The Big Bang theory AU/Human AU

Branch is in her University lunchroom like most of her colleagues. She sits alone at her table as her food on her tray sits still. She is listening to Poppy,her boyfriend, talk on the phone which is in her hand against her ear.

" Yeah huh... Okay. I see but, what are we going to do tommorw night then?...", Branch says softly into her phone.

Then a large man walks over Branch awkwardly. He has a simple and normal invitation in her hands. The man is wearing glasses,light brown jacket,plaid shirt and long light brown pants. His skin is peach,his eyes green and has orange hair around head with none on top. He awkwardly taps on the mixed race woman's shoulder making her turn her head to him. Then Branch looks away from him for a moment.

" Okay,Angel. Someone wants to talk to me right now. I'll call you back... I love you too, Poppy.", Branch says into her smartphone.

The Royal Sapphire blue haired woman ends the call then puts her phone down on the table. She turns her head back to the man standing by her table. She looks up at him with a blank expression.

" Hi Bert. What's up?", Branch says friendly and calmly.

" Hey Branch. I'm having a party tomorrow night and I would like it if you would come but, I understand if you don't want come. ", Bert says honestly.

Bert is one of Branch's colleagues. He is from the Geography department. Bert is very socially awkward like how Branch was. She is still a little awkward around others. She feels bad for Bert since she understands his awkwardness. Most people think he is weird but, she doesn't think he is as weird as everyone else. Bert thinks of Branch as his friend except for the first month they known each other.

Bert has an habit of temporarily falling for women who are nice to him or just be around but, after Branch had let him down gently Bert had quickly fell out of love with her after two days. Then fell in love with the lunch lady for a similar amount of time because, she gave him extra food by accident. Nowadays Bert had grown more and doesn't just fall for every woman who is nice to him.

" Well I don't have anything planned tommorw night so sure I guess. Would it be alright if I bring Poppy and maybe a bunch of my friends? ", Branch says honestly.

" Sure. I don't mind. It's at my place which is mentioned in the invitation. It means a lot to me that you will come. ", Bert says honestly.

Then Bert gave Branch the invitation and walks away awkwardly. Inside he couldn't wait to tell everyone that the most popular girl in the University is coming to his party. Branch is completely unaware of how much she is liked by her colleagues...

Later that day... That night the whole Snack Pack is in Poppy and Smidge's apartment. Satin,Chenille, Coop and Smidge are sitting on the brown couch. Gal,Biggie and Mrs Dinkles are sitting on the floor by the coffee table. Branch and Poppy sit on two different chairs from Smidge's right side. Fuzzette and DJ sit next to each other on wooden chairs from Satin's left. They are all eating Thai food out of their takeout containers as usual.

" You guys remember Bert?", Branch asks simply.

" You mean that guy from the Geography department?", Smidge asks blankly.

Branch nods her head. Branch had told them about Bert before. Poppy, Satin and Chenille had even met him when they went to Branch's workshop. Poppy knows about how Bert use to hint on her before but, he isn't bothered since he knows that they are just work friends. Bert is in fact no threat to his and Branch's relationship.

" Well today he invited me to this party he is having tommorw so I agreed and had asked  if I could bring you guys with. I honestly don't to go alone. I feel so bad for the guy since he is like ten times awkward than I was before. So what do you say?", Branch says honestly.

Everyone understands what Branch means. They know Bert isn't a bad guy. He's just different in his own way. Poppy smiles at his girlfriend for getting them invited to a party. He and the gang loves parties! They all happily agree to the party and starts asking questions about it.

" Well this is the first time he invited me so I guess we just have found out what their when we get there. ", Branch says honestly.

" Bet this party is going be really interesting since we are going meet many of your colleagues. ", Gal bets happily.

Soon it is midnight. Branch and Poppy are playing in Branch's bed still awake and talking. They are completely naked underneath the covers. The tall man has his arms wrapped around Branch's short body holding her. The short woman looks up at the ceiling as her head rests against Poppy's chest.

" Are you sure your fine with going to Bert's party?", Branch asks unsure.

Then Branch and Poppy look at each other. They lock eyes in that moment. The white man smiles at her simply. He knows why she is suddenly asking him about the party. Sometimes after while Branch would get worried that he might not be okay with a certain thing even know he isn't bothered.

" Of course. Sure he was into you one time but,I talked to him and he seems like a nice guy who just happened to misread your signals back when we were still friends. I'm not going to let anyone get between us. " Poppy says honestly and happily then promising at the end.

" Neither will I. ",Branch replies back lovingly.

Then the couple gets closer and starts snuggling each other. They trust each other and nothing can or will change that. The next night comes fast. The Snack Pack is walking up to Bert's apartment. They are all dressed casually and nice.

Branch is wearing a simple red dress with a green jacket,black flats and a black belt. Her hair is brushed down neatly. Poppy is wearing blue jeans, aqua t - shirt with short sleeves and red sneakers. Gal Diamond is wearing a glittery short dress, silver sneakers with her hair wavy and glitzy makeup on her face. Fuzzette is wearing an cute orange skirt,floral shirt,white belt and sandels. DJ Suki is wearing white long pants,colourful shirt tank top,usual headphones and red sneakers. Smidge is wearing blue shorts and a dull yellow tank top with yellow and white sneakers.

Satin is wearing black jeans, cool purple vest,purple sneakers, silver tiny hoop earrings and white shirt. Chenille is wearing black jeans, cool blue jacket, tiny diamond earrings, silver tank top and silver sneakers. Coop is wearing light pink shorts,cute dark pink top, light blue jacket,green golf cap and blue flip flops. Biggie is wearing a dark purple dress with white belt and cute small white hat and black boots. She of course has her toy sized dog,Mrs Dinkles,with her who is wearing a matching hat and dog collar.

Branch and Poppy are in front of the group holding hands. The couple is first to reach Bert's apartment. The door is white with a gold door handle and golden metal numbers stating the apartment number. Branch knocks on the door nicely. Within a second Bert opens the door wearing clothes similar to the style of his yesterday outfit. Satin and Chenille notices how it lacks fashion forward style but, somehow fight the instinct of fixing up Bert's outfit. Bert smiles simply and awkward at Branch.

" Hey Branch and everyone. ", Bert greets awkwardly.

The group of friends greet back as they enter the apartment but, when they look around to their surprise their the only ones here! Did they accidentally come earlier or late? Where is everyone? It is a shock for most of the Snack Pack to see an empty party! There is no music playing. There is also basic decorations and a large table fill of food, drinks and snacks which haven't been touched.

" Are we early?", Branch and Poppy asks confused.

" Actually the party started an hour ago... Your the first and the only ones who came. Usually nobody comes to my parties...", Bert says honestly and awkwardly.

" That's just sad...", Branch comments to herself.

Another hour later still nobody else came. The party is so awkward and sad that even all of the party animals there didn't know what to do! They just socialize with each other talking about this party. They all feel so bad for Bert. Branch and Poppy are sitting on the red couch with Bert. Poppy has a cup of punch in his hand. None of them but, Bert was use to this level of awkwardness...

" So... what's it like work in Geography?", Poppy asks trying to make small talk.

" Nothing much really... Us Rock Stars aren't living the high life. That's Geography joke...", Bert says awkwardly and very dry.

The joke is so bad not even Branch laughed. The couple just blinks. They got the joke. It just wasn't funny. Bert starts explaining the bad joke to them still not making it any funnier. Feeling more sorry for Bert the couple fake laughs at Bert's next bad joke in hopes it will make him feel better. Nobody is having a good time. Not even Bert who is actually really happy to have so many people at his party for once. A little later The Snack Pack decide they should leave and are at the door ready to do so as they talk to Bert.

" Sorry about your party...", Branch says honestly.

" We really should get going...", Gal adds.

" It's okay. I'm use to nobody showing up. And Branch... Can you please not tell anyone at the University about this? It's really embarrassing you know since your you and I'm me...", Bert says honestly.

Everyone looks at Bert confused. Especially Branch is confused! What did he mean by the last part? Branch is just about to ask Bert but, her boyfriend beats her to the punch.

" What do you mean by she's her and your you?", Poppy asks.

" Well you know how Branch is the most popular girl at the University?", Bert says starting off honestly.

" What?!", The Snack Pack says stunned by the news.

The Snack Pack are wide eyed! Branch especially the most shocked out of everyone! Since when she was popular? Then suddenly her friends and boyfriend turn to Branch still shocked. They can't believe Branch never told them that she's the most poplar girl! Especially Poppy can't believe it!

" You tell us about your shoe stepping in gum but, this you keep a secret?!", Gal says dramatically.

" Why didn't tell me? I thought we agreed not to lie to each other?", Poppy says still shocked.

Branch turns around to face her closest friends and boyfriend. She never lied to them about her work! She never knew that she is the most popular girl in the University! Branch quickly recovers her shock a little faster than everyone else.

" I didn't know...", Branch admits.

Very soon everyone is sitting down on Bert's furniture. Branch's friends and her boyfriend are especially invested in Branch being popular. They thought they knew everything about Branch but, they had been proven wrong. Branch and Poppy are of course sitting next to each other.

" How long I have been popular? I usually sit alone. ", Branch asks curious.

" I think after your first year. All the guys didn't want to sit with you during lunch since the ones in a relationship were afraid to get in trouble while everyone single was too nervous. Everyone talks about how smart and beautiful you are. I guess some girls feel intimidated by your brain and looks or think you wouldn't want to hang out with girls like them. Lots of people you worked with bragged about it and got more popular just for working with you...", Bert explains honestly.

Branch blushes at every Bert said. Did everyone at work really think that way of her? The mixed race woman would be lying if she said she wasn't enjoying this. Her friend group is enjoying the juicy details too. Poppy wraps his arm around his girlfriend's shoulders.

" Told you everyone loves you. ", Poppy smirks playfully.

" Poppy, I think you became popular cause your her boyfriend. You don't even work there but, every talks about you two like your a power couple. ", Bert says honestly.

" Ooooo!", Gal, Fuzzette, Biggie and Coop say together.

Poppy was the most popular guy in High School but, he never dated the most popular girl. Looks that changed once he and Branch got together. Back in High School Branch was unliked the most and usually not noticed but, the University clearly put her on the top. Everyone gets more invested.

" Who knew my roommate has been sleeping with the Popular girl?", Smidge jokes.

" Yeah...Lots guys I knew were jealous at first. ", Bert says honestly.

Branch blushes as Poppy chuckles at the fact other men were jealous of him. He always knew Branch is a catch but, it looks like he wasn't the only one. Poppy won't give up Branch even for the whole world. Then the msn pulls his girlfriend closer and gives her quick kiss on her cheek.

" Oooo! Someone's a heartbreaker. ", Satin teases.

" What about that guy who works with her on making prototypes?", DJ asks.

" You mean Howard? I guess he's popular. I heard that he somehow got this pretty girl to marry him. I remember this one time Branch used a new solution to clean the beekers in my lad then suddenly everyone started doing it. ", Bert says honestly.

Fuzzette turns her head Branch. There is joking smile on her face. She couldn't help but,tease Branch on this one. She never saw  her friend as a trend setter til now.

" You Trend Setter. ", Fuzzette teases.

" It was just the right thing for the right time. ", Branch says shyly.

" This almost like our High School years. ", Coop comments happily.

" Except that everyone is a lot smarter and less annoying pains than the other kids we shared the years with.", Branch replies honestly.

" Wow... The popular girl is mean. ", Gal smirks playfully and softly.

Then everyone bursts into laughter at Gal's remark. The group continues to stay for another hour enjoying talking about Branch's popularity. The party wasn't sad anymore. It was lively with conversation. Eventually the party ends and the Snack Pack is now outside the apartment.

" This was really great,Bert. Isn't that right,Mrs D? ", Biggie says honestly.

" It was surprisingly fun.", Gal comments happily.

" Your more fun than I thought,Bert. ",Fuzzette says honestly.

" We should talk like this more often. ", Branch says happily and honestly.

" Yeah. We promise we won't take you for granite. Get it? It's a Geography joke. ", Coop jokes happily.

Bert blinks looking at all of the women. His old habit is kicking back in. He had started falling for Branch,Biggie, Fuzzette,Gal Diamond and Coop temporarily again. The other men notices how Bert is looking at the women.

" Yeah. I got. You all should go now since I'm starting to fall in love again like before...",Bert says honestly.

" With who?", Poppy asks confused.

" Branch,Biggie,Gal,Fuzzette and Coop...", Bert says blankly.

All the women immediately grow uncomfortable. None of them like Bert like that! Branch is pulled back by Poppy who shields her from Bert while glaring jealously and protectively at him. Poppy draws the line with Bert now. There no way he is going to let Bert get closer to his girlfriend now! Then the Snack Pack quickly leaves with Poppy in the front pulling Branch away as Bert watches them.

AN: Branch is so very popular with us the fandom. 😄🤣😏LOL!