For disclaimer and other stuff, see part 1

Chapter 3 – Lurlinemas at Shiz

"And I told my parents that I want a new blue dress, not like the light blue one I already have. No, I want an azure-blue dress. But I haven't decided if I would prefer a gold necklace or a silver one so I wrote them telling them that both necklaces would be a good present and maybe the cute little hat I saw at the shop last week", Galinda told Elphaba and anyone else sitting nearby about the things she wanted for Lurlinemas.

For Galinda, Lurlinemas meant getting more presents than any other time of the year. She had already wrapped the gifts for her family and her friends. Even Elphaba would get one: another makeover. It was so wonderful of Galinda to try and make her friend beautiful. Elphaba just couldn't see the good in the gift.

"And what did you ask for this Lurlinemas?" Fiyero asked Elphaba, who was sitting next to him.

"Nothing."

"You don't want presents?" Galinda asked in shock.

"I don't deserve them."

"Everyone deserves presents, that's the whole idea behind Lurlinemas," Galinda told her.

"No it's not. Lurlinemas is not about receiving presents. It's about remembering our friends and the loved ones who can never be with us. It's the time to be thankful." Elphaba told them, intending to get up and leave them.

She was tired of Galinda prattling on about everything that really counts like being popular or the new things she wanted even though her wardrobe was already overflowing with stuff she had never worn yet.

But before she could leave, a hand on her arm stopped her.

"Stay," Fiyero pleaded with her.

"Only if Galinda stops talking about the things she wants for Lurlinemas," Elphaba answered, knowing full well that this was impossible. Soon Galinda would start talking about her wishes or about a new pair of shoes and the dress she wanted.

Elphaba remembered the only real Lurlinemas present she ever got. It wasn't really her present to begin with. It had been Nessa's. It had been a doll, handmade by an Aunt. Nessa had gotten a custom-made doll out of the finest porcelain the next day and Elphaba had kept the rejected doll.

"Then tell us what you want," he requested.

"What I want? To end the injustice happening to Animals, that people stop ridiculing me for my green skin, that someone cares and maybe to finally meet the Wizard," Elphaba answered him truthfully. He had asked what she wanted.

Fiyero was silent for a moment. Yes, Elphaba was right. Lurlinemas wasn't about presents, not really, especially not about those presents Galinda asked for. Lurlinemas was about the people we love and care about. It was about bringing some peace and happiness into their lives and he knew how to bring this happiness to Elphaba.

No he couldn't go out and save those Animals single-handily, nor could he stop people from calling her green freak or artichoke. But he knew how to bring a smile to her beautiful face.

"No dress or new shoes?" Galinda asked, disappointed.

Elphaba and Fiyero groaned in unison. Leave it to Galinda to bring up something trivial.

With Lurlinemas being only three days away Elphaba would be glad when it was over. Galinda's prattling about her wishes was getting annoying.

"I have an essay to write," she said, citing the first excuse she could think of to finally escape her friends, praying to every unnamed God and Goddess that Lurlinemas would soon be there and over.

She didn't care for this season, the season of love and joy and peace. She had never felt any of those emotions and she longed for things to be back to normal again, which meant she wouldn't be expected to feel those feelings.

And when she left the room she shared with Galinda early in the morning on Lurlinemas, intending to escape all the joyful festivities, she found a wrapped present sitting outside her door with a card which had her name written on it.

"Who bought me a present?" she asked herself as she unwrapped the gift. There was no more writing on the card and inside was a beautiful black shawl made of the finest cashmere.

Unseen, a young man stood a couple of feet away, smiling, when he realized that he brought joy to the unhappy green girl.