJ fist pumped the air.

"My favourite!" Poppy laughed and slung her arm across DJ's shoulders. The music mixing troll did likewise as they made their way down the corridor together singing their favourite current chart hit.

*TOD*

It was after lunch, and Poppy was chatting and laughing with her friends at one of the outside picnic tables to wile away the rest of time till the bell rang, when the truth and dare game was suddenly suggested.

Everyone was in hysterics after finally reaching Satin who dared her twin to change her outfit with her which she instantly refused. Then it was Poppy's turn.

"Poppy, truth or dare?"

Poppy giggled. "Dare!"

"I dare you to, kiss Creek!" Grinned the fashionista.

"Chenille!" Poppy gasped blushing furiously as Creek smiled smoothly across the table at her.

"Aw, that's too easy!" Exclaimed Smidge. "You need a hard one!" Everyone agreed, looking across the playing field for another candidate for Chenille's dare.

A stocky figure suddenly appeared setting down at another picnic table a short distance away. A green and brown camouflage hoodie concealed most of the troll's features but everyone knew exactly who it was. Branch Woods, the grumpy loner whose stance alone gave the impression that you had to steer clear of him. All her friends, (bar Creek who looked far from sold on the idea) gave a group giggle. "We dare you Poppy Lovejoy, to kiss Branch Woods!"