(Hello! Sorry this took so long. I know my updates take awhile, but just know I'm trying my best to get each update posted as soon as possible. This chapter would have taken longer, but I decided to cut it short and put the extra stuff I was originally put in this chapter into the next chapter. "I hope you're happy! I hope you're happy now!")

Chapter 17

Daphne paced up and down the corridor in front of the door to Elphaba and Nessa's dorm. I box full of party snacks and a cake sat against the wall. Nessa was off getting Elphaba's birthday present, and Madison and Nia hadn't arrived yet. Fiyero was already there and Glinda said she would be a little late, since she insisted on finding the perfect present for Elphaba.

Daphne looked up at the clock on the wall. Ten till six. Almost time for the party. Nessa suddenly came running down the hall.

"Finally! Did you get the gift?" Daphne asked when Nessa finally arrived. Nessa nodded, showing her a small box.

"Good! Now we just have to wait for Madison and Nia." And as if on cue, Nia and Madison came walking down the hall towards them.

"I hope we're not late." Madison said as the girls stopped in front of the door.

"No, we still have five minutes. Glinda said she would be here late, so there's no point in waiting for her." Nessa replied.

"Oh, good! Where's Elphaba?" Madison asked.

"In her room. She's probably resting right now. We're gonna go in the room now. I know this is suppose to be a party, but try not to be loud. Elphaba's probably exhausted." Daphne explained, approaching the knocked on the door and waited for an answer.

"Come in." A voice muttered from the other side of the door. Daphne opened the door and entered the room, the other guests following closely behind her.

"Hello, Elphie. It's me, Daphne. How are you feeling?" Daphne asked, kneeling beside Elphaba's bed.

"I've been better, but I'm fine." Elphaba responded, turning in the direction of where she heard Daphne's voice.

"That's good. There are some more friends here to see you." Daphne said, motioning for the others to come closer.

"Really?" Elphaba asked, more worried then excited about there being more people here.

"Yes. Fiyero's here, and Nessa, and Madison, too. There's also a new friend here, Nia. Glinda will be here later." Daphne explained.

"W-why are there so many people here?" Elphaba asked, trying to hide the fear in her voice.

"Well, your birthday was yesterday, so Nessa and I thought it would be nice to throw you a party. Don't worry, it's not a big party." Daphne assured her, noticing the worried expression on Elphaba's face.

"I've never had a party before." Elphaba admitted.

"Never?" Nia asked, confused looks crossed both her and Madison's faces. They quickly recovered from the shock, though, deciding Elphaba was probably just lying to gain sympathy.

Elphaba shook her head in response.

"Father always said that I was a sin, a monster unworthy of any fun." She explained. Elphaba stared into open space, recalling the hell she called her childhood. She went rigid, the darkness of her past once again trying to destroy what was left of the green girl.

Seeing this, Fiyero quickly sat next to her on the bed and pulled Elphaba into his arms, holding her tight.

"Shh, calm down, Fae. Nothing's going to hurt you." He whispered to her, kissing the trembling girl's forehead.

Elphaba snuggled against his chest, whimpering slightly.

The scene broke Nia's heart. This couldn't be right. Nobody was this good of an actress, even the ex-prankster of Shiz University.

"We need to talk." Madison whispered to Nia, grabbing her arm and dragging the confused girl out of the room.

"Madison, what in Lurine's name are you doing?" Nia asked as soon as Madison had closed the door behind them.

"Please tell me you aren't falling for the witch's lies?" Madison crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at her friend.

"You saw what just happened in there! That was no trick, Maddy." Nia protested, trying to reason with her.

"NEVER call me 'Maddy'!" Madison shouted, losing her temper for a minute. She had always hated nicknames, and there was no way she was going to submit to the idea of having a nickname at that moment.

Nia stood, staring wide-eyed at Madison, shocked by the girl's sudden outburst.

"I'm sorry, Madison, but please calm down." Nia said, attempting to calm Madison.

Madison sighed, relaxing a bit.

"No, it's my fault. I shouldn't have gotten upset." She said, suddenly feeling guilty for yelling at Nia.

"Let's just forget this ever happened, okay?" Nia suggested.

"Good idea. Forgive and forget." Madison nodded, agreeing with her friend.

"But Madison, we still need to talk about what happened back in the room. Consider the possibilities that Elphaba isn't who we thought she was." Nia said, getting back to the topic of Elphaba.

Madison stiffened at the thought, but forced herself to relax, know this conversation was inevitable. They would have to talk about it sooner or later.

"Fine. Let's talk." She forced herself to say.

(See that pretty little box down there? It's begging you to review! Can't you hear it? "Review! Review!".