"I couldn't be happier…because happy is what happens when all your dreams come true."
The horrible irony of what I found myself blithely repeating to the enamored crowd kept going through my head long after I had stepped down from the platform. Oh, it was surely easy to say. Nobody would question the validity, because as far as anyone could tell, my dreams had all come true. And I really had no choice but to say it. I had spent my life putting on a certain act around people. The call of popularity was one I could never ignore. And this time, popularity required me to tell the citizens of Oz that yes, Glinda was happy.
My dreams had come true, hadn't they? So why couldn't I say so without regret? I had secured the hand of the boy I'd loved since his first day at Shiz. I had crowds of people looking up to me in adoration and relishing in any attention I chose to show them. I was surrounded by smiles and joy and sunshine. I couldn't be happier…right?
But the green hue of the city says otherwise. It surrounds me and penetrates my heart. The ache I feel inside makes me want to cry. Green. The color can never mean the same thing again. I can never be the same. Ever since she was my roommate. Ever since she had so readily forgiven me for my unkindness and we had become best friends. It was her tender, sweet spirit that taught me love and kindness. It was her strength and unwavering sense of justice that showed me bravery and compassion. She changed my life.
And yet I find myself standing by and watching irrational people hate her. If only they knew the truth. But they are so blind, and so easily persuaded by what they want to believe. I know it is because they don't understand her, and it is so much easier to think badly of something that doesn't make sense. I ashamed to say I was exactly that way at first. So at the same time that I despise their blindness, I surely condemn myself for my own blind hatred of her. But thank goodness, I had a second chance. If only I could show these people who she really is. If only they could see what I learned to see. I'm just not strong enough to make the stand.
Oh, Elphie. I never wanted things to happen this way. None of this is right. If they could see inside both of us, I'm sure that it would be me they would hate. Not you. You've only ever tried to help them even when they so cruelly push you off to the side. I've only ever sought to gain the admiration of the crowds by primping and wearing a pretty dress. Why do people fail to see who we really are? Why is goodness measured by what we manufacture on the outside?
Oh, Elphie. I miss you so much. There's an emptiness inside that I can't seem to fill. You are the only real friend I've ever had. You're the only one that chose to care for the girl underneath the frills. And I regret every day that I chose to stay behind and just watch you defy gravity.
Happy? Not really. I've lost more than I knew I had. And I don't know how I can get it back. All I can do is try in my own way to bring something good out of the situation. Maybe I can somehow do what you tried so hard to do. I'm sure that is what you would want. And I can only hope that someday the people will learn the truth and you will be able to return. Then I think I will be happy.