"Thinks he's going to take my hug? Not if I get there first." Branch sprinted through Troll Forest, taking the grassy path to a mountain-like place called Bird Cliff, a place he forbidden himself to go. However, Branch was willing to take this risk in order to stop this someone from giving Poppy his hug on Hug Day, a holiday where one can give or receive a hug from another. The only chance to ask Poppy to get her hug, except she was on an unexpected date with someone annoying to Branch....

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Branch had tried to ask Poppy for his hug earlier that day, but couldn't help to stutter, lose his thoughts and run away. His plan to try again had been put aside as he had to teach Cloud Guy how to be a gentlemen, so he could get his private journal back. It worked. By helping Cloud Guy, it had gave Branch the courage to try again to ask Poppy for his hug, except....

"Poppy's not gonna know what hugged her," Cloud Guy said.

What the—Poppy? He's got to be joking. "Wait. Your crush is Poppy? You said it was a cloud," Branch said.

Cloud Guy gave him a smirk. "No, I misled you into thinking it was a cloud. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a hug to give."

"Please. She'd never waster her Hug Day hug on someone like you."

"I agree, but she won't be giving it to me. She'll be giving it to...."

Cloud Guy transformed his face to look like an attractive man. Branch's mouth dropped open, he shook his head in denial, and his eyes widened.

"This guy. Oh, and it's all thanks to you."

As Cloud Guy walked away, Branch had fainted. Although unconscious, his mind had tried to come up with a plan to stop Cloud Guy.

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"I can't believe how far Cloud Guy has got himself into," Branch said. "He has taken Poppy to Bird Cliff, so he can be alone with her to hug her, but I'm not going to let that happen."

He continued to run towards Bird Cliff while having sudden negative thoughts about Cloud Guy hugging Poppy. Once Cloud Guy hugs her, Branch could no longer have a chance to hug her on this holiday. Although they can hug anytime afterward, right? Well, this day was special to him, so experiencing this hug from her was a must.

When he reached Bird Cliff, birds circled around the cliff, cawing at one another. Branch gulped. I must put my fear of birds aside. It is now or never, Branch. On the count of three, we are going to run up to the top of the cliff. Are you ready? Yes. No. No, I can't. Yes, you can. Alright, on the count of three: One...two...

Branch took a deep breath. "Three."

He ran full speed through the path, circling the bend to what he concluded to be like a mountain. That's it, Branch. Stay focus. Don't give any bird any eye contact. Ignore the sound of their cawing. Stay focus. Branch climbed on the rocks to get to the top. Above, Cloud Guy and Poppy chatted on the edge of Bird Cliff. He kept climbing to the top of Bird Cliff, pulling himself onto a rock, and could not believe his eyes: Cloud Guy and Poppy were about to hug.

"No," Branch said.

Branch reached the top of Bird Cliff, avoiding the birds, hoping not to lose his chance to ask Poppy to hug him. He stood in silence and gasped at the scenery. His blood ran cold. Cloud Guy hugged Poppy. Her hug was now gone. Cloud Guy looked at Branch, grinning and winking at him.

Branch clenched his jaw, his hands balled into two fists, he screamed and attacked Cloud Guy. Poppy stood in silence, staring at him as Branch threw fists at Cloud Guy until he disappeared. It somehow did not stop Cloud Guy as he poured rainwater on Branch.

"Branch, what's wrong with you?" Poppy said.

Cloud Guy smiled at him. "Yeah, Branch. What's wrong?"

It was time for him to tell them—or to say, Poppy—about how he felt, even though he believed that Cloud Guy already knew what was wrong due to the smirk he had on his face.

"He gave you his Hug Day hug when he knows full well that I wanted to," Branch said.

"You do?" Poppy said.

"Yes, of course!" Branch said.

"Why would I say no? I was going to ask you," Poppy said.

"You were?!" Branch said in shock.

"Yes, but I was a bit nervous because I thought you would say no to me or run away." Poppy frowned, holding onto her left arm, looking away. "I thought you were still that type of Troll who didn't like much hugs, so I was afraid to ask you."

Branch calms his tone of voice. "You were?"

Poppy said, "But Cloud Guy gave me the courage to try, so I was planning to come see you and then ask you."

"You were?"

Cloud Guy clapped at a slow pace, which caught their attention quickly.

"That was a great confession from the two of you. Also, way to finally put it out there, pal." Cloud Guy walked to Branch. "When I read your journal, I realized you needed a little motivation. You are welcome."

"Wait, what? This was all a trick?" Branch said.

"You can owe me one—water gun." Cloud Guy sprayed Branch with water.

"But her hug is gone. You hugged her."

Poppy shook her head. "No, no, no. The rule on Hug Day is that you can only hug one Troll."

"Hello? I'm a cloud... guy," Cloud Guy said.

Oh, duh! That's so true! Where was your head at, Branch?

"So would you give your Hug Day hug to me, Branch?" Poppy asked.

Sunset arrived as Branch nodded. Poppy and Branch got ready to hug each other. His eyes twinkled at her, and her eyes sparkled at him. The day was almost over, and Branch was about to get his hug from Poppy.......

His left ear twitched, making him snap out of the moment. Could it be a tiny, thumping movement coming from behind him? Who could that be? Branch turned to find Keith—a kid Troll who had tried to hug him throughout the day but failed to—preparing to hug him......

"Whoa-" Branch jumped, trying to move away from Keith, tripping over his feet and leaning towards Poppy.

She yelped as he fell on her, and they finally hugged, feeling like they were moving in slow motion. Poppy faced him, smiling as her hair fluttered in the wind. Branch smiled at her back. They landed on top of each other on the ground with their lips pressed together, unable to move. Their eyes widened at one another.

Branch tried to pull away, but Poppy pushed her head closer to him as if she still wanted to kiss him. She continued to kiss him, closing her eyes. He closed his eyes, feeling fluttery in his stomach again, but not in a nervous way, but in a pleasure way.

I can't believe it. I'm kissing the princess of—no, the Queen of Troll Village? Me. A Troll who was the village grump turned into a Troll who has been trying to get back into the community. What an unexpected move!

Ten seconds later, Branch and Poppy opened their eyes, slowly pulling away from each other in complete silence, realizing that Cloud Guy and Keith left them on Bird Cliff. Poppy held onto her cheek while Branch blushed, trying his best to stand, but his body shook.

"Wow," Poppy said. "Did we do what I think we just did? Our very first kiss?"

Branch said nothing, his eyes focused on Troll Forest ahead of them.

"Oh, it was as magical as a true love's kiss. I'm so going to scrapbook this. AAAHHH!!!"

Again, Branch said nothing while he too couldn't wait to get back to his bunker to write about this event in his private journal.

"Well, I should be going now. It's getting late," Poppy said, holding out her hand to Branch, helping him up.

Branch followed Poppy as they held hands, walking down Bird Cliff. While walking through Troll Forest, Branch could not help but gaze at Poppy. She glared at him back, which startled him as he looked at his feet.

Poppy stopped walking, tilting her head. "Are you okay? You haven't been yourself since we..."

Out of the blue, Branch pulled her forward to give her a kiss on the lips. Poppy said nothing as her eyes widened. The sudden feeling of pleasure returned to Branch and this time he enjoyed it. Poppy wrapped her arms around him, closing her eyes again. He closed his eyes too. The two of them continued to have their second kiss. As they pulled away and opened their eyes again, Branch held onto her hands.

"You're the Hug for Me," Branch said, blushing.

Poppy blushed at him, letting out a cute giggle. "Aw, Branch, you too."

"Let's go home," Branch said.

Still holding hands, Branch and Poppy cuddled each other while walking back home to Troll Village.

The End.