Hi! This is going to be my first multichap! So here's to hoping its good. Oh, and thank you for the wonderful reviews that you guys left on my one-shot.

NiaTheWickedLover: I don't know if you're reading this, but if you are you made me crave cookies with your review.

and I realize I forgot a disclaimer in my one-shot so here it is

disclaimer: not mine, never will be mine.

so, on with the story!

The pain was unbearable. It was like a thousand bolts of lightning were striking her all at once. Another blow. This one drew blood and she could feel the bruise beginning to form on her left cheek. But hey, what's another bruise? Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. "Stop!" She yelled and the windows shut leaving them in complete darkness. But she knew where to go. She grabbed her pre-packed suitcase and ran, hoping that she would never have to face those monsters again.

WICKED-WICKED-WICKED-WICKED-WICKED-WICKED-

Fiyero poked her with the pencil one time. Then two times. Then three times. Annoyed by his disruption of her studies she flipped around, her green face wearing a scowl.

"What!" She growled

"Do you have a pencil?" He asked her.

She glared at him. "You're poking me with a pencil, you idiot." She answered

"Oh, so it appears I was. Whoops." He said smirking.

"You're hopeless Tiggular."

"If you say so, Thropp." They glared at each other. Madame Morrible walked in next to a little girl who couldn't be older than 8. "This is Arietta Renaldi. She's come to study here at Shiz." A string of laughter rippled through the crowd. Elphaba raised her hand.

"Madame Morrible, not to judge a book by its cover, but how can she study at a university, she can't be older than 7 or 8."

"I'm 10!" She said defiantly. "I'm just-short for my age."

"yes, very short." Fiyero said.

the girl glared at him with such an intensity, he could've sworn he was looking at Elphaba. "I'm Fiyero Tiggular. kind of a big deal." He saw Elphaba rolling her eyes. The girl seemed taken aback but then in realization she darkened her glower. "Oh yes, Fiyero Tiggular." She spat out. "The brainless Vinkun prince. I pray for those who you command during your rule."

Fiyero stared at her. No one had ever taken such a disliking to him, especially after just meeting him. Well no one except for Elphaba, but he had almost ran her over. "Alright, why don't we break up this little love fest." Morrible said intervening. "Ms. Renaldi is nothing short of brilliant. It's highly possible that she's at Ms. Thropp's level, if not higher." The class fell silent. They all knew the green girl to be the smartest in the class. (And in all of Shiz too.)

Elphaba took a moment to drink in Ariettas appearance. She had dark brown hair that fell in gentle waves. She was still glaring at Fiyero with eyes that were a familiar brilliant blue. Elphaba couldn't place where she had seen them before but she knew she had. She also wore a gold locket across her neck that she clutched. She was hiding something. Elphaba could tell. But what? She Turned to side just enough for Elphaba to see a bruise beginning to form on her left cheek. It wasn't any kind of bruise, someone had hit her. On purpose. Elphaba's chocolate eyes met Arietta's piercing blue ones. Her eyes reflected her determination to be accepted. But there was something else there.

With a pang, Elphaba realized what it was. Fear.

So, yeah. Waddayah think? Please review!