Advice

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Poppy lay next to Branch in his bed, arms outstretched, exhuasted.

She had had the longest day and was completely filled with exhaustion. Branch had already invited her over for a sleepover the day before, so it wasn't like she could cancel it to get her rest back.

Besides, that was the last thing she wanted to do.

She looked Branch over, watching him as he read in bed next to her, sitting up, under the blankets from waist and down. He looked like he was studying the book, almost, as if the work would explode if he didn't remember every detail.

Poppy knew that was just his way of intensely enjoying the book, though. She smiled.

Branch looked up at her from the corner of his eyes. He smiled. "Penny for your thoughts," he whispered gently.

He always knew when something was bothering her. It was sweet and annoying at the same time.

She shrugged and slid down under the covers, only her nose and up peeking up. "I...I have a question."

 Branch nodded and set the book down. "Okay. I'm listening."

 Poppy flushed and decided not to tell him the whole story. She just asked, "Is it always jealousy and/or envy when you want something that someone else has? "

Branch looked a bit perplexed. These definitely weren't her usual questions. "What do you mean by that?" he asked.

Poppy bit her lip. "Like, if someone had a friend that you really wanted to become friends with yourself, or someone bought something that they knew you wanted....is that envy or jealousy?"

Branch seemed a bit concerned. But Poppy would never tell him why she asked this.

The truth was, there was this girl that Branch used to always hang out with. Poppy couldn't remember her name very well, Hazel or something, but after Poppy and Branch became friends, Branch always seemed to be hanging with that girl.

Poppy had thought that Branch was maybe even beginning to actually like her, and that made her fustrated.

She hadn't known why at the time, though she knew now.

Of course, as soon as Branch had confessed his love for her, Hazel-whatshername vanished from both of their minds.

But today, 1 month later, at a BroZone concert, she had popped up again, and Branch and her had struck up a good conversation.

Poppy joined but she had felt weird during it. She wasn't sure if it was jealousy because she had never really taken Branch in the first place, but also, she never had jealousy so she never knew what it felt like.

She had been pondering this all day and it had been good to let this question out. She just hoped Branch wouldn't ask for more details.

Branch had been quiet on his response, lying his head back on the pillow, eyes closed. Poppy began to wonder if he was asleep.

His voice startled her. "I guess it depends. Was this something yours beforehand, or did you just want it really bad?"

 "Um... I guess I just wanted it. "

Branch nodded again. "Okay. Was this thing replacable, you just couldn't get another one for personal reasons, or was it a one of a kind?"

 Poppy smiled at him. "Definitely a one of a kind."

 Branch wasn't sure why she was smiling at him, but he smiled back. "Well, I say if this person knew you wanted it and got it anyway, then they're a total jerk." 

 Poppy gave a weak smile.

 "But..." Branch added "if this something wasn't totally claimed yours at the moment, at least, then you really have no right to be jealous. Annoyed, sure, angry even, okay. But jealousy? No, because it's theirs, fair and square."

 "Okay." Poppy nodded. "What if you were mad at someone for taking something you wanted, but then found out that they hadn't really taken it at all, but you still feel a bit bitter to them?"

 Branch smiled again. "It's just you healing. We all have feelings, Poppy. It's alright to be a bit frustrated from the past. I mean, look at my brothers and me!"

 They both have small chuckles.

 "As long as you don't hold it over their heads forever, especially for something they didn't really do. That's when it can get unhealthy." Branch reached over and moved a bang out of her eye. "May I ask why you're asking this?"

 "Why do you think?" Poppy asked, teasing.

Branch chuckled. "What I mean is... What is this thing you wanted so much at one time you got annoyed at someone?"

Poppy shrugged. "All I'm going to say is 'you'." Then she kissed his cheek. "Goodnight. Love you. "

 You? What? That could mean a bazillion different things. Branch would never fully understand what she meant by that either. She was never going to tell.

 "Uh...night. Love you too," he whispered way afterwards.

 "And Branch?"

 "Yes?"

 "Thanks."

 Branch kisses her forehead. "Anytime, Princess."



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