Disclaimer: All characters are property of Gregory Maguire, L. Frank Baum, and Stephen Schwartz. I am simply borrowing them for my amusement. ;)

Note: This story takes place during Lurlinemas and Elphaba and Galinda are still at Shiz. This is a Gelphie story as I feel there is a strong connection between the two that could always be open to more. I hope this sheds my own light on a deeper side of Galinda that a lot of times I feel is over looked or forgotten. I feel both her and Elphaba have their own shields to protect themselves from hurt but when dealing with each other those shields tend to be more transparent. My final thought…People are not made from cookie cutter forms so don't try to fit them to form. ;)

Surprising Discoveries

(A Lurlinemas Story)

It was a beautiful day. Everything covered in white and crispness in the air. The sun showed high in the sky giving a false sense of warmth, while the wind blew not letting you forget the cold it brought. While everyone looked forward to being outdoors this time of year, there was one person who wished it would go away.

Elphaba hated this time of year and the weather it so enjoyed to bring with it. She didn't mind the cold but why must it be so wet! As always she was busy in the library, working on the research she was doing on Animals. Glancing out the window she observed some of the Shiz students in an all out battle of snowballs and one Boq getting pelted square in the back of the head with a large one by none other than Fiyero. Those two always seemed to be in battle over something.

She tried to get back to work but not being able to concentrate anymore she decided to end her work early for the day. She closed her books, packed up her satchel and left to head back to her dorm room. Heading across the school grounds, she managed to dodge the few stray snowballs that whizzed by her and made it back to her dorm room safe and dry.

Once in the room, she found her roommate was in the process of decorating their room for the holidays. She was currently standing on Elphaba's bed trying to hang decorations above it. Hearing the door shut Galinda turned around briefly to see whom it was. "Oh Elphie!! Good you're here. Could you be a dear and grab those decorations on the desk?" She stated as she turned back around to readjust where she wanted the decoration in her hand to go.

Dropping her satchel next to the desk, Elphaba folded her arms. "I most certainly will not!" Galinda stopped what she was doing and turned around with a look of concern. "What's wrong Elphie?"

"Well for starters, what in Oz name are you doing standing on my bed? You're messing it all up!

"Can't you see? I'm decorating our room for Lurlinemas silly. Really Elphie, sometimes I wonder about you."

Elphaba sighed and unfolded her arms. "Well yes of course I can see that, but…" Taking in Galinda's last statement she steps forward in defense. "Now wait just a clock tick! You sometimes wonder about me? I should say the same for you. For instance, why must you stand on my bed to do this 'decorating'? Can't you find somewhere else to put them, like your side?"

"Oh I've already finished my side. And how else was I supposed to decorate your side?" Galinda finished the last bit she had and plopped down on Elphaba's bed, swinging her legs back and forth over the edge.

Elphaba just shook her head. "I give up. What's the point? I'd get more accomplished arguing with a Quoxwood tree." She removed her cloak and placed it over her chair at the desk to dry.

"Oh!" Galinda squeaked which startled Elphaba. "I almost forgot!" She jumped up and ran to her dresser and opened a drawer. She pulled out a small flat sized package, wrapped in silver paper with an emerald green ribbon and bow. Turning around she hid it behind her back and walked over to her green roommate. "Elphie, this is for you," she stated as she brought the package from around her back and handed it to her.

Taken aback, Elphaba just stood there looking at the beautifully wrapped package. She had not expected this, nor did she have anything to give in return. I mean sure she and Galinda had become friends of sorts over the past weeks, but…

"Galinda, I cannot accept this." Galinda seeming slightly confused, Elphaba continued. "I have nothing for you. I've never really been the celebrating type." Elphaba offered the package back to her, but Galinda placed her hands over the green girl's and pushed the package back towards Elphaba.

"Well, things change. Just open it, please? For me?"

Reluctantly the green girl began to remove the ribbon and wrapping to reveal an emerald green frame with a photo of Galinda and herself. It was taken one day before class. Galinda was whispering something to her, which she found amusing.

"Fiyero took that one of us." Galinda smiled. "I just noticed you had no pictures or such on your side and the frame reminded me of you. I like that photo, it's the only proof we have that you do actually know how to smile." Pausing a moment Galinda looked down and finished softly, "You should smile more. It makes me happy to see your smile."

Realizing she was not getting any reaction from Elphaba, Galinda took a deep breath and tried to muster up her best Galinda charm. Leaning forward, she looked up at Elphaba to try and make eye contact and get her attention. "Pink goes good with green, don't you think?" Giving a slight smile.

Coming out of her daze, Elphaba finally looked up to meet warm hazel eyes. "Sorry, yes. Thank you for this." Another moment of silence enveloped the room before the green girl spoke once more. "I… I… have to go." She placed the picture on her bed then grabbed her cloak from the back of the chair as she rushed out the door.

Galinda looked onward as the door shut. She somberly picked up the picture and said softly, "You're welcome." Looking down at the photo, she traced the design on the frame with her finger and sighed heavily. "Elphie how can I make you see?"