I decided to do a double update this weekend in case I wouldn't be able to next week lol. Enjoy! Please read and review!

Fae'sFlower, so glad you loved the Lurlinemas Fiyeraba. Hope this one wouldn't put a damper on the Lurlinemas fluff haha. Also, I'm more than welcome to give you your boosts of serotonin by reading your stories! They always make me smile :)

Day 627

December 2019

From a distance, the Emerald City skyline blinked, creating a cacophony of light as it shone through the large windows of the family estate. The twinkling lights of the huge tree and of those littered around the spacious living room blinded her. Why, again, had she agreed to come?

"Elphaba! Welcome, welcome!" Fiyero's mother greeted, as Elphaba was ushered into the living room by a house-help. "I'm so happy you got to come," the older woman said with a kind smile. She gave the green girl's arm a soft pat before she gestured for her to join the others in the dining hall.

She entered through a white wooden archway, and Galinda squealed at the moment she saw her. The bouncy blonde rushed to crush her emerald friend in a tight hug, and the two of them slowly made their way to the corner where most of their friends stood and chatted.

They were at the Tiggular Estate in the Emerald City, a white mansion-esque home located uptown. Hamold and Amelia, Fiyero's parents, had invited many of their friends—including Fiyero's—to their Lurlinemas Eve party, as a thank you for all of their help in their son's smooth recovery.

String lights decorated a buffet table, and loud joyous music played in the overhead speakers. Overall, the mansion felt warm—with a fire in the hearth and the steady flow of conversation coursing through all of the guests.

But despite the warmth, Elphaba felt cold and squirmish—like she didn't belong.

She sat at a small table with Galinda, Crope, and Avaric in one corner of the dining hall as they ate. The three laughed and shared jokes about the season and their recent activities. But Elphaba just stared at her plate. The shiny ceramic had a golden outline, she noticed. It reminded her of gold engravings on a thick book she was gifted with not so long ago. She couldn't bring herself to touch her food.

"I'm just so happy to finally see Elphie again," Galinda said as she pulled on the green girl's shoulder. "Right, Elphie?" she continued, beaming. As if Elphaba was the one who was glad to see herself.

The blonde's statement confused her but still made her smile. She was glad to see all of them again. It'd been a long time since she had friends around. And with the recent turn of events, she was just thankful that she had company to distract her from her vicious thoughts.

"Sure, Glin," she replied with what she hoped was a happy smile.

The rest continued their conversation and roared with laughter at one another's stories. Soon, the buffet table was restocked and the festive energy of the dining hall grew.

"I'll go ahead and get myself another serving of that amazing beef...something. Whatever it's called," Avaric said as he stood up. "Crope, wanna come with?"

"Sure," Crope replied. And the two men quickly made their way to the buffet table before a line began to form.

"Are you alright, Elphie?" Galinda asked once Avaric and Crope were out of earshot. Elphaba turned her head and saw the concerned look her friend was giving her.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Elphaba asked.

"I know you don't talk much, but you barely touched your food either," Galinda continued, gesturing to the green girl's plate.

Elphaba sighed. "I'm fine, Glin," she reassured the blonde. When her friend didn't look convinced, she decided to change the subject. "What did you say about the shiny shoes your client loved?" she asked.

To her success, the bubbly blonde's concern quickly melted, and she immediately blabbered with excitement as she retold the story she just finished a few moments ago. Elphaba stared at her plate and nodded to show that she was listening. But her mind was miles away. She stared at the golden rim of her plate again and gently stroked the outline with her fork.

"Hi, mom. Sorry, I'm late," a familiar voice said from a distance.

Elphaba turned to the source of the sound, and she saw him—Fiyero, with his mother at the entrance archway. He got discharged just a few weeks ago. He had a slight limp and a toolbox of metal in his bones, but he walked around on his own, still charming and brilliant as ever.

He kissed his mother on the cheek and ushered someone—who was hidden behind the arch's column—into the dining hall. The woman was beautiful, Elphaba thought, as she watched the scene from her table. She seemed familiar. And after a few moments in thought, her stomach dropped.

"Oh, I didn't know Sarima was coming," Avaric blurted out as he retook his seat and placed his plate on the table—his mouth already full.

"Who?" Crope asked, taking his seat as well.

"She works with him in the same company," Avaric answered. "Accounting Department, I think." Another bite. "I met her once when I visited Fiyero at his building a long time back. But hey, I only remember her because she's hot," he finished, almost spraying Galinda (who was seated in front of him) with food. The latter annoyedly threw a napkin at his face, and the three friends quickly engaged in their usual banter. But Elphaba didn't hear anything.

For a moment, time seemed to stop; yet the clock continued to tick. The room slowed and the noise was muffled to her ears. Her eyes couldn't leave the couple by the archway. She watched Fiyero put his arm around his companion's waist as the two of them made their way to the buffet table. Elphaba lost her appetite even more.

She knew perfectly well who that was.

As the dinner ended, people toasted and cheered, celebrating the season with tall glasses of champagne and whiskey. Elphaba downed more drinks than she initially intended to—much to her and her friends' surprise (though Avaric was enjoying giving her more and more glasses).

She would need a lot of help to sleep well that night.

Like I said in the previous chapter, updates might get slower (sorry again!). Let me know what you think about this weekend's chapters!