Aspen's POV

Stress, stress, stress, ALWAYS stress! Ugh. I wish I could just turn "stressed" into "desserts" that easily. Branch currently has a lot of events to do all lined up in a single week and I have to handle everything.

You may think I'm ruining Branch's life but I'm not-actually kinda, but I'm just doing my job as his manager, for the sake of his career.

I called Branch to come over here in my pod to discuss some things—actually, a lot of things. And now, I'm waiting him to come over while sipping a cup of cold and refreshing mocha frappe. Ahh, this sure is the opposite of "stressed"!

Suddenly, some shit bothered my delightful bonding with my favorite drink.

Incoming call:
unknown number

Who the hell is this, anyway?

Despite my hesitation, I answered the call. "Um, hello?" I said as I placed my phone beside my ear.

"Hi, Assie!" squealed a girl with a very familiar voice.

Ugh, I hate that nickname! It sounded like "ass" with a 'y'. And only one person calls me that stupid nickname.

"W—wait, don't tell me you're—"

"You've guessed it right! It's me, Mapie!"

Hearing that nickname made me feel like my face is about to explode.

"Maple?!" I screamed. You know who she is? Welp, she's just my one and only twin sister who acts like she's always the protagonist and is annoyingly crazy as ever.

"Mm-hm!" she replied in a delightful way.

What the heck?! Ugh, what does this troll needs, anyway?

"H—how did you found out my number?"

Maple tittered. "I have my ways. Don't worry, I already saved your number in my contacts!"

"What?!"

"Aren't you happy that your cute sister called you again after gazillions of centuries?" she asked and did an annoying giggle. Her tone of voice made me know that she is smiling as wide as ever.

"Are you kidding me? I'm feeling the opposite of happy!"

"Oh how can I help you to make you happy, Assie?"

"UGH stop calling me that stupid nickname."

"Why not, Assie? Besides, you look like an adorable butt!"

I only rolled my eyes, trying not to burst out my anger. "You know how to make me happy?"

"Oh, yes please!"

"Stop calling me again and delete this fucking number!"

"Fine," she uttered. "I'll visit you anyway."

"What?!" I screamed. "I ran away from our pod just to get rid of you and now you're going to visit me?! You guys are happy without me, right? And I already promised not to bother you guys ever again!"

"Oh c'mon, Aspen. Don't be so dramatic! Don't worry, I'm not asking you to come back home. That's why I myself am visiting you so you don't have to go to that pod!"

"Ugh," I whispered. "This woman is really annoying me everytime!"

"What?" she asked, not understanding what I have said.

"Nothing. I'll cut this conversation now." I said. "Oh. And by the way, don't you dare come over my pod, okay? Toodles."

"Bu—"

I quickly ended the call and sighed in relief. Wait, why am I relieved when I know that my crazy twin sister is coming over to crash my pod?

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, making me feel nervous. Is that Maple already?

I slowly went by the door and looked who it is. Fortunately, it was just my kid, Branch.

"Phew... Thank goodness it's not her," I whispered in relief. "Uhh, come in."

Branch came in my pod and took a seat. "Uhh, Aspen? What's with the frustrated face?" he asked and tilted his head.

"Ugh, just don't mind. I'm okay."

"Mmm...okay then," Branch said, raising his shoulders.

"Ohh, uhm, what do you want? Lemonade? Tea? Coffee?"

"Oh, coffee, please." Branch answered. "B—But you don't have to impose!"

"No, no, no. It's alright," I said, walking towards the kitchen. "I'll go make you coffee."

"Geez. Thanks, Aspen," Branch uttered, scratching his head.

As I was making coffee in the kitchen, I heard the doorbell rang.

"Uh, I'll get it," Branch said, making me continue on what I was doing.

I heard the door creaked as Branch opened it. I listened as Branch was talking to the person who came.

"W—wait, I thought—"

"You—you're Branch...Timberlake, right?" the troll asked.

"Uhh, what are you talking about?" Branch said, wondering with a titter.

"Oh. My. Troll," the troll said in shock and started squealing.

"Aspen, wh—why are you acting weird today?" Branch asked, a lot confused. Wait, why did he mentioned my name?

"What?" the troll said and giggled. "You thought I'm Aspen? I'm her twin sis, Maple!"

The moment I heard her name, my eyes broadly widened and my brain exploded in annoyance. How am I being such an idiot to not realize that the troll who's talking to Branch has the same voice like me?

I quickly stomped to the scene as I heard the word 'Maple' coming from her mouth.

"What the actual heck are you doing here?!"

Branch looked at the two of us and widened his eyes in shock. "Wh...wha—wha?"

"Oh, hi Assie!" Maple cheered with a wave. "Told 'ya Mapie's coming."

"Assie?" Branch said and laughed, making me glare at him. He refrained from laughing and still was confused.

"Uhh, should we talk for a moment? Thank you!" I said to him and quickly pulled my sister in the kitchen.

"What are you doing here?! I told you to not come here, right?" I whispered in irritation.

"Well, I was going to follow your command but soon I've decided to change my mind, thinking maybe it'll be a good idea!"

"Ugh. More like a bad idea," I uttered, rolling my eyes.

"Oh, c'mon, Assie—"

"It's 'Aspen'."

"Aspen. Let me stay for a moment, please??"

I tapped my feet and crossed my arms, thinking what to answer. Soon, I puckered my lips and raised my eyebrows.

"Uhh," Maple said with a titter. "Is it a yes?"

I took a deep breath. "No."

Suddenly, Branch came in the scene. He probably heard what me and my sister are talking about. "Oh c'mon, Aspen. She's your sister."

"Branch, you don't know what happened to me in the past with that crazy troll who's also called as my sister."

Branch blinked. "W—well uh, just...just be proud you have a sister like her."

"Proud? No way!"

"Well, you should be," Branch said, hurt staring to get in his light blue eyes. "Because you don't know how other trolls out there get so jealous because they never even had a chance to have and love a sibling—like...me."

Man, I didn't know Branch felt that way, and it made me feel bad to know that.

"Aww, poor you..." Maple uttered, patting his back.

"Br—Branch, I'm sorry if you...felt that way," I said, starting to feel worried about him.

Maybe I should accept that freak. Besides, it is just a little visit. Not bad at all.

"Fine," I said, closing my eyes in irritation. "I won't let you out, Maple—"

"Yaay!" Maple squealed and quickly gave me a hug, making me roll my eyes.

Branch chuckled a bit and slowly went out of the kitchen.

"I'm allowing you to stay in here. But that doesn't mean you can hug me just because you wanted to-"

Ting!

Oh no.

"Hug time!" Maple exclaimed as our hug time bracelets tings. She gave me an annoyingly big hug, and Branch too joined. Ugh, there's nothing left to do but hug back.

"Uhm," I said, trying to unravel the hug that has already been in a minute. "You guys can stop now."

"Oh," Branch said, letting go of his hug, as well as Maple.

Suddenly, I gave a glare on Maple. "Remember this. I only did this for Branch, not because you're my sister."

Maple sighed, showing a hint of sadness. But then she gave a grin and replied, "okay, then!"

Branch shook his head a little, and then he changed the topic. "Uh, Aspen? My coffee," he said and chuckled.

"Oh! Sorry," I said, quickly approaching the coffee maker, and then I poured coffee on a cup. "Anyways, about the stuff we need to tackle about," I added as I was giving the cup to Branch.

Man, this is the worst day of my life.