Oh my Oz, I am soooooooooooooooo sorry this is late! First writers' block, then school ... GAH!

It's almost my bedtime, but THANK YOU for reviewing, especially Fae's Flower!

Enjoy!

Chapter 4

Galinda

No, no, no, no, no, noooo! Why is my life so hard? It just wasn't enough that I was to be away from my boyfriend during the individual program. That would be letting me off too easy. No, I had to actually work with the Artichoke! Why?! But once I was done eating, Nusa helped me walk over to the parallel bars to sit on my cushioned stool while SHE finished eating her pudding. It was vanilla pudding, the uckey kind, and the mess around her mouth made my stomach reel.

"Galinka, you can stand up and sit down on your own until Elphika finishes her lunch," Nusa said. "If you feel yourself unstable, just shout, alright?"

"Alright," I said glumly. So, I began the tedious work of standing up and down, up and down. I must've done it zillion times before Elphaba was FINALLY done eating.

"Okie dokie, girls," Nusa said as she helped Elphaba hold onto the parallel bar. "Today, we will do some tasks in standing, to improve our legs. Now, Galinka, you will be fine to do on your own while I support Elphika. And girls, monitor each other to make sure you're standing up straight!"

And so, we rose to our feet, and did things like lifting our arms over our heads one by one, stepping to the side, and lifting a hula hoop up. During the latter task, Elphaba suddenly said, "Whoa, stop. Ga-lin-da, your left leg is not straight."

"Yes, it is!" I protested.

"No, it is-n't. For Oz sake, look at your leg!" I could have sworn the hula hoop vibrated a little when she said that.

"Well, look at YOUR right hand! It looks like a spider covered in green mucus!"

"Just straight-en your leg, Ga-lin-da!" Suddenly, a great force of air hit me, and I fell on the floor, knocking my head on the parallel bar.

"OW!" I screamed. "HOW IN OZ NAME DID YOU DO THAT?!" Nusa sat Elphaba back down, and rushed over to me.

"Galinka, are you alright?"

"NO! MY HEAD IS THROBBING! I NEED ICE!"

"Alright, Galinka. Just let me help you to get back on your stool."

"Ga-lin-da, I'm sor-ry," Elphaba said once I was on my stool again. "Some-times I just … lose con-trol." Her cheeks turned a darker green, which I guess was her way of blushing.

"Just forget it," I said coldly. But I refused to forget. Oh yes, I was going to get back at the Broccoli in some way. If I only had a plan.

After the sitting program and the fine motor program, it was time to go home. Fiyero and I walked out side by side, and he told me about the first week party that he was planning. "It's gonna be at the Ozwood Suites on Saturday night," he said. "Boq's rents are gonna grill, and Averic's in charge of bringing the booze. It's gonna be a hoot!"

"Oh, I'm so excited! But have you by any chance invited the new girl, Elphaba?"

Fiyero looked confusified. "No. Why would I? I thought you said you hate her."

"I do. But you see, FiFi, I'm formulating a plan. Don't ask me about because I want it to be a surprise, but I guarantee that we will have some laughs on Saturday night! I'm going to invite her now!"

But on my way to find the green girl, I ran into Ama Clutch. "Oh, there you are, Miss Galinda! Did you have a hard first day? You look tired. Anyway, this came today from your Nana. I assume I can give it to charity?" She held out the most hideodious black hat, conical with a wide brim. Sweet Oz, who would wear … oh! In an instant, I knew exactly who would wear that hat!

"No, Ama Clutch, you don't have to give it to charity. I'll give it to charity! Excuse me." I took the hat from her and started driving with my elbow.

Suddenly, I heard a man's voice, shouting. "HOW DARE YOU PUT YOUR FREAKISHNESS ON DISPLAY IN PUBLIC! IT'S BAD ENOUGH THAT YOU LOOK LIKE A USELESS, GREEN DISGRACE TO OUR FAMILY! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME, ELPHABA THROPP!" Perfect! I could get her out of trouble!

"Excuse me, Mr. Thropp?" I said, coming over. "I was the one who got affected, but I'm okay! And really, I don't mind at all. As a sorcery student myself, I know how hard it is to control one's magic."

"Who are you?" he asked warily.

"I am none other than Galinda Upland of the Upper Uplands, Mr. Governor! I would like to invite your daughter to a grand party on Saturday night at the Ozwood Suites. Elphaba, darling, does it appeal?"

Elphaba, unsure of how to answer, looked to her nanny. "Oh, why don't you go, Fabala?" her nanny said. "It'll be fun! And I'm sure Miss Galinda won't mind inviting Nessa too."

"Oh, not a bit!" I replied. "And look, I even got this hat for you to wear!"

With a shaking hand, Elphaba grabbed the hat and put it in her lap. "Al-right," she said quietly. "I'll go."

"Yay!" I exclaimed. "It'll be Ozmazing!"

That night, Candle and I did each other's hair in my room. "And she totally fell for it?" Candle asked after I told her about my conversation with the Artichoke.

"Hook, line, and sinker!" I replied triumphantly. "And to humiliate her even more, we won't wear hats at all."

"Who would wear a hat indoors, anyway?"

"I know, right?" While I tremendously looked forward to Saturday, I also knew not to rush this session. When it ended, I might be in a position similar to that of Elphaba Thropp.

So yeah, some of this WILL be a bit familiar (cough, cough, Fiyeraba), but it'll all unravel in a twisted sort of way.

Thanks for reading!

Cheers,

Elle Dottore