The days were flying by. Galinda had a lot of fun visiting her family in Tenniken. The Arduenna family reunion was chaotic as usual but in a fun way. It was good to spend time with her aunts, uncles and cousins as she didn't get to see them very often. On Wednesday her family headed back home to Fottica. There were only two more days before she would be moving back to school so she did her best to soak in all the time she had left with her parents.

Elphaba's week wasn't so bad despite having several meetings to attend. Aside from that she was hanging out with her siblings as well as Nanny. She spent time with Shell and she and Nessa actually got along with each other most of the time. In her down time she decided to start learning to play the guitar that Sylvia had given her. It was kind of confusing to understand at first but she was beginning to catch onto it.

xxx

It was Friday evening and she was meeting with Ingrid to finalize travel arrangements for the next day. She would be taking the 5am train and arriving at Shiz before noon and Master Keeth would accompany her to help with all of her things. Once everything was set in stone they chatted casually for a while.

"Enjoy your time at Shiz while it lasts Elphaba. College is a fun time. I met some of my dearest friends when I was in college. I also had my first relationship." Ingrid shared.

"Oh did you?" Elphie said. She didn't know too much about Ingrid's past or personal life outside of Colwen Grounds.

"Ah yes. It was quite a time. I was also exposed to many different people while I was there. You know Elphaba, contrary to what some may believe of me I happen to be quite open minded about a variety of things. I know that Munchkinland is quite conservative and many folks here are stuck in their beliefs reguarding homosexuality and things of that nature but I assure you not everyone shares those views." Ingrid explained.

"I'm glad to know that you don't give in to ignorance. It gets quite excessive." Elphie said, wondering why she was telling her this.

"As I'm sure. I bring all this up to say that if you ever have anything that you want to share, my office is a safe space to do so." Ingrid said, wondering if Elphaba would share anything or if there even was anything to share.

"I appreciate that, Ingrid." Elphie said, thinking Ingrid could potentially be onto something, particularly something about her and Galinda.

"So you are rooming with Galinda again this semester correct?" Ingrid asked.

"Yes we'll be living together again." Elphie said.

"How wonderful. You two seem very close and get along great."

"We are and yes we do."

"Let me know if I'm looking too far into things but she seemed quite taken with you." Ingrid said and Elphies eyes widened.

"Ingrid, what are you suggesting?"

"Nothing, I'm just pointing out what I observed during her last visit. She is so devoted to you and I've never seen you so happy with anyone before. Maybe that's because you are best friends but if there is anything else there I want you to know that information is confidential with me ."

"Are you suggesting that my best friend and I are secretly dating?" Elphie asked, getting nervous.

"No, is that what you're suggesting?" Ingrid asked. Elphie turned a darker shade of green

"I don't want to have this conversation." Elphie said, looking away.

"As you wish Elphaba." Ingrid, she hadn't seen her blush very often.

"You think you know me so well. You think you have me all figured out, don't you?" Elphie rolled her eyes.

"I wouldn't say I have you figured 're actually quite complex and closed off. However, I would like to know you better." Ingrid said. Elphie carefully considered telling her the truth. She obviously already had a feeling and said she would keep it confidential. Part of her actually wanted her family to know. She wanted them to know that she was happy and she had something so special. Galinda's whole family knew at this point and it was comforting to have that kind of support in Frottica but she had nobody in Munchkinland. Ingrid had always been her only solid ally here, what was the worst that could happen? She took a deep breath.

"Alright if you must know the truth, Galinda and I are dating." Elphie said and couldn't believe she had just admitted that. Ingrid was surprised at her honesty but not surprised at the confession. She had been shipping them this whole time and on the inside was satisfied to know that she was right.

"Good for you, I want you to know that I support you both."

"Thanks." Elphie said, unused to hearing that in this building. "I'm sure the Thropp Third Descending being a lesbian is quite unprecedented."

"Well yes, it is. But we'll work with it as the future unfolds. Right now it's nobody else's concern."

"I just wish it didn't have to be this way. I've always been made to feel like everything about me is wrong. But now that I have Galinda this finally feels right. I wish it wasn't a huge deal. I wish I could just love who I love and be my authentic self without causing a political uproar and my family hating me even more." Elphie sighed.

"I understand, it is quite an unfair situation." Ingrid said. "We have a long way to go but there has been some debate over potential policy changes in Munchkinland, especially with a lot of the protests that have been taking place."

"Father mentioned the protesters last time. He was saying such horrible bullshit. It was so disgusting and Galinda had never heard the kind of things that I grew up hearing and it really got to her." Elphie said, still angry over the situation.

"I'm truly sorry you girls had to experience that. Frexspar is quite a piece of work." Ingrid shook her head. She was cordial with Frex when she needed to be but she did not agree with his strict beliefs. "However, your generation will be the future of Munchkinland. No matter who you love and no matter what your father says, you're still the Thropp Third Descending. Oz forbid if anything were to happen to your grandfather, you will have more power than anyone here."

"That may be so but you know I have no interest in being the future of Munchkinland. I'm leaving all this behind once Nessa is 18." Elphie said. "But I'm not sure if Nessa will ever come around to being open minded, father has her brainwashed which makes me sick."

"She could potentially change as she gets older and hopefully learns to think for herself. In the meantime don't worry about it. We'll cross all those bridges when we approach them. You and Galinda just worry about yourselves and have a good school year." Ingrid said. They talked for a little while longer until Elphie excused herself to go finish packing.

xxx

Elphaba arrived at Shiz and it felt good to be back. This year the girls were staying in Westbridge Hall on the fourth floor. Westbridge was one of the fancier upperclassmen dorms and was definitely an upgrade from Crage Hall. Their new dorm room, room 416, was so big and were at the end of the hallway which meant they didn't have neighbors to the right of them. Upon walking into the room there was a small entryway with a little kitchen area to the left which had a sink, a counter, a couple cabinets and drawers, a microwave and a refrigerator with a freezer. Across from that area was the bathroom which was a decent size and had a nice shower. Further into the room there were two double door closets across from each other. The floor was carpeted and they had a ceiling fan. Their beds were on opposite walls across from each other with dresser drawers underneath. Their desks were on at the ends of their beds at a slight angle due to the way the wall curved. In between their desks was a huge window with a lovely view of the was plenty of open space on the floor and wall space for decorating. Pretty soon this empty room would feel like home.

Elphie chose the same side as usual and spent the next hour unpacking and getting settled in. She was organizing her books when she heard the door open and her beautiful blonde girlfriend bubbled inside.

"Elphie!" Galinda squealed.

"Lindie!" Elphie said with equal enthusiasm. She opened her arms and the blonde ran into them and pressed her lips against those soft green ones that she waited over a week to feel again. They kissed deeply and lovingly for several long moments.

"I'm so happy to see you." Galinda grinned with her arms still around her love.

"I'm happy to see you my sweet, you surprised me. Where are your parents?"

"In the lobby. I told them I was going to go sign in and get my key. I was also eager to see the room and have a moment alone with you." Galinda said, kissing her again.

"Well I really appreciate this moment." Elphie grinned. They made out for a few more moments before heading downstairs to meet Galinda's parents and bring Galinda's luggage up to the room.

xxx

Laura and Darol were thrilled to see Elphaba again and greeted her with lots of love. They began to bring all of Galinda's suitcases and things upstairs. When they were coming down for their last trip and got off the elevator they were surprised to run into Chloey and Christa.

"Chlo!" Galinda said, running towards her.

"G!" Chloey exclaimed as they hugged each other fiercely. Her parents were still outside while Chloey came in to get signed in and Christa tagged along. There was a round of hugs between everyone.

"How wonderful that you all are staying in the same building." Darol said after giving his daughter a big hug and everyone agreed.

"By the way this is my little sister Christa. And Chris, these are my second parents. They're so amazing." Chloey said. Laura and Darol greeted Chista warmly. The atmosphere got a bit awkward when Chelsea and Sebastian came in. Darol hadn't seen either of them since Chloey was an infant and things didn't end on good terms. Everyone knew the truth at this point and girls were happy and best friends. Despite the discomfort, everyone was cordial with one another for the sake of their children.

xxx

Laura and Darol stayed to help unpack and get their room all set up. With Galinda's side all put together now it felt much cozier and homier. The girls made a list of snacks along with a few other items they might need. Darol went out to the store to pick everything up while Laura stayed behind to continue helping Galinda get settled in.

"Oh Elphie, I forgot to show you these." Galinda said, pulling out several containers of frozen food. "Cook really hooked us up."

"What's all this?" Elphie asked.

"She was so sad about us leaving and made all of our favorite meals for us and froze them. We're all set for dinner for five days. Cook is the best." Galinda said.

"Wow, that was so kind of her. I had been missing Cook's meals while I was at Colwen Grounds." Elphie said, looking at the containers. There were five labeled for her and five for Galinda along with a label for what each dish was.

"Gotta love Cook." Galinda said.

"What are you girls thinking for dinner tonight?" Laura asked. She and Darol took Galinda out to dinner last year on move in day and intended to do the same this year as a tradition.

"Let's go to the Olive Patch again. Elphie and I love it there." Galinda said and Elphie agreed.

"The Olive Patch it is." Laura said. We'll go as soon as your dad gets back."

xxx

After a delicious dinner at the Olive Patch and an emotional goodbye with Laura and Darol, Elphie and Galinda were headed back to their room. They had about an hour to themselves before they had to go attend the floor meeting.

"How are you doing my sweet?" Elphie asked once they were back in the room. Galinda was still a little sniffly about her parents leaving.

"I'm okay. I just love my parents so much and as much as I love it here and want to be here it's always hard saying goodbye to them."

"I understand, I love your parents too." Elphie said, taking her girlfriend in her arms.

"But I'm so excited that we're roommates again! And we have a whole semester ahead of us." Galinda said, kissing the green girl on her lips then guiding them to her fluffy pink bed to sit down.

"It's quite a different experience starting out the semester on good terms instead of bad." Elphie chuckled.

"I can't believe we didn't like each other for that long and now I love you this much." Galinda giggled accepting another kiss. "I really found my soulmate."

"Oh, did you? Who is it?" Elphie asked sarcastically. Galinda giggled and rolled her eyes.

"It's Beary of course." She said grabbing, her teddy bear.

"I knew it." Elphie laughed.

"Kidding, it's you." she giggled, capturing Elphie's lips with hers.

"You had me in the first half." Elphie chuckled between kisses. The kissing got heavier and heavier until they were full on making out. Elphie could never get enough of kissing her girlfriend and Galinda felt the same way. No matter how many times it happens the sparks just never fail to fly. It always made them feel so connected like nothing else matters in the world but them and this moment. They were at it for a while until Galinda's phone rang.

"Hey Chlo! No, we're not busy...per se." She said with a glance to Elphie who blushed a little. "Alright cool! We'll be up in a few."

"So I assume we're going to visit Chloey in a few." Elphie said once Galinda hung up.

"Yes…in a few." Galinda said and resumed making out with Elphie for a few more minutes.

xxx

"It's my twinnie!" Chloey said, opening the door for Galinda and Elphie.

"Twinnie!" Galinda bubbled giving the green eyed blonde a big hug. Then Chloey greeted Elphie as well.

"Hi G." Nara said, getting up from sitting on her bed. "Hi Elphaba."

"Hey Nara." Galinda said kindly. She and Nara hadn't talked in a while but she knew she was done with Feana and a lot closer to Chloey now.

"Hi." Elphie waved. She wasn't sure if Nara even liked her.

"I just wanna say that I'm really sorry about everything that happened last semester. G, you were always such a good friend and I was really fake. And Elphaba I judged you before I even got to know you. You seem really nice and I'd love to get to know you better. I hope you guys are cool if we all just start over." Nara said sincerely.

"It's okay girl, no hard feelings here. Right Elphie?"

"Yes it's okay." Elphie said and meant it.

"Good, I just needed to clear the air. How are you guys doing?" Nara asked.

"Pretty good! It was a fun summer, definitely one to remember." Galinda said. "I assume Chloey told you the news."

"About you guys being biological sisters? She did and that's so crazy!" Nara said, still in shock.

"Isn't it insane!" Chloey said it was still new and exciting and kind of mind blowing to her as well. "Like how often do you find out you have the same dad as one of your best friends."

"I still can't believe it but I love it so much!" Galinda said.

"Imagine what Feana would think about this." Nara chuckled.

"Ugh I hate to think about her." Galinda said. "Have you guys seen her at all?"

"Nope. According to Unah she's across campus I'm Framplin Hall." Chloey said.

"Thanks Oz." Galinda said, relieved. The girl chatted and caught up for a while before Galinda and Elphie had to go.

"I'm gonna head out with you guys." Chloey said.

"Where are you going?" Galinda asked.

"I'm skipping our floor meeting and going to see Dylan. He and his friends have an apartment this semester." Chloey said, grabbing her purse and phone charger.

"Ah, have fun." Galinda giggled, knowingly.

"Oh I will." Chloey chuckled. The girls chatted down the hallway until they parted ways.

"Elphie?" Galinda asked once they were alone.

"Yes?"

"What do you say we skip our floor meeting too." Galinda said with a suggestive grim.

"You don't have to convince me." Elphie smirked. They took each other's hands and all but ran back to their dorm room, making out and removing clothing as soon as the door shut.