Glinda had no idea how long she'd cried on her bed. But she knew she had to go to the restaurant before her parents got worried. She looked in the mirror and put on her makeup. She was walking across campus when she heard her name.

''Hey Glinda, is everything okay?''

''Ooh heey Fiyero. Uhm yes it's okay. I'm going to have lunch with my parents.''

Fiyero studied her. ''Are you sure you're okay? You look a little pale. I just saw Elphaba angrily run off to the biology buildings. I think Dr. Dillamond was there too.''

Glinda's eyes filled with tears again. ''I just had a huge fight with Elphaba. She ran away angry. We were actually supposed to have lunch together with my parents.'' Glinda said in a trembling voice.

Fiyero gave Glinda a hug. ''You're best friends, you'll be fine. You and Elphaba will make up.''

Glinda shake her head. ''I've said such awful things.''

Fiyero rubbed her back. ''That will be fine too. She will forgive you''

Glinda nodded, but she knew it wasn't going to be that easy. ''With Elphie gone, would you like to join my parents for lunch?'' Glinda knew it was best for Elphaba to clear her mind while dealing with a problem in the lab. So Elphaba was in good hands. Yet Glinda was still very concerned about her best friend. But she knew that she needed her alone time. And Glinda needed a distraction.

Fiyero looked surprised. ''Okay yes that sounds nice.''

Fiyero lit his arm. ''Leading the way.''

When they got to the restaurant, Glinda's parents were already waiting. ''Momsie Popsical this is Fiyero Prince of the Vikuns. Fiyero they are my parents Samual and Leanne Upland form the upper uplands.''

''It is an honor to meet you.'' Fiyero said as he shook hands with Samual.

''The honor is entirely on our side Prince Fiyero.''

''Please call me Fiyero sir.''

''Where is Elphaba?'' Leanne asked after sitting down at the table in the restaurant.

Glinda looked at her plate. ''We had a fight and now she's gone.''

Leanne studied her daughter. ''You forced her to talk or not?''

Glinda nodded softly.

Leanne sat up with a sigh. ''Glinda I warned you. You cannot change the life of 22 years at once. This takes time. You are probably one of the only people she feels safe with.''

''I'm sorry mom. But I had to try.''

Leanne saw that her daughter was really sorry. She took Glinda's hand. ''You did your best. I hope Elphaba sees that too. Is she somewhere safe?''

Glinda gave her mother a little smile and nod.

The men looked at each other in confusion. ''Do you know what it's about?'' Samual asked Fiyero.

Fiyero shrugged. ''I have no idea.''

''Shall we talk about something else,'' Leanne suggested. ''Fiyero tell us about the Vikuns. I have heard it has beautiful scenery.''

Fiyero immediately began to radiate about his homeland. Samual then told everything about the Gillikin.

Samual and Fiyero walked together to the counter so the girls could talk alone for a moment about what had happened between Elphaba and Glinda. Leanne gave her daughters many tips on how to fix it and prevent it from happening in the future. Leanne explained that Glinda herself had needs to fix things her way but it is not Elphaba's way.

"You have to show Elphaba that you are giving her the chance."

Glinda listened carefully and asked her mother many questions. She wanted to do well with Elphie. She was very sorry for her words.

Samual and Fiyero talked about the break up between Fiyero and Glinda. Samual gained more respect for the prince.

XXXX

The foursome walked the streets of Shiz. She told each other stories about their lives. On the way they met Pfannee and ShenShen where they went to a concert together.

After the fight they'd had, Shenshen and Pfannee lost popularity at all. So they swallowed their pride and acted normal against Elphaba. At first they had just apologized to Glinda. But Glinda wanted to see evidence. Sometimes things go wrong between Elphaba and the girls but one look from Glinda and everyone tries to be nice again. Elphaba especially to make Glinda happy. Pfannee and Shenshen mainly to remain popular.

Everyone had a good time. Samual and Leanne were very happy with Fiyero. They were a little less pleased with Pfannee and Shenshen, but they were quite nice girls. Leanne and Samual knew their daughter was pretending. They could see from her whole attitude that she preferred to go after Elphaba. After dinner the whole group went to Ozdustballroom where there was a party all evening in honor of the arrival of the wonderful wizard.

After a few hours, the adults went back to their hotel. Glinda also wanted to go to her room. She wanted to see for herself if Elphie is okay.

After saying goodbye to her parents, Pfannee and Shenshen, Glinda walked across campus with Fiyero. "You could still stay, the girls paid enough attention to you."

Fiyero grinned. ''Yes, but I didn't feel like it. Tomorrow will be another day to party. In addition, getting up without a hangover is very nice.''

Glinda laughed. ''Who would have thought. The scandalous prince skips a party.''

Fiyero laughed too. He wanted to say something but he was interrupted by Nessa calling from a distance. ''Hey have you seen Elphaba?''

"Good evening too" said Fiyero "and no we have not seen Elphaba in a while."

Glinda looked startled at Boq pushing Nessa forward.

''I saw her before lunch. Then I went to lunch with my parents and Fiyero'' said Glinda softly. The feeling of panic and fear then passed through Glinda. Hadn't Fiyero said she was with Dr. Dillamond? Maybe what happened or does she still hate me?

''That's weird,'' Nessa said questionably. ''We were supposed to go to church before dinner. Fortunately father was there to accompany me. But he is not happy that Elphaba is leaving her duties.''

''Her job is to take care of herself, not you," snaps Glinda

Everyone was startled by Glinda's harsh tone.

''Did something happen?'' asked Boq, who was the first to recover from the shock.

''We just had a fight this morning for the rest nothing happened'' Glinda said softly. She wanted to leave as soon as possible to look for Elphie. She was angry with Nessa's comment. Although she also knew that Nessa had said nothing wrong or new.

Nessa narrowed her eyes. ''Well if you find her then just tell her that Boq and Madame Morrible takes care of me. She can be free for the rest of the evening to take care of herself.'' Nessa meant well, but it didn't seem that way to Glinda.

''Thanks to your father she left,'' Glinda said angrily. ''And thanks to you. You don't care about her at all. Everyone needs her, but as soon as it's the other way around, everyone drops her.''

''What are you talking about? I do care. I'm trying. There are people who already see the difference. I spend less time with Elphaba and more with other students.'' said Nessa. She wasn't used to anyone talking to her like that. She didn't understand what Glinda was talking about.

''What am I talking about? I'm talking about the way your father treats Elphie. Nessa think. Can Elphie do something for herself? No, because she has to take care of you from her father. Can Elphie buy something for herself? No, because she thinks about others and she doesn't get any money. I know I make mistakes, but I admit them. You just walk away from the problem.'' Glinda said angrily.

Angered Glinda ran away in search of Elphaba. She already had an idea where to look. The group was left shocked.

XXXXX

''Heey Glinda, take it easy. We will certainly find Elphaba.''

''Ooh yes that's why no one has looked for her yet.'' Said Glinda while she hugs herself and looked around. She didn't know what was going on with herself and her feelings. But she was angry with herself. Afraid of what happened to Elphie. She felt guilty about everything she said. Most of all, Glinda felt alone, and the person she most wanted to be with is moving further away from her with every so-called good deeds she did.

''I know I didn't go looking and pretended everything was okay. But I've been thinking about her all day. I go crazy when something happens to her. Nessa reacted so coldly and as if she didn't care. Elphaba has not been seen all day and that is my fault.'' Glinda said as she started to cry again

Fiyero tries to comfort Glinda as best he can and now understands Glinda's reaction much better. ''If Elphaba needs you, she will come to us anyway.''

Glinda's mouth fell open and she turned to see Fiyero`s face. ''Serious. What kind of men's logic is that? You know she will never ask for help because she never received it.'' Glinda walked on angrily.

She took a deep breath. ''Listen Fiyero. You are going to look in the library. Then I first go and have a look in our room and the classrooms. If you find her, send her to our room. If you don't find her, we'll look for her again tomorrow.''

Fiyero nodded. He was eager to help find his friends.

Glinda ran to her room first but found an empty room as she had already imagined.

She walked to the biology building. She knew that Elphaba often calms down when she does something she understands. Biology is something Elphaba understands and has never disappointed her. Glinda soon saw a classroom where the lights were on.

Glinda was looking at the doorway. There she saw Elphaba busy writing in her notebook.

''You know that we are not allowed to enter the class if there is no teacher present.''

Elphaba looked at the doorway in shock. ''How do you manage to walk so quietly with those heels?''

Glinda giggled. ''Practice Elphie. Just like you had to practice your toss, toss moves.'' Glinda tossed her hair back.

Elphaba gave a small smile and imitated Glinda. Only then very embarrassing.

''Keep practicing.'' Glinda said as she stepped into the classroom.

''Are you coming to our room?''

Elphaba bit her lip. She thought about the conversation she had with Dr. Dillamond.

XX Flashback XX

Elphaba angrily walked across campus. She was so angry that she didn't notice bumping into Dr. Dillamond. "Sorry" she said as she wanted to walk away.

''Miss Elphaba are you all right?''

When Elphaba heard his familiar voice she turned around. Doctor Dillamond and Elphaba looked at each other for a moment. Elphaba's eyes filled with tears. She was fighting not to cry.

''Come on," said Dr. Dillamond. Together they walked to the biology building. Soon they were engaged in an experiment. Elphaba, meanwhile, had been able to process the conversation with Glinda. ''Would you like to share what happened between you and Glinda?''

Amazed, Elphaba looked at Dr. Dillamond. ''How do you know there's something between me and Glinda?''

Doctor Dillamond gave her a smile. ''Before you were friends, only one person could make you so angry and sad. When I just looked at you I saw the pain in your eyes. My child, it is okay to express your feelings.'' Said Doctor Dillamond when he saw that Elphaba looked away and her eyes were filled with tears again. This time she let her tears fall. Dr. Dillamond said nothing.

"She hurt me more with her words than she ever did during the time we hated each other." Said Elphaba when she was able to talk again.

''My dear,'' said Dillamond with a sigh. ''Friends also sometimes hurt each other, but that does not mean that they do it on purpose. Sometimes those words hurt more to the speaker than to the receiver.''

Elphaba looked at Dillamond in confusion. Dr. Dillamond began to tell a story about what arguments he had with his friends. ''In the end I forgiven him because I saw that his words hurt him more than it did with me.'' He ended his story.

''Ooh look we get results.'' Elphaba's attention turned back to the experiment while she thought. She had to admit that the moment Glinda realized what she said she saw a lot of regret in her eyes and attitude. They talked a lot more about Dr Dillamonds live, the experiment and about hurting each other.

Dr. Dillamond advised her to talk to Glinda when she was ready. ''If Glinda really regrets her words she'll give you the time it takes. But you have to think about the words. What my friend said at the time had some truth in it how painful it was for me to hear. He was a true friend to tell the truth. Just the way he said it wasn't very helpful.''

Elphaba laughed softly. ''You can certainly say that.''

Only when Dr. Dillamond was sure that his favorite student had better control of her feelings, did he leave the room. ''I trust everything will be intact on Tuesday.''

Elphaba nodded gratefully. ''Thanks for the conversation sir. Happy Wizardsdays.'' The rest of the day Elphaba was busy with some experiments and processing everything. She had finally made up her mind.

XX End Flashback XX

''I…I'' Elphaba starts. Despite making her decision, she didn't feel strong enough to start the conversation.

''You don't have to talk to me'' Glinda interrupted her. Glinda used one of the techniques her mother suggested. Namely to give Elphaba plenty of space and the feeling of safety.

Elphaba nods. "Then I'll go with you."

''Can we have lunch with my parents tomorrow? Because we didn`t going to lunch today'' Glinda asks to light the mood while Elphaba puts her things away.

Elphaba laughed. ''That sounds like fun. We still have three days. Your parents are leaving on Monday evening right?''

Glinda nodded. ''Let's not talk about that. I hate when I have to say goodbye to my parents again. That's why I'm always so happy when they come. I try to spend as much time as possible with them because they are always so good to me.'' Glinda rattled on and on, bouncing a bit when talking about her parents.

Elphaba watched with a chuckle. She loved her friend bouncing with pleasure at something as small as her parents.

''What are you looking at?'' Glinda asked when she realized that Elphaba was staring.

''Ooh nothing. I just liked the way you talked about your parents. I can't wait to get to know them better.''

''I think my dad will go nuts waiting so long to meet you.''

Elphaba laughed. She felt overwhelmed. Never before have people been excited to meet her. They were often afraid.

As they walked back to their room, they met Fiyero. Glinda shared where she found Elphaba. Without Elphaba hearing, Glinda ordered Fiyero to tell Boq that Elphaba was back. Glinda didn't know how Nessa would react or whether she would be interested. Fiyero told Glinda that she talked to Nessa after Glinda`s outburst.

Fiyero said that Nessa understood why she reacted that way. And that she immediately started searching.

Glinda immediately felt guilty. She couldn't understand why she was doing things wrong when it came to Elphie.

''Elphaba do you have pen and paper for me?''

Elphaba turned. She had realized that Glinda and Fiyero wanted something private. Despite her jealous feelings, Elphaba had allowed that space. ''Of course Glin, here you have my notebook and my pen. Take the back the papers are empty.''

Glinda wanted to use Elphaba's back to write on, but remembered in time that she couldn't. So she forced Fiyero to bend over so she could use his back as a table. Glinda quickly wrote a heartfelt apology letter apologizing to Nessa.

dear Nessa, (she writes) I have to apologize. I have been unreasonable to you. I was very angry with myself for not thinking about Elphie more than myself. I also notice that you are thinking more and more about others and no longer about yourself. I hope you can forgive me. I can tell you that Elphie has been found and is now coming to the room with me. She's very tired, so I can't deliver this note myself. So Fiyero does it. Good evening. Lots of love, Glinda.

Glinda handed the paper to Fiyero and dismissed him. Fiyero was happy that Glinda was trying to make amends with Nessa. He never liked that his friends arguing.

XXX

They had gone into the cafe to bring food to their room. Elphaba had skipped lunch and was more hungry. Even though Glinda had already eaten, she was still hungry.

''What?'' Glinda had asked innocently. ''Can I help it that my parents wanted to have dinner ridiculously early because they wanted to be at the party early so they could get to their hotel early too?''

Elphaba rolled her eyes.

Elphaba fell on her bed, exhausted. ''Being in the lab all day is great fun but also very tiring.''

Glinda laughed. ''I can say the same about shopping. Walking around the market all day with my parents and buying things is very tiring. We also say Pfannee en Shenshen that was just exhaustive.''

''Never thought I'd ever hear you say that. But you are right shopping with you is very tiring.''

Glinda stuck out her tongue at Elphaba. They where getting ready for bed.

Elphaba found Glinda keeping her distance from her. Somehow Elphaba appreciated Glinda keeping her distance. But she wanted everything back to normal. She wanted to trust Glinda. She needed Glinda.

Elphaba had been thinking all day and knew that Glinda was struggling to accept Elphaba's past. Doctor Dillamond said it must have been an adjustment for Glinda to suddenly learn how to deal with Elphaba. Of course, hating was easier than adapting. But now she also has to learn things. So Elphaba quickly decided to forgive Glinda.

With a sigh, she took Glinda's hand and led her to the chair. Elphaba knelt before her. ''Glin. I've been thinking about what you said. As you know I can never be angry for long. I sometimes lose my control and my temper but I am never angry for long.''

Glinda opened her mouth but Elphaba held up her hand. ''Let me finish. I can't say your words were fun to hear. But there may be some truth to it. However, I can't do anything Glin. Try to understand that without a father I have no money. No money means no school. I know how Nessa treats me but she remains my sister and she is changing. You may not see it but I do. Yes how father treats me is terrible but I would do anything for anyone I care about. Especially for you. So I can't fight my father because that would mean getting away from you.''

Glinda had tears in her eyes. She had never looked at it like that. She knew she was very lucky with her life, her parents. But she wanted to do everything she could to make Elphie happy, and now she was anything but happy.

''Elphie I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said those things. Sometimes I talk faster than my brain can keep up. I just want to help.''

Elphaba gave her a small smile. ''I know.''

''But I want you to know that I will always help you. I will always support you no matter what you choose. I would really like it if you come and stay with me for the holidays so that I can keep you away from that awful environment. I also invite Nessa. Please Elphie let me protect you too. It doesn't have to be immediately. But you can rely on me. I trust you and I hope you trust me too. May I give you a hug?''

Elphaba was touched by Glinda's words. The fact that Glinda is already asking if she can give someone a hug means she's learned. Elphaba nodded. Before she could blink, the blonde flew around her neck. But Elphaba couldn't feel any hands over her back. Elphaba hugged Glinda back. ''Thank you Glin. It means a lot to me. My heart said that I always can trust you.''

Elphaba soon pulled Glinda away from her. They leaned closer together. Glinda finally kissed Elphaba on the cheek. They talked some more before they both lay down in their own beds. They were lost in their own thoughts before falling asleep.

XXXX