A/N: Thank you guys, so much, for all of your kind words and support. I've taken the advice of my peers, and decided to celebrate the time I had with my friend instead of mourn his loss. This will be a short chapter, just enough to hopefully satisfy you guys until I have the time to write a new one that's a proper length. I promise I won't let you guys down with the next update. ;)

I would also like to say that I am very off-book with Fiyero's character in this story. This serves as a fair warning.

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Wicked. If I did, do you really think I would be sitting behind my computer all day? Oh, you do? Too bad.

Enjoy!

Chapter 3: Distraught

Galinda stepped out into the night, shivering at the breeze that passed by. She considered going back into the dormitory to grab a sweater, but decided against it in fear of earning another stare down from Elphaba. She walked down the steps and out towards the Ozdust Ballroom. Fiyero had previously insisted on escorting Galinda himself, but she insisted even more persistently on walking herself. She liked the time to think without the constant flirtations from Fiyero. He was charming, of course, he just tended to over-do it sometimes.

Or all the time.

Galinda arrived and immediately sought out Pfannee and Shenshen. The three girls talked and giggled for a while until Fiyero made his "grand" entrance into the ballroom. "Ladies." He smiled and threw Pfannee and Shenshen a wink, leaving the girls to argue over who it was directed at. He looked at Galinda and smiled even brighter.

"Miss Galinda. You look..."

"Oztastic, I know."

Fiyero laughed and took Galinda's hand, leading her to a less crowded section of the ballroom. Galinda raised an eyebrow but said nothing as Fiyero discreetly opened a door and pulled her through. They began walking down a dimly lit corridor and Galinda could not silence her curiosity any longer. "Fiyero, my dear, what are you doing? If Madame Morrible catches us..."

"Shh, in here!" Galinda was quickly thrust into what seemed like a closet and pressed against the wall. "Fiyero, this is hardly appropriate." Galinda was thankful for the darkness as she felt her face begin to flush a light pink. "Isn't that what makes it so fun?" Fiyero smiled and leaned down to kiss the petite blonde in front of him, a bit more forcefully than Galinda preferred. She put her hands on his chest in an attempt to push him away. Fiyero, however, misinterpreted the sign and took it as an action of intimacy. He deepened the kiss, something Galinda thought wasn't possible, and pressed harder against Galinda. Her being as small as she was, Galinda winced in slight pain. She pushed harder this time, successfully breaking their kiss.

"What is it?" Fiyero looked at Galinda, the lust in his eyes clearly visible despite the engulfing darkness.

"You know damn well what it is." Galinda angrily retorted, shoving Fiyero out of her way. She was about to reach for the doorknob when she felt a tight grasp form on her arm. "You're not getting away that easily." Fiyero pulled Galinda in, pushing her against the wall once more. He kissed her again and held her arms by her side. After a few moments of struggling, Galinda realized resistance was futile.

She closed her eyes and wished it would be over soon.

Elphaba paced back and forth in the dorm. It was past curfew, and Galinda was typically not one to bend the rules.

Why should I care where she is? She wouldn't think twice if I were late.

Why did she care? Galinda had never been too particularly fond of her roommate, and certainly did not hesitate to point jokes at the green girl with her friends. Elphaba sighed and walked back over to her bed. She was about to sit down when a very disheveled-looking Galinda burst into the room.

"Galinda! Where have you been? I w-" Elphaba paused and fully took in Galinda's appearance.

Her hair was misplaced. Her dress was slightly wrinkled. Her eyes were red, and Elphaba assumed she had been crying. Something was very wrong.

"...Galinda? Galinda, look at me." Galinda looked up at the sound of her name, but Elphaba could tell by the dazed look in her eyes that the true Galinda was very much absent from the conversation.

"Yes?" A timid voice replied.

"Are you...are you okay?" Elphaba hesitated, unsure if she should press the matter.

"Yes. Yes, I'm quite alright." Galinda smiled and placed her purse on her desk and sat down on her bed. "I'm rather exhausted from the dance. I think I'm going to go to bed. Goodnight, Elphaba." Galinda laid down, pulled her covers over her, and closed her eyes.

Elphaba's curiosity and concern was only intensified at the fact that Galinda had neglected to change or wash up before going to bed. Elphaba took a step towards Galinda's bed, but stopped herself and returned to her own side of the room. Galinda was clearly in no mood to explain, and Elphaba decided it was best not to push her. Seeing as how she was already prepared for bed, Elphaba decided to call it a night and crawled into her bed. She turned the lamp off, and after a few more minutes of questioning the events that had taken place that evening, she was fast asleep.