She didn't know what to feel at first.
Should she be scared?
Concerned?
Annoyed?
Loved?
Happy?
Nervous?
She didn't know.
So she settled for confusion as Branch clung to her hand.
Poppy giggled and pat her shoulder, "He's normally extra clingy around this time of the year, he just decided to expand the group he would cling to!"
Smidge bit her lip, allowing Branch to cling to her hand, "May I ask why he's extra clingy this time of year?"
Creek grabbed Poppy's hand and spoke, "This is the part of the year where we escaped...when she was..left behind.."
Poppy looked at Branch's face and when she saw he was asleep, she nodded to Creek.
Creek kneeled down in front of Smidge, "Dad keeps lying to Branch...saying that she's gonna come back..but Smidge..she's gone and won't be coming back. Branch has no idea.."
Smidge gulped and looked down at Branch, "Someone important to you guys died, and your dad lies to Branch? Why are you letting him do that? It'll crush him when he finds out! You can't let him continue that lie!"
Creek and Poppy glanced at eachother, "Dad said not to tell Branch, he's already lost too much hope, he's been crushed too many times.." Poppy said.
Smidge glanced at Branch and sighed, "Right..so he can't know because he'll probably lose all hope?"
Creek looked down, "If Branch loses all hope, he'll get real sick and die a slow and agonizing death.."
Smidge paled and gripped Branch's hand, "I see.."
Creek and Poppy smiled nervously, "Just please don't tell him?"
Smidge nodded, "I swear I won't tell him."
