Wish You Were Here

Leaving Me

"Here, baby Branch. I'm sorry you had to see that"

I had brought Branch backstage and handed him some crayons so he could draw on the blank side of John's music sheets in an attempt to calm him down. While I awaited the storm that was about to come through the door for what felt like forever when in reality, it was only a few seconds, the door opened up gently. Are they... not mad? I'm confused.

It ended up being Floyd and a smile spread across my face as I ran over to him and latched myself on his side in an embrace and he reciprocated that same warmth. "Well hello to you too, Ven" he let out a laugh and his sparkly magenta eyes that were framed by a small amount of eyeliner happened to meet mine and we stared at each other for a few seconds.

Once I found myself heating up slightly, I detached myself from him and noticed a large cut on his leg. "Oh, you're bleeding! Hold on, I'll bandage you up". I ran away looking for some bandages and a water bottle. It happened to catch the corner of my eye, but I saw Floyd kneel down and talk to Branch about his drawing. Those two are so adorable with each other, I swear.

When I went back to Floyd, I placed his leg on the table and started the bandaging process when the door slammed open making all three of us jump. It was John, Spruce, and Clay, all looking sour with one another.

"See what happens when you don't follow my lead!?"

"Dude. That is exactly what happens when we follow your lead!"

"Oh, so it's my fault? Is that what you're saying?!"

I've been living with them for almost 6 years and I've never seen them fight like this, and I've seen my fair share. There was one fight between Spruce and Floyd because Floyd had drawn a smiley face on Branch's egg to make me laugh, and Spruce got mad at him for touching the egg.

"I know we can reach the perfect family harmony!"

"What if we don't want to!?"

"Yeah dude, this used to be fun! Now it's all about being perfect."

"You know what? I'm done playing The Heartthrob! My exquisitely chiseled rock hard abs and I quit."

Spruce ripped off his vest and tore it in half. My eyes widened in horror as I remembered the last time I saw Velvet. It ended something like this. It felt like I was reliving that moment. I looked at Floyd in hopes of him getting up to intervene. He typically had a way of getting through to his brothers but he was in just as much shock as I was at Spruces declaration.

"I quit too, and you can keep these! I'm more than just the fun one. I'm in a sad book club. Did you know that? A sad, book club! I'm gonna find Trolls who take me seriously!" Clay had thrown his Funderdrawers directly at John's face. Ew..

"Fine! I don't need this! I'm out. I'm done. I'm sorry." I saw Branch get up and walk over to the area behind Spruce and Clay, looking dejected. Why did this have to happen now of all times? His first show and three of his brothers quit. John Dory grabbed a grapple hook from his backpack and sent it shooting out the window.

"I'm gonna go hike the Neverglade Trail, by myself, bro-lone." He kept striking dramatic poses and I helped Floyd get up from the sofa with his now slightly injured leg. He could've gotten up by himself but I won't let him. We both looked over at John as he spoke the last words any of us would probably ever hear from him again.

"Yeah, that's right. Bro bro going solo. Yolo. Goodbye forever!" He rappelled down to the ground slowly and worry rushed over me of being alone again. I really didn't want my newfound family to leave me, especially Floyd and Branch.

"Fine, I'm out of here."

"Same here." Clay and Spruce both threw up their arms leaving and both of them heading in separate ways.