Dearest Momsie and Popsicles …

My dear Father …

There's been some confusion over rooming here at Shiz, but of course I'll still care for Nessa.

… But of course, I'll rise (circled and decorated with smiley faces) above it!

… For I know that's how you want me to respond.

You see, the confusion stems from the fact that I've been forcified to room with someone (a large ink blot as Galinda tried in vain to think of a fitting description) unusually and exceedingly peculiar … Really, all together quite impossible to describe.

… Blonde.

Life at Shiz University settled down pretty quickly, despite the rather spectacular start on the first day. Spring was rolling along, lessening the bite of winter bit by bit per day. And as the sleeping seeds of Nature began to take root and grow, so did the various social circles at our lovely Shiz.

Galinda had spent the first few days with Elphaba in stony silence, apparently in retribution for Elphaba being accepted in Madame Morrible's Sorcery Seminar. Not that Elphaba minded – in fact, she often missed it when Galinda decided that being silent was too strenuous for her and started babbling on about the various details of her life, besides entertaining that little group of people who seem to have nowhere to go to except her room.

Today was no exception.

"And then, I said, 'Don't you dare lie to me, Cadlen! I know you cheated on me with that woman!'" Shenshen demonstrated dramatically, drawing gasps from the people sitting around Galinda's part of the room.

"Oh, Shenshen," Milla cooed. "How particularly brave of you!"

Shenshen looked quite proud of herself at the stir she caused.

"I don't think it was brave," she said modestly. "I would never stand for a man who isn't faithful."

A chorus of "Quite right!" and "That's what I think, too!" sounded.

Elphaba rolled her eyes discreetly and tried to focus on her book again. She was taking Life Sciences, History, Law and Madame Morrible's Sorcery Seminar that term, and had found the workload to be both extremely satisfying (mentally) but tedious at times.

If Shenshen's to be trusted, then she must've had at least six relationships by now that either ended with the man cheating on her or being shipped away against his will to some foreign land. Not very interesting plots, if I must say.

"Galinda, you simply must tell me where you bought that pair of shoes," Pfannee sighed, stroking a pair of tiny little heels. "They're just divine, really."

Sweet Oz, is there anything else other than shoes to talk about in this world of theirs? Elphaba huffed an irritated sigh as she turned a page.

"You got something to say there, Greenie?"

Elphaba looked up and realized that her sigh must've caught their attention, since the entire group was now glaring at her.

"First, my name is not 'Greenie'," Elphaba replied crossly. "It's El-pha-ba. But then again, I doubt that your vacuous minds can actually process that."

"What does 'vacuous' mean?" Someone whispered, before grunting in pain as she was elbowed in the ribs.

Elphaba groaned and headed to the Library to study.

"Sweet Oz, do you ever stop talking?"

Galinda paused in the middle of decorating her wall with family pictures. She had merely been telling Elphaba about all the different weddings she had attended (and Lorien's one was still far down the list!) and the different roles she had played in them, whilst trying to decide whether she should use the new invisible wall stickers or the ones that are just so adorably glow-in-the-dark.

"I don't see what's the problem," she replied. "I'm just being friendly."

Elphaba rolled her eyes (that seems to be a trait of hers) and mimicked her voice, "'I don't see what's the problem!' You talking my ear off when I'm trying to concentrate is the problem!"

Galinda turned slowly on the stool she was standing on and put her hands on her hips.

"First of all, I do not sound that high-pitched. And perhaps, if you would just take your eyes off that book for one moment, people might stop calling you green!"

"Some of us do study, you know. And what does it matter? I'm still green whether or not I stop touching a book. Oh, and please, don't do that infernal hair-tossing thing. I hate it; it drives me nuts."

Galinda stared at Elphaba in utmost shock. What was wrong with her? Has hair-tossing done her any wrong? "Well then," she spluttered in outrage. "I hate your face!"

"Good, because the feeling is reciprocated. Not to mention your voice."

"I hate your clothing, too!"

"Sweet Lurline, Miss Galinda dislikes my wardrobe! Have I committed a capital offence? Why don't we just say," Elphaba said coolly, finally lifting her eyes off the book. "That this feeling is called 'unadulterated loathing'."

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

"I can't stand that girl!" Elphaba complained heatedly as she pushed Nessa out for their customary stroll in the gardens. "'Dear Galinda, you're just too good! How do you do it - I don't believe I could!' She's blonde, giggly, ditzy and hardly ever studies for her tests! I don't see what's so 'good' about her; it's a wonder she hasn't been expelled yet."

Nessa gave a small laugh, and replied, "Her getting expelled would be great for you, won't it?"

"Oh, it'll do wonders for my constitution!" Elphaba said. She sighed and tried to calm down. "How've you been, Nessa? Is Madame Morrible treating you alright?"

Nessa gave her an exasperated look. "Elphaba, stop worrying. She's fine, though her apartment smells like … Our medicinal cupboard back home."

Elphaba wrinkled her nose. "And why is that?"

"Oh, she burns lots of oils and et cetera, to create what she calls 'a magically conducifying environment'," Nessa replied with a tinge of amusement.

"As long as the furniture doesn't catch fire, then I'm fine with that."

"How about you?" Nessa asked, before laughing a bit. "I must say, it's quite an experience not living in such close proximities. I actually get to ask you about your day, rather than about what few hours you spent at school!"

"Well, most people who saw me on the first day give me quite a wide berth now, and I don't mind that. So besides fending off the Blonde, I've been pretty busy with schoolwork," Elphaba said, settling into a bench. "I'm taking more classes than practically anyone here, and the Sorcery Seminar isn't as easy as it seems."

"It's kind of funny how we always tried to control that, and then we arrive here and find that it's actually encouraged – By none other than our Head Shiztress!"

"I know, and I couldn't be happier," Elphaba said fervently. "Sometimes, I'm still processing that it's called magic, not some weird freakish ability." Now that she could truly utilize it, she felt that a huge weight (brought on by trying to control her power, she realized) had lifted off her mind.

Nessa was quiet for a while, staring serenely at the nearby pond.

"How're your studies, Nessa?" Elphaba broke into her thoughts. "Are they a lot different from your usual tutors at home?"

Nessa started and twisted her hands. For a moment, she had been thinking enviously about how Elphaba seemed to have settled down much more quickly than she imagined. While I get wheeled to class either by Madame Morrible or Elphaba, as if I can't get around on my own.

"I can manage," she replied vaguely. And it was true that she could manage. Nessa had never been much of a slacker, and her former tutors were of good standard.

"That's good." Elphaba smiled, and the two sisters lapsed into silence.

A/N: Can't decide if that ending was awkward or not, but it feels as if Nessa and Elphaba have begun to grow apart little bit by tiny bit.

This chapter originally came in about 3k+ words, but seeing it was so long, I decided to break it into half. Works pretty well. I'm not really satisfied with "What Is This Feeling", so there may be changes here and there eventually.

No Fiyero yet, but he's coming!

Now it's time for some long-delayed thanks. One goes to JcBoLT for the lovely reviews and also suggesting that this fic be nominated for the Greg awards. I confess that I'm not too familiar with the awards thing that occurs (I know of it, but haven't participated in one), so if anyone helps and nominates my Wicked baby I'll be sooo honoured and happy!

Also to wickedmetalviking1990, for the wonderful support!

Same for all you reviewers!