After half an hour, Glinda hears someone giggling. Slowly she opens her eyes and sees Elphie playing on the floor with her new doll. She looks at the clock and sees that she still has time. She sits down on the floor. Elphie looks surprised at first, but then they soon find themselves in a game. Glinda tells the story and Elphie re-enacts it with the puppets.

"Uhm Glinda," Elphie asks as she puts the doll away to get Rabby.

Glinda puts her doll down and looks at Elphie.

"Can we play outside?"

Glinda blinks. "Oh yeah, I hadn't thought of that. Would you like that?"

Elphie nods enthusiastically.

"Okay, let's go to the park. We've got some time."

Elphie looks very happy and puts away her toys. Glinda helps Elphie get dressed again.

''You go put on your shoes and I'll go freshen up,'' says Glinda as she goes to the bathroom.

Glinda comes out of the bathroom a few minutes later and sees Elphie sitting on the bed with the doll. "Are you going to put on your shoes?"

"I don't have any shoes," says Elphie, disappointed.

Glinda puts her hand over her mouth. She can't believe she forgot shoes. But she had hoped that everything would end very soon. ''Sweet Oz. What am I supposed to do now?" Glinda asks, startled.

"I can do without shoes," says Elphie.

Glinda's eyes widen. "Not while I'm alive." She lifts Elphie up and grabs the rest of her things. She walks out the door, but knows she is forgetting something.

"Why don't you have any shoes on?" asks Elphie.

Glinda hits her head with her hand, but she also has her bag, which hits her. Elphie giggles. ''You are funny.''

"Glad you like it." Glinda says dryly as she opens her room door again. She puts Elphie on the floor and quickly grabs her matching shoes.

"Why do you have so many shoes?"

''Because every outfit needs a different pair of shoes. You have party shoes, shoes that you put on for sports or to go to school. I can go on like this for a while."

''Why do you have so many clothes?"

"Because I want to look good. I also like to change clothes often."

''Why?''

Glinda gives Elphie a stern look. "I don't have the time or inclination for these questions.

Glinda bites her lip. She feels so stupid that she hasn't thought about shoes. She is afraid that her parents will find out what she spends her money on. Then of course she would have to explain more. Her parents don't care how much she spends, as long as it's for Glinda herself.

Elphie tugs at Glinda's dress. "Maybe our friends or someone else."

"Yes, of course." Glinda says cheerfully. ''But Fiyero is busy, Boq doesn't have much money, then your sisss. I mean Nessa is left." Glinda bites her lip. Maybe she should give Nessa a chance. After the last conversation, her eyes may have opened. Glinda can empathize with someone being sad about having to live without a mother, but it's not her Elphie's fault. Anyone with a brain and empathy could understand that. Glinda feels furious again.

"Are we going now?"

''We're going to Nessa."

"Wh..?" Elphie closes her mouth when she sees Glinda's look. Glinda lifts Elphie and runs to Nessa's room as quickly as possible. She knocks and waits impatiently for Nessa to answer the door.

Fortunately, Elphie doesn't weigh much, making her easy to lift. "I forgot to buy shoes," Glinda says as she walks in without greeting Nessa.

''What? How? Why?''

"I had other things on my mind this morning. It was all very early. But I can't buy much more for children, otherwise my parents might notice it too much."

'"Can't we carry her all the time?"

Glinda rolls her eyes. " You want to carry her on your lap all the time?'' Glinda puts Elphie on the floor and puts her hands to her ears. " when we are in the Emerald City."

"Heey," says Elphie indignantly. "I'm not a child anymore. I want to hear what you say."

Nessa and Glinda ignore Elphie who steps to the floor. "You're not sweet." Elphie says, crossing her arms.

"Okay, you're right. Maybe we can go quickly now and then take a tour of the campus. It can't be that hard.'' says Nessa after a short silence.

''Campus? Are we going to campus?''

''Haven't you told her yet?'' asks Nessa in surprise.

Glinda shakes her head. "I wanted it to come as a surprise."

Elphie tugs at Glinda's dress. "What is a campus?"

Nessa suppresses a laugh.

Glinda gets on her knees. ''A campus is a place where students come together. It is a large site, with a cafe, library, places where students come together to talk, sports, you name it.''

''Is it a big library?"

"Is that what you remembered?" Glinda asks dryly. "Never mind, I already know the answer."

''It's a bigger library than The Great Library of Munchkinland'' says Nessa.

"Wow'' says Elphie, impressed. Then this library is mega big. Can we go?"

Glinda stands up again. " We are going to buy shoes first."

Elphie looks disappointed at her bare feet but says nothing.

''She can sit on my lap the whole ride.''

Elphie presses tightly against Glinda's legs. "I want to stay with you"

Glinda kneels before Elphie. "I'm coming too, but I can't carry you all the way. That's not handy.''

Elphie looks anxiously at Nessa. "But she's not nice." she whispers to Glinda. "can't I walk?"

''Your feet will hurt. I can hold your hand if you like.'' Says Glinda who understands what Elphie is saying. "Would you like to be my brave little girl?"

Elphie looks between Glinda and Nessa. She nods bravely.

Glinda sees that Nessa heard the comment. "Elphie, you go to the bathroom before we go."

''But I don't have to.'' says Elphie stubbornly.

Glinda gives her a stern look.

Elphie sighs ''Where's the bathroom?'' Nessa points to the door. Elphie goes to the bathroom.

"Nessa," whispers Glinda.

''No do not do that. She doesn't like me when she's a child or an adult woman."

''She likes you. You just need to be less strict. Talk to her. Try to listen to what she says and try to speak on her level."

"It seems so easy to you"

"I was able to practice with my nieces and nephews. It's your sister, you will succeed."

Before Nessa can speak, they hear the toilet flush. The door opens immediately.

"Have you washed your hands?" Glinda asks.

Elphie shakes her head. "I can't reach the water."

Glinda goes to the bathroom and lifts Elphie up so she can wash her hands. ''We just have to pack Nessa's things and then we can go.'' Glinda says to Elphie.

Elphie nods and sits down on the floor.

Glinda helps Nessa pack her things.

''Ooh, I'll leave a note for Boq so he knows he can go straight to the lab.''

Glinda nods. 'That is a good idea.'' Glinda lifts Elphie until they are outside the building. She puts Elphie on Nessa's lap. But she feels how hard Elphie squeezes her hand. Nessa rolls her chair herself.

''Why are you in a wheelchair?'' Elphie asks as they go through the large gates.

"That's how I was born. You've asked that before" says Nessa bluntly.

Glinda gives Nessa a stern look. "Think about her level." she whispers.

Elphie looks at Glinda for a moment, but then turns to Nessa and asks the next question. For some reason she is interested in Nessa. "Can you do something about it?"

''No.''

"Oooh. Do you find it annoying?"

''What?''

''Do you find it annoying?'' Elphie asks again.

Nessa has to think about that question for a moment. She wants to say that she finds it very annoying, but on the other hand she is used to it. It's been a long time since anyone asked that question. People assume she finds it annoying. "Sometimes," Nessa says softly. "I want to be able to walk like everyone else. But on the other hand, I'm also used to it."

Elphie nods as if she understands. But the adults wonder if she really understands what is being said. But then she says something that surprises everyone. ''You have to look at the possibilities you have as a human being, not at your flaws.''

Nessa stopped and Glinda let go of Elphie's hand, because of the sudden movement. Elphie turns curiously. "Who taught you that?" asks Nessa.

'From my mommy. Do you know the sentence?"

Nessa nods. "My sister taught me that."

''She's very smart."

Nessa swallows. "How is your mother?"

''Mommy? Mommy is a very sweet mommy. She always plays with me. But now that she has a baby, she is tired a lot. So, I'm extra good to her. She reads a lot of books, but not in those weird voices that Fiyero does."

''llo, love mommy the new baby?'' asks Nessa softly.

Elphie stares at Nessa. "Mommy says I should be nice to the baby. Sometimes she says she has to rest for the baby, then she rubs her belly. I'll read to the baby and mommy."

Nessa gets tears in her eyes and says nothing. She slowly rolls on.

"Sometimes mommy also tells stories to the baby, she says she loves the baby."

"And daddy?" Nessa asks with a broken voice.

"I hardly see Daddy. Mommy says he has to work a lot. He does worry about mommy and the baby. He's making mom something to eat."

''What does your mom like to do most?'' asks Glinda who notices that Nessa is having a hard time. But she does see that Nessa is looking for answers and at the same time trying to be on Elphie's level.

''Mommy can do anything. She likes to sit in the garden with a book.''

"Then what are you doing?"

Elphie shrugs. "Playing with cuddles, or chasing butterflies, or playing with the blocks."

"And daddy?" asks Nessa

Elphie shrugs again. ''To work. I never see him except at dinner. Then I must be quiet."

They're at the store. Glinda immediately asks an employee if they can explain to her how to measure children's feet. The employee offers to do it. Glinda doesn't know what surprises the employee the most, that they are so young with a child, that two girls have such a young child or that the child is green. But to everyone's surprise, the employee keeps his mouth shut. Working quickly, he points Glinda to the rack of Elphie-sized shoes. Soon Elphie is walking with Glinda's hand and Nessa's wheelchair with her other hand.

"Thanks for paying." Glinda says to Nessa.

"That's the least I can do."

''Yes, thank you. Mommy will be happy with my new shoes. When am I going to see mommy again?"

''Monday. You must stay with us today and tomorrow."

''Why?''

''The spell will be broken on Monday."

Elphie's eyes widen. "I can't wait for Monday. Do you already know what I did wrong?"

"You didn't do anything wrong." Nessa says before Glinda can say anything. "I'm glad I got to know you."

Elphie smiles from ear to ear. 'I like you too. But I want mine mommy."

Nessa squeezes Elphie's hand. "We understand that."

Glinda starts to say something, but Nessa holds her hand up. "Through this conversation, I feel like I'm getting to know my mother. That is worth a lot to me. After Fiyero and Boq took me to my room, Boq stayed to talk to me. He mainly talked about the past. We told stories when we were kids. He explained to me why we should allow Elphaba that time too. We are not back in a relationship yet. But I've had time to think a lot."

Glinda nods.

''After the situation in my room I can place everything better. I still don't feel happy, but I am. I don't know less jealous, bitter towards Elphaba.'' Nessa gets tears in her eyes.

Glinda gives a handkerchief to Elphie, who looks concerned at Nessa and looks lost, not knowing what to do.

"Thank you," says Nessa in a broken voice. "You've helped me get to know my mom a little better.

"Don't you know your mom?"

Nessa shakes her head. "My mom passed away when I was born."

"Oooh." Elphie says.

Glinda squeezes Elphie's hand. "Now you say 'Sorry' that's polite." she whispers.

Elphie nods. ''Sorry.''

Nessa smiles. ''Thank you.''

Elphie's face immediately brightens. "When I get home, I can ask mommy if she wants to be your mom too. Then you have a mommy too."

Nessa laughs. "I would love that very much."

Elphie agrees with the compliment and is very proud of her idea. "I need to know your name, so I can tell mommy."

"Nessa Thropp."

Glinda gasps.

Nessa puts her hand over her mouth.

"I'm Elphaba Thropp. We have the same name."

Nessa and Glinda laugh awkwardly. ''What coincidence.''

Elphie nods.

"Oooh look we're back on campus, let's show you the lab."

"Wow, that's cool."

They walk to the building. Elphie stares her eyes out. Several students look confused at the trio but say nothing. Elphie is too much in her own world to notice. Boq comes running. ''Here you are. I can show Elphie some experiments."

Elphie's eyes widen and looks expectantly at Glinda.

"Of course, you can."

Elphie lets go of Glinda's hand and walks with Boq. Elphie watches with full curiosity. She giggles as Boq sticks his tongue out to fasten a balloon over a bottle.

Glinda takes a moment to talk to Nessa.

"Are you okay again?"

Nessa nods. ''I meant what I said. I know I haven't been a good sport about everything. I've behaved badly towards Elphaba, but I don't know. This opens my eyes. Boq told me to look at it differently. It's not easy, but maybe it will help me."

Glinda nods. ''I know what you mean. It's nice to get the chance to get a different role for once."

Nessa looks at Glinda as if only now realizing it. ''Yes, you are right. I want to apologize for everything I said to you."

Glinda raises her hand. "I also have to apologize for hitting you at your birthday party."

Nessa begins to blush. "Maybe I deserved it." There's a pause. "He's good with kids."

They see Boq and Elphie laughing about something. Boq blows up a balloon.

"Maybe you should show him that you are good with kids too."

"Oh no, I can't."

''You just did well with Elphie. She was scared at first, but she became more and more comfortable with you."

''Really?''

Glinda gives her a gentle nudge. "Don't be so insecure. Yes, first I had to hold her hand and on the back wash she wanted to hold your hand. That's moving forward."

"Yeah, now that you mention it. Maybe you're right."

Glinda tosses her hair. ''I am right.''

Nessa rolls her eyes. ''They are call me arrogant.''

''Maybe it's time for me to do some things myself. Boq and Fabula have always done everything for me.'' Nessa says uncertainly.

''You don't have to change everything all at once. But it would be very good."

Nessa looks sad.

"Nessa, like Elphie, you shouldn't take all the blame. Your father spoiled you. He should have cast better roles in your house. Elphie taught me not to assume anything, but if you ask me, your father made some mistakes."

"He did his best," says Nessa haughtily. "He raised me well."

Glinda knows she made a mistake. She says nothing more.

"But maybe he made some mistakes at Elphaba." Nessa tries not to look Glinda in the eye

Glinda looks at Nessa cautiously. ''I agree with that. It must be quite a conversation that you and Boq have had."

"We've had conversations like this before. But only now do I realize what he means. I am another year older.'' says Nessa blushing. ''Fabula is not the only stubborn person in the family.''

''Tell me about it." says Glinda.

Nessa says nothing and starts laughing.

Before Glinda can react, Elphie comes running. "Look, I made a stress ball out of flour, together with Master Boq. I chose the colours myself. Red is mom's favourite colour.''

"Wow how good. It's beautiful. Elphie." says Glinda as she lifts her up.

Elphie wiggles free and shows the ball to Nessa, who also compliments.

''I can't wait until I'm old enough to go to school. Maybe we can all go to school together. I would like that.'' Elphie says cheerfully as she hops out of the building.

The adults all get a new sense of hope. But they don't see anything changing at Elphie yet.

"Why hasn't anyone approached us? whispers Boq.

Glinda tosses her hair. "Let's just say that a lot of people owed me and Fiyero something."

Nessa looks at Glinda in surprise. "What, drastic problems require drastic measures."

Boq shrugs. ''I just like it. Maybe now she longs for her adult time more."

Suddenly Elphie runs away fast.

"Elphie, Elphie." Glinda yells as she runs after Elphie.

Elphie jumps into the arms of Fiyero who is already waiting. "Hey, did you have a nice afternoon?"

Elphie nods. "I made a stress ball and got new shoes. I'm going back to mommy on Monday. I can't wait to tell her everything."

Fiyero raises his eyebrow in surprise and looks at the other.

Glinda takes over Elphie. "Elphaba, I don't want you to just run away. There was a crosswalk. You could have hurt yourself."

Elphie looks surprised. "What is a crosswalk?"

Fiyero tries his best not to laugh.

"That's a place where you have to be very careful because cars can pass by, or cyclists, or horses, or other walkers."

"Or sleeping princes sleeping at the back of the cart."

"They need to put a traffic light there. Green means go and red means stop."

Glinda gives Boq and Fiyero a death glare.

The boys start laughing.

"Let's go inside." Nessa says.

Glinda puts Elphie on the floor and takes her hand. Fiyero opens the door. Elphie throws her head in her neck to look at the building. The others find it an impressive building. They hope it must be overwhelming for a three-year-old.

''Wow, this is more than thousands of books.'' Elphie whispers. "This is bigger than the library in Munchkinland. Can I stay here?"

Glinda bursts into laughter. "The library closes in an hour, but you can come back tomorrow."

''Wow. Now I really want to come to Shiz.'' Elphie claps her hands. She grabs Fiyero's hand and pulls him along. "Let's pick a book. I want to read them all.''

They all listen as Fiyero reads some books. Even Elphie reads a book, which she still recognizes. Sometimes she stutters over a word or has to ask Fiyero what it says. But she can read very well for a three-year-old.

"Seriously, how did you manage that no one addresses us?" asks Boq as they leave the library. There were a few students who were still in the library writing their reports.

Fiyero smiles. "We promised them that they could come to a party next week, where everything would be free if they would leave us alone."

"And that works?"

Fiyero shrugs. ''We know how to convince students. We also know which students would cause a problem. Most are more concerned with their own work.''

"How is it possible that you got kicked out of so many schools? You're pretty smart and organized." Nessa says, impressed.

''Yero, is the smartest boy in the whole world.'' Elphie says enthusiastically, feeling the need to compliment Fiyero.

Fiyero lifts Elphie up and tickles her belly. "Promise me you'll say that when you grow up."

Elphie giggles. ''Promises.''

To meet as few people as possible, they decide to have dinner in Nessa's room. This is the closest to the cafeteria. They give Elphie some crayons and paper. Nessa promises to take good care of Elphie while the other goes to get the food.

While eating, they laugh about the stories everyone tells. Elphie is having the time of her life. Nessa secretly takes some pictures.

"It's time to go to bed," says Fiyero as he puts the plates on the tray.

Elphie pout. "But I'm not tired. I want to finish the drawing."

"We are going to clean everything up. You can still finish your drawing. Then we go.'' says Glinda in a tone in which no discussion is possible.

Elphie doesn't look happy, but nods. She knows this is all she gets. She rushes to Nessa's desk. She quickly finishes her drawings.

The others talk about the next day to give Elphie some time. "How early do we have to be at the station tomorrow?"

"We leave at 9 o'clock." says Fiyero with a painful face. ''I know, it's way too early for a Sunday morning but it was the only time where they still had places for a private cabin. Fortunately, we do have breakfast during the trip."

"How long will the journey take?" Glinda asks.

"Just under two hours."

"I'll be with you at 8 o'clock to help you." Boq says to Nessa.

Nessa shakes her head. "I'm going to do everything myself."

Glinda smiles approvingly while Boq looks doubtful.

"Really, it will be fine." Nessa says to convince Boq.

"I know, I'm just surprised."

"This experience will change us all."

''What are we going to do in the city?'' Glinda asks Fiyero.

"I don't know, I arranged my parents' apartment. So, we have a place to rest if needed. Do you know what Elphie really wants to see?"

"We can go to the palace, to the park and have an ice cream."

The others nod.

"We shouldn't overdo it either. The child is only three. She must be dead tired.'' Glinda continues.

"Indeed, and we have to convince her that she will do this with us later. She must desire for adult life.'' Nessa says, to repeat the reason.

''What is desire?'' asks Elphie who has joined the group in the meantime.

"Uhm, that's what you really want." Glinda explains with a blushing face.

"Ooh okay." She looks shyly at the ground.

"Do you want to say something?"

Elphie nods. Without saying anything, she hands everyone a piece of paper on which she has working on. She quickly gets behind Glinda's legs and hides her face. They all see different coloured sticky people. Two are brown, but one is a lot smaller than the other. They can see who Nessa, Glinda, Elphie, Fiyero and Boq are.

Glinda puts her arm around Elphie. "That's very nice sweetheart. Thank you." She gives Elphie a kiss on her cheek.

''Very nicely made.'' Boq and Fiyero say, both embracing Elphie and giving a kiss on the cheek.

Boq lifts Elphie onto Nessa's lap. Nessa gives Elphie a long hug and a pat on her temple. "I'll put it by my bedside table so I can take another good look at it."

Elphie nods proudly.

Everyone says goodbye to each other. Glinda takes Elphie to their room.