Chapter One

Ali's carriage soon arrived at Shiz University. When she had left from the castle earlier in the week, she was so excited, and yet, scared that she would tell her parents' secret by accident. If that occurred, her whole family was as good as dead. But, then again, to the rest of the world, they were.

"Ali, you mustn't think about such thing!" she said as she chastised herself. She must think about the future she had ahead of her. Meeting all new friends, seeing Fae again, and being out on her own in the world.

Fae began unpacking her various suitcases into the closet in her suite. Ali hadn't arrived yet. All the better. Now she could put up HER decor! She dove into the bottom of her suitcase, pulling out pink picture frames, pink stationary, pink lamps, pink everything! Nothing could stop her now! She flitted around the room, making sure that it was totally Faeified. There was no way that she would live in a black and green world for the next year. Then, a knock at the door was heard. She knew who it was. Ali!

She put on her best smile and prayed to Oz that Ali couldn't ruin her popularity too much in a one-semester period. I mean, how bad she could be? Then she had it. A makeover! After all, isn't that what her mother had done to Aunt Elphaba? The idea tickled her soul. But she couldn't do it yet. She would have to strike when the curling iron was hottest . . .. The person outside rapped harder on the door, and Fae ran quickly to get it. She flung the door open, and attacked her best friend in the world with a bear hug, even though she was much shorter than her "cousin."

"Oh Ali! You look simply . . . black. Didn't you get those dresses that I sent you for your birthday they are the oziest thing right now!" said Fae, who was constantly fashion conscious, something that Ali had never been.

"I got them, Fae, but they are so hot and fluffy and ... pink. You know I don't like pink!" Ali complained. She knew that they didn't like her fashion sense, but they sent her clothes they should have known she would never wear!

" I know you don't, but I don't like black. Don't you recall what you sent me for MY birthday? A pointed black hat! Now where in Oz would I wear that?"

" Everywhere. It is quite economical and sharp. You know black is your color," Ali said teasingly.

"No, black is a dead body's color. Not an 18-year-old girl! And besides, you have such pretty fair skin! Not in the least with a tint of . . . well . . . you know. "

"My mother's skin is beautiful, just not in your "perfect" way," said Ali. Her green eyes lit up with a fire. You never, ever, discussed her mother's skin color with her.

" Yes, but still since you are . . . fair you can wear so many more colors!" said Fae, trying to choose her words carefully.

"But black goes with everything. If I went for different colors, I'd have to accessorize with items of that color, and actually match. Besides, black looks good on everyone."

"Ugh! I give up! Wear your black if it pleases you. I swear, all that time on that studies could be devoted to so many more important things! Like clothing, and dancing, and maybe even learning how to socialize!" Fae grumbled, knowing that Ali was a huge bookworm.

" Well, then, give me a lesson in "socializing." I believe that most people are quite dull and uninteresting." Ali said, folding her arms and tapping her foot. She had picked up the mannerism from her mother.

"Fine, if that's what you want." Fae quickly darted to the mirror and gave herself a quick check. After every curl was neatly in its place, she marched Ali down the stairs and into the main room. "See him?" she said, pointing to some young guy she had chosen at random. "You have to go talk to him for at least 2 minutes. And on something other than school or learning!

"What else is there to talk about?"

"Socialization 101, Ali!" said Fae, rolling her eyes at her friend. "There are always things to talk about. Pretend that you're lost and can't find your way to your room. You know, the whole damsel in distress bit. Otherwise, I would recommend the cafeteria food. We all think that it's disgustingified, so it's a safe topic. Now, go!" and Fae shoved Ali into the certain of the room.

"Whoa, watch where you're going!" a man told to Ali as she was pushed into him.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, you see my friend pushed me into you, and I mean I am so-"

"Ok, ok no need to run your mouth dry. I better introduce myself. I'm Amirio. And you are..."

"Galinda, but my friends call me Ali, but I don't really know you so-"

"You talk a lot when you're nervous don't you? Now calm down, I'm not going to bite!"

"Oh Ali! I see you met a new friend," Fae said as she gracefully walked into their conversation. "And he would be . . . "

"This is Amirio, though I'm sure he's capable of introducing himself. Amirio, this is my cousin, Fae. She's quite the socialite," Ali couldn't resist that little jab. It was just too tempting.

"Yes, and Ali is quite the socially inept." Fae said. Obviously, Ali hadn't learned about tact. No one who had read her mother's book, "Ten Simple Steps To Becoming Popular" would EVER have said that.

"Nice to meet both of you ladies. Now, may I ask where you are from?" said Amirio.

"We are from the palace at the Emerald City. My mother is Glinda the Good. Ali's parents died when she was just an infant, and so out of the goodness of our heart we took her in." Fae had already come up with the whole story a week in advance.

"Fae!" Ali whispered as she elbowed her. "We need to talk, NOW!"

"If you will excuse us just one moment . . .," said Fae as gracefully as possible, while Ali dragged her into the bathroom. Fae knew that Ali didn't like the lie she had produced. But what else could be said to make people not ask questions about Ali's true parentage?

"What are you doing?" yelled Ali as softly as possible when they arrived in the bathroom. "I know I can't tell who my parents are, but I am NOT going to lie that you took me in."

"Well then what do you suggest? Please, I am dying to hear how well you have thought this out."

"Well, I haven't," stated Ali with a blush. "I do know that I am not being an orphan, because I do have parents, and I love them."

"Yes, and if you do love them, then you'll keep their secret safe. This is the only sure way that no one will try to look into your past."

"I guess you're right," said Ali grudgingly. I just hate to lie about all of this..."

"It gets easier. Besides, think of all the good you can do with this lie! Keep your parents safe!"

"It doesn't mean I like it any better. My parents are my parents, and I hate to say that they're dead and gone, even though Oz believes that to be true."

"Would you prefer to have them killed because Oz knows that they are alive?"

"No," said Ali. "Why did Oz hate my mother so? She was just doing what was right. You and my father were the only ones who still believed in her. Even my Aunt Nessa thought she was evil."

"I don't know. Because people… people are small minded. They like to believe what is easiest for them to believe. It was easier for them to believe your mother was wicked, than to believe the so called Wonderful Wizard really wasn't all that wonderful."

"You're right, as usual," said Ali with a sigh. "Well, we better get out there back to our new friend, before he thinks we ran off the face of the earth. Shall we?" asked Ali.

"With pleasure. Oh, and by the way, who gets him?" Fae asked. This guy was too good for her to just pass up.

"Who gets him? I didn't think we knew him well enough for a romance to bud just yet. Of course, with you, there are never enough boys!" Ali said with a wink. The two then walked out into the crowd, looking for their friend.

"Ali, can you see anything? You're a lot taller than I am," said Fae, standing on her tiptoes. Even with the four-inch heels, she was still petite.

"Not much. I think we scared our friend away," said Ali, but she didn't notice the man right behind her cousin.

"You don't see very well, do you?" asked Amirio as he stood behind them. They both jumped. He had caught them off their guard.

"It's genetic." Fae said with a giggle. Oh great, Ali thought, the giggle. "So," Fae asked in her sweet as sugar voice, "where do you come from?"

"I'm from the Emerald City, originally from the Gilkins," stated Amirio with a satisfied air.

"Oh what a kawinkidink! I can't believe that we haven't met before. Surely I would remember as handsome a face as yours," said Fae, in full out flirt mode.

"Please excuse my cousin, she has problems dealing with men," said Ali, after giving her cousin a good elbow.

Fae gave a squeal. Her cousin had played right into her hand. "Ow! I think that might have actually hurt me!" She gave a good fake pout. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to affect Amirio. He was still focused on Ali. Fae decided that this was a hopeless cause. NO ONE could resist the fake pout.

"Oh my, look at the time! Fae, we have to go. We need to unpack, and we have a class meeting at 7:00!" exclaimed Ali. "It was nice meeting you, uh..."

"Amirio. Nice to meet the two of you too. Maybe we should do dinner sometime?" he said with a mischievous smile.

"I might not be able to due to previous social engagements, but I am sure Ali would love to. Nice meeting you!" and with that Fae linked arms with Ali, and they gracefully walked back to their room.