Aster fluttered his eyes opened, he sat up and saw that he was on the couch, wrapped in a blanket as he rubbed his eyes, and groaned. "What happened? Where's Lake?"

Aster stood up, he remembered that he stayed with Lake here, talking and telling nice stories, having some nice sweets and many more, but the question is... where is Lake?

Aster glanced around, and saw Lake leaning against the desk, asleep and had chocolate all over her mouth. The grayish looking troll laughed a little, gazing at her sleeping form. He decided to leave her alone and take another look around her pod. He looked up at all the pictures of her, her friends, and her parents right beside her as she was little. He smiled a bit, but then he saw a picture of her and Branch, which made Aster curious. Hmmm, they seem really close. What's their deal?

Suddenly, Aster noticed a note behind that picture frame, he gently grabbed it and saw a few words, obviously written by Lake. He saw that it was for the one and only Branch. As Aster turned the note around, he saw the days when it was written. This was written months ago! Why hasn't she given it to him yet?

He sighed, he already knew why. He quickly putt he note back before Lake could see him in the act. Luckily, he didn't get caught, because right after he put it back, he heard Lake getting up. She saw him and waved. "Morning, Aster!"

"Morning, Lake." He smiled innocently and put his hands behind his back, glancing at the awoken troll. Lake looked around for no reason, and asked. "Want some breakfast?"

"Oh, that's ok. I was just about to head back home, if that's alright with you." He answered, while smiling a bit and his thumb pointing at the door. Lake was surprised a little and stammered. "O-Oh yeah! You should head back, I'll see ya tomorrow. Help yourself to the door."

She chuckled and left to the kitchen, Aster chuckled and did as told. He took a step out and looked around, seeing the bright light of the sun hitting him. He squinted and continued moving along, seeing the bright smiles of every troll and Bergen around. He smiled widely as well, today he felt... happy.

But as he walked around, he accidentally bumped into a troll that looked familiar to him. Aster felt a bit of pain, he hissed a bit and glared at the troll in front of him. "Hey! Watch where you're going, buddy!"

"Oh, sorry. My bad." The blue troll replied, which made Aster realize who it was and glance back at him. Branch. Aster's eyes widened and he grinned widely. "Ohhhh, its ok! Branch, right? I'm Aster..."

"Uh, hi Aster." Branch slightly waved, raising his brow a bit. Aster backed up a little, making sure he was at least 5 feet away from him, he felt super awkward seeing his tutor's crush right in front of him. "So, uh... you're friends with Lake, right?"

"Yeah, how did you know?" Branch asked and cocked a brow, tilting his head a bit as he spoke. Aster continued grinning oddly and looked away. "Oh, you know, Lake is my tutor and all..."

"How old are you?" Branch asked, and then Aster whispered. "21..."

"Oh. You guys are the same age, you two can be friends, right?" He asked once again, and then Aster nodded and started to swallow walk away. "Well, I gotta go Branch, it was nice meeting ya!"

"Yeah..." Branch murmured and watched him leave. Strange...