Trolls: All This Time

Chapter 9

-branch's pov-

those 3 words. i'd never said them to anyone expect my grandma. poppy and i had said it in song, but that's not as meaningful as saying it directly.

poppy grinned at me, pulling me close and gave me a huge hug, probably one of the biggest she'd ever given me.

"i love you too," she said quietly.

i smiled, knowing that she was the first person who i actually loved. aside from my grandma, is never experienced love. i hope i'm good at it.

"do you want to sleep over? i can sleep on the couch..." i said.

poppy nodded slightly. "if it's not a hassle."

i shook my head and looked at the clock. it was already 11:00 and i was sure poppy was tired. especially from all the stress she'd been putting on herself.

i tucked her in and formed a comforting smile. "sweet dreams."

-poppy's pov-

"don't hurt him!!" i screamed, seeing branch trapped in a cage above a 40 foot drop down into a lake. "please!!"

i tried to escape the strange trolls' grasp they had on me, but the two trolls holding me back were way too strong for me to take on.

"it's you or him," the evil troll blocking branch's cage said. "you decide."

branch shook his head at me, tears forming in his eyes. "don't worry about me. i'll be okay. take care of the village."

"no!" i screamed. "don't hurt him!!"

"poppy," he said calmly, making me stop trying to escape from the other trolls' grasp. "i'll be okay. i promise. just, promise me you'll keep the village safe?"

i didn't respond. i couldn't. i was in so much pain. not physically, but emotionally.

one of the trolls smiled. "looks like you've made up your mind."

"NO!!!"

-branch's pov-

i woke up around 1 in the morning to cries and whimpers coming from my bedroom. poppy?

sure enough, it was. she was having a nightmare. a bad one too. actual tears were rolling down her cheeks and she was drenched in sweat.

"poppy," i said quietly.

i repeated her name a few times before she shot up, breathing heavily.

"it's okay," i assured her, hugging her tightly. "i'm right here."

slowly, her breathing calmed down and she grabbed my hand, shaking.

i'd never seen her like this.