In The Stardust

Songs of the Heart

"Okay, you're all going to hang out with your friends, and Clyde will watch Roger and the J's, right?" Lily asked her younger cousins.

"Affirmitive," Clyde replied as everyone else ran off. "You forgot to tell them about the concert."

"I didn't forget, they just left before I could say anything," Lily pointed out. "I just hope people do show up."

It was no secret that Lily was a huge fan of opera music. She doesn't sing, but she's seen every show. Unfortunately, hardly anyone else in Troll Village appreciated the art.

"They did all their homework, but they're still going to fail," Clyde pointed out. "It's not surprising, though. I was assigned to do research on my family tree, and Duckweeds are well known for their futility."

As Clyde left, Archer raised an eyebrow at Lily.

"He means they're stupid," Lily translated. "Clyde's the only exception, for some reason. We all thought he was weird, at first, but after third grade, he jumped all the way to high school, and now he's trying to find a way to use the moon as an antenna."

"That smart at the age of nine?" Archer asked. "That's impressive."

"Okay, back to business," said Lily. "Is everything gonna be ready by tonight?"

Archer nodded.

"The stage floor's waxed?"

"Yes."

"Lemon scented?"

"No."

"Anyone call in sick?"

"No."

"All the roses were delivered?"

"Yes, but we had to ask for white," Archer informed her. "I was told there's no such thing as blue roses."

"Ask Harper if she can paint them blue," Lily told her boyfriend, who was beginning to look nervous.

"I will," he replied, kissing her on the cheek. "I love you."

Lily just looked away shyly. "I'm gonna go make cupcakes."

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

"Guys, I'm a little worried about tonight," Archer confessed to Poppy and Branch. "Lily's so focused on saving the theater, and every time I tell her I love her, she runs off."

"Archer, Lily's just not used to being in love with someone," Branch said. "Just give her time to adjust."

"Well, that makes things awkward."

"What do you mean?" Poppy asked.

"I talked to her parents, and..." Archer hesitated. "... I was going to ask her to marry me tonight."

"Oh, Archer, good for you!" Poppy exclaimed, hugging him. "It feels like yesterday, you became a member of Troll Village, and now you're getting married!"