Author's Note: Thank you, caffeine. It's a school night, and I've typed up the entire climax of 'DTL'. I hope you're happy! (Look at her she's wicked!) But I've also got to give "mad props to ma home dogs" for reviewing every chapter I've put up. You guys are the oxygen that keeps my creative flame burning! Thanks a bunch, my faithful readers!

Hey, you know what I realized? I never put in a disclaimer. So, to prevent myself from getting sued: I don't own Wicked, I never will, and this fact will not change in the time it takes me to write this story.

Chapter 7: Regrets at the Ozdust

I must have hid my depression well. Fiyero didn't seem to notice that anything was wrong with me, which I was very thankful for. No one could ever know that I felt bad for the freak… It would severely ruin me! I had a reputation for being a nice girl, true enough, but I was only nice to the normal ones, the accepted ones. Was that wrong? No, it couldn't be wrong. If it was helping me climb the social ladder, how could it possibly be wrong?

"Look, its Avaric!" Fiyero observed, escorting me towards the Ozdust, "Come on, Galinda, let's catch up."

I followed, still stuck in thought as I faked a smile. I'd faked a smile a million times before (on events that I'd felt anti-social, but had to keep up my happy appearance), but I found it was much harder to hold the grin when you actually felt guilty.

"Galinda, you look amazing!" Avaric's date complemented, hoping to strike up a conversation.

"Oh, you're too kind!" I gave off my usual giddy vibe, "I love your hair."

We exchanged at least dozen complements. Every one reminded me of how perfect everyone thought I was, which made me think of what I did. And that gave me a queasy feeling, which I really didn't want right now.

"Cut it out, ladies." Avaric jumped in cutely, "Lets not stay out here all night exchanging hair care tips."

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The Ozdust was packed. I could make out about 30 Shiz students right off the back, and was sure that there were more of them lurking about. Fiyero lead me through the lighted archway, and we couldn't help but take a moment to let the scene before us sink in. The dark blue marble that adorned the ceiling and floor had been lit up with various strings of light, making it seem like we stood in the middle of the galaxy. Buffet tables overflowed with finger foods of all sorts, and a fountain of punch seemed to give off an endless supply of the refreshing red liquid.

It was all so magical… So perfect. Fiyero motioned towards the dance floor, and I accepted his offer. As he spun me around, guiding me through the beat of the music, any trace of guilt fled from me.

We immediately fell into a sort of trance. Our eyes constantly met, staring each other down until we twirled (only to meet each other's eyes once again). His feet moved effortlessly across the floor, and I had to struggle a bit to keep up. No other man had been able to sweep me off my feet like him. I'd never felt this way. I started to like him as a way to boost my popularity, but I didn't think that mattered anymore. He was handsome, charming, as perfect as any man could be. I had a feeling I'd like him even if he wasn't a tabloid celebrity.

And when he drew me in suddenly, my heart skipped at least two beats. Our lips met, mid-dance, and we froze. We were locked in the moment, enjoying every second of the surprising kiss. I didn't want to let go, ever. But, unfortunately, all good kisses must come to an end (so the kissers could breathe).

We slipped away slowly, grinning, and leaned in for another. But the sudden burst of laughter drew our attention to the ghastly figure standing in the archway. The unmistakable green hue and the pointed hat made my stomach lurch. I had actually let her slip from my mind, and hoped she'd stay out of my sight until the night was over. Unfortunately, that wasn't going to happen.

The dancers stepped back, clearing the floor as they stared at the girl, whispering cruel comments that they obviously wanted her to hear. Her horrified face glanced around, and snatched the atrocious lump from atop her head. It may have been the lighting, but I could almost see her blushing a deeper shade of emerald.

"Who is that?" Fiyero asked me, chuckling.

I lightly smacked his shoulder, "Please, don't laugh at her."

She caught sight of me, and glared. Her stare saw right through my lies. I'd set her up, and she knew it. I averted her gaze, ashamed.

Another surge of giggles erupted. Elphaba had placed the hat back on her head, as headstrong as ever. She held her head high, flailing her arms and shaking her bony hips in an awkward way. She was determined to show how much she didn't care, and how much I hadn't affected her… But I knew I'd cut her deep.

Galinda, are you always this cruel?

I was, wasn't I? I was a horrible person… A mean, snotty, spoiled little brat… I did this to the poor girl. I didn't have to be mean, I could've been pleasant, or simply ignored her all together. I could've made such better choices.

Fiyero continued to laugh as the green girl spun around.

"Stop it!" I demanded.

"I'm sorry," He attempted to hold in his laugh, "But she's… so weird!"

My face crinkled, and I stared at the heartbreaking scene in front of me. Without thinking, I stepped forward. Inching my way towards Elphaba, I tapped her on the shoulder. She leapt up, too lost in her dance to register someone coming towards her until I'd actually touched her.

"May I…" I swallowed, "Cut in?"

She took a step back, and waited for me to make my move. She still eyed me hatefully, and I didn't blame her for doing so.

Alright, the dance steps… I could salvage them I suppose. I swept up my right arm, trying to mimic what she'd done in a more graceful manner. The outcome was as awkward as her, probably because I was terrified.

I stopped, and turned away. Pfannee and Shenshen stared at me in horror, motioning for me to run back into hiding before I did something stupid. My meter was going to drop, drastically. Sweat ran down my face, and I realized what I was doing was social suicide. I turned back to Elphaba, she rolled her eyes.

She knew I wouldn't do it. She knew I didn't have the guts. Did I always do this? Did I always put my 'meter' ahead of my morals? Was I always so concerned about my popularity that I was only thinking of myself?

Elphaba's heart had been broken. I told her we'd be 'buddies', and she actually put me in the sorcery seminar for it. The thing I wanted most, I'd gotten. Then, I realized why: I gave her what she'd wanted most… I gave her a friend. Or at least, that's what she thought until she stepped through the entrance of the Ozdust…

She was hurt. As much as she hid her sorrow behind a sour pout, I could tell that she was devastated (and trying extremely hard to hide it). I couldn't do this to her, I couldn't hurt her anymore.

I swallowed. I swept my right arm once more.

The meter dropped…

I swept my left arm.

The meter dropped even further…

I moved both arms, rolling them in a circular motion, bending my knees and ending in a twirl.

The meter was in the negatives…

Elphaba was doing this with me now. The motions became a bit more coordinated, and the spastic movements smoothed out into something much more appealing. Bit by bit, we sped up, and I could hear the hesitant orchestra slowly starting back up.

But as we danced, something strange happened. The monster that I saw melted away into something I'd never noticed before. Her hair, while frazzled, was actually a lovely shade of onyx. Her blue Shiz uniform (since she lacked any other clothes, and had to wear that to the party) didn't clash as horribly with her skin as I once thought it did. She wasn't the most beautiful creature, but she certainly was not ugly.

But she wasn't the one who was morphing. It was me. My eyes were opening, allowing me to see details that (had I not been so resentful towards her), I would've seen from the beginning.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Shenshen pulling her date out onto the dance floor, mimicking my movements. Was she trying to help me? Or was I doing a good job? In the end, I really didn't care, because everyone else was joining in. Soon, we were surrounded by a sea of people.

My meter was rising, but I pushed the thought of that scale from my mind. It was controlling my life; I shouldn't obsess over a decimal point drop in my popularity, it was unhealthy.

We stopped, and stared at everyone around us. Elphaba looked at me, and smiled. I smiled back, and squeezed her arm. After a moment of silence, we broke out into laughter for reasons we couldn't figure out.

It seemed as if we would be, dare I say it, friends.