Okay so first off I'd like to thank everyone who replied so quickly and give an especially warm call out to TheChampionOfLight, who gave me my one-hundredth review this morning! I know I promised to have this up on Sunday but my computer had come down with something and crashed and it's taken me nearly two days to get it working again, so sorry! Thank you all so much! The winning POV for this chapter is (Drum-roll) Galinda! Shout-outs to: Hedgehog of Time, luciangirl06, Izzy-Meow, iamgoku, ElphieIsPopular and musicalgryffindor!

Chapter Ten –

Galinda's POV

I settled into my seat, thoughts spinning through my head. I suppose I shouldn't really be that surprise to find out that Elphie had a crush on my Fiyero. After all, she is only human, however much she pretends to be above such feelings and he IS the most bestest looking guy in school, that was why I was with him, after all! Although I was a little shocked, I didn't really think she'd be interested in that kinda type, I could easily forgive her for something as simple as a crush, couldn't I? After all, its' not like nearly every other girl in school I know doesn't like him as well! No, for just liking him, I could forgive her, after all she'd already made it clear she knew she'd never actual have a chance with him, and I knew she was too honest to try to be with him while he was with me, so for that, I could forgive her. No, what really worried me was Fiyero's reaction and general attitude himself.

I risked a glance at him and saw he staring straight ahead, arms folded behind his head, looking strangely frustrated and I felt my heart speed up fearfully. I barely noticed the dark shape slip off his lap and vanish into the shadows, more concerned with the frightening thoughts that were revolving around my head. His eyes moved my way and I quickly forced down any negativity from my face, giving him my usual dazzling smile, feeling it strain slightly around the edges and hoped he wouldn't notice.

He smiled very weakly back, eyes flickering over my head to the girl in question next to me, before flickering back to the wall, tiny slimmers of guilt reflecting in his gaze. I fort down the little stab on hurt that tickled my side, sinking further back into my own seat, staring absently mindedly ahead. He, doesn't actually LIKE her too….does he?

My gaze flicker's to Elphie herself, who is only just lowering her hands from her face, slowly returning to normal colour. She doesn't look my way, staring doggedly ahead. I sigh, taking a leap out of her book and turn my attention back to the show.

The image clear again to show Elphaba, dressed in travelling clothes stood beside to gritty white lines on the floor of a train station, marking how far back to wait for the train, summons clutched still in her hands.

(Man): "All aboard!"

She looked up sharply, snapping out of her trance and pulled her shoulder bag forward to deposit the sparkling green paper into its front pocket.

(Nessarose): "Elphaba!"

The squeak and rattle of metal wheels echoed across the almost empty waiting platform as the younger Thropp sister was wheeled forward by Boq, closely followed by Galinda who clutched Elphaba's small suitcase in hand. They pulled up next to her and Galinda plopped the small case on the ground at the green girl's feet, before straightening gracefully, brushing non-existent dust from her skirt.

(Nessarose): "Elphaba we're so proud of you, and I know Father will be too!"

Everybody jumped as he man in question snorted out loud. All eyes turned to him, most of them glaring and his face quickly turn to a horridious shade of scarlet. I heard Elphaba herself, snigger quietly next to me, and I knew instantly that she was at least feeling better.

The older sister rolled her eyes very briefly but didn't respond, in too good a mood to come back with one of her usual sarcastic responses. Nessa carried on oblivious.

(Nessarose): "We're all so proud, aren't we?"

She turned to her companions, looking for support. Elphaba leaned down carefully, placing one hand hesitantly over her sister's pale one.

(Elphaba): "Will you be alright here without me?"

Galinda stepped forward gingerly, eyeing the dirty floor in contempt.

I felt my own nose crinkle in future disgust.

(Galinda): "She'll be alright. Bick will keep her company, won't you Bick?"

(Boq): "Its BOQ!"

The Munchkin snapped at her angrily. He paused a moment after, as if realizing what he'd just done. Something seemed to click inside of him because he straightened out as though reaching a decision about something.

(Boq): "And I can't do this anymore."

And with that he turned around of took off, hurrying away across the platform and out of sight. Nessa stared, calling after him, hurt in her voice.

(Nessarose): "Boq!"

She began to wheel herself after him, stopping to listen for a moment when Galinda called after her.

(Galinda): "Nessa, wait, maybe he's just not the right one, for you."

(Nessarose): "NO! He's the one!"

She looked down at her lap, self-loathing written across her face, voice wavering slightly.

(Nessarose): "It's me that's not right."

There was a collective pause across the room, a few people throwing pitying glances at the girl from their seats, Frex throwing an angry one at her sister. I ignored the small stab of guilt, after all, I did set them up, even if I didn't know how badly she was going to latch on to him at the time.

She shook her head shamefully and resumed her chase, tossing a fleeting goodbye over her shoulder as she went.

(Nessarose): "Don't worry about me Elphaba. Safe journey."

(Elphaba): "Nessa wait!"

(Galinda): "Elphie, let her go!"

Elphaba made to go after her, concern dominating her features but was stopped by Galinda grabbing her hand and pulling her back.

(Galinda): "She'll just have to manage without you."

Her face took on a mournful look momentarily.

(Galinda): "We all we."

Elphaba barely paid her any heed, still staring anxiously in the direction her sister and friend had fled, answering her absent mindedly.

(Elphaba): "Oh you'll barely notice I'm gone, you have Fiyero."

She perked up suddenly, realizing exactly what she'd said.

I felt a slight stab of that hurt feeling again and pushed it down, but despite that I couldn't help but wonder. Do I really have him?

(Elphaba): "Where is he anyway? Not that I'd expected him to say goodbye to me, I mean, we barely know each other."

She tried obviously to sound causal but the slight quiver in her voice, and brightness in her eyes gave her away. Galinda failed to notice, her own falling as her worries bubbled to the surface.

Any pity I felt for my friend was swept away by embarrassment at my own stupidity. How could I have not noticed this sooner?

(Galinda): "I don't know him ether! Not anymore!"

Her voice rose in pitch as she became more and more distressed.

(Galinda): "He's been distant, and moodified. And he's been thinking, which really worries me."

There was a ripple of laughter from some of the older generations, including both mine and Fifi's parents, I noticed, his father in particular taking rather heavy amusement from it.

(Galinda): "It all started that day Dr. Dillamound got fired. I never knew he cared so much about that old goat!"

Elphaba stood quietly to the side, listening without a word, tiny flickers of guilt sparking in her eyes.

I had a flash back to the conversation we had right before we were brought here, in the library, during which Elphaba had been looking almost exactly the same as she was now, on the wall. And just suddenly it all clicked. The strange looks in their eyes whenever the other was mentioned, Fiyero's distance, Elphaba sudden quietness. It all made sense and the reality of it really hurt.

Galinda looked up suddenly, spotting something in the distance, perking up immediately.

(Galinda): "Oh look, he did come! Fiyero, over here dearest!"

She waved a dainty hand in the air to attract the attention of the approaching figure that became visible as the image zoomed out, hurrying down the steps connecting to the train platform.

It narrowed in again on Fiyero as he walked quickly past Galinda, ether ignoring or not noticing how she leaned towards him expectantly, only to deflate as he paid her no attention.

The painfully tickling feeling only intensified. It all explained so much and yet nothing at all. The man was acting like he was already head-over heels in love with her! But that was impossible! My gaze silent flickered between the two, carefully. Wasn't it?

Neither of them had changed positions than the last time I'd looked up at them, still watching the moving pictures intently. Nobody can fall in love that quickly, after something as simple as just one touch! And yet…. I hesitated, debating silently with myself. Just because it seems unlikely, doesn't mean it can't true. Elphie herself taught me that.

I remembered how Id' felt upon first meeting my boyfriend and thought about how quickly I'd declared to my new friend that we would be married and felt my cheek heat up ever so slightly! Aright, so maybe the idea of love at first such isn't SUCH a foolish one….

I chewed my lower lip, thoughtfully, an unlady-like habit that my mother had never been able to fully rid me of. Though I may not be technically intelligent, not the kind that Elphaba is, although I knew she'd try to tell me otherwise if I ever voiced that opinion out loud, but I DID know about certain things. I thought about that moment between the two of them, about that spark that had flashed between them upon the physical contact. I couldn't deny that was what it had been, I saw it with my own eyes and had seen similar, although admittedly not quite as bright moments, between other couple when they'd met for the first time, some of them ones that I'd help to set up myself. In fact had that been any other two people in that image I'd have jumped up and declared them having the strongest case of unresolved sexual and romantic tension that I'd ever seen! But it wasn't any other two people. It was my BEST FRIEND and my BOYFRIEND!

(Fiyero): "Elphaba!"

He handed her a bouquet of thick, red flowers, seemingly freshly picked.

Poppies, I noticed longingly, a sinking feeling settling into my stomach. Like the ones from the fields behind the school.

(Fiyero): "I'm happy for you."

Galinda recovered quickly and stepped up beside him, gripping his arm lightly.

(Galinda): "Yes, we're both so happy for you."

There was a moment of awkward silence that hung over the trio before Fiyero spoke again, looking uncharacteristically shy.

(Fiyero): "So listen, I've been thinking-"

(Elphaba): "Yes, I've heard!"

There were a few sniggers from the adults in the group, particularly loud from Fiyero's father again and his younger brother as well this time.

She interrupted him, seemingly out of habit. He very nearly rolled his but settled instead for a slight smirk, eyes gleaming good naturedly. The shyness quickly returned, only slightly less than before and he carried on speaking.

(Fiyero): "About that Lion cub, and everything."

He paused, something unreadable glowing in his eyes.

(Fiyero): "I think about that day a lot."

Elphaba meets his eye, smiling very slightly, nervous.

(Elphaba): "So do I."

I felt like my heart was slowly sinking lower and lower through my body until I was sure that it was about to drop out onto the floor any second now.

Galinda looked uncertainly between the two, finally picking up on the high running tension in the air.

(Galinda): "Me too!"

The other two break out of their trance, and both turn to blink at her dumbly in unison.

A few people actually GIGGLED from their seats! The deep, more painful hurt that I'd been feeling moments ago became replaced by one of a social embarrassment. I had NEVER been laughed AT before and didn't like the uncomfortable feeling that came with it for someone who was always used to being so high up in the social ladder as myself.

(Galinda): "Oh I think about it constantly. I mean, poor Dr. Dillamound! It make one want to, take a stand! That's why I've been thinking of…of…."

She fumbled for something to say, visibly straining. Suddenly, inspiration struck.

(Galinda): "Changing my name!"

The dumbfounded look on her two companion's faces only increased.

(Fiyero): "You're….name?"

There was a few confusified murmurs from the general population in the room. I felt a small amount of it myself. I caught the two people in question next me overcome their awkwardness temporality to look at me strangely in unison, nearly mimicking their self-images.

"What?" I shrugged at them. "It's the future, I know about as much as you both do!" They looked away and the awkwardness quickly returned.

(Galinda): "Yes!"

She visibly became more and more confident as she recovered her sense of dignity and took a hold of her idea.

(Galinda): "Because Dr. Dillamound always had his own special way of pronouncing my name, I, in solidarity, and to express my…"

She paused for another second, momentarily, focus slipping again.

(Galinda): "Outrage! I henceforth shall no longer be known as Gar-linda, but as simply, Glinda!"

Understanding dawned on everyone in the room and despite the humorous circumstance, I couldn't help but flash back to the beginning of this funny tale and I felt awful ominous chill shudder down my spine.

The two stood beside exchanged looks that said it all.

(Fiyero): "That's very, err, admirable, Glinda."

Fiyero stepped forward for a moment, attempting to look at her but his gaze still drifting to the colourful girl behind him. The blond girl giggled, happily.

(Glinda): "Fiyero!"

Fiyero gave up trying to keep his eyes on her and looked properly at the green girl beside her.

(Fiyero): "Elphaba! Good luck!"

He tossed the last word over his shoulder as he had already turned and was hurrying back up the steps, out of the station.

A loud cough of "Coward" came from somewhere among the rows in front of us but it was impossible to tell its exact source in the dark. Another little jolt of pain went through as I heard it and realized its implications and through the corner of my eye I glimpsed Fiyero's face reddening ever so slightly and a slight tremble of his bottom lip betrayed his struggle to keep his face neutral.

The moment he disappeared from view, Glinda's face dropped its cheerful mask and distress took over her delicate features. She turned to her friend, distraught and waved a hand, failingly after him.

(Glinda): "You see!"

She practically lunched herself at the green girl, burring her face into her shoulder, crying dramatically.

(Elphaba): "Don't cry Galinda!"

(Glinda): "IT'S GLINDA NOW!"

The shorter woman snapped, nearly shouting, and pulled away to drab her eyes with a tissue.

(Glinda): "It was such a stupid idea, I don't even know what made me say it!"

(Elphaba): "It doesn't matter what your name is, everyone loves you!"

Elphaba tried to console her friend, placing one hand of her thin shoulder awkwardly, obviously having no idea how to actually do so.

(Glinda): "I don't care, I want him!"

She pointed in the direction the Prince had vanished in.

(Glinda): "I don't even think he's perfect anymore and I still want him!"

"Should I be insulted or flattered?"

Fiyero raised an eyebrow at me humorously. It was the most friendly he'd been with me in weeks. Normally, or even just this morning, I'd have melted and giggled at his wit, overjoyed that he was talking to me again, but now that I knew the reason for his distance, I settled on simply giving him the cold shoulder, keeping my attention focus on the image until I felt him give up staring at me and do the same.

She gasped as a sudden thought occurred to her.

(Glinda): "This must be what normal people feel like! Oh how do they bare it?"

There were a few more snorts of laughter form the same group of people as before and I felt the same rush of heat flow to my face as I saw Popsicle cover his face with his hands shaking his head slowly while momsie blinked blankly beside him, not seeing the humour in the situation.

She turned back to her friend, crying, who braced her this time with a small smile on her face, shaking her head ever so slightly in amusement.

(Elphaba): "Come with me. To the Emerald city…."

She loosened her hug on the crying girl who blinked up at her dumbly.

(Glinda): "Where?"

Voices echoed around the empty station, despite there being no one else in sight.

(Tourists): "One short day, in the Emerald city."

A few people stirred, whispering confusifingly among themselves.

"Who's saying that?" The question slipped past my lip's before I could stop myself. I got no answer and a quick glance around told me everyone else was just as clueless as I, expect for Melena who just smiled mysteriously.

(Glinda): "Really? Oh, I've always wanted to see the Emerald city."

The blond girl perked up immediately as she began dabbing at her eyes again with her tissue.

(Tourists): "One short day, in the Emerald city."

The taller girl held her hand out for the other one to take, which she did eagerly before pulling her towards the awaiting train as it screeched into the station and the two clambered aboard, vanishing from sight.

The image changed again in a dark, cloudy haze that momentarily covered the wall. When it cleared again, it showed another trained station, this one painted from floor to ceiling and everything in between in a vibrant emerald tone and a bustle of people dressed form head to toe in strange, extravagant clothing of similar shades hurried through the space inside.

I recognised the style of clothing with a jolt, as the same those people in the beginning had all had on, with I suppose really made sense if future us was heading to the same place and where that had been. The brief sickening feeling I'd had before came back to haunt me for a second before my excitement pushed it back down. What future-me had said was true. I HAVE always wanted to see the Emerald city.

The two excited girls climbed off the rickety train as it pulled into the station, now both dressed in day clothes and began to make their way through the crowd out into the dazzling city beyond it.

(Tourists): "One short day, in the Emerald city, one short day, full of so much to do. Every way, that you look the city, there's something exquisite, you'll want to visit, before the days through."

They stepped through the jade-coloured streets, heads tilling back, eyes sparkling in wonder as they took it all in.

The students in the front and middle rows gasped and began to whisper to one another excitedly as they took in the sight of the famous city, most of them seeing it clearly and in great detail for the first time.

(Elphaba): "There are buildings tall as Quoxwood trees."

(Glinda): "Dress salons."

(Elphaba): "Libraries!"

(Glinda): "Palaces!"

(Elphaba): "Museums!"

(Both): "A hundred strong!"

The two were visibly giddy with excitement, matching grins splitting their faces and just for that one moment, despite their obvious differences, they had actually never looked so much the same.

Despite myself, I could feel a grin slowly creeping across the face of my own present self and when I turned to look at Elphie I saw that she was wearing one of her own, the same, sitting up in her seat, previous embarrassment forgotten.

(Both): "There are wonder like I've never seen!"

(Glinda): "It's all grand!"

(Elphaba): "And it's all green!"

Glinda spun around, taking in all the glamorous buildings while Elphaba just started at the whole street in general, both still wearing goofy, astonished expressions.

(Both): "I think we've found the place where we belong!"

They swapped beaming smiles before hurrying along further down the streets, stopping at one point in the city's center to spin slowly, staring at the gem coloured walls as they lit up with the afternoon's sun.

Nearly the whole room "Oohed" and "Ahhed" at the sight, myself and Elphie beside me along with them.

(Both): "I wanna be in this hol-pollo!"

(Elphaba): "So I'll be back for good someday!"

The green girl, who looked so much at home among the sparkling city, her own vibrant skin nearly blending in with everything around her stepped forward confidently.

(Glinda): "To make my life and make my way!"

Glinda stepped forward to stand beside her, the two of them swapping beaming grins.

(Both): "But for today. We'll wander and enjoy!"

They leapt forward together and continued to scurry through the glittering blocks of streets, mingling with the rest of the crowd, not a single person sparing them a glance as they danced and spun on their way around, some twirling green banner and ribbons in their hands.

(All): "One short day, in the Emerald city. One short day, to have a life-time of fun! One short day-"

They halted at the top of the main road, leading down to the Emerald palace and looked up at the magnificent castle, faces matching pictures of determination and confidence.

(Both): "And we're warning the city. Now that we're in here, you'll know we've been here, before we are done!"

I felt a strong, warm feeling settle in my stomach. This was how it should be, just the two of us, me and my bestest friend up against the world, ready to take it all! To make our dreams come true! This was how it should be! And this is how it WOULD be! I kept repeating it to myself almost manically, desperately trying to forget that I already knew.

Glinda gasped as she stretched out a hand towards to sky, as if to try and touch the tip of the tall building opposite them.

(Glinda): "Oh the hustle and bustle! It's all so, Ozmapolition!"

She looked down at a small piece of paper in her hand, given to her by one of the other citizens handing them out as they'd passed him.

(Glinda): "Elphie! Come on! We'll be late for Wizamainia!"

She waved to the green girl who had her back to her, looking around blissfully, to try and gain her attention. When finally noticed her, she just smiled at her friend sweetly.

A few people on the rows that were visible to me in the dark shared confusified glances. I'm no mind reader but even I could hear their thoughts from hear and was having similar ones of my own. Since when does the green bean, look sweet?

(Elphaba): "I want to remember this moment. Nobody's staring. Nobody's pointing."

Her face softened into a vulnerable happy expression.

(Elphaba): "For the first time, I'm somewhere where I belong."

And just like that it all made sense. I knew better than anyone how much other people torment actually bothered her, despite how well she hid it. I could see it slowly dawning it everyone else minds as they silently watched the rest of the conversation play out.

The blond girl stepped forward, taking her friend's hand gentle, her own features softening, a shy smile stealing across her plump, pink lips.

(Glinda): "You look positively, emerald!"

The two girls looked each other in the eye and broke down into giggles at the joke. They skipped ahead to stand beside of crowd of people hovering around an open stage where performers in large wizard puppets-suits bobbed up and down, twirling skilfully around each other.

(Performers): "Who's the mage, whose major, intinerary, making all Oz merrier. Who's the sage, who sagely, sailed in to save, our posteriers?"

The heads of the Wizards popped up off of their shoulder and rocked from side to side and the dancers inside moved.

There was several bouts of laughter from inside the room. Theatre? It is kinda like a theatre in here actually! That's what this place must actually be, a theatre!

(Performers): "Whose enthuse, for hot air ballooning, has all of Oz, honeymooning?"

A low hummer echoed from inside the puppets and carried across the street.

(Performers): "Woo-oo-oo!"

They bobbed back up again, somehow not falling over in their top heavy costumes.

(Performers): "Isn't he wonderful? Our wonderful wizard!"

The girls pulled away from the entertainment and contained wandering slowly up the street path that would take them to their destination.

(Both): "One short day, in the Emerald city."

The voices of the performers echoed after them, mingled with their own excited murmurs.

(Performers): "Who's the mage, who's major, intinerary, making all Oz merrier? Who's the sage, who sagely, sailed in to save, our posteriers?"

(Both): "One short day, to have a lifetime of fun."

The two friends walked towards the shinning gate, the guards standing stiffly in their uniform next to it but smiled at them as they came close and approached slowly the crowd bustling behind them.

(All): "What a way, to be seeing the city!"

I saw twisted in the seat and met Elphie's shining gaze, our collective delight reflected back at me.

(Both): "Where so many roam to."

Both young woman turned to each other, matching grins nearly splitting their faces in half.

(Both): "We'll call it home to."

Blue and brown eyes shinned like those of child on their birthday.

(Both): "And then just like now, we can say. We're just two friends."

(Elphaba): "Two good friends."

The usually prickly green girl gave the popular blond a tender look, seemingly bursting with happiness. The smaller woman returned her sentiment, taking her colourful hand firmly in her own.

(Glinda): "Two best friends."

I reached own hand across the arm rest dividing us and gripped Elphie's hand, making her look up at me and smile. I barely noticed Fiyero see the contact out of the corner of my eye and didn't bother looking round to see his opinion. We would talk when this is over and he will decide what he wants to do, but whatever the outcome, it doesn't matter, not for this one moment.

(Both): "Sharing one wonderful, one, short…."

The guard came out from behind the gates and stood between, breaking the contact.

(Guard): "The wizard will see you now."

He took one of each girl's hands in his own gloved ones and spun them around on the spot.

(All): "Day!"

Everyone raised their arms joyfully to the sky, the tow bold young woman standing front and center faces full of hope. The crowd began to disperse and the two girls quickly followed the guard into through the Emerald gates into the palace, before the image darkened once again and been to rearrange itself.

A round of chatter broke out from all rows in the theatre and people gossiped among themselves, the majority throwing jealous glances in our direction. I beamed my bestest smile at them and raised my head superiorly, lapping up all of the attention. Swapping one more shy smile with Elphie, I gave her hand a comforting squeeze, letting her know that it was all alright.

A tiny moments around the floor by our feet caught our attention and I barely held back a squeak of surprise when a small black shape leapt up onto Melena's lap, making even Elphie jump just a little. The little black Cat looked around almost suspiciously before she spoke quietly to the woman who's knees she was perched on, so low even I could only just about make out what she was saying.

"I think now might be a very good time for me to nip next door and wake my friends up. This next scene is pretty much when the shit hits the fan!" I tried not to curl my nose up at her foul use of langue. "We're probably gonna need a few extra pairs of hands to keep these guys from going nuts. Will you be alright to keep the peace for a few minutes while I'm gone?"

I realized the question was directed at Melena. Was she always in on this as well? Elphie's mother nodded carefully and the lithe Animal jumped down effortlessly from her lap and scurried off somewhere further in the theatre. The thought only just occurred to me that this now meant we were in fact alone now in this strange theatre, despite what our host said about always being present the same moment Melena happened to look up and notice us both watching the exchange. She raised one slim finger to her delicate lips before either of us could speak a word and slowly shook her head very suitable manner, taking obvious care that on one else would notice her doing so. Even I understood the message and nodded, keeping my mouth closed and turning back to the wall as the image began to clear again….

Well there was it, the voting options for the next chapter are:

Melena

The Wizard (Oscar)

Madam Morrible

Or Sorrow

This next one might take me a little bit longer than my usual week to do as I am planning a HIUGE reaction when, as I so aptly put earlier, "the shit hits the fan" so in advance, sorry for the delay. I also have something else to ask any of you loyal fans. I'm going to need some help keeping everyone under control in a minute so if anyone wants to lend me a hand for the new few chapters, I'd be glad for the extra muscle! If you want to message me your character details, personalities, physical appearance, powers/abilities, ect, I'll write you in! Thanks in advance! SS