'The best feeling I got was when Elphaba gave me a hug. She hasn't had that for so long. I can't remember when was the last time.' Frex told Dr. Tanron.

The doctor nodded and wrote down a few things.

'The rest of the week, not much had happened. Elphaba tells me more about school, but prefers to talk to Nessa. I do my best not to immediately get angry with her and give her the space I need myself.'

'How is Nessa responding to this process?'

'She doesn't say much about it yet. She once said in the evening that she is happy that Elphaba will receive less punishment.'

Dr Taron wrote some things down.

'Then we go back to the incident where you went up to her room angry. Why did you do that?'

Frex swallowed. 'As a governor, of course, I have to behave better than most people. This applies to my children aswell. Every time they shrug their shoulders it is not neat and other people comment on it. When I heard the door my governor mode went back on. I was also frustrated that I could not get through Elphaba's walls.' Frex looked down. 'But I should have given her time. When I'm angry, I also have to cool down before I realize what I'm doing. Especially when I was younger.'

Dr. Taron nodded. 'That is indeed better. Are you talking more about Melena?'

Frex shakes his head. 'We have just started. Although Dani gave me the tip to tell my own experiences first.'

'And Dani is the teacher of Elphaba who was the first to point out your behavior.'

Frex nodded.

'Do you still have a lot of contact with her?'

'No, she helped me a lot with Elphaba so I want to thank her once for having dinner together without the children.'

'Are you ready for that?'

'I think in a few weeks. I still miss Melena a lot.'

'Just because you're going to do something with someone else doesn't mean you'll love Melena any less. You have to do it when you are ready.'

Frex and the doctor ended the conversation and rescheduled the appointment.

The weeks after that it was always the same. Frex did his best with Elphaba and made sure she got the attention she needed. The boys left Elphaba alone and Elphaba started playing more with her classmates.

It was almost Lurlinemas vacation. The children would then be free for two weeks.

Dani was already busy making the gifts for the children. Everyone would make something for someone else. Elphaba was working hard to make a bracelet for everyone. She kept weaving different colors of rope together. She had searched different stones with Nessa and painted their initials in the stones for everyone. Dani kept an eye on everything. She walked over to Elphaba who already had a smile. 'Will you get it done before the end of this week?'

Elphaba nodded firmly. 'I only have to make six more. Nessa has promised to help me tomorrow.'

'Okay, that's a good idea. Do you have time to talk to me after school?'

Elphaba nodded.

Dani walked over to the other children. After half an hour it was time to go home. Elphaba walked to Dani's desk.

'You wanted to talk to me.'

Dani nodded. 'Please sit down.' Dani pointed to the chair across from her. Elphaba sat down.

'Elphaba I want you to be completely honest with me.'

Elphaba looked serious and nodded.

'How are things at home with Frex now?'

'He gives me more hugs than before. We argue less often.'

Dani nodded approvingly. 'I like to hear that. Because I want to discuss something with your father before the holidays and I wanted to hear your opinion about it first.'

Elphaba nodded.

'You really enjoy playing with Collin, I wanted to discuss with your father whether it would be okay for Colling to play with you.'

Elphaba thought. 'But does Collin want that too?'

'You should ask him that.'

'Why do you discuss it with me first?'

'Because I know you've never had any other kids visiting. I also don't know if it is allowed with Nessa's condition. But first you also have to enjoy playing with someone else at your house.'

Elphaba nodded.' I think it can. Nessa would also enjoy playing with someone else.'

Dani nodded. 'Will you then give this letter to your father?'

Elphaba nodded and ran home. Elphaba quickly cleaned up her bag and went to the kitchen. Miss Gutter had already prepared some fruit and a drink for her. Elphaba went to her father's office first. She knocked on the door and waited for permission to enter.

Frex was at his desk. 'This is for your father,' Elphaba said as she handed over the letter.

Surprised, Frex read the letter. 'Miss Nilok requests a meeting. Do you know what it's about?'

Elphaba nodded. 'She wants to know what you think of the idea when I invite a friend to play with.'

'Mmm that seems like a good idea.' Frex said, rubbing his neck. 'What do you think?'

'I really want it Daddy….' Elphaba was so shocked that she called him Daddy, she immediately turned and walked away.

Frex also remained shocked. 'I think this is the first time she called me Daddy.' He whispers

He folded the letter and went back to work.

Before dinner, Frex assured that he was not angry with Elphaba but honored. He was thrilled that his daughter called him Daddy instead of father.

That rest of the evening everything went normal. Elphaba promised she would call him Daddy more often instead of Father.

The next day, Frex went to school. He had gone to school a little earlier and saw that Elphaba was writing. He saw a flower drawn on the schoolboard. Most of the kids were listening to what Dani was saying. Suddenly Elphaba raised her hand. Frex couldn't hear what it was about but apparently it was fine because Dani gave her a smile and nodded. Frex saw that Elphaba gave the correct answer every time. When the bell rang the children ran out of the classroom.

'Daddy what are you doing here so early?' Elphaba asked in surprise when she walked out of the classroom.

Dani followed her and looked at Elphaba in amazement. Frex smiled and nodded. 'Your teacher asked if I could talk to her about you. So here I am. I came a little earlier to see you. I saw that you often raised your hand. Did you know all the answers.'

Elphaba nodded proudly. 'It was pretty easy. We're talking about the flowers. I had already read some books from the library about flowers last week.'

'That's very smart of you. Do you want to wait for me or are you going home?'

'I'm going home. Nessa is going to help me finish the gifts for the other kids for Friday.'

Frex nodded. 'Then I'll see you tomorrow. I have another meeting after this and it will take a long time.'

Elphaba nodded in disappointment. 'See you tomorrow.'

'Just sit down. I'll be right there, I have to say goodbye to some children.'

Frex went in and sat next to Dani's desk.

Dani. He looked around. He went to the table where Elphaba normally sits. He opened a drawer and saw that everything was neatly arranged in it. He pulled out some papers and began to read.

Dani walked in and closed the door. Frex was shocked. He put the papers away.

'I didn't know she could write.'

Dani nodded. 'She writes beautiful stories for a ten-year-old child.'

'This was about a cloud that was completely alone and sad at first. But later he became friends with the sun. Thus he became a beautiful cloud again. Would that be about her?'

Dani shrugged. 'I think so. But I am not allowed to read those stories. She lets me read other stories.'

Frex nodded and sat back in the chair.

Dani sat at her desk and started the conversation.

'Has Elphaba said anything yet?'

Frex nodded. 'She said you wanted her to invite a boy to play with.'

Dani nodded. 'I think playing with other children outside of school is good for her development. I really notice that she hangs out with Collin a lot. He's not the smartest kid in class. But he and Elphaba seem to like each other well. That surprises me.'

Frex nodded. 'That's fine. One boy is not too much for Nessa. As long as he is not too sick it will be fine.'

'That's good to hear. Then I will urge Elphaba to ask him. Did I hear that right by the way? Did Elphaba called you Daddy?'

Frex immediately had a smile on his face and nodded. 'Yes yesterday she said it by accident but I reassured her that she can do it more often. Sometimes she says it. This morning she still called me father. But things are moving in the right direction.'

Dani nodded happily. 'That's good to hear.'

Frex rubbed his neck. 'Uhm Dani I would like to thank you for everything you have done for me and for Elphaba. I'd like to take you out to dinner. At my expense, of course.' Frex immediately began to blush.

Dani didn't know what to say so she nodded. 'That sounds like a nice idea. An evening without the children.'

Frex nodded.

'Then I'll pick you up on Saturday evening.'

'That is fine. Then I'll see you. Good luck with your meeting.'

Frex laughed. 'It will be a long and boring meeting, but thank you'

The next day, Elphaba stood by the stairs during recess. 'If you want to ask him you have to go to him' she suddenly heard.

Elphaba looked startled and saw Dani standing there. She immediately looked away.

'Do you want to play with him?'

Elphaba nodded.

'Then you have to go there and ask.'

'But maybe he doesn't want to and turns me down.' she whispered.

'Do you really think Collin would do that.'

Elphaba shake her head.

'You don't have to be scared. Just go up to him and ask if he can come and play with you this afternoon.'

'I'm not afraid,' said Elphaba tough.

Dani laughed softly. 'yes and I'm the Wizard.'

Elphaba glared at her.

"Elphaba, you promised me and your father that you would invite him to play with before the holidays begin. So you only have today and tomorrow left. The longer you wait, the harder it gets.'

Elphaba took a deep breath and walked over to Collin who is throwing the ball with other boys.

Elphaba cleared her throat as she stood behind Collin. Collin turned to see Elphaba. 'Heey Elphaba.'

'Uhm Collin would you like to come and play at my place?' she asks, rubbing her neck.

Collin studied Elphaba. 'Are you serious?'

Elphaba nodded.

Collin smiled. 'Yes, that sounds like fun. I will write a letter and give it to my sister so that my parents know where I'm and what time I'm coming home.'

Elphaba nodded happily. 'Then we walk to my house together.'

'Do you want to join the game?'

Elphaba entered the game. Dani was watching from a distance with a big smile. 'You did a good job.'

Dani looked around in alarm and saw Lemaan standing there.

'Director Lemaan you scared me.'

Leman smiled. 'That was also the intention. But you did well with Elphaba and Collin. They were both very lonely.'

Dani looked around. 'All children have something. I am happy that I can help everyone.'

'Are you going to do anything this holiday?'

Dani nodded. 'I'm going to the Emerald City on Monday to see my parents. I will stay there until the end of the holiday. And you?'

'I am going to celebrate Lurlinemas with my family. The governor should throw a party in the town hall like every year.'

'That sounded great. Maybe I'll come back. First, see what it is like in the Emerald City. I missed my parents a lot.'

Lemaan nodded. 'I believe so. Only two more days and then we finally have a vacation.'

Dani laughed and nodded. 'I can not wait.'

She immediately thought of her appointment with Frex.

Would he really like it with me? she thought.

It was Friday and the children had all made something for each other. 'Okay class we are going to read in the morning and after the short break we are going to give each other the presents. Because it is the last day before the holidays, we have the afternoon off.'

The whole class began to cheer.

Dani clapped her hands to get attention. 'But first we are going to read seriously. You will read for yourself for the first twenty minutes and then I will read a piece.'

With a lot of noises, the children grab their books and start to read. Dani goes to read with some children. Then she reads to the class until the bell rings. Everyone goes outside during the break. 'Elphaba and Collin did you play nice together yesterday?'

Elphaba and Collin looked at each other and laughed out loud. Dani looked at them in surprise.

'We played a joke on Nessa.' Elphaba said as they walk out. 'The book I received for my birthday contains an experiment to get your voice to come from somewhere else.'

'We had two cans tied together with a long piece of string.' Collin explained 'Elphaba went to talk through a can in the other room. The other can was behind Nessa. So Nessa thought Elphaba was always behind her.'

The kids where again both laughing.

'Nessa didn't get it were I was,' Elphaba said through the laughter. 'Of course Collin played dumb when Nessa kept asking if I was behind her.'

'When we noticed that Nessa didn't like it, we explained the experiment and she wanted to play the joke on someone too, so we started doing the same with Miss Gutter.' Collin said

'Miss Gutter still don`t understand how Collin could have sounded exactly like Nessa.' Elphaba added.

Dani understood the joke and started to laugh softly. 'So you're gonna play together again?'

The children both nodded. 'We really enjoyed it together. It was very unfortunate that Collin had to go home. Even Nessa liked it.'

Dani nodded. 'I'm glad about that.'

The children played together for a while before the bell rang. When everyone was in the room, they all sat down in the circle.

'Okay, you all made something for someone else. This is a Lurlinemas tradition that we give each other something. It doesn't have to be an expensive gift. It is mainly about being together.'

The whole class nodded. Dani took turns with some children and gave their gifts to other children.

'Elphaba it's your turn.'

The green girl got up shyly. She picked up a basket. 'I couldn't choose who I was going to make something for, because you are all so nice so I made a bracelet for everyone together with my sister. The stones have your first letter of your first name.'

The whole class was speechless. The girl no one wanted to play with in the summer made something for everyone. After Elphaba gave everyone a bracelet, Dani wanted to give someone else the neighborhood but Elphaba raised her hand. 'Yes Elphaba' said Dani amazed.

'Miss Nilok, I also made something for you,' Elphaba said shyly. 'You are a good teacher and you have taught us many good things.' Elphaba took a book from her basket and handed it to Dani. 'These are all the stories I wrote during the breaks. Some are about you and others are made up.'

Dani took over the book from Elphaba with an open mouth. 'Thank you Elphaba I don't know what to say. I will definitely read them during the holidays.'

Elphaba nodded and walked quickly back to her seat.

It was the turn of the other children. Elphaba received a paper flower from Collin and a few drawings. That was the most she had ever had from the others. Everyone was happy with the gifts. Finally they did a game to start the holiday pleasantly.

When the bell rang, everyone ran out of the classroom. Everyone thanked each other again for the present. Most children would still see each other during the holidays and would play with each other. The children who went to other family members already wished each other a good Lurlinemas.

'Elphaba, I want to thank you extra for your gift. Can I show the stories to my parents?'

Elphaba nodded. 'They are yours so you can do whatever you want with them. I hope you like them.'

Dani smiled. 'Surely. Happy Holidays.'

'Happy Holidays.' Elphaba ran home.

All the children were happy. Two weeks without school. Although many children were also sad because without school they had no contact with friends. In the case of Elphaba, that meant two weeks without her favorite teacher.