A Love To Tell

Chapter 15: Accident

Branch stayed silent, he couldn't answer the question. He was speechless, yet so nervous. A rare thing for him. Then he started blushing as he rubbed his nape and looked away. Poppy stood in front of him, amazed. Then he spoke. "The truth is... I did... they're the only thing that makes me happy and... they remind me of you...".

"Branch-..." Poppy said as River from outside, looking through the windows, sighed as she flew away. Poppy and Branch blushed, then Poppy hugged him. Branch got taken away, but then he smiled and hugged her back. Then Branch whispered. "I thought you would be creeped out.".

"Excuse me? I spent so much time trying to make those happy and make you happy." Poppy said and hugged him tighter. Suddenly, they heard a loud crash and quickly look outside. They saw a tree has fallen over River, and they gasps and quickly help her. Then the trolls pushed the tree off her and a random troll helped her up and brought her to the hospital. A few hours later, Poppy was already asleep at her pod, but Branch went to visit River. He barely have seen her, and not only thinking that it was odd she has a crush on him. He knocked on the door, but a stern voice replied. "What do you want?".

"I... just thought I can visit..." Branch softly said as the door opened. Branch looked around and saw River on the bed with her arms crossed, but she had a calm face. "Look who it is... why are you here? Ain't not to be trusted?".

She said while lifting two fingers and bending them along with her words. Branch sighed and grabbed a chair and sat beside her. He saw her injuries, but it was much worse when he first met her. "You ok?".

"Oh, I don't know, am I?" She said sarcastically and the ladybug went on her shoulder and crossed its arms and glared at Branch. Branch sighed. "Listen, I'm sorry for not trusting you... it's just because...".

"Because I act strange? Yeah..." she finished his sentence and her expression softened and turned into a sad one. Branch sighed and held her hand. "Look, I'm really sorry...".

"It's alright... I'm just glad none of the others are hurt..." she said and sighed. Branch just needed to tell her. He trusts her now. He needs to tell her that he knew her secret. "Listen... River... I know you have a crush on me...".

River sighed but realized what he said. She froze and hesitated. She looked at him and grinned as she crossed her arms and chuckled nervously while brushing her bangs off her face. "What do you mean? I don't have a crush on you. Who said I have a crush on you! Did you tell, ladybug?!".

"No... I figured out myself. I saw you in the forest and I felt sorry so I just had to apologize..." Branch said as River blushed, she turned the opposite way from his direction and sighed. "But I know you like Poppy... you love her...".

"River, are you jealous?" Branch asked as River held her tears, and shook her head and crossed her arms and scoffed. "Pssh, me? Jealous?! Never in my life. Really. I'm ok. Just... go with Poppy... she needs you more than I do...".

Branch smiled and headed back. As he left and closed the door, River started crying a bit, and started sobbing. Then the ladybug on her shoulder hugged her cheek. River sniffed her tears and whispered. "You're right. I should just ignore him for now. Goodnight...".

A/N

Actually, to be honest, I feel sorry for River. But don't worry, this is a BROPPY fanfic. Remember, BROPPY. It just has River as an innocent person, just sad, lonely, and heartbroken. But don't worry, again, she'll live happily ever after in the ending. Fact: she still won't find her true love in the ending.