Trolls and the Gem of Friendship

Chapter 2

"No! No! No, Barb! I can't do this!" Branch yelled out in fear, as the queen of rock pushed him towards Poppy's pod. "You gotta learn to rock without a net, Bro," she replied. "Just like my good friend Val taught me."
"I'm fine with never learning that skill!"

"Stop being such a wimp," the queen of rock groaned in frustration, continuing to push Branch forwards against his will. "Look... the love of your life is right there. Just go talk to her..."

Branch looked up, his heart skipping a beat as he saw Poppy up ahead, carefully watering the village garden as she sang softly to herself.

He gulped at the thought of asking her the biggest question of both their lives... he couldn't do it...

Quickly, Branch pulled away from Barb, turning away from her as he covered his face with his hands, trying but failing to hide his shame...

Barb sighed, seeing how scared her friend was, knowing he wasn't going to go through with this...

"Fine, dude," she finally sighed, crossing her arms as she looked down at Branch. "If you don't want to go over there... you don't have to go over there..."

"R... really?" Branch asked, slowly looking up at Barb, who nodded in reply. "Gee... thanks, Barb. I..."
"Hey Popcorn!" Barb suddenly yelled out loudly, cupping her hands around her mouth to get the queen of pop's attention. "Get over here! Boy toy has something he wants to ask you!"

Branch glared at Barb as she smirked right back at him.

"Now you don't need to go over," she chuckled. "You're welcome..."
"Grr..." Branch growled softly, Barb playfully punching his arm as she smirked at him.

"Good luck, man," she said, walking away as she laughed quietly to herself. "I rock so hard..."

Branch watched her angrily, as she walked away, finally leaving his sight.

"I am so gonna kill her for this..." he grumbled softly, his hands in tight fists by his side.

"Hey, Branch," Poppy said joyfully, suddenly right behind him.

He froze at the sound of her voice, his body stiffening in fear as he gulped, not even turning around to face her...

"Umm..." she muttered softly, looking around for a quick moment before turning her attention back her boyfriend. "Barb said you had something to ask me?"

Branch's eyes widened at those words, knowing he had to say something as he slowly turned around to look at her.

"Uh... yeah... I... I... uh... I" he stammered, fiddling nervously with his fingers as he imagined asking her this incredibly important question...

Finally, he took a deep breath, taking Poppy's hands gently in his, as he gazed deep into her beautiful pink eyes...

"Poppy... ever since I first met you... I have loved you so much..." he said in a soft tone, his voice shaking slightly as he spoke. "You've made me happier than I ever thought I could be... and I just can't imagine my life without you in it..."

Slowly, he reached into his hair, pulling out the ring box as he took another deep calming breath, finally opening it up as he dropped down to one knee, smiling slightly as he looked up at Poppy, gazing lovingly into her eyes.

Completely shocked, Poppy gasped at the sight of the gorgeous ring Branch was now holding out to her, placing her hands in front of her mouth as her eyes widened in disbelief...