Galinda runs through the woods. She is glad that the university only has a forest on one side. The disadvantage is that the forest is much too big. She tries to listen well and take in her surroundings. She has to find Elphaba and the person who is with her. She suspects that it is Fiyero, from the voices. She is glad that Elphaba took the bags, otherwise Galinda would have had no idea where to look. Galinda is angry with herself for choosing to break into Madame Morrible's this morning. But on the other hand, she could not have known that Elphaba would become so emotional. 'Yes, you should have known.' says a voice in her head, 'You know Elphaba reacts when it concerns people she cares about.' Galinda feels her heart in her throat, she has to keep moving to find Elphaba, later she can be angry about her own choices. Fortunately, her parents are not aware yet and she wants to keep it that way, she does not want any more criticism. She's almost done with this mission.
XXX Earlier that day. XXX
Elphaba walks out the door. She doesn't believe that Galinda is sick, but she has no choice. In contrast, Galinda herself has said that she must leave. Yet Elphaba is gnawing at a sense of guilt. She wants to turn around and take care of Galindat, but a voice in her head stops her. Her exam is more important than her suspicion of Galinda. Besides, she can now question Fiyero undisturbed.
She walks to the cafeteria where she has a light breakfast. She doesn't see Nessa and the others. She eats as quickly as possible and ignores the whispers of her fellow students who are still speculating about what happened three evenings ago. She arrives first in the classroom. She sits down and starts packing her bag. Slowly, other students start coming in. With five minutes to spare, Fiyero sits down next to her.
"Hey, how's it going?"
Elphaba looks around. "Good, how about you?"
Fiyero nods. "Nervous."
Elphaba looks at him questioningly.
"For the exam," he quickly adds.
Elphaba nods. "It'll be fine. I can always help you with the resit"
Fiyero nods gratefully.
"About last Friday," Elphaba whispers.
Fiyero immediately looks serious.
"What happened?"
He looks confused. "Didn't Galinda tell you?"
"She did, but I'd like to hear the story from two perspectives."
Fiyero nods. "I don't know much. I just saw a man on top of Galinda. The rest were unconscious. Galinda hit the last one with an empty bottle, and then he was out too. Galinda says you took care of the rest."
Elphaba nods understandingly. "But where were the men?"
Fiyero rubs his hair. "No idea. Why?"
"Some parts of the story don't add up. My magic isn't that strong, and I don't remember using that much magic."
Fiyero shrugs. "Why would she lie?"
"No idea."
''Maybe you're more capable than you think in a panic situation.'' Fiyero suggests cautiously. He has to help Glinda a little, after everything he's seen and heard, he wants Galinda to have an easy mission and Elphaba can't get Wicked, although he has no idea how that's possible.
Elphaba looks at him confused. ''I only use my magic in panic situations.''
Fiyero rubs the back of his neck. ''I have no idea.''
There's a pause. "But um, anyway, thank you for saving us," Elphaba says, blushing. "It was very brave of you."
Fiyero smiles. "You're the one risking her life for a stranger. We should thank you," he says, tucking a strand of Elphaba's hair behind her ear. His hand lingers on Elphaba's cheek. ''But please don't ever do it again. I was scared to death, and you are worth way too much.''
Elphaba leans in. She's never felt so warm. She feels this way with Galinda too. But it also feels different. His hands are rougher, his eyes a different shade of blue.
"Don't you think Doctor Dillamond is very late?" Boq suddenly asks.
They look up startled. Fiyero withdraws his hand. They see that the professor is already ten minutes late. Elphaba looks around in surprise. "That's unlike him. Could something have happened?" She tries to regain control of her heart.
The boys shrug. Before Fiyero can say anything, Doctor Dillamond arrives panting.
"Class, please take your seats quickly; there's much to cover in little time. You must never forget that you can speak for the minority. I have great hopes for many of you. I want to thank you for the beautiful essays and sharing a few to lunchbreaks with you," says Doctor Dillamond, making eye contact with Elphaba for a moment.
Elphaba remembers their shared lunch at the beginning of the school year. She wanted to escape the crowds a few times. Doctor Dillamond provided a safe space to talk. She hadn't done it in a long time, but she found it very valuable. During the speech, Elphaba feels a mix of emotions. Confusion, unrest, fear.
Two men enter with Madame Morrible on their heels. "I'm sorry, Doctor Dillamond. I tried to stop them," says Madame Morrible with feigned sincerity. "But it's the new legislation."
"Come along, goat," says one of the men condescendingly.
"Doctor Dillamond," shouts Elphaba as she stands up.
"Don't forget, my dear students. Never stop speaking," shouts Doctor Dillamond as he is led away by the men.
Elphaba wants to run after him, but Madame Morrible stops her. "We need to do something. We can't just sit here and do nothing," she says in panic. She turns around and sees everyone staring blankly ahead, except for Fiyero and Boq, whose eyes look concerned. "Come on, guys, we need to do something," Elphaba tries to motivate everyone.
"Miss Elphaba, we can't do anything. Go back to your seat now. I'll call the new teacher," Madame Morrible says, her gaze lingering on Elphaba, who hasn't registered what happened yet.
A cheerful man enters with a large cart. "Good morning, class. Today, we're going to talk about silencing the Animals. There are several great inventions."
The entire class holds their breath as the professor unveils what's on the cart. A young lion is trembling in a cage. Madame Morrible looks pleased. She surveys the class and is surprised to see that Galinda isn't there. "If it's so good for him, why is he trembling?" she hears Elphaba shout. Her tone is full of panic. Madame Morrible is about to intervene to quiet the panicking green girl, but she is intercepted by Fiyero.
"Oh, that's just enthusiasm," says Professor Nikidik as he taps on the cage.
Elphaba shakes her head. "No," she feels her anger bubbling up. "We need to do something." She throws her arms up. She feels the energy flowing out through her fingers. She feels calmer, but the whole class starts making strange movements. They seem to be in a trance.
Everyone including the teachers seem completely out of it. ''Sweet Oz.'' Elphaba whispers as she looks down at her hands.
"What did you do?" Fiyero asks, shocked.
"I don't know. I got mad," she says, still startled. "We had to do something."
Fiyero rolls his eyes. He dodges the dancing people and grabs the cage, his bag, and Elphaba's bag. "We need to go, and don't be mad at me." He walks past Elphaba, who is still standing there. He takes her hand. "Come on, we need to go." He starts pulling her along.
They run across the campus. They hear various people shouting, but they keep running. They run into the forest. "Don't shake it so much," Elphaba pants.
Fiyero turns around irritably. "I know."
"This place in the middle of the forest is a good spot," Elphaba says, bending over.
Fiyero has also stopped running. "Are you sure?" he pants.
Elphaba nods. "How's he doing?" She steps closer to take the cage from Fiyero. "You didn't shake him too much, did you?"
Fiyero rolls his eyes as he hands the cage to Elphaba. "You really don't trust me, do you?"
"Of course," Elphaba is completely focused on the cage and checks the young animal for any injuries. Her feelings and thoughts are so mixed up right now that she can only concentrate on the animal. That's easier. "The poor thing must be so scared. We have to do something," she says, still checking the animal.
"Okay, we'll take care of him." Fiyero kneels down beside her, setting his bags off his shoulders.
''Do you know how to take care of an animal?''
Fiyero laughs sheepishly. ''Not really.''
Elphaba sighs. She first tries to lure the Lion out of his cage, but the Animal is too scared. She carefully picks him up. The Lion tries to free himself. Elphaba doesn't seem to notice the scratches on her hand. ''Easy little one, we're going to see if you're bleeding anywhere.'' she says in a very soft and calm tone.
Fiyero quickly looks along, but doesn't see a wound anywhere. ''He seems to move everything well. So, I think he hasn't a broken bone.''
Elphaba nods, but she is not reassured. ''I don't feel a wound anywhere.''
''That's good, right?''
Elphaba nods. ''I think so.'' Elphaba carefully puts the Lion back in his cage.
"What just happened?" he asks softly, taking Elphaba's hands. Fiyero looks at the scratches on Elphaba's hand, but they are not deep. They are no longer bleeding.
Elphaba's throat suddenly feels dry. "I, um, I got angry."
Fiyero smiles. "Yes, but why am I the only one who wasn't affected or something?" he asks softly, leaning closer.
Elphaba can only stare into Fiyero's eyes. "You're bleeding a little. Maybe it scratched you or something." She also leans in slowly.
Fiyero nods. "It scratched me or something."
Suddenly, the lion starts to growl. He senses someone nearby.
Fiyero and Elphaba both jump up.
"I'll go further into the forest with him," Elphaba says, picking up the cage. "Maybe somewhere more open or sheltered," she looks around.
Fiyero rubs his neck. "Yeah, maybe I should come along."
"No, no. If we split up, we'll attract less attention," Elphaba says, wanting to be alone with her thoughts. She needs to understand what just happened.
"Yes, that's true."
"Maybe you could check on the students. I hope the magic has stopped," Elphaba suggests.
Fiyero looks relieved, having something to distract him. "Yes, that's a good idea. I'll go right away," he walks off. After a few moments, he turns around and heads in the opposite direction.
Elphaba smiles. Once he's out of sight, she sets the cage back down and squats beside it. "Oh, little one, what's happening?" she whispers. "All these feelings are new to me. Friendship with Galinda is so beautiful already, but a relationship with Fiyero? I don't know if I can handle that. What should I do?"
"What about telling me what happened?" a voice suddenly sounds behind her.
She looks startled and stands up. "Sweet Oz, Galinda. You scared me. How did you find me?"
Glinda shrugs. "I searched until I found you." She was still panting a little, but she quickly got her breathing under control
"How do you know I ran into the woods?"
Glinda starts laughing. "Come on, Elphie. You're the number one topic on campus again. Everyone's talking about what you did. Most think you're a wicked witch who turned her whole class."
Elphaba laughs sharply. "Let them think that. I need to focus on this little one." She kneels back down by the cage and sticks her finger in to play with the lion.
Glinda starts to feel angry again. Maybe it's because she witnessed everything that just happened between Fiyero and Elphaba—how they leaned closer, how foolish they sounded talking to each other. Maybe it's also because she's hurt, but she doesn't want to think about that. She takes a few big steps, lowers herself down, and grabs Elphaba's hand that was just holding Fiyero's. Glinda is startled by the scratches, but she quickly sees that it is not serious. She suspects that the Lion did it, although she does not know why.
Elphaba looks speechless at her hands. See, this feels very different. Very enchanting, says a voice in her head. Look at those eyes, says another voice. Elphaba sees two angry but also hurtful eyes. They seem to be in conflict with everything going on inside Glinda. Elphaba's throat feels even drier than before.
"Let them think that?! Elphie, everything you've worked so hard for is gone."
Elphaba looks puzzled. "What are you talking about?" She pulls her hands back and stands up. Glinda follows suit.
"Your reputation. Do you really want everyone to think poorly of you? Elphie, you do so many good things. But no one sees it because they think you're wicked."
"Wicked? Who thinks I'm wicked?" Elphaba challenges Glinda.
Glinda swallows. She used the wrong words. "The students think you're bad, Elphie. Does that not bother you at all?"
Elphaba swallows. Yes, it bothers her. But she's convinced herself for years that she shouldn't care. "It doesn't bother me at all. Is it my problem what other people think? I just want to do good. If other people don't see that, that's their problem." She's never felt so vulnerable.
Glinda growls in frustration. "Are you really that...that stupid? So blind?" Glinda shouts.
Elphaba raises her eyebrow. She doesn't like being called stupid, but she's too stunned to respond.
Before Elphaba can say anything, Glinda continues. "You're the biggest liar in all of Oz. You act like all those remarks don't affect you, but deep down, you're dying. You want nothing more than to fit in. But you're too stubborn to change yourself. Other people should change instead. Well, Miss Smarty, no one's going to change if you don't. So get your head out of your ass and behave the way society wants. You'll go much further in life and won't end up as a Wicked Witch hated by society, all because you want to do good. Which no one sees as doing something good, because it goes against society."
Elphaba wants to respond, but she's too stunned to react. She stands up and runs away.
Glinda is left alone. She kicks the loose sand in frustration. "Well done, Glinda," Glinda says to herself. "You can't control your tongue. You just had to shout out your frustration. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Just like you did with Nessa. I hope Elphaba forgives me as quickly as Nessa did." Glinda collapses by the cage. The lion starts purring. Glinda sighs. "Life was so much easier without these feelings. I wish I were still an assistant. Maybe I should back off. It will be better for the mission. I need to think about Elphaba now and not myself. The customer is king. Or in this case The customer is the Wizard"
Glinda takes the lion and the bags and looks for a good spot. She searches for berries for the lion to eat and luckily catches a small rabbit. She feeds the lion and walks away. Galinda is a little proud that she hasn't forgotten her hunting skills.
By late afternoon, Glinda returns. She goes to Fiyero's room to return his bag.
Fiyero opens the door. "Galinda, how can I help you?" he asks, blocking the doorway with his body.
"Elphie left your bag behind, so I'm returning it," Glinda explains.
Fiyero looks surprised. "I don't understand."
Glinda laughs. "I don't understand anymore either. One moment we're best friends, the next moment we're nothing."
Fiyero looks concerned and puts his hand on Glinda's shoulder. "Hey, whatever happened, your friendship will endure."
Glinda shrugs. She doesn't know what's going on anymore. "What happened in history class anyway?"
Fiyero shrugs. "Professor Dillamond got fired and taken away by a bunch of cops? I think. Elphaba didn't take it lightly. A new professor came in, mistreated a small lion. Elphaba got angry, of course. Her magic put everyone in some kind of trance, which they're out of now, but Madame Morrible is not happy. She was apparently one of the longest in Elphaba's spell. We ran off. The rest, I don't know."
Suddenly, Fiyero looks lost. Glinda embraces him. Over his shoulder, she sees various papers and equipment.
She smiles. "Are you working hard on your essay?"
Fiyero looks confused. He turns around and starts blushing. "Oh, yeah, let's leave it at that. I need to get back to it," he says hastily.
Glinda looks surprised, but she has no more space to think about it. She turns around and goes back to her room. She wasn't surprised that Elphaba hadn't returned yet. She has just changed and freshened up when there's a loud knock on her door. Glinda opens the door to a very angry Madame Morrible.
"Aaah, there's Miss Galinda. You can come with me," Madame Morrible says with a friendly face, but her tone is anything but friendly
Glinda looks confused. "I'd rather stay in my room for a bit."
Madame Morrible gives her a furious look. "YOU will come with me now."
Glinda swallows. She quickly puts on her shoes and follows Madame Morrible. If she had less confidence, she would have been very scared.
Madame Morrible closes her office door behind Galinda. "Sit down."
Glinda does as she's asked. She sees it as a chance to find out more from Madame Morrible.
"Where is your roommate?"
"No idea," Glinda answers truthfully. "I haven't seen her since this morning."
"You know what happened?"
Glinda nods.
"Then you also know the importance of finding Elphaba as soon as possible. So, I'll ask again. Where is she?"
"I don't know. And who says it's Elphaba who did it?"
Madame Morrible starts laughing. "Who else? You?"
Glinda raises her eyebrow.
Madame Morrible laughs harder. They stare at each other for a long moment.
"Why are you so interested in her?" Glinda breaks the silence.
"I'm always interested in the well-being of my students," Madame Morrible says seriously.
Glinda laughs hoarsely. "Yes, we've noticed. You put her in a room with me without asking. You pay no attention to me during my classes. You give Elphaba so much homework she can hardly have a social life. You care so little about Nessa that her boyfriend and sister have to help her with her needs. You make sure the best professor is fired. Tell me, Madame, how's that looking out for your students?"
"I can't manage everything. Sometimes I have to make choices. I have much more hope for Elphaba's career than yours."
"I think you're after her powers. Tell me, Madame, who's stronger, you or Elphaba?" Glinda adopts an attacking stance, leaning forward. If Madame Morrible thinks she can hurt her with those remarks, she can do the same. Then something clicks in Glinda what Fiyero said, . ''Wait a minute, you're jealous and angry that Elphaba took you along in her outburst. You didn't think you would be such an easy target for Elphaba.''
Madame Morrible's smile fades. ''You think I care, that a low-level green bean can get me in a flurry of emotions?'' she hisses dangerously.
Glinda looks satisfied. ''Yes, I think so.''
Madame Morrible remains silent for a moment to get her emotions under control. She grins. "Are you jealous of her powers?"
Galinda leans back. "Not me, you?"
"I don't think we're here to interrogate me."
"Do you want to interrogate me?"
"If you let me finish, you'd have known that I wanted to punish you."
Glinda squints. "Why?"
Madame Morrible smiles viciously. "Let's start with skipping classes all day. Or do you also want to be punished for all the other crimes, like implying you enchanted the whole class instead of Elphaba. Or any of your other crimes?"
Glinda swallows. Madame Morrible can't know anything about me. I've been very careful, thinks Glinda to reassure herself. She feels panic rising. But on the outside, she remains calm. "I was sick this morning. When I heard from my roommate, I went looking for her, but I couldn't find her anywhere."
"Quite a coincidence that you were sick today," Madame Morrible says in a tone that suggests she finds it very suspicious.
Glinda shrugs. "Yes, I find it very annoying too. Maybe I could have made Elphaba change her mind, or maybe I was in the back of the class casting a spell on everyone." She hopes she can trick Madame Morrible enough with mind tricks to get the truth out.
Madame Morrible slams her hand on the table. "Your tone doesn't suit me at all. Stop this act and tell me where Elphaba is. You can't protect her. I can."
Glinda remains calm. She doesn't believe Madame Morrible's supposed good intentions. "I don't know where Elphaba is."
"I have more power than you think," threatens Madame Morrible.
"Tell me," says Glinda challengingly.
Madame Morrible looks furious. "I hold your future in my hands and I'm not afraid to use it."
"Are you threatening a student?"
"We both know you're not just any student. We both know you came to university with your parents' money. Not on your own merits."
Glinda struggles to hide her relief. Madame Morrible knows nothing about her life. "I feel offended. Tell me, Madame, how can someone like me, without a brain, as you put it, come to such a special university?" Glinda asks with a sly grin.
Madame Morrible is almost boiling with anger. "You're walking on thin ice, girl. If I were you, I'd watch my words."
Glinda keeps looking at her challengingly.
Madame Morrible sighs. "Fine, I've given you enough chances. I'm going to write a letter to your parents about your behavior."
"What behavior are you talking about?" Glinda interrupts.
"Skipping class, using magic without permission, having a disrespectful mouth, and withholding information," Madame Morrible replies.
Glinda laughs. "What unauthorized magic?"
Madame Morrible looks surprised. "But, my dear Galinda, don't you remember what you did in history class? Maybe you're also suffering from memory loss."
Glinda nods slowly. "So you want to play it like this?"
"No, that's how you want to play it. I want you to tell me where Elphaba is. I'll make sure you're separated from her, and you can rebuild your carefree life without that annoying green freak."
Glinda thinks for a moment. "You knew from the start that I would never betray Elphaba. If I didn't know better, I'd almost think you wanted to get rid of me."
"I do want that. I want you away from Elphaba. Ever since you've cared so much about her, she's been less focused on her studies. She needs to concentrate on her studies, not her stupid illusions to give the Animals more rights. With her by my side, the possibilities are endless for her, me, and the..." Morrible stops herself from speaking further. She knows she said too much. "So leave her alone," Madame Morrible says in a mild tone. She starts writing eagerly. "You may go," she says distractedly.
Glinda swallows. She now knows that Madame Morrible wants her gone. Because she led Elphie onto the right path. She needs to inform her parents as soon as possible.
XXXXX
Glinda is relieved that Elphaba hasn't arrived yet. Somewhere, she's also a bit worried since it's almost evening, but currently, there are more important things, like informing her parents about everything. Then this mission will finally be over, and she can go back home.
The phone rings a few times.
"Yes," her father's voice comes from the other end.
"It's Madame Morrible. She has admitted that she wants Elphaba's powers." Glinda tells everything that happened. She keeps her feelings out of the conversation because she doesn't want her parents to start discussing that.
"Glinda, you used a very dangerous method. You could have been discovered."
"Yes, yes, but did you listen?" Glinda insists. "If we tell this to Oscar, he can remove Madame Morrible from the school. Elphaba will be safe again. The problem will be solved. I completed the mission successfully."
Mr. Upland bites his lip. "Do you have more evidence?"
Glinda rolls her eyes. "Let that Wizard look in his crystal ball! If Elphaba still turns out to be bad, then I was wrong. Otherwise, I'm right," she says proudly.
"Quickly, someone is coming," says Mr. Upland, and he hangs up.
Glinda throws her phone under the bed and lies down on her bed.
"Who were you talking to?" Elphaba asks as she enters.
Glinda shrugs.
Elphaba immediately looks away. "Whatever. I'll pack my things and leave."
Glinda sits up straight immediately. This is exactly what Madame Morrible wants; she has to stop it.
"I'll ask if I can sleep somewhere else, and if not, I'll sleep in the hallway. So, you won't have to deal with me anymore," Elphaba continues undisturbed.
"Wait," Glinda jumps up. "I'm sorry. I, um, I, um, I was jealous. I shouldn't have said those things."
Elphaba stares at Glinda and allows herself to be led by Glinda to her bed. "Jealous," Elphaba laughs. "Jealous. The most spoiled and popular girl at Shiz is jealous. Jealous of what?"
Glinda bites her lip. She hadn't thought that far ahead. It was the first thing that came to her mind because it's the truth. She looks shamefully at the ground.
Elphaba shakes her head. "Then you say nothing, Galinda. But I won't be insulted again. You say I'm a liar, but you're one too. You can't even tell the truth to me." She stands up to walk to the door.
"I'm jealous of you and Fiyero," Glinda blurts out, hoping that Elphaba will stay. Elphaba turns around again. She looks expectantly.
Glinda sighs. She hopes her parents aren't watching anymore, but one problem at a time. "I'm jealous of what you have with Fiyero. I'm jealous that you can be so indifferent to what other people think of you."
"I don't have anything with Fiyero."
"But you want to. I saw it in the woods."
"What exactly did you see?" Elphaba sits back down on the bed. Elphaba doesn't know if what Galinda says is completely correct, but it is very close to the truth. It may fit with Galinda's behavior and what she has read about human behavior. Oz, why is this so hard. Why am I not happy with what I have? Elphaba thinks almost desperately.
"You were arguing. Your heads were getting closer. You touched his cheek. You wanted to kiss."
Elphaba laughs. "I thought you didn't want a relationship with Fiyero."
Glinda stomps her feet. "Why is this so difficult? Why isn't it getting through to you?"
"What isn't?" Elphaba asks desperately.
"I'm talking about you. I'm jealous of what Fiyero can do with you!" she shouts. "You seemed so relaxed. You let him do anything to you. With me, you're always on guard. I know you don't completely trust me. Nessa and Boq also talk to me about you. I don't understand what I'm doing wrong. It's frustrating. I want to be friends with you, but how can I do that if you don't trust me? I'm jealous that Fiyero doesn't have to try. I've known you longer than Fiyero has known you and yet you seem more comfortable with him."
It's not a complete lie. This is the closest to the truth and she can still tell her parents that it is about friendship. She knows Elphaba can never read between the lines. She does not want to read between the lines. She shouldn't have feelings for Elphaba. She's talking about friendship. She can always say she is in love with Fiyero. Oz, let my parents believe it's Madame Morrible, then she can't sink any lower than she is now.
Elphaba is completely silent. She sees tears rolling down Glinda's cheeks. "How long have you been carrying this around?"
"Since the Oz-dust. I put my popularity on the line. I was honest with you, and then you weren't completely honest with me. Since then, I feel like you don't completely trust me." Glinda isn't completely stupid either. She knows for a reason that Elphaba is more on guard than she is with Fiyero. She also thinks that Elphaba has every right to be, but of course Elphaba can't know that. So, a dramatic situation calls for drastic measures.
''But, but you acted so differently, I don't get it?'' Elphaba says wildly. She thinks back to everything that has happened the past few weeks. Could it be that Glinda... Elphaba thinks shocked
''Ever thought that I acted like this to gain your trust? Because everything I do never seems to be enough. You always look at me, like you don't trust me and that hurts.'' Glinda says as if she can read Elphaba's mind. She feels guilty for giving Elphaba so many emotional problems. She can't imagine that Elphaba will be happy from this conversation.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" How could I be so stupid, could that really be the reason? I was so careful, but Galinda had seen through me all this time? Elphaba thinks, shocked. Maybe I'm not such a good friend after all, because I hurt her unintentionally. Or...
"Because I was scared. Or still am. I'm afraid of losing you. But now it doesn't matter anymore because you're leaving. So just go." In all honesty, I'm afraid of losing everything I've built here, my friendships, my freedoms, Glinda thinks sadly, but she can't say that now.
Elphaba remains seated. "I don't understand." How can Glinda say this, what can I trust? Nessa, Fiyero and Boq trust Galinda. My life has become so much better since I became friends with her. Yes, Galinda talks a lot and in her eyes they are big secrets. But I have trusted my instincts my whole life, why would that lie now. But this is my chance at happiness, why would I ruin it. Haunts Elphaba, head. She can't take it anymore. She sees and feels too much conflicting information, something breaks inside her.
Glinda looks angry with tear-filled eyes. "What don't you understand?"
"Everything!" Elphaba suddenly exclaims angrily. "My whole life, except for the time with my mother, I have known no love. My father neglects me, and I always thought I deserved it. I don't deserve anyone's love. Because of me, Nessa is bound to her wheelchair, my mother died because of me."
Glinda gasps for breath. She needs a hug, Glinda thinks sympathetically.
"First, I was happy with everyone's hatred towards me. I knew how to deal with that. But these new feelings. I'm appreciated by the professors, greeted by fellow students, seen as a worthy person, and all because of you. I'm expected to tell my whole life to everyone just like that. But I can't. I haven't learned how. I'm trying so hard, and it's not enough." Now tears are flowing down Elphaba's cheeks.
Glinda embraces Elphaba. "No," Elphaba screams. She tries to break free, but Glinda holds her tight. "You're safe and you're appreciated." They fall down on the floor.
Elphaba starts crying uncontrollably. "I don't understand. I don't understand," she says over and over. "I didn't understand why you risked your life for me a few days ago. I don't understand why you risked your popularity for me. Things are much more important than I am," she sniffles, not realizing what she's saying.
"You're wrong about that, my dear Elphie. You're worth much more than those things. Our friendship is worth much more. I won't give up so easily."
Elphaba nods and buries her face in Glinda's clothes. Glinda rubs Elphaba's back until she's calmed down a bit.
I think we have a lot to discuss. Let's start with the fact that you think your sister is in the wheelchair? How?
Elphaba's eyes are red and swollen from crying. "Please." She doesn't go any further.
Glinda nods. ''Maybe it's a conversation for later. I'll get us some food."
Elphaba is grateful for the time alone, she can process everything that has happened. Maybe she should put her instincts aside and believe what she sees. She's letting Galinda take care of her right now, her legs feel so weak.
She guides Elphaba back to her bed and heads to the cafeteria. She hears her mother in her ear. She tries to ignore the lecture, but she knows her parents aren't happy with her right now.
XXXX
"What is she doing, darling?" Mrs. Upland asks anxiously as she watches her daughter arguing with her friend.
"I don't know. But she's ignoring all the advice we give her. This isn't good at all."
"Oh dear. You were right. This mission is too difficult for her. She can't handle it. She's getting too personally involved. We need to take her out."
"But how? We have a contract with the Wizard," Mr. Upland asks desperately as they listen to Glinda. "Is she declaring love now?" he asks, startled.
"I don't know. But I don't think Elphaba knows either, look."
"Do you think Glinda will last a few more weeks until the parent contact moment?" Mr. Upland asks.
"I hope so, because pulling her out of university abruptly will raise more questions," Mrs. Upland replies helplessly, watching her daughter solve her problems. "She's leaving. I'll talk to her."
Mr. Upland nods. "I'll contact Oscar for a precise time. Then we'll only focus on helping our daughter."
Mrs. Upland nods and kisses her husband.
"Or you give her some space," says the butler.
Mr. and Mrs. Upland look surprised at their loyal helper.
"Miss Glinda is a smart and creative girl. She's learned everything from the best spies in Oz. But she'll make mistakes she needs to learn from herself. This is a safe environment because the only danger is Madame Morrible. This is a very different mission than simply tracking and eliminating the suspect or passing the information on to the other party. Let her learn," says the normally quiet butler. "Oh yes, Mr. Upland, the next client's employer is on the phone; he has a new task and wants to pay double for it." The butler bows and leaves the room.
Mr. and Mrs. Upland look at each other in surprise. "Could he be right?" Mr. Upland asks.
"He spent more time with her than we did in her youth. Maybe, but for now, my instinct tells me I need to get involved," Mrs. Upland says.
Mr. Upland nods. "Then we'll do it our way now."
They kiss each other and say goodbye.
XXXX
A/N Okay, it's become a bit bigger chapter than I had in mind. Sorry for the wait. Let me know what you think.