A/N: sorry I haven't updated in a while- I just haven't had time.

Disclaimer: I don't own wicked, only the characters and circumstances I make up.

Chapter 5: Gentle Curls and Tinge of Green

As I sat down on my bed, I realized that Glinda was looking at me. I couldn't figure out why, I don't look that much like my mo-

Oh. I have an ever-so-slight tinge of green to my skin. Right.

"So-" she began. "You're Fabala's roommate. How are you two getting along?" She looked at me as though she already knew the answer.

"Not very well. Actually, I think she hates me. All I did was bump into her." I looked at her for some sign of emotion. The corners of her mouth twitched.

"Yes, she doesn't forgive easily. Oh, I'm sorry I never caught your name."

Uh-oh. "Um- Linda." I said nervously.

"Is that short for something?" she looked like she hoped it wasn't.

"Yeah. It's short for Glinda. That's your name isn't it?" she nodded.

"Yes, she named me after her friend in collage. I hope I get to meet her someday." I looked down at my necklace. I silently said my mom's name, and used my mind to tell her to be quiet. I saw it glimmer for a second, and knew that she was watching.

"Yes, I named my daughter after my collage best friend as well. She died before I was married, though." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her start to tear up. I moved from my bed to my roommates to sit by her. She looked startled for a minute, and then leaned over to cry in my shoulder.

"I'm sure she would have been more than happy to have her name carried on."

She looked up at me with knowing eyes.

"You think so?"

I tried to look proud and fierce.

"I know so." She hugged my again, and I finally knew why she was my mother's best friend. She could say so much through just one hug. I was about to tell her who I was and why I was there, when suddenly-



The door opened. And who came in? Little missy herself, right as I was hugging her mom. She looked furious.

"Mother! What are you doing here? I told you not to come!" she ran over and pushed me away.

"Fabala, please, I just came to see how you were doing." She kissed her daughter on the head than walked over to me. She my thin, green-tinged fingers in her thin manicured ones.

"You remind me of someone I knew once. . ." she patted me on the head and walked out. Leaving me alone with Fabala. But not for long.

She stood there staring at me, and then left the room in a huff. I looked at the clock, and realized I had my first history class in about ten minutes. I grabbed my bag and headed out the door. Outside the dormitory were two girls and they looked like they had been friends for years. I envied them, being friends, and me having none.

And to my surprise, they actually stopped to talk to me.

"Hey, sorry about Fabala back there. I don't know what came over her. Usually she tries to make friends with everyone. Anyway, my name is Abigail!" and she stuck out her hand.

I took it and actually looked at her. She had straight red hair cut just above her shoulders, and was about the same height as me. She let go of my hand and motioned to the girl behind her.

"This is Sarah, my best friend." And Sarah came up to shake my hand as well. She had wavy brown hair cut at the same length, and stood about the same height as Abigail and me.

Abigail looked at the paper I was holding and said, "History 101? Us too! Want to walk with us?" and she took my arm not waiting for me to respond.

It looked like I finally had what I'd always wanted: Friends! Mom would be so proud!

MOM! No, I forgot to turn off my necklace!

And just as I thought that, it started glowing.