Chapter 7

                                    

                                          
Poppys POV:
                          
When I saw Branch I immediately went to him. "Branch, why are you sitting here by yourself?" He didn't answer. In fact it didn't even look like he heard me. Branch was just staring at me. "Um, Branch?" He snapped out of his trance. "Y-Yes. What was the question again?"
                          
Branch looked like he was tired but he agreed to stay until the party was over so he could help clean up. Afterwards we went home. We walked up the stairs to our pods in silence. It wasn't the bad kind of silence though. It was so soundless that you just wanted to enjoy it and bathe in it for a bit. When we reached our Pods the silence broke.
                          
"Ok Branch. Now if you need anything I'm right next door." I went inside my pod, poked my head out, and extended my hair long enough to knock on Branchs pod. "See?"
                          
"I know Poppy."
                          
"I'm always right here, most of the time at least. You ever need to talk, just come and find me."
                          
"I know."
                          
"And if you ever need food I'm your gal."
                          
Branch smiled "Poppy. I know." He walked over to his pod "Good night."
                          
"Sweet dreams Branch." I closed the front curtain and sat on the edge of my bed. The way Branch smiled tonight, it was different from how he usually smiles. I liked it.
                          
Branchs POV:
                          
When I woke up the next morning I was met with thoughts I had put aside. It was overwhelming. Only one thought stood out from all the rest though. This was the thought that was most important right now. Now that I know my feelings for Poppy what do I do? Should I tell her how I feel? But if I do tell her wouldn't it ruin our relationship? I didn't know what to do so I decided to find answers. 
                          
The first person I undecided to talk to was Milton Moss. He's with Smidge so he would know what I'm talking about right? 
                          
I went to Milton's job at Critter care that morning. "Milton Moss, are you busy right now?"
                          
"No, I just fed the critter's their breakfast. Is there something you need?" Milton asked.
                          
"Kind of? I just want to ask you for advice on something." 
                          
Milton saw my serious expression, "Ok then let's sit down."
                          
We sat down on the grass. There were a few critters running around but it was fine. 
                          
"So Branch this is unusual. You don't normally come to me for 'advice'. What kind do you need?"
                          
I didn't know how to ask what I wanted to say. "SO. You're dating Smidge right?"
                          
Milton Moss was petting a critter, "Yes, why?"
                          
"How-How did that happen?"
                          
Milton Moss smiled as he remembered the events "Well it's not much of a story. Smidge confessed to me first and I liked her back. So it just sort of happened."
                          
"But how do you know if someone feels the same way about you?"
                          
"Hmm. Well it's kind of hard to know unless they make it obvious. You just kind of have to take a chance. Why are you asking me this Branch? Do you like someone?"
                          
How was I supposed to respond to this? "...I-I do, I don't have to tell you who do I?"
                          
"No of course not. This is great. I'm happy for you although I have to admit that this is surprising. You've just started to communicate with others and now you have a crush? Are you sure that this is what you think it is. This is just a thought but is it possible that you are misinterpreting your feelings. It could just be that you like this person as a really good friend. It happens."