sorry about the delay. i blame my attention span. if this chapter doesn't make any sense or if it sucks, tell me and i'll rewrite it. i don't think that i captured the characters very well in this... but anyhow, i need some ideas of where i should take this story. in other words, review! please?

Glinda followed Elphaba back to their room. She had a feeling that this was going to be an ugly conversation. She sighed heavily before pushing the door open. Elphaba was sitting on her bed, staring into space.

"So, what was that spell?" She asked calmly, but darkly.

Glinda sighed again. "Me and Boq just wanted to know for sure if you liked Fiyero. I mean, I really thought that you did, but after that odd reaction…"

"You could've just asked! I don't need to be publicly humiliated. I get that by just walking out the door!" Elphaba said, exasperatedly.

"Well, I'm sorry, but even if I did ask flat out, you wouldn't have told me! And in case you didn't notice, I still don't know." Glinda said.

"You're probably right about me not answering you, but it's none of your business who I like and don't like"

"But he likes you." Glinda told her. She knew she wasn't supposed to, but she had a feeling that it would help the situation.

Elphaba looked at her. "I highly doubt that. It's probably just some sort of joke." But Fiyero didn't seem like that type of person, her inner voice said.

"What reason does he have to do that? And if he did, why wouldn't he tell you first, instead of Boq? If I knew about this nefarious plot, would I even be helping the cause? You're my friend! And I wouldn't do that." Glinda retorted. " And I spent a LOT of time planning this whole thing out. Do you have ANY idea how much I had to study and how much planning this took? You should be proud of me."

Elphaba couldn't help but smile at that. She stifled a laugh.

"What?" Glinda said, frustrated.

"Nothing. I just didn't think you had the focus to do something like this."

"Exactly! I don't! That's why you should be proud of me!"

"I am." Elphaba said. "Just not under these circumstances."

"So are you going to tell me?" Glinda asked hopefully.

"Tell you what?"

"If you like Fiyero, you dolt!" Glinda cried.

"Well when you put it like that…"

"Elphie!"

"…Yes?"

"Do you like him?"

"I just said!"

"Yes?"

"YES! Okay? Happy?" Elphaba fell back on her pillow, and Glinda squealed with delight.

"I knew it! You two are going to be so cute together!"

"Wait…" Elphaba said sitting up. "You knew? How?"

"Well when you stare at him like a fool every time he's near, it's pretty easy to tell."

"Is it really?"

Glinda rolled her eyes. "Did you ever end up thanking him for bringing you back that one night?"

Elphaba shook her head.

"Well, when you do, you should tell him that you like him. That might be a good time."

Elphaba nodded, unaware of what Glinda had just said. "I'm going for a walk" She said.

"Okay, but don't pass out this time" Glinda said. Elphaba smirked as she walked out of the room.

She walked out to the old beaten path to the woods. She made her way to the big willow in the woods. When she got there, she let herself fall against the wide trunk. She closed her eyes to think about what was going on. She didn't really like Fiyero, did she? Could spells lie? She pulled the charred piece of paper out of her cloak. There, burnt into the sheet, was a picture and a few words Fiyero... Her fingers traced the burnt image of the face she longed to see. Above her, she heard a rustling. She quickly tucked away the picture and looked up.

As if her wish came true, there was Fiyero sitting on the branches of the tree, staring up at the sky. She heard him sigh. She closed her eyes and thought about what she was going to say. She cleared her throat. Startled, Fiyero lost his balance and fell. He caught one of the lower branches and hoisted himself upon it with smooth gracefulness.

"Um… hi." Elphaba said. Great, she probably sounded like an imbecile. Fiyero looked at her, surprised.

"Hi" He said, collecting himself. "How can I help you?"

"Can we talk?" Elphaba said, butterflies fluttering about in her stomach. Those eyes… She thought to herself. They're hypnotizing…

"Sure" He said. "What about?" There seemed to be a sadness in his voice.

"About earlier…" She stopped. "Is something bothering you? You seem a little off…"

"Yeah… a little" He said. He jumped down from the tree, just in front of her. "The spell… who did it say you loved?" He blurted.

Elphaba's heart stopped. "You understood it?"

"Basically. Who was it? I need to know."

"But why—"

"Because I like you! …A lot" Now was the moment of truth. He stared into her eyes, hoping that she would say the same.

Her sharp features seemed to soften and her mouth fell slightly open. Lost for words, she took the paper out of her pocket and handed it to him. His eyes, which were once fixated on her own, drifted down to the paper in his hand. His heart swelled as he saw what was burnt onto it. 'Elphaba loves…Fiyero" There was a picture of him between the words. She liked him! No… she loved him!

He looked back into her eyes, the deep blue sparkling with happiness. Her eyes were filled with mixed emotions. It perplexed him.

"What's wrong?" He asked her quietly. Moving closer to her. He positioned his hands on her waist. Unable to control himself, he slowly moved toward her more and more, until his forehead was touching hers. His breath mingled with hers. He began to tilt his head to kiss her, when she pulled back quickly.

"I don't think I can do this" She said softly.

"Why?"

"I--I just can't" She whispered. With that, she ran off.

"Wait! Elphaba!" But she didn't turn back.

He didn't understand what she was feeling. She had never been liked, love liked, in her life. And now, here was a boy who barely knew her for a month telling her that he did. She, as much as she hated to admit it, was afraid. Afraid of love, being loved, losing love…but mostly loving someone else. She had experience taking care of people, but out of obligation, not love. And she was green for Oz sake! How much experience with so-called 'love' had she had? Everything was happening way too fast… the two deaths, a new boy, new powers, threats by a teacher, and now, new feelings… She wanted to toss them all away, so her life could go back to normal (if she could call it that).

She ran back to Crage Hall, up the stairs, past her dorm, and up to the roof, barely stopping to utter apologies to the people she was running over. She ducked under one of the eaves and buried her head into her arms.

Guilt… she felt bad about just leaving Fiyero there without an explanation. She was used to guilt. She'd felt guilty ever since she was born for causing her parents so much grief, but this was different. He had just told him that he liked her and tried to kiss her!

Confusion… how could anyone like her, anyway? She was green, yes, but she was also cold, sarcastic, and stolid. As far as she could tell, there was nothing to like about her. But… how could she like him? She had been told by so many people, including her father, that she was incapable of liking anyone. Loving anyone. Until this past week, they'd all been right. Or were they still right? What if this was just a fluke? What if the spell was wrong? No… you can't doubt ancient magic.

Fear… she was afraid that she hurt Fiyero. That was the last thing she wanted. She was afraid that he didn't really love her, but that this was another terrible joke on the green girl. She was afraid of disappointing him, if they did take the next step. But mostly, she was afraid that she wouldn't see him again as she did before; as friends…as more.

Why did life have to go and change on her?

Elphaba couldn't bring herself to face Fiyero again. Ama Clutch's funeral passed before they exchanged more than a quick 'hello'. It was at a party arranged by Tibbett and Crope after the funeral to help lighten the mood (and as another excuse to get drunk off of their asses). By that time, Elphaba had time to think about what was going on in her life. She had a choice to make. The way she saw it, she could either go away and continue helping the Animals, or she could stay and be with Fiyero. After much deliberation and self-torture, she decided that Fiyero probably never wanted to see her again. That night, she was going to leave for the Emerald City, never to return.

"Here" Announced Tibbett dramatically " We raise a glass (or 20) of wine to our dearly departed Ama Clutch. May she rest peacefully."

Glinda was teary, but as she drank more and more wine, her cares and inhibitions left her. Soon, everybody was drunk, except for Elphaba and Nessa. Nanny was questionable. She swayed a bit, but her head was still clear. Elphaba chose her opportunity to leave carefully. Nanny dragged Nessa home after another hour, and now there was talk of going to the Philosophy Club. While they argued with each other about whether to go or not, she slipped out of her chair and out the door, whispering a quiet goodbye. She clutched her school bag, which now contained clothes, a blanket, some money, and prized possessions, such as her beloved book. She walked briskly to the carriage station and asked for carriage to the Emerald City.

"You'll have to wait an hour. No cabs from this shift are available, but the next shift will be ready soon." Said the stubby manager.

"Very well."

She sat down upon an old bench and sighed heavily. This is the right thing to do, she told her self sternly. There's nothing left for me here, she lied. She tried to block out memories of her friends. Glinda. Boq. Even Crope and Tibbett. Fiyero… NO! she yelled at herself. Stop thinking about them! It will only make it worse… She buried her head in her arms.

"Elphie!" A high voice called to her. She looked up quickly. Glinda was there, staggering toward her.

"Glinda, you're drunk. Go back home"

"No!" Glinda said defiantly, her word barely slurring. "I'll be fine in a minute."

Elphaba raised her eyebrows. "Right, and Ozma will be back in a matter of seconds." But surely enough, Glinda was sober within a few minutes.

"I took a potion." Glinda explained. "Cures drunkenness and hangovers. Great for parties."

"Where are the others?"

"Philosophy Club, except for Fiyero… He said he wasn't up to it or something…strange" Glinda replied. "Where are you off to?"

"Nowhere" Elphaba said. Well, nowhere Glinda wanted to be under the circumstances…

Glinda eyed Elphaba, unconvinced, but didn't press the issue. "So, how are you and Fiyero doing? You didn't seem to talk much at dinner."

"There is no 'me and Fiyero'"

"After all that trouble and you two STILL didn't hook up!" Glinda exclaimed huffily. "WHY?"

Elphaba winced. She'd hoped that Glinda would just assume they were doing fine until she left. "Things didn't…click. Is that the word?"

Glinda nodded slowly. "So, he likes you and you like him, but things didn't 'click'? Well, if that's the case, there's no hope for the rest of us!"

"Well, the rest of you aren't green, or ochre with blue diamonds in Fiyero's case."

Glinda rolled her eyes. Her movements were becoming less graceful, and more of a swagger again.

"Glinda? Are you okay? I think that potion is wearing off…" Elphaba said, concerned.

"Yeah, the potion doesn't last too long." She said, her words beginning to slur again. "I'm going back to the dorms. Are you coming?"

Elphaba thought for a moment. Was she really going to let her drunk friend walk back on her own? Her thoughts were interrupted by the carriage master.

"Miss! Your carriage is ready!"

"Carriage? I thought you thed you weren't going anywhur!"

Elphaba sighed. "I'm going to the Emerald City."

"AH!" Glinda screeched. "I looove the Emruld thity! I'm going wiff you!"

"Do I get a say in the matter?" Elphaba asked.

"No" Glinda said as she fell into the awaiting carriage. Elphaba climbed in after her and tossed her gently into a seat. There was no way she was letting Glinda walk around like this. Within moments, the incoherent blonde was passed out in front of her. They always said that the Gillikinese couldn't hold their alcohol… Elphaba shook her head and sighed heavily. As the carriage started moving, she leaned against the window, the movement of the carriage slowly rocking her to sleep.

When she woke, she found Glinda still sprawled out on the seat in front of her. She didn't bother waking her. She knew how irritable hung over people could be. She saw it a great deal when she traveled with her family into Quadling Country. She shook away the depressing thoughts and looked around for something to keep her occupied. She felt around in her bag and closed her hand around her old book. She had barely touched it since the mysterious words had appeared and disappeared from the cover. She pulled it out, hesitantly and looked at the cover again. There were no words, but for the ones that were imprinted on the tattered leather binding.

Elphaba furrowed her brow. She waved her hand across the cover, determined to read the words with fresh eyes. Nothing happened. She took a deep breath, focused, and tried again. She stared intently at the cover, waiting for the words to reappear. She sighed. She opened the book to the first page. Suddenly, the book flashed with light. Elphaba jumped. The light gathered and seemed to sink into the pages in the form of words. She squinted against the brightness of the light. 'Entry 1: Rejection, the beginning'. Those were the last words she saw before she passed out.

Images flashed in her mind… the book, a girl, an angry crowd… The girl was unusual… She had sharp features. She was of medium build. She looked normal enough, except for her eyes. Her eyes were a bright, luminous yellow with purple and brown and green sparkling in their depths. Those eyes weren't human. This was the same mysterious girl form her other dream… wasn't it? The girl walked about with a staff in hand, hobbling about an ancient village. She seemed to stand out from the crowd, even as she wore the plainest clothes. She had a confident air about her, even as she kept her head down. Everyone in the streets stopped to stare at her. A murmur rippled through the crowd and a gang of boys emerged, smirking. 'Hey, witch! Witch!' The girl kept on walking, her chin set determinedly. 'Witch! We're talking to you!' A tall boy blocked her path. She tried to push past him, but he grabbed her and threw her to the ground. 'Don't walk away when I'm talking to you!' The boy said angrily. The girl glared at him and picked herself up. 'Don't make me angry' she said calmly, ' Neither of us will like it.' 'Are you threatening me?' The boy asked incredulously. He looked at his entourage. 'I think she's threatening me!' The group began talking at once, saying things like, 'What could Wolf-eyes ever do? She's useless!', 'Come on! Flog her! No one threatens you and gets away with it!', 'Get her! Beat the freak senseless!'. The leader smirked at her again. 'Boys? Get some rocks.' Rocks? Oh no, the girl thought, fear filling her every limb. Her face remained stone. Emotionless. Before she could run, the large boy in front of her grabbed her and held her in place, in a painful headlock. NO! her mind screamed to her. She lost control of herself. There was a blue green flash and the boy who was holding her down flew across the street into a wall. He was knocked unconscious. The crowd fell into a fearful chatter. 'She is a witch! Kill her!' voices screamed. All sorts of items flew towards her. Rocks, bottles, food… anything people could get their hands on. The girl tried to run, looking out for the objects flying towards her. She turned her head to see a large rock flying straight towards her body. She screamed.

Elphaba awoke in a cold sweat. She rubbed her side, where a bruise was forming. She moved her hand aside to find a white sequined shoe at her side.

"Elphie! Are you awake?" Glinda asked groggily.

"Now I am." She said, still stunned by the vivid nightmare. "What happened?"

"You were screaming"

"So you threw a shoe at me?" Elphaba asked as she tossed the shoe back to Glinda.

"Yes! I have a terrible headache!"

"That's what you get for drinking more than your weight in wine."

Glinda made a face at her. "Where are we anyway?"

"You don't remember? You only insisted on coming with me. To the Emerald City? Ringing any bells here?"

"Emerald City…" Glinda muttered under her breath. "I kind of remember… Why are we going?"

"I'm going because I need to have a little talk with our Glorious Wizard." She said with mock enthusiasm. "You're going because I'm not so mean as to let you wander about Shiz drunk off you ass, my dear Glinda"

Glinda pressed her fist to her head and closed her eyes tight. "Elphie?"

"Yes?"

Glinda slumped over against the side of the rocking carriage. "NEVER let me drink that much alcohol, ever again."

iheart my reviewers. they rock my sox.