Elphaba didn't even really know where she was running to. All she knew was that she needed to get away from people. She needed to be able to sort out her feelings without people seeing her cry. She continued to run until she found herself at her favorite spot on campus. The lake was the only place that she could always get away from all society. Everything here was natural, the trees, the water, everything. The silence was what Elphaba loved. No one pointed at her or called her names here. She could come here and just think. That was very much what she needed right now.

Elphaba hadn't meant to over reacted but seeing that dress, seeing someone else hold it scared Elphie. Elphaba had always been very careful to hide her mother's dress from anyone other than herself. Nessa didn't even know Elphaba had it.

Tears continued to stream down Elphaba's face. She wiped them off trying to pull herself under control. She looked back down at the dress. She noticed that the ribbon had slightly faded. Other than that though, it still looked exactly like it did the day she founded it over ten years ago.

Elphaba was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn't even realize that someone had walked up behind her until the person put a soft hand on her shoulder. When she turned around she couldn't believe who was standing there. "Fiyero," Elphie asked questionably. "What are you doing here?"

"I ran into Galinda and she said that you were upset about something and I just figured that you would probably come here." Fiyero explained.

Elphaba shook her head. "Of course she did." Elphie muttered. She should have known that Galinda would go and tell Fiyero. It was so like her. "Fiyero, why don't you just go and leave me alone, I'm not in the mood to have people making fun of me."

"Do you really think that's all people ever think about when it comes to you?" Fiyero asked. Elphaba didn't answer she just continued to looked out over the lake. "Well it's not." He told her. "You are smart and you're caring. Even if no one else sees it but you really are a great girl."

"Stop lying to me." Elphaba snapped at Fiyero. "I hated when people lie to me. I'd rather them just insult me."

"Some people do care about you, you realize that, right." Fiyero didn't get why Elphaba was being so stubborn. Did she really just not care what people thought?

"Just go, I'm sure you need time to get ready for the party. Who are you taking Galinda? I know she would just love to go with you." Elphaba said. She knew this was mean but she really didn't care right now. She just wanted to be left alone.

"No actually, I don't have to get ready; I'm just naturally this gorgeous." Elphaba glared at Fiyero. Here he was, the snobby prince that Elphaba had known from the first time they met. "Elphie," Fiyero said calmly, "I'm joking. And no actually, I don't have a date."

"What," Elphaba couldn't believe her ears, was it really possibly that Fiyero didn't have a date?

"Yep, it's true. I don't have anyone to go with. So," Fiyero paused. He couldn't believe what he was about to do. He would never hear the end of it from his friends. "Will, will you come with me?" He asked nervously.

Elphaba just stared at him before she started laughing. "Fiyero, you have utterly lost your mind. You do realize who you are asking, right?"

"Yes Elphaba, I know who you are thanks." He smiled at Elphie and she couldn't help but smile back. "Know, will you tell me why you are so upset?"

The smile was suddenly wiped from Elphaba's face. "Fiyero, I can't," tears where yet again falling down Elphaba's face. "Dang tears," She said forcefully wiping them away. Fiyero reached his hand up and softly wiped the remaining tears off of her face.

"Please," He said softly. "Please, just tell me."

"It happened a long time ago Fiyero, it doesn't matter anymore."

"Obviously it does matter or you wouldn't be so upset. Does it have something to do with that dress?" He asked indicating the dress that Elphaba had laid in her lap.

"It's just that this dress is pretty much all I have left of my mothers. When Galinda pulled it out today it just brought back some old memories that I wish I didn't have, most of them having to do with my father hating me."

"Well, I don't think your mother would want you to just sit here, by yourself, crying. She would want you out there, showing everyone that you are who you are." Fiyero stood up pulling along with him. "So pull yourself together and come on, we are going to that party." Fiyero looked more closely at the dress. "And I think I know exactly what you, young Elphaba, are going to wear." He smiled one last time at Elphaba before grabbed her hand and walking with her back to school.