Another chapter for you all. Ends on an unusually less happy note in comparison to the rest of the fanfic so I'll say sorry now

The next few days after the clapping incident they were free from sniggering in the corridors, they didn't hear anyone gossip about them at all, they'd even been Horrible Morrible free. Which was most strange. It was as though she'd given up on them and that she was learning to turn a blind eye. It was true to say they were happy by this and felt particularly happy that they could walk down the corridor with one another without being frowned upon. Nobody bothered them and they found that they couldn't keep their hands off one another as of late. They didn't make their affections too public but they would walk hand in hand and place a quick kiss on the others cheek even if they'd be seen. They didn't care anymore and what got Elphaba stumped was that the students never seemed to be either.

Elphaba was busy catching up with her studies when Nessa came into their shared room. She looked up from the book she had her head buried in and felt uncomfortable being alone with her sister since their last conversation at the ball. Nessa had been avoiding Elphaba all she could, whenever she came in she would wish everyone but her goodnight and make sure her back was turned on her. Elphaba watched as she made her way other to her side of the room, her instinct kicking in to wheel her over, but she knew she'd just be pushed away. It upset her to get such treatment from her sister, the only person she really talked to other than Galinda and she felt her sisterly feelings for her sister take a hold of her without her realising.

''How've you been doing?'' Elphaba broke the chilling silence between them without registering she'd actually said it. Nessa kept her back turned to her and carried out the silence. Elphaba sighed and looked down at her books, but not actually paying attention to them.

''So you're never going to speak to me again, is that it?'' Elphaba asked again, without looking up again. When Nessa still didn't respond Elphaba slammed her book shut causing the younger sister to jump in her seat.

''Nessa you can at least talk to me, even if it's something I don't want to hear, I at least want to be acknowledged by you!'' She said in an angry voice.

''I have nothing to say to you.'' Nessa replied.

''You can be so childish at times you know that?'' Elphaba looked up at her again, shaking her head disappointedly.

''I'm childish?'' Nessa finally turned to her and for the first time in a whole week they made eye contact.

''I told you before Nessa I can't help the way I feel and it really has nothing to do with you either way so stop making this out to be all about you.'' The green sister folded her arms.

''I don't want to hear this.''

''Of course you don't.'' Elphaba laughed.

''You're the one craving so much attention you're happy enough to ruin Galinda's social life.''

''Excuse me?'' Her voice was quieter now.

''You obviously don't care for the girl because otherwise you wouldn't have given into your disgusting desires-''

''I care for Galinda more than you'll ever understand.''

''That's the thing I don't understand it, you just go so much out of your way to be so different to everyone else don't you? I used to pray for you Elphaba. Now I realise it's Galinda that needs my prayers.''

''Shut up!'' Elphaba interrupted her and the room begun to shake as it always did when she was angry lately. Nessa clutched her hand to her chest as the room shook.

''Stop that now Elphaba!'' Nessa ordered her. Elphaba got to her feet and stormed out of the room as best as she could with the shaking and as soon as she slammed the door shut behind her the room stopped still again.

Infuriated by what her own sister had said to her Elphaba made her way quickly through the school, not really knowing where she was going, just as long as she was away from her. She almost collided into Galinda who was talking to Fiyero and two other girls, as she turned the corner.

''Oh Elphie what's the rush?'' Galinda laughed. But Elphaba ignored her and carried on walking past them.

''Elphie?'' Galinda called after her, but Elphaba didn't turn back, she needed to clear her head.

''Excuse me.'' The blonde excused herself from the conversation she was having and hurried as fast as she could to follow her girlfriend. Mainly because of the shoes she was wearing Galinda lost Elphaba straight away, she carried on going however, determined to know what had her so worked up.

The green girl finally stopped walking as soon as she reached the bridge at the far side of Shiz gardens. She rested her arms on the edge of it and tried to get rid of the anger inside of her. She looked down at her own reflection and shook her head. She couldn't even look at herself. Had she been so determined to be with Galinda that she didn't even think of her well being? Had she ruined Galinda's reputation? Would she be better off without her? Well that was a stupid question, of course she would be. With anyone else she wouldn't have to sacrifice such a prized thing as her popularity. She felt like running when she heard Galinda call out to her again, but knew sooner or later she had to face her.

''Elphie? What in oz is the matter?'' Galinda finally caught up to her. Elphaba turned away from her and dug her hands in her pockets.

''Elphie, you're scaring me what's wrong?'' Galinda asked softly.

''I don't want to talk about it. I need some time to think Glin.'' She persisted to be left alone.

''Think about what?'' Then it dawned on her, her breath hitched in her throat.

''About us?'' She continued. Elphaba nodded weakly, Galinda felt herself about to cry but fought against her tears.

''Did I do something to upset you Elphie?'' She asked in a trembled voice. Hearing her voice so fragile broke the green girls heart and she turned around and felt it break even more at the look of saddened in her love's eyes.

''No my sweet, it's nothing you've done.'' She couldn't help but hug her. Galinda held on to her tightly.

''Don't you love me anymore?'' Galinda looked up into her chocolate eyes.

''Of course I love you, never doubt that.'' Elphaba brushed her tears away.

''Then what is it? What is there to think about?'' Galinda asked against her chest.

''I just need some time alone Glin.'' She rubbed her back gently to calm her.

''Well someone upset you to be walking like that.'' Galinda commented. Elphaba sighed.

''It's nothing to fuss over.'' Elphaba reassured her. Realising now was not the time for the green girl, the blonde looked up at her so their eyes met.

''If you want to be alone I'll let you, but please Elphie don't work out whatever it is by yourself.''

''Ok Glin.''

''Will you come and see me once you've had some time alone?'' Galinda dabbed the remaining tears away with her tissue.

''Of course.''

''You will let me know right?''

''Yes, I'll keep no secrets from you.'' Elphaba placed a reassuring kiss on the tip of her nose, before Galinda composed herself.

''I'll be waiting for you Elphie ok?'' Galinda said as she untangled herself from her grip. Elphaba nodded in reply and watched her walk back to the school. She just hoped that when the time came to meet Galinda later on, she'd have collected her thoughts together and would not dwell on her conversation with Nessa, the one that still had her on the edge.