Glessa's sparkling brown eyes gazed out the window at the soft glow of the rising sun. The light splayed out over the fields and meadows that surrounded her little cottage. She toyed nervously with her long, onyx plait and looked down at her small room, where she had lived her entire life. It was all about to go away.

"Gless?" she heard her mother's soft voice call from behind her door. "Are you up yet?"

"Yes," she murmured, still looking at the golden sun. Even though it had hurt her siblings' eyes to stare at it, she had never had any problem with it.

The door creaked open and there stood her mother, holding a tray filled with breakfast, beautiful as ever. Although Elphaba swore that she cared nothing about her appearance, Glessa had seen her mother brushing her hair and putting on makeup, trying to impress Glessa's father.

Glessa was the spitting image of her mother, besides the color of their skin. They both had the same intelligent chocolate eyes, defined cheekbones, and silky black hair. But while Elphaba's skin was the color of viridian satin, Glessa had her father's pale, rosy complexion.

"They you are, sweetheart." Elphaba set the tray down on Glessa's bed and came over to give her a hug. "You look lovely."

"Phhsh." Glessa looked at her toes. They had always had a greenish hue, ever since she was a baby. "No I don't. The last time I went to the city, nobody looked anything like me. Everyone was staring at me like I was some sort of freak."

"Hey," her mother said gently, tilting Glessa's chin up with her fingers. "Don't say that. You are going to be the most beautiful girl at Shiz, even if people don't recognize it at first. Okay?"

Glessa knew that it wasn't worth arguing about. "Thanks, Mom."

"Now go get ready."

As her mother walked out and closed the door, Glessa sighed. She wouldn't see her family again for weeks, months even. She just wanted to spend every last second with them.

After she had dressed and eaten a meager portion of her breakfast, she came out of her room. Her younger brother and sister greeted her.

"Surprise!" Andira squealed.

Liir threw confetti into the air. "You're finally leaving!"

"Thanks, squirt." She ruffled his brown hair. He pushed her hand away in his ten-year-old way.

Andira put her arms around Glessa and squeezed as hard as she could. "I don't want you to leave, Gless. I'm going to be left alone with him!"

Liir stuck his tongue out at Andira, and she returned the favor. Glessa was going to miss the twins' endless bickering. They were annoying little pests, but they were always there for her.

"Come on!" Liir pushed her forward. "You have to leave in like, four hours! There's no time to waste!"

She followed the twins into the living room, where their parents were talking. Her father looked up at her, and smiled.

"Gless! Honey! Oh, dear is that what you're wearing?" Elphaba nudged him. "I mean, you look great! I'm jus surprised that you would wear something so beautiful and flattering to school."

Though her father had abandoned his tendency to be shallow, he sometimes still talked without thinking. Glessa had become so used to his brainless comments that they didn't affect her anymore. She knew he didn't mean any harm.

"Oh, Glessa, honey, come sit down with us." They both made room for her on the couch.

She sat down, sure that his was going to be another awkward "and then the boy might do this" talks that she'd had with her parents so many times in the months leading up to her leaving.

"Glessa, dear, there is something that we know you are aware of that we must discuss with you."

"Sure," she said, rolling her eyes, wondering what this "imaginary boyfriend" was going to try to get her to do this time.

"Gless, you know that your mother was banished because of her magic, don't you?"

"Yes." Where was this going? Was it because she might do something with the magic she had inherited from her mother?

"Well. There's more to the story."

Glessa was in shock. Her mother…Glinda…Fiyero… Wow. She hadn't known exactly how any of it had happened. She'd though her mother had been banished just for being a witch, not because of… wow.

"Do you understand, dear?" Elphaba looked anxiously into her daughter's eyes.

"Yes," Glessa said, still dazed.

"You can't let anyone know who you truly are. Your parents are?"

"Trilanka and Marteirius Falkes. I'm a descendant of a wizard, which is why I have magical powers."

Fiyero beamed. "Thank Oz you didn't inherit my brain."

Glessa could barely make herself smile. What would happen if she were ever to see High Chancellor Glinda? Or her son? Would the thoughts going through her mind show on her face?

She gave herself a good shake. She couldn't be dancing about stunned like a little girl who believed in talking animals. What would her classmates at Shiz think?

"How long until the train?" she asked in a surprisingly strong tone.

Elphaba checked her watch. "Oh, dear. Just a couple of hours. Are you all packed?"

"Yes," Glessa said.

"And you've brought your toothbrush?"

"Yes."

"And you have all of your clothes?"

"Yes."

"And all of your little trinkets?"

"Yes."

"Well, I'm sure you're forgetting something. Oh, that reminds me," her mother said, "come with me. I have something for you."

Glessa followed her mother into her parents room, where her mother was chanting something quietly while looking at a… was that a frame? A book?

"Here," Elphaba said, handing her the…oh, it was a mirror. "If you ever need to talk to someone."

"I'll just talk to myself?"

Elphaba winked at her. "You'll see."

"Okay," Glessa rolled her eyes. "We better get going. The train leaves in like, a couple hours, and you know how long it takes to get out to the city."