Before we begin, I would like to announce the winner of the cover contest... SoMuchFlippinGlitter ! Congratulations! I wasn't expecting the bloody ear, but I think I can work with that.

Anyhoo, enjoy the story.

Poppy nervously tugged at the gloves she was wearing. She hated how they made her hands sweaty, but didn't want anyone noticing the bruises on her wrists. Leaves were pushed aside for her and Cedar, and the Gala was in full swing!

“This is a fancy party, honey," she told Cedar as they held hands. “Remember to be on your best behavior."

“Only if you remember to shut up," he growled, squeezing her hand to the point she heard small pops. Poppy resisted the urge to cry.

“Be back in ten minutes, boys," a glamorous Troll said to a group of Trolls as she stepped out of a limo and headed for the party. “Cedar! Poppy! Over here, darlings!"

“Hi, Adelaide," Poppy greeted as she approached them.

“Mom, where were you?" Cedar asked. “Your own party started three seconds ago!"

“My dear, I've always preferred to be fashionably late," Adelaide replied. “Even for my own birth!"

Everyone laughed, even Poppy, much to Cedar's chagrin. Adelaide was such a confident woman, she wasn't afraid to speak what was on her mind. Poppy often wished she could be more like her, but Cedar would hit her just for having an opinion.

“You did a lovely job this year, Adelaide," King Peppy said. “Everything looks... What's the word I'm looking for?"

“How about that? I left the king speechless!" Adelaide joked and held up a notepad. “Of course, there are still a few things I need to take care of. That poor punch bowl is only half full."

Cedar gave Poppy a rotten look. “That's my mother," he growled.

“I know," Poppy whispered. Cedar just squeezed her wrist until she pulled away. “I'll take care of them, Adelaide."

“Oh, thank you, darling," she replied, giving her the notepad. “Such a nice girl you got, Cedar. What's she doing with a boy like you?"

“I'm a man, Mom!" Cedar pointed out. “You're embarrassing me!"

Adelaide just shrugged as Poppy went to put up some decorations. Two friendly Trolls approached her excitedly. It was Satin and Chenille!

“Poppy!" they exclaimed.

“Hi, girls," Poppy greeted. “Having fun?"

“Yeah, what about you?" Satin asked. “You should be out on that dance floor!"

“Why else would we spend hours on that dazzling dress you're wearing?" Chenille added. “All eyes should be on you!"

“I don't know about that," Poppy said, looking away nervously. Even if she did look beautiful, Cedar hated it when anyone else looked at her. Poppy assumed it made him feel protective of her.

“Come on, Poppy," Chenille insisted, pulling her away from her work. “Dance with us!"

“O-Okay," Poppy muttered, worried about where this would lead.

Branch, meanwhile, was hiding underneath the snack bar, keeping an eye on Poppy as the twins led her to the dance floor. This was fine. He was just making sure Cedar didn't hurt Poppy. In no way was it creepy at all.

Branch's thoughts were interrupted by his stomach growling. “Getting kinda hungry," he said to himself. Making sure he wasn't noticed, Branch stuck a hand out and reached up for a brownie. But before he could take one, he felt someone grabbing him and was pulled out from under the table.

“Well, well, well," Guy Diamond said with a smug grin. “Not much of a fancy pants person, eh?"

“It's not what you think!" Branch groaned. But the Glitter Troll didn't listen.

“Well, the vest with no shirt is far from fancy," he pointed out. “And patched shorts? What are we trying to say, disheveled? I'm gonna fix you right uuuu-uuuu-uuuup!"

“Guy, wait!" Branch pleaded, but it was too late. As a cloud of glitter blocked his vision, he felt Guy Diamond ripping off all his clothes and putting him in a completely different outfit.

“I win again!" Biggie declared, showing his cards to everyone. Ladies clapped as he collected his winnings.

“How does he do it?" another player wondered.

“Biggie!" Smidge shouted, making her way through a crowd. “You're not gonna believe this! Poppy's dancing with the twins!"

“What?! Really?!" Biggie exclaimed. “I gotta see this!"

More Trolls took notice and formed a dance circle surrounding Poppy, Satin, and Chenille. Poppy had to admit, it felt good to have fun with her friends again. But she couldn't help but look around for Cedar. She'd be in a lot of trouble if he caught her with her friends.

“Poppy!" Biggie gasped. The princess turned to find the rest of her friends joining in.

“Hi, guys!" she greeted as they all went in for a group hug. “It's so good to see you!"

“It's good to see you!" Smidge said. “You've been spending all your time with your boyfriend lately! What do you guys do anyway?"

“Well... We, uh–"

“Smidge!" Satin scolded. “That's between Poppy and Cedar!"

“But I'm sure they have a lot of fun together," Chenille giggled.

“Hey, Poppy!" Cooper shouted. “You gotta try these mini éclairs!"

“No, thanks, I'm good," Poppy replied, even though she was feeling rather peckish. Cedar wouldn't let her eat desserts, or almost anything, for that matter. He always said she shouldn't “stuff those chubby cheeks of hers."

“Come on, Poppy!" Biggie insisted. “You love mini éclairs! It wouldn't hurt to indulge just a little."

“Well, okay," Poppy agreed. But just before she could grab one...

“Ladies and gentlemen!" Guy Diamond announced. “I am now presenting my latest work of aaaaa-aaaa-aaaart! Please give it up for... Braaaaanch!"

“Branch?" Poppy muttered. In a flash and glittery explosion, Guy Diamond pushed Branch through the crowd to where Poppy was. Everyone stared at him in confusion.

Not sure what else to do, Branch just waved at Poppy and her friends and said, “Hi."

“Hey," Poppy replied. “Since when do you come to fancy parties?"

“I, uh..."

“Okay, all you lovebirds!" DJ Suki announced. “Grab your soulmates and get on that dance floor!"

“I'm gonna dance with Cedar," Poppy lied. They never danced in public, he wouldn't let anyone pay any attention to her.

“I'm sure he won't mind if you dance with your best friend," Guy Diamond insisted, leading her back to Branch. “You gotta admit, he looks rather handsome."

Poppy felt her cheeks burn up. This wasn't the sting she felt whenever Cedar slapped her face, however. This was something she hadn't felt in a while. Completely lost in thought, Poppy failed to notice Guy leading her back to Branch.

“What are you doing?" Branch whispered to his stubborn friend.

“Relax!" he insisted. “I'll distract the guy, you just enjoy this!"

As Guy Diamond went off, Poppy noticed she was now in Branch's strong arms. DJ Suki began playing a soft, romantic tune on her Wooferbug, and the other couples began dancing.

“So... uh..." Branch found himself stuttering. The girl of his dreams was now in his embrace! “Wa-Wanna dance?"

“Okay," Poppy answered nervously, wrapping her arms around his neck. Branch placed his large hands on her waist and let the music take over. Branch let out a couple hums as Poppy closed her eyes and took it in. Whatever this was, was nothing like what she had with Cedar. It felt... oddly comforting.

I know your favorite song

I hear it everyday

Whoever made your smile

Made it to get in my way

Branch noticed a tear beginning to fall from Poppy's eye and pressed his forehead against hers as he sang softly.

And everytime you laugh

You make that little sound

It's just the hardest thing

To love you, but not know how

💔💔💔💔💔💔

“Excuse me!" Guy Diamond called out to the Troll by the juice bar. “Mr. Cedar, isn't it?"

“Who wants to know?"

“Guy Diamond," he answered. “Village heartthrob, smooth with the ladies, the perfect wingman. I see you haven't brought anyone to dance with?"

“Poppy and I don't dance," Cedar said. “All she does is trip over her own feet."

I beg to differ, Guy thought as he noticed Poppy slow dancing with his best friend. He began to feel as though this Troll just liked to make the princess look bad. “How about we find our own ladies to dance with? Perhaps someone much more graceful?"

“No thanks," Cedar rejected. “I didn't even want to come here. Everyone's gonna look at my girlfriend while she sings a stupid song, if you even call that singing, I have to wear these dorky suspenders under this stupid jacket, and my mom is telling everyone about how I won't give her grandkids! Do you have any idea how that affects my reputation?!"

“If your reputation is being the world's biggest jerk, I don't see any harm," Guy Diamond said to himself. “If you don't like Poppy, why are you dating her?"

“Who would wanna bang someone as fat and ugly as her?" he replied. “She's not going to get with a guy who doesn't just want her for her crown. I just pity the poor brat."

Guy Diamond was outraged. “Excuse me," he said calmly. “I'm going to get a root beer."

“Well, I'm not staying for long," Cedar warned. “I better take my girl home and keep– I mean, spare everyone from listening to her sing. Attention-seeking slug."

Poppy, meanwhile, was beginning to rest her head on Branch's shoulder as he continued the song.

So I spend all my nights in the dark, and afraid

'Cause I've tried to forget you

But these things just don't go away

“Branch, why are you even here?" Poppy spoke up. “I'm not breaking up with Cedar."

“Poppy, I just want you to be safe," Branch replied. “Do you know what's not safe? Letting someone beat you up!"

“Branch, he's just going through a rough time," Poppy insisted. “It'll get better when he gets back on his feet."

Branch was unconvinced. “How long has this ‘rough time' been?"

Poppy's eyes widened. “Not long," she lied.

“Poppy?"

“Three months."

“Three months?!" Branch exclaimed. The music was shut off as everyone was surprised by Branch's outburst.

“Three months of what?" a Troll muttered.

“What is he talking about?" another wondered.

Feeling distressed, Poppy pulled herself away from Branch and fled the Gala.

“Poppy, wait!" Branch exclaimed, running after her.

💔💔💔💔💔💔

“Guy Diamond, are you sure he said all this?" King Peppy asked with concern.

The Glitter Troll nodded. “With his own mouth."

The old king was confused. “Why wouldn't Poppy tell me? I'm her father."

“Don't ask me, I haven't spoken to her in months," Guy Diamond pointed out. “And I think Cedar wants to keep her away from us!"

“We better go look for her," King Peppy said, and began searching for his estranged daughter. “Adelaide! Have you seen Poppy?"

“I just saw her leaving the party before she got to sing," she replied. “Some strange fella ran after her, so I told Cedar to go after them. A real man protects the lady he loves, I always say."

“Oh, dear," Guy Diamond muttered.

Thanks to BranchieandPops for also entering the contest.

Until next time. 🌈