The trolls, like everyone, must learn their way,
Each young troll has a teacher day by day.
Branch, Poppy, Biggie, Creek, and Smidge,
All shared the same teacher, no matter the ridge.
They learned together, formed bonds so strong,
A friendship that would last lifelong.
No complaints, though some would stray,
For lessons weren't easy every day.
Branch, in truth, preferred to be free,
Building with sticks, under a tree.
He learned in ways that were his own,
But often felt he was alone.
A troll so sad, sensitive, and dim,
With tears that flowed, life seemed grim.
He'd sit apart, away from the rest,
No one could ask, though they tried their best.
Except for Poppy, who wouldn't relent,
Her heart so pure, her energy spent.
Branch thought she wanted to push him away,
But deep down, he knew she'd always stay.
She'd sit by his side with a smile so bright,
And Branch found peace in her joyful light.
Though he never said he liked her near,
Her presence brought him comfort, clear.
Then came the news of the school dance,
Branch hoped this would be his chance.
To spend that night with the one he adored,
But saying it aloud made him feel floored.
Poppy now had her own group of friends,
And it hurt his heart as time transcends.
She had others, and Branch felt small,
But still, he wanted to risk it all.
In his bunker, messy and wild,
Branch searched through piles like a lost child.
For an invitation he'd made with care,
To ask her to the dance, a hopeful dare.
After hours of searching high and low,
He found it at last, his face aglow.
A letter crafted with trembling hands,
Hoping she'd accept his small demands.
He left his bunker, the sun so bright,
It hurt his eyes with its glaring light.
But Branch had a mission, a goal in mind,
To find Poppy, to see if she'd be kind.
As he wandered through the village scene,
People waved, but he remained unseen.
Focused only on where she could be,
He found her soon, chatting with glee.
She spoke to Creek, in a playful tone,
Branch felt a pang, standing alone.
But he picked up a pebble, tossed it her way,
And Poppy turned, much to his dismay.
"Just a second, Creek!" she called with a grin,
Branch's heart raced as she headed in.
Towards him, through the crowd she came,
Branch felt nervous, trapped in his shame.
"Branch, what's wrong?" Poppy asked, concerned,
Her care for him always unearned.
"It's been a while," he managed to say,
His nerves tangled up, in disarray.
She laughed and teased, but her joy was real,
Branch couldn't help but start to feel,
A little lighter, a little more free,
For Poppy had always believed in he.
They walked through the woods, side by side,
With nature's beauty as their guide.
Poppy spoke of the quiet around,
And Branch knew peace in that sound.
He shared his love for the forest's grace,
How every tree had a special place.
Poppy listened, her heart now warm,
Branch's words had a gentle charm.
The conversation flowed with ease,
The soft rustling of the trees.
But Branch still held the question tight,
Would she be his partner on that night?
Finally, he pulled the letter from his coat,
His heart heavy, stuck in his throat.
"I made this for you," he said, so shy,
Poppy took it with a curious eye.
She read the words, her smile so wide,
Branch felt a flutter deep inside.
"You want me to go with you to the dance?"
She asked with joy, her face in a trance.
Branch nodded, feeling small and meek,
But Poppy's hug made his knees go weak.
"Of course, I'll go!" she exclaimed with glee,
"You should've asked sooner, silly!"
Branch couldn't help but smile at last,
The worries of his mind now passed.
For with Poppy's hand in his own,
He'd never again feel quite so alone.
They continued their walk through the trees,
The wind so soft, a calming breeze.
The dance would come, and they'd be there,
Together, a perfect pair.
Though Branch had feared being on his own,
Poppy's friendship had brightly shone.
And as the night approached so near,
Branch felt something he hadn't in years.
hope.
