Human Genderbend AU

Branch ran and ran from everyone while not paying attention to her surroundings. Tears escaped from her eyes as she tried to get away from the other high School learners of Trollworks High. Her face was marked with a black right eye,and a bloody nose!Her body was really sore and had lots of marks. Her clothes had some of her blood on them and her shirt was torn a little. She wanted to get away from her bullies and hide where they couldn't find her,her house!

Why couldn't Creek and the other bullies just leave her alone?Why did they like attacking the outcast? They would say cause she was worthless and that nobody cared!But,they were wrong! Why?Cause Branch was not worthless and there were people in her life who cared but, now she felt alone and that there was nobody standing by her.

By the time she reached her guardian's house,her left foot sneaker got caught in a big pavement crack causing her to fall and hit the ground in front the gate!As a result she groaned in pain. Branch had stopped crying and bleeding at this point.

Gristlette Jr had just came home with Bridge, her boyfriend, and they had saw Branch's accident! The couple ran towards their friend in concern. Gristlette  got on her knees next to Branch's right while Bridge at her left,wrapped their arms around her back then helped her get up slowly by pulling her up gently.

As Gristlette and Bridge helped her get back on her feet,they noticed the state Branch was in. They let out small shocked gasps!Hitting the pavement can't cause all that damage! Some bruising but, that all this damage.

"Branch, Are you okay?", Bridge asked.

" No",Branch replied lowly.

"Do you think can still walk?",Gristlette asked.

" I think so", Branch said honestly.

"Branch,what happened to you?", Bridge asked concerned.

" You look like you got roughed up! ", Gristlette added in worry.

Branch immediately became silent. She didn't know what to say. Gristlette was right about the way she looked cause getting physically attacked was part of the painful event. Maybe she should tell them what happened at Trollworks but, not here!Branch didn't want strangers knowing about her life events.

" I think it will be better if we talk privately in my room.",Branch told them.

The helpers agreed with her and thought it might be better for her to be somewhere comfortable to talk about her problems. They told her they agreed with her. Gristlette and Bridge let go of Branch once she regained her balance. Branch grabbed the keys from her right jean pocket and walked to the gate. The couple followed to the gate. Branch unlocked the gate and opened it then the three went inside. Branch closed and locked the gate then put her keys back in her jean pocket. They walked a short trip to the house.

Branch took her keys out again and opened the door. They went inside then Branch closed the door. Her guardian was not at home yet. Bridge quickly ran to the kitchen and grabbed a icepack from fridge then came back to the girls. Then they walked upstairs and towards Branch's bedroom.

Once they all entered Branch's bedroom Branch closed the door. Gristlette suggested that Branch freshen up. Branch had cleaned her face,changed her clothes and took some pain medicine in her bathroom. Now Branch sat on her bed between her friends while Gristlette sat next to the foot rest end and Bridge sat next to the nightstand. Bridge handed Branch the icepack. Branch placed the icepack on her black eye.

" Thanks for the help ",Branch told them.

" It's no problem ",Gristlette assured her.

Bridge and Gristlette tilted their head forward and looked at each other. This one of those times when they didn't have to say anything to know what each other were thinking. They knew something was wrong or else Branch wouldn't had been running and look the way she did...

They couldn't help Branch more unless she told them what was wrong...The couple wanted to know but,at the same time were afraid of the answer. They built up some courage and hoped they will be able to help Branch.

" Umm...Branch,What happened to you earlier? ", Bridge asked.

" Cause normally you wouldn't look so roughed up or be in such a hurry..." Gristlette added.

Branch signed while remembering what happened before her accident. Creep and the other bullies had been hurting her,both physical and mentally, more than usual today cause "they were in the mood for it". It was getting harder to fight back.

" I was about to leave Trollworks when Creek, Terence and his gang came. They grabbed my schoolbag and pulled it back then surrounded me so I couldn't leave in the hall. Then they kept on making fun of me and attacking me as usual but, this time it was different...",Branch told them.

Bridge and Gristlette became even more worried and even angry. They never liked Creek,Terrence and his gang;Terrors. They even saw the truth about them themselves!Even Bridge was picked on by Creep and the Terrors a few times and he doesn't even go to Trollworks High!

"Creek and Terence pushed me to the ground and started pointing out how I'm worthless, don't deserve anything good, never belonged anywhere and they didn't hold back. Then the other Terrors started beating me harder than before!They wouldn't stop!I tried to fight back but, failed. I could hear Terence and Creek say that this is what I deserved. When I heard Poppy's voice they stopped and I ran from away from them like the weakling I am!Their right...I am a horrible person who deserves pain! I don't and will never belong anywhere! No matter how strong i try to be I will always be weak!I'm just a curse that nobody needs!" Branch said upset.

She dropped the icepack causing it to hit the floor. Branch was having another mental breakdown!She curled up into a ball and buried her face behind her knees. The she began sobbing and saying that it would be better for everyone if she just ran away and should killed herself. The couple were even more worried and shocked by Branch's words. Bridge and Gristlette hugged the broken girl. They did their best to calm Branch down.

"No your not,Branch!", Gristlette reassures her.

" Killing yourself won't solve anything! ", Gristlette added.

" Branch, everything will get better.",Bridge ressured.

"Your a wonderful person. You helped me on me and Gristlette's first date.", Bridge added.

Ever since the bullying started,Branch had changed for the worst. She lost most of her confidence, had a very low self-esteem and had trouble letting people in. She had breakdowns before but, never this bad!Branch's depression hang over her head like a dark cloud. Now Bridge and Gristlette hated Creek and the Terrors more then ever before. Branch deserved love and care,not pain and suffering!