Nessa looked taken aback that Boq seemed to be defending Galinda. "There's a lot about Galinda that you don't seem to know! You're too busy daydreaming about her to notice the real her!" Nessa started to get angry. Galinda, Galinda, GALINDA! Why was everyone obsessed with that airheaded blonde?? She was just an image. Nessa had substance! So why didn't anyone want her??

Boq held up his hands, palms forward, in a sort of 'I surrender' pose. "Well, since I'm obviously upsetting you, I'll just leave you with Fiyero, alright? I'll talk to you later, alright, Nessa?" He smiled slightly, trying to show he wasn't mad and didn't want Nessa to be. "Just say I went back to the library to get my books. It'll be true." Turning, he began walking to the library to do so.

Nessa was initially glad that she would finally be alone with her dream guy. But then she realized that she was supposed to be convincing Fiyero that her and Boq were dating afterall. "No, Boq! I'm sorry. You can stay. I want you to stay," she lied through her teeth.

Boq slowly turned around, fighting to keep his small smile on his face. "No, you don't. I have a big essay coming up that I really DO need to work on. Just tell Fiyero that."

Fiyero approached as he heard Nessa saying "I want you to stay," and paused. "Oh," he stammered, "are you two having a fight? Do you want me to come back later?"

Boq looked over, shaking his head at Fiyero. "Nope, but since you're here, I can just tell you. I have an essay due in two days that I haven't started on, and I need to work on it. I left my books too, so I'm going to have to bow out of the food."

"Oh, alright..." Fiyero said slowly, looking awkwardly at Nessa. "Ummm, were you still wanting to get some food, or do you have to go study too?"

Oo, this is too perfect, Nessa thought. If Fiyero thinks we're in a fight, he'll still get jealous, but know that he can jump in at anytime and ask me out! Nessa thought, but her thoughts were interrupted by Boq. "Wait, what? Yeah, we are in a fight! Um...No need to lie to Fiyero!" Nessa tried to cover it up.

Boq held up his hands again. "Alright, I'll go along with it. See you later, Fiyero." He then turned, and walked back to the library.

Fiyero felt like he had walked into a minefield, looking at a visibly distraught Nessa. He kneeled next to her as Boq walked away, and looked her in the eye. "Hey, you alright?" he asked.

This could work. Nessa thought, and for the third time that day, burst into tears. "No! I'm not alright! All I wanted was to have a perfect night, but he hates me now! Everyone does!" She leaned onto Fiyero's shoulder.

Fiyero was surprised by Nessa's sudden emotion, but returned the hug in support. "Don't cry Nessa, it's alright! No one hates you. Why don't we go have some dinner, you can tell me all about it, and we can figure out how we can fix it, alright?"

Meanwhile, Galinda had sighed as Fiyero had walked away, still dazed from the kiss, and had turned to go to her room, but remembered that Elphaba was in there and probably not in the mood to talk, so she walked outside the a nearby park, and it had gotten dark by then so she just sat on a bench looking up at the stars. She finally felt relaxed and peaceful for the first time today. If only Fiyero had been there it would have been perfect…..She sighed longingly, but got interrupted by someone's wailing. She groaned and stood up and walked over to where the sound was coming from but she hid as soon as she saw who it was. Fiyero... hugging...Nessa. Galinda took in the sight in front of her, and shook her head and just walked away. She didn't care where she was going, she just wanted to get away.

Back in the park, Nessa nodded and was about to wheel along but quickly came up
with an idea. "Fiyero...could you do me a favor?" She asked, batting her eyelashes.

"Anything if it will get you to stop crying!" Fiyero smiled, "what's up?"

Nessa took in a deep breath before she spoke, hoping it wouldn't backfire. "Well...It does get rather tiring sitting in my chair all day. Do you think you could...maybe...well...carry me?" She asked, shyly.

"Carry you?" Fiyero thought the request was a little strange at first, but had never thought about how hard it must be pushing yourself around all day. "Of course, the Shiz Shack is only a block away, I think we can manage. Here, put your arms around my neck," he offered, leaning in towards Nessa.

Nessa wrapped her arms around Fiyero's neck, smelling his scent and going back into dreamland as she was whisked away to the Shiz Shack.

Not surprisingly, Nessa felt very light in his arms. He noticed her grateful smile, which he returned with a toothy grin as he walked towards the Shiz Shack. Finally arriving, he set Nessa down in a booth, sitting across from her. "So tell me," he said, "what's up with you and Boq?"

Nessa sighed. She really didn't want to talk about Boq. Especially because most of it wasn't true. She had hoped that he would forget to ask her about Boq. Trying to think of something to say, Nessa stalled by catching the waiter's attention and ordering a salad.

Fiyero looked up as the waiter stood in front of the pair, waiting for their orders. Fiyero requested a burger, handed the menus to the waiter, then offered his undivided attention to Nessa, waiting for her answer.

Nessa sighed again, realizing that Fiyero wasn't about to let it go. "Look, Fiyero, as much as I would love to talk about it and relive those... undesirable moments, could we please just change the subject? I just want to talk. Not...go into my problems. Is that ok with you?" Nessa stared at him expectantly.

"Oh, sure," Fiyero stammered, "I didn't mean to pry. I do hope things work out between you and Boq though, you seem like you'd make a great couple. So listen, I think I need to take Elphaba out tomorrow, get her on my good side, would you recommend a museum?"

Nessa started to feel frustrated again. There he goes! Doing it again! First Boq, now Fiyero. Why can't we just talk normally? Why does it always have to be about the green girl? Or the blonde princess? "Yeah, sure. She would love the museum, whatever."

"Great," Fiyero smiled warmly, happy for a second opinion. "Because I know Elphaba's put a strain on my relationship with Galinda, and I really want to make it work. Actually, would you mind terribly if we finished up here? I want to make sure I have time to invite Elphaba before she goes to bed."

Nessa's mouth dropped open and her eyes began to fill with tears again. "You're leaving me? For my sister??" Nessa shook her head in disbelief. How could he fall for that green thing?? "Fine, go! Just leave!" Nessa yelled and crossed her arms and turned away from him.

"I'm...I'm sorry Nessa, but I thought you didn't really want to talk. Listen, you seem really upset, why don't I take you back to your dorm room so you can relax? Waiter, check please!" he said, trying to pay the bill so they could leave.

Nessa was too stubborn to listen. "No! I don't need you! I can get there by myself!" She angrily yelled, causing everyone in the restaurant to stare at her.

"Nessa, did I do something wrong?" Fiyero started, but suddenly thought better of it, not wanting to upset her further. "Alright, well i'm sorry you're having a bad day. Dinner's my treat, and I'll talk to you later," he said, walking quickly from the booth.

Nessa glared across from her, in the spot where he had been sitting. But then she remembered that she didn't have her wheelchair. "Fiyero! Wait! Fiyero!!" she yelled out helplessly.

--------------------

After spending some time just walking around the park, Galinda decided it was a good idea to head back, so she made her way back to her dorm. "Hey Elphie..." she said, her make up smeared, eyes red and puffy from crying and hair messed up.

"Oh. Um... hi, Galinda," Elphaba paused. "Galinda, are you okay? You're... kind of... not perfect."

That's all Galinda needed to spill and vent about everything that happened that night. "It's your sister! and Fiyero!" she started sobbing again,"I don't know!" she said, but then composed herself. "Oh I'm sorry Elphie... you probably don't want to hear about my problems."

"Actually... I do." The surprising part - to herself, anyway - was that it was the truth. Elphaba wanted to know what was bothering her unexpected friend. "Do spill." Walking over, she linked arms with Galinda. Leading her over to the bed, she tried her best at a supportive smile.

"Oh Elphie really?" the blonde looked up to her green friend gratefully. "It's just Fiyero and I were just going for a walk... and then Nessa!!" Galinda shook her head laying down on her bed. "I don't know. I'm sorry Elphaba, but your sister is being just a snotty little.... brat"

"Comes with the territory," Elphaba said with a shrug. "She's always gotten everything she's ever wanted, and that supposedly makes her entitled to it. And she's," Elphaba sniffed dramatically, "A cripple -sniff- so -sniff- she should get it!"

Galinda stiffled a laugh, and played along. "Mhm, -fake sob- She should just be able to -sniff- get away with ANYTHING -fake cry- she wants"

"After all -sniff- it's not like -sob- she can walk!" With a small laugh, Elphaba recomposed herself. She shouldn't be making fun of her sister. "But that's how she thinks. If you want my opinion..." Elphaba paused. "Do you want my opinion?"

Galinda just full out burst of laughing at Elphaba. "Yes... Yesahdoo!" she said giggling.

"Yesyoudoo? Fiyero cares enough about you to chase after you all the time, do whatever it is you want to do. I don't know why you left him with Nessa, but I'm sure the first thing he mentioned was you after you left...and it probably pissed her off! Take a deep breath. Nobody's stealing Fiyero away from you, you two are a perfect couple. You've said so yourself a dozen times. Now... I was going to catch up on some rest - I have a test tomorrow, it's a good thing I finished the essay - but if you need me to stay up to talk..."

Galinda smiled up at her friend, "Really?" she asked, "You mean that? Oh thank you Elphie!!" she exclaimed tackling her friend in a hug. "Well... you…you go get your rest then." she said getting up. "Thank you again Elphie."

"You're welcome, Galinda. You can come to me. I like hearing that other people have problems," she said with a small laugh. Standing up, she went over to her bed - already dressed for it, of course. Her day clothes weren't much different from her night clothes. "I'll talk to you tomorrow - and stay your peppy, beautiful self."