Every time Elphaba strode into a room Galinda could feel the social atmosphere change. First there was shock, followed quickly by interest from the boys. Of course this led to a hum of instinctive jealousy emanated by just about every female within eyesight. Surprisingly Elphaba seemed to enjoy the attention now that it wasn't full of disgusted contempt. She grinned triumphantly at Pfannee and Shenshen's slack jawed expression as they passed in the hallway.

Galinda just smiled indulgently and watched her friend wreak havoc on the social structure. It was rather amusing. What wasn't amusing was Professor Nidik's endless ranting about 'the silence of progress'. Usually such lectures put Elphaba in a glaring mood, but today she studiously scribbled in her notebook. Sheepishly the blonde leaned over to copy her roommate's notes, only to find that she wasn't taking any. Instead Elphaba traced elegant hearts up and down the paper. Galinda elbowed her neighbor, arching a curious eyebrow. The formerly green girl shrugged and wrote 'Elphaba + Fiyero' inside a particularly large doodle.

Galinda nodded knowingly. Her serious nighttime conversations with Elphaba had lately deteriorated into unadulterated boy-talk. Most of this girlish chatter revolved around Fiyero and the raven haired witch's growing infatuation with him. Gossiping like this was a bit of a relief for Galinda after so many thought provoking debates.

/

"Did you hear about the new Animal Banns?" Fiyero queried at breakfast with his two female companions.

"Nope," Elphaba responded as he pushed an inky newspaper towards her. "What of them?"

"They're really getting awful," the Winkie explained. "Now Animals are not only banned from teaching but also restricted to third class train cars and excluded from political jobs."

"So?" Elphaba shrugged. "What can we do? People in the Emerald City have the most influence. Besides, folks are saying that Animals are responsible for Munchkinland's economic crash."

"And you believe them?" Galinda wondered in disbelief.

"Of course," the thin witch responded. "Why wouldn't I believe what I've been told?" Her two friends watched with various degrees of shock. "What?"

"Um, could you throw out this wrapper?" Fiyero requested of Elphaba.

"Anything for you Fifi," she giggled, happily prancing away with the Winkie's trash. As soon as she was out of earshot Fiyero leaned towards Galinda.

"Have you noticed how different Elphaba's been since she got degreenified?" he whispered harshly.

"Yes," the blonde answered reluctantly. "But it's just because she's getting more confident."

"Is that what you've been telling yourself?" Fiyero hissed. "She just blew off a horrific new round of Animal Banns. Do you remember how angry those used to make her?" Galinda examined her boots, quietly ashamed.

"You're right Fiyero," she sighed. "I'll talk to her."

/

"Elphie did anything happen in the Emerald City that you didn't tell me about?" Galinda wondered when both girls were lying asleep in their beds.

"No," Elphaba responded, her voice wavering with confusion. "Why do you ask?"

"You just seem different," the blonde explained nervously.

"I am different," Elphaba told her. "I'm finally having fun. I'm happy."

"But you seem not to care about some things anymore," Galinda insisted. "Like school and the Animals."

"I'm just…" Here the formerly green girl paused as if searching for the proper words. "What does Fiyero call it? Dancing through life?"

"Are you sure nothing happened?" the blonde pressed, trying one more time for a proper answer.

"Stop worrying Glinny Dinny," Elphaba giggled. She'd never made that sound or used such a ridiculous nicknamed before being degreenified. How had Galinda missed all these changes? The answer prodded her consciousness like some sort of annoying animal begging for attention. She'd ignored her roommate's change in character because the new Elphaba was so much easier to get along with. Galinda hung her head with shame at ever having wished for a conventional friendship.

/

Fiyero was rather surprised to be tackled by an emotional blonde blur as he walked to Biology. "Oh Fifi you were right," Galinda wailed, using his old nickname in her fervor. "Something is horribly wrong with our Elphie. I can't believe I didn't see it before." She was trembling now and close to tears. "It's all my fault; I wanted Elphaba to be more normal so I didn't put up as much of a fight as I should've…" The blonde burrowed her face in Fiyero's chest.

"Shh," he comforted awkwardly. Hopefully no gossip prone students would come along; the Winkie didn't want any more rumors about him and Galinda being back together. "It was Elphaba's choice to go to the Emerald City," Fiyero told the blonde soothingly. "But as her friends, it's our job to fix this."

"But how?" Galinda whimpered. "She's not even aware that anything's wrong."

"Really?"

"Uh huh. Oh Fiyero it was awful. Elphie said she was finally happy. It took being brainwashed to make her content." Galinda heaved in a deep, scratchy breath. "We've got to take Elphaba to the Wizard. All the appearance sorcerers work for him; he'll know how to undo whatever it is they did."

"Are you sure that's wise?" the Winkie questioned doubtfully. "Should we really take her back to the people who did this in the first place?"

"Do you have any better ideas?" Galinda challenged. Fiyero had never seen her look so frantic. "I stood by and let my best friend be erased. I will not rest until she's back to making intelligent, cynical jokes that make me feel stupid."

/

"So Elphie," Galinda began as her roommate devoured a thinly written romance novel. The fact that Elphaba hadn't been cured of reading gave the blonde hope that she was still in there somewhere. "I was thinking we should go to the Emerald City for the weekend." Immediately she had her friend's attention.

"That's a great idea," Elphaba squealed. Galinda winced. Now that she'd acknowledged it the truth stuck out like a sore thumb and Galinda tiptoed around her roommate as if she was a stranger.

"Do you think you could find a way to get us both in?" the blonde wondered.

"Of course," Elphaba exclaimed. "Governor's daughter remember? All I need is a half rate excuse and we'll have the best weekend ever!" She practically bounced to her desk, already prepared to write another application.

Here comes the action…