It was the morning of December 21st. Poppy woke up bright and early. Hair messy, eyes barely open and lots of yawning. But she was exited that today, she and Branch were gonna bake Christmas cookies. Something she. hadn't done ever since she was like 12. But 9 years later, she was still confident she could bake some decent cookies. She went out of her room to meet her dad. "Morning dad!" She greeted before hugging him. "Morning my sweet princess. How are you this morning?" Peppy replied happily. "I'm great dad. I gotta go get Branch. We are baking cookies today." Poppy said before hugging her dad one more time and walking outside. It was cold and snowy. She put on her favourite coat and went over to Branch's pod. She practically tried to knock down his door. "Branch! Branch! Branch! Branch! BRANCH ARE YOU IN THERE?!" She yelled waiting for him to answer. Then the door opened only to reveal Branch with messy blue and hair and practically half asleep. Poppy giggled. "I like seeing you up early." She said in a funny voice. "I like sleep." Branch replied sarcastically. "Wake up buddy. We got cookies to bake and deliver." Poppy said in a cheerful manner. "Hooray." Branch replied again sarcastically. "Come on Branch. I know you're still new to this whole happy thing but atleast try and get in the Christmas spirit. Please. For me?" Poppy asked. Poppy was everything to Branch and he'd hate to make her upset. So he smiled at her and said "OK. I'll do it for you." Poppy jut smiled back. "Thanks Branch, now come on, we've got some cookies to bake!" Poppy said convincingly. Branch fixed his hair, put on his usual clothes and a jacket and the 2 went to Poppy's pod to start the baking. There was 1 thing that Poppy didn't know about Branch. And that was he was excellent at baking. He had fond memories of baking with his Grandma when he was little. And when it came to decorating, he was amazing at it. His decorations were better than Poppy's. So Poppy is the queen of scrapbooking, and Branch is a the king of baking. Poppy was amazed with his skill. "Branch! I didn't know you were so good at baking!" She complemented. "Hah yeah thanks. I... I used to bake a lot with... with Grandma..." Branch said as he started tearing up. Poppy went and gave him a hug. "It's OK to be sad Branch. Because I know in heaven, you're grandma is happy for you. Because she knows you're happy." Poppy said trying to comfort Branch. Branch hugged her back. They finished baking and went out into the cold, snowy town or Bergen Town. They went door to door, delivering all their cookies to the now happy Bergens. This cheered Branch up a lot. But Poppy just didn't notice. She felt that he wasn't in the full Christmas spirit. "Thanks for today Poppy. It was pretty fun." Branch said in a bit of a depressing voice. "No problem Branch. See ya tomorrow." Poppy replied.

That night, Poppy had trouble sleeping. she was so stressed. She didn't think that today went too well. She didn't think Branch was getting into the Christmas spirit. She decided to go to the forest. Singing in the forest always released her stress. She began to sing Santa Tell Me by Ariana Grande.

Santa tell me if you're really there

Don't make me fall in love again

If he won't be here next year

Santa tell me if he really cares

'Cause I can give it all away if he won't be here next year

Feeling Christmas all around

And I'm trying to play it cool

But it's hard to focus when I see you walking around the room

Let it snow, it's blasting now

But I won't get in the mood

I'm avoiding every mistletoe until I know

It's true love that he thinks of

So next Christmas

I'm not all alone, boy

Santa, tell me if you're really there

Don't make me fall in love again if he won't be here

Next year

Santa, tell me if he really cares

'Cause I can't give it all away if he won't be here

Next year

I've been down this road before

Fell in love on Christmas night

But on New Year's Day I woke up and he wasn't by my side

Now I need someone to hold

Be my fire in the cold

But it's hard to tell if this is just a fling

Or if it's true love that he thinks of

So next Christmas

I'm not all alone, babe

Santa, tell me if you're really there

Don't make me fall in love again if he won't be here

Next year

Santa, tell me if he really cares

'Cause I can't give it all away if he won't be here

Next year

Oh, I wanna have him beside me like oh-oh-oh

On the 25th by the fire place, oh-oh-oh

But I don't want no broken heart

This year I've got to be smart

Oh, baby

If you want me, if you want me

Santa, tell me if you're really there

Don't make me fall in love again if he won't be here

Next year

Santa, tell me if he really cares

'Cause I can't give it all away if he won't be here

Next year

Santa, tell me if you're really there

Don't make me fall in love again if he won't be here

Next year

Santa, tell me if he really cares

'Cause I can't give it all away if he won't be here

Next year

As she finished up the song, she sat down on a log. In the dark, cold forest, she just sighed. She hoped that Branch would get into the Christmas spirit. She hoped, just hoped that she was doing enough. But this was just the first day. Maybe the next 3 would be better. She could only hope. She went back home frustrated.