Chapter 9

Jamie had been testy ever since she had returned to Crage Hall, three months earlier. Elphaba and Glinda decided to keep their affair a secret, for now.

"Jamie, could you help me with this spell?" Elphaba asked, not because she needed help, but because she wanted Jamie to do something besides mope around all the time. Jamie sighed and came to stand behind Elphaba.

"Elphie, it's a simple levitation spell. If Glinda can do it, so can you!"

"Don't speak to Elphie like that! Girlfriend or not, treat her with respect." Glinda hissed from her perch atop her pink, frilly, bed. Jamie sighed again and rubbed her temples to sooth the oncoming migraine.

"You're right, Glinda. I apologize to both of you for my behavior. I've just been so…….unbelievably stressed out."

"How can someone be under so much stress for this length of time? I don't mind telling you I don't believe you." Glinda said this as she gave Jamie dirty looks.

"Look, little Miss Perfect" Jamie was getting annoyed. "You don't know shit about my life! You have no idea what I'm going through! Neither of you do!"

"You haven't exactly given us a chance to find out, now have you?" Glinda shot back.

"Oh, you'll find out in three days time, during my 19th birthday party. Then, you'll see why I'm so tense!" Jamie stormed out of the room.

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Elphaba and Glinda were escorted to Jamie's 19th birthday party by Madame Morrible. They just sort of popped out of nowhere into the ballroom of Redsontes Manor. All of Quadling country must have been there. Men and women were dancing and laughing, all wearing bright colors. Elphaba had on a black dress and Glinda wore her signature pink.

"If she's been acting like an asshole for something stupid, do I have your permission o hex her?" Glinda asked as she and Elphaba made their way over to the refreshment table.

"No, you do not have permission to do any such thing. Be nice. Jamie is sensitive, and normally blows things out of proportion. What is an anthill to you, my love, is a mountain range to her." Music played from a huge band at the front to the hall.

"Elphie?"

"Yes, Glinda?"

"May I have this dance?" Elphaba nodded and Glinda led her out onto the dance floor. Elphaba's dancing had greatly improved since that nigh so long ago when she and Jamie had shared their first kiss. She spun Glinda around with grace, and ease. The song ended, and that's when Jamie appeared out of thin air, right next to the couple.

"Enjoying yourselves?" Jamie had straightened her hair and was wearing a blue dress. Elphaba noticed that Jamie had a Glamour on her eyes to make them a sky blue, to go with the dress.

"Yes. Now, about you being a jackass?" Glinda said, not minding the weird looks she got from passerby's.

"Ah, right." Jamie grabbed a glass of wine a server had offered her. She downed it in one gulp. "You will find out soon enough. Why ruin the surprise?" She quickly replaced her empty glass with a full one and emptied it faster than the one before.

"Jamie, are you alright?" Elphaba asked as she reached out a hand. Jamie flinched and pulled back.

"Elphaba, this is the night when all is revealed. I think we should break up. After all, you have been sleeping with Glinda since your birthday." Elphaba's eyes widened in horror. "Oh, don't look so shocked. I may be broken, but I'm not stupid. Now, you will find out the other reason I'm breaking up with you in…three…two….one…" The lights dimmed and the band stopped playing. Paulette and Britney were up on a platform just a few yards away.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you all for attending this joyous occasion. Jamie, where are you dear?" Jamie made her way onto the platform. Everyone had their eyes trained on the scene in front of them.

"Ah, yes, here you are! Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to announce that my daughter is to be wed!" A great cheer echoed throughout the halls. Elphaba and Glinda looked at each other, shocked beyond belief. The only people who were not cheering, or even looked happy for that matter, were Elphaba, Glinda, Britney, and of course, Jamie. Paulette raised her hand for silence, and received it immediately.

"I would like to introduce my future son-in-law, Aaron Empor." Another eruption of cheers as a handsome young man made his way to stand next to Jamie. He took her hand and slid a pricey looking ring onto her finger, and then proceeded to kiss her hand. Jamie did not smile, did not look at him. She had her eyes trained on Elphaba.

"Thank you, Paulette. My future bride and I will lead the next dance!" The crowd parted, and Jamie was forced to pry her eyes away from Elphaba. Aaron situated them in the middle of the floor and took her waist. Jamie glanced over at Britney, who had a look on her face that said she had a plan. She gave Jamie a broad smile and raised her hand. She then wiggled her fingers. That was a brilliant plan! Use her imperfection to her advantage! As Aaron took Jamie's hand in his, she removed all Glamours she had. Her eyes turned red, and her fingers blackened. Aaron gave a small cry as he saw the change. The red eyes he could handle, but the fingers? He gave Jamie a disgusted look.

"Why, darling, what in Oz is the matter?" Jamie asked sweetly as she smiled at Aaron.

"Wha—what happened to your fingers?" He took a step away from Jamie.

"Oh, they're always like this. But you don't mind, do you, sweetheart?" She took a step towards him.

"Paulette, I'm sorry! I can't marry your daughter! She's……disgusting!" Jamie faked a hurt expression. Like she hadn't heard that one before. Aaron left the room, shoving people out of his way. Jamie gave her mother a triumphant grin. Paulette moved too fast for anyone to actually see her move at all. One second she was standing on the platform, the next she was in front of Jamie. Paulette was absolutely in a rage. She backhanded Jamie across the face so hard, it sent the girl flying.

"Paulette!" Britney rushed over to her daughter. "Paulette, why would you do something like that?"

"She deserved it! It'll teach her to go against my wishes again!" Jamie sat up and wiped the thin trail of blood from the side of her mouth.

"Paulette, she's your daughter!"

"I don't care!" All of a sudden, Britney and Paulette were rolling on the ground fighting. Britney had Paulette pinned, but was quickly knocked back by a swift kick. Jamie saw it all in slow motion. Paulette was on top of Britney. A ruby blade appeared in her hand, which wasn't supposed to happen. You had to create something from a ruby first, it couldn't just be there. Paulette leered down at Britney. Everyone thought she would warn the other woman, but no. Paulette shoved the blade into Britney's left lung. Britney's breath hitched. Before Paulette could control her actions, she withdrew the blade. It vanished in a puff of black smoke. Britney began to cough up blood.

"Britney!" Jamie ran to her sire's side. "What have you done?" She screamed at her mother. Paulette just looked bewildered.

"I didn't……but I….oh, god….Britney!" Paulette sobbed along with her daughter as Britney Phots died the exact moment her daughter turned 19 years old.