Due to the AMAZING feedback, I decided to get off my butt and update quickly. Now... will I get more amazing feedback? It certiantly makes me post faster.

Thank you to FABA who kept me from posting some pretty blaring errors.

Even if Elphaba's personal relationships were evolving, she was still expected to attend classes. Like every morning, she and Galinda walked to Madame Morrible's seminar, taught in a vacant science lab. Morrible was trying, for the umpteenth time, to teach Galinda how to make a beaker invisible, for a few seconds. It wasn't going over particularly well, even though Elphaba knew the girl was trying her hardest.

Left alone for a few minutes, she turned her attention to the window facing the dormitories. She could almost see Fiyero's dorm room from the angle she sat at. She wondered if he was home, still asleep. That was more than likely. It was still early in the day and she knew he had no classes for another hour and a half. It felt so odd to simply sit in class just as she always had, now that her life was changing. Of course, the only one who was aware of any changes in her was Fiyero. As far as she knew, no one else suspected anything. Although she recalled Galinda commenting that she had been paying more attention to her appearance lately... Elphaba had denied it, even though she knew it was true. She had actually primped for a boy.

She felt her stomach drop. Why was she so wrapped up in him? Was it because he claimed to love her? Was it the fact that she was attracted to him? Or was it because the two of them were genuinely in love? No matter what it was, Elphaba felt guilty. She glanced over at Galinda, still focused on the beaker, showing no sign of actually being able to do anything to it through magic.

Galinda.. really, there was the problem. After the night of the Ozdust, Elphaba had seen the other side of her frilly blonde roommate, and had seen that the girl possessed a heart and a brain, as well as a keen fashion sense. Elphaba couldn't stand the thought of hurting her. Galinda was the one person at Shiz(other than Fiyero) who seemed to genuinely like her as a person. Elphaba had no idea how she could hurt her only friend. And the fact that Fiyero clearly didn't like the idea of hurting her anymore than she did. He always ran off when he and his girlfriend would bicker, running from the situation instead of confronting it.

And often he wound up running to Elphaba. Not that she complained, even though she knew she probably should. She always told herself she would tell him to either break things off with her or Galinda. She wouldn't break up with Galinda for him, that was his responsibility.

The thought entered her head again; would he actually break up with Galinda? Or would they keep going this way indefinitely? She knew it was wrong. She knew he knew it was wrong. But that didn't stop them.

He could make her so angry. He never seemed to have any consequence for his behavior. He got out of all the trouble he got into with either his royal station, good looks, or both. He was so selfish sometimes, thinking about what made him happy, what made him feel good.

But then... then there was no doubt he cared about her. And he genuinely cared about people, unlike most who simply stomped over those who got in their way. And he made her feel beautiful. For the first time she felt like she had actual worth. A person cared about her, and not because he or she had to. It wasn't like her father who told her regularly that she would be kicked out as soon as she was of age. It wasn't like her sister who was regularly embarrassed at the thought of being associated with her. Fiyero loved her.

Or did he? Was it a physical thing? He was always the one to initiate their physical encounters. She told herself it was merely him being affectionate, but part of her mind wondered. If he loved her so much why wouldn't he just break up with Galinda already?

She was surprised by the sound of breaking glass. The beaker had shattered and Galinda and Madame Morrible both looked surprised and were staring at her. Elphaba could feel her hands balled into such tight fists that her nails were cutting into her hands. She was biting into her lip.

"Miss Elphaba, are you feeling alright?" Morrible walked over slowly, laying a hand on her shoulder.

"Yes Madame," she said, looking down into her lap. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure? Dearie, it had to have been you who caused the glass to shatter." The old woman took a harder look at her. "You seem upset. Did you loose control over your powers again?"

Elphaba swallowed. She didn't remember making the beaker break. "I suppose I did, Ma'am."

Morrible took her hand. "You had been doing so well... this is the second time in the last month that you lost control, my dear." Elphaba nodded, knowing her teacher was referring to the day with the Lion Cub. "I'm beginning to think you may not be as ready as we had thought." She sat down in the chair beside her. "I think I will send word to the Wizard that you need a little more time to study."

Disapointment washed over her. "Oh," she said under her breath.

"We can't have little mistakes like these when you go to show your skill to the Wizard." She patted her arm in what was supposed to be a comforting gesture. "Don't worry. You're still very young. There is plenty of time still. Why don't you two girls run along now. Get some rest, Miss Elphaba."

"Yes Ma'am." Elphaba nodded, and stared down at her feet. She grabbed her books and left the room, vaugly aware of the sound of Galinda's heels clicking against the floor behind her.

"Elphie!" More clicks, faster. "Elphie, listen to me!" A few more quick steps, and Elphaba felt someone grasp her arm. "Elphie, please. I know it's upsetting, but there's no reason to be sad. We're only freshman."

"I know." She heard her own voice. "It just wouldn't have happened if I hadn't been distracted."

"Distracted?" Galinda's mouth formed an O, and Elphaba felt like kicking herself. "Distracted with what?"

"Nothing! I mean, nothing important." Of all people, why did she have to be having this conversation with Galinda?

"Are you sure? If it was enough to distract you... and Elphaba are you sure you're feeling alright? You look stressed out."

"I am. Or I will be. I really don't want to talk right now."

Elphaba sped up, leaving her friend behind her. She heard Galinda call after her, "Elphie!" one last time, but she didn't turn around.