I know, I know. You don't even have to say it. Please don't be mad at me. When inspiration knocks, you've got to open the door.

Eighteen year old Elphaba sat on her bed, her fingers gliding over the braille of her book. A content smile graced her lips as she felt the warm sun shinning on her face, though her eyes didn't allow any light to travel through.

"Fabala!" a voice called from down the hall. Sighing, Elphaba closed her eyes and tried to block out the voice, but to no avail. "Fabala!"

"Yes?" Elphaba muttered, trying to keep the edge out of her voice. She looked up as the sound of wheels drew closer and closer until they stopped in the doorway. Turning towards the sound, Elphaba forced a small smile onto her lips. "Is there something I can help you with, Nessie?"

"Father wants to know if you're ready," Nessa said, wheeling into the room.

Putting the book aside and standing up, Elphaba reached down and grabbed the handle of her suitcase. "I'm ready."

Nessa sat up straight, examining her sister. She was wearing a short-sleeved navy blue dress that flowed down just past her knees. Brown boots covered her feet and her hair was in a simple braid down her back.

"Is there something wrong?" Elphaba asked, feeling her younger sister's eyes scanning her over.

"Is that how you're wearing your hair?" Nessa asked bluntly.

Elphaba's hand rose and fixed her braid so it was handing down her shoulder. "My hair is fine."

"Fabala, we're going to Shiz University. Only the best in Oz go there."

"And yet, they accepted me."

"Don't be like that!"

"Like what?"

Nessa sighed. She really wasn't in the mood for arguing with her sister at the moment. "It's just that, your hair… it looks…"

"You know I never cared about looks," Elphaba snapped. Her sister's silence told her that her statement probably came out harsher than she had originally intended. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

"No, I'm sorry," Nessa whispered. "Father's waiting outside. We should probably go."

Nodding, Elphaba slowly walked over to her desk and grabbed her cane. Unfolding it, she made her way back to the doorway, her white cane sliding back and forth against the carpet, making sure the path in front of her was clear. Smiling, Nessa followed her sister out the door.

As soon as she stepped outside, Elphaba smiled, feeling the warmth of the sun on her face.

"May I take your suitcase, Miss Elphaba?" a voice interrupted her.

"Yes. Thank you, Araku," Elphaba smiled, handing her suitcase to their driver.

"Fabala," a calm, gentle voice said. Elphaba looked up as footsteps approached her from her left. A few seconds later, she felt a gentle hand on her arm. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, Father," Elphaba said, slowly turning towards her father, Frex. "I'm fine."

Frex nodded as he brushed strands of hair away from Elphaba's face. "Are you scared?"

"No," Elphaba lied. In fact, she was downright terrified. And she had every right to be. This was her first time leaving Munchkinland. Actually, it was her first time leaving the grounds of the Governor's Mansion. Her father had made sure she was protected within the walls of the mansion at all times, due to her total blindness. Elphaba gripped the handle of her cane tighter, trying to keep her poker face.

Nodding, Frex gently took her arm and guided her to the carriage. Nessa was already seated inside. After Elphaba climbed inside, folding her cane as she sat down, Frex climbed in, signaling for Araku to go. A crack of the whip and the carriage sped away from the Governor's mansion towards Shiz.

Elphaba's hands remained neatly folded in her lap the entire trip, her sightless eyes staring straight in front of her. Nessa looked out the window at the passing scenery, smiling as she viewed the beautiful country side. Frex sat beside his eldest daughter, occasionally sending her worried glances. The carriage came to a halt after a long four hour drive. Nessa looked out the window and smiled.

"We're here!" she exclaimed, squeezing Elphaba's hand.

"So I've gathered," Elphaba deadpanned.

Nessa frowned at her sister's lack of excitement, though she didn't know what she was expecting. Elphaba was probably terrified and this was her way of trying not to show it. Frex got out first and helped Nessa.

"Miss Elphaba?" Araku asked, waiting to assist the governor's eldest daughter out of the carriage.

Elphaba snapped out of her gaze and stretched her hand out to Araku. She felt the driver take her hand and she allowed him to help her out.

"Thank you," Elphaba whispered, unfolding her cane.

"My pleasure, Miss," Araku smiled, nodding as he went to retrieve the luggage. He handed Elphaba her suitcase, who took it gratefully. Frex helped Nessa into her wheelchair and stepped beside Elphaba.

"Come, Fabala," he whispered, pushing Nessa forward. Elphaba obediently followed, her cane sliding across the rigid path. After leading them through the gate, Frex said his goodbyes.

"But before I go, a parting gift." Kneeling down next to Nessa, Frex pulled out a box and held it out to his youngest daughter.

"Father," Nessa blushed, opening up the box and pulling out the most splendid pair of jeweled shoes she had ever seen. "Oh, jeweled shoes! Thank you!"

"You're welcome, my precious Nessarose," Frex smiled, kissing the top of her head.

Nessa giggled as she examined the shoes, giggling at how pretty they were and how beautiful they would look on her feet.

"Elphaba," Frex said, standing up. He pulled out a large book and handed it to her. Elphaba's fingers traced over the braille and smiled. The Oziad. She had always wanted to read this book, but braille copies were extremely rare and hard to get, and the last thing she wanted was for someone to read it out loud to her as if she were a small, helpless child. "Thank you, Father."

Nodding, Frex gave his eldest a hug. "I'll miss you," Elphaba whispered.

"I'll miss you, too, Fabala," Frex whispered. He knelt down and gave Nessa a final hug. "As well as you, my precious Nessarose."

"Goodbye, Father," Nessa whispered, watching her father leave. Her gaze turned back to the shoes in her lap.

Elphaba walked towards her sister and found the back of her wheelchair. "I bet they're pretty," the green girl said gently.

"They're the most beautiful pair of shoes I've ever seen," Nessa smiled, holding them up into the sunlight. "They sparkle in the light and create this beautiful rainbow of colors that…" Nessa trailed off as she realized what she was saying and who she was talking to. She turned around and saw Elphaba fighting the sad expression slowly making it's way onto her face. "Fabala, I…"

"No, it's okay," Elphaba said, her grip on the handle of her cane so tight, her knuckles were paling.

"Elphaba, you know I didn't mean –"

"It's fine," Elphaba said, holding up her hand to silence her. "Please."

"Faba-"

"Nessie, you know I'm too old for pity. I'm fine, really," Elphaba tried to reassure her.

"Alright," Nessa said, though not buying her sister's argument. Elphaba gave her a grateful smile and made her way to where she heard all the other new students gathering.

"Welcome, new students! I am Madame Morrible, head Shiztress here at Shiz University," the headmistress said, adjusting her glasses to read the room assignments.

Elphaba tuned out as Madame Morrible called out numerous names. She could feel the other students' eyes on her, and it really bothered her. Her grip around her cane tightened as their whispers floated to her ears.

"Who is that?"

"Why does she have that cane?"

"Is she blind?"

"Her skin is as green as grass."

"Elphaba and Nessarose Thropp, are you here?"

Elphaba looked up. That last voice wasn't a whisper. "Here, Madame," Nessa said, wheeling forward. Elphaba grabbed the back of Nessa's chair and followed her forward.

"Ah yes. Miss Nessarose, your father has requested that you share my compartment, where I can assist you as needed."

Nessa nodded and looked up at Elphaba. "What about my sister?"

Elphaba frowned. She was more than capable of speaking up for herself.

"Your father has requested that your sister share a room with a regular roommate."

"Ha!" Elphaba laughed. "Father actually believes I'll be alright on my own without anyone holding my hand. That his poor, helpless, blind daughter will be able to find her way in the world."

"Elphaba," Nessa scolded, warning her sister not to be so crude.

"Miss Elphaba, you will be rooming with Miss Galinda Arduenna Upland of the Upper Uplands from Frottica in the Gillikin," Madame Morrible said, ignoring Elphaba's comment as she slipped the room key into Elphaba's hand.

A girl wearing an all white school uniform with shoulder length curly blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes turned around. She inhaled sharply when she saw who her roommate was going to be. Madame Morrible went over to the blonde and, taking her hand, led her back to Elphaba. Gently taking Elphaba's hand, she placed Elphaba's hand on top of Galinda's. Galinda immediately pulled away. Elphaba frowned. She knew this was going to be a long year already. She heard the blonde walk away and soon heard her whispering, probably to her friends.

"She seems friendly," Elphaba muttered sarcastically.

"Don't pay her any attention," Nessa said, trying to keep her sister's temper under control. "Let's go find our rooms."

Elphaba grabbed the back of the wheelchair as Nessa led her in the direction of Crage Hall.

"I'm down here," Nessa said, quickly finding Madame Morrible's room, which wasn't too difficult, considering it was the only room with double doors.

"I'm upstairs," Elphaba said, reading the card that said 203. Turning, Elphaba used her cane to find the staircase. Finding it, she stepped up, but stopped. "Nessie, h-how many steps are there?"

Nessa wheeled up behind her sister. "About 15 to 20, then there's a little platform and a left turn, then about 15 to 20 more."

Nodding, Elphaba took another step up.

"Will you be alright by yourself?" Nessa asked.

"I can manage," came Elphaba's simple reply as she disappeared up the stairs. She followed the wall to where the dorm rooms were located. Feeling an indent in the wall, she lifted her hand and read the braille label on the door.

214.

Turning, Elphaba walked back down the hallway. Feeling another indent, she stopped.

206.

Taken a few more steps down, Elphaba prayed she had the right room.

203.

Smiling, Elphaba felt for the keyhole in the door. She swiftly slipped the key inside the keyhole, pushed the door open and walked inside. The room smelt clean, a gentle breeze coming in from an opened window. She set her suitcase down next to the doorway and walked around, exploring her new room. Once she got the layout down, she grabbed her suitcase and headed for one of the beds. Choosing the one to the right, she set her suitcase down and began to unpack.

This is it, Elphaba, she told herself. This is your chance to show them that you can be independent. That you're not useless. That you can do things for yourself without anyone's help. That you're not this helpless blind girl that needs constant supervision. She continued to give herself this little inner pep talk until she heard the door open. Stiffening, she waited for whoever it was to reveal themselves. The smell of perfume and the sound of heels was a dead giveaway for Elphaba. It was Miss Galinda.

"Well, don't just stand there," Elphaba said, breaking the silence that had befallen the room.

"What?" she heard her roommate ask.

"Don't just stand there and stare!"

"I…" Galinda looked the green girl up and down, as if sizing her up. Her long raven hair was in a braid down her back. She stood straight and tall, giving her a very regal look. Her chocolate eyes stared off into space, not focusing on anything.

"Well?" Elphaba asked, her harsh voice sending shivers down the blonde's spine. "Are you going to come in or are you going to keep staring at me like I'm a freak of nature?"

Galinda scowled. She didn't like the tone her roommate was using with her. She didn't appreciate being yelled at five seconds after they met. Deciding it would be best to get herself settled in, Galinda grabbed her suitcase and headed for the empty bed. She unpacked rather quickly, considering that fact that she had multiple suitcases of just dresses alone. She looked over and saw Elphaba struggling with her suitcase.

"Do you need any help?" Galinda asked, suddenly pitying the green girl.

Elphaba stiffened and straightened. "No. I'm fine."

Galinda watched in silence as her roommate grabbed a handful of neatly folded skirts and felt her way to her dresser.

"Are you sure?" Galinda asked, slowly approaching her.

Elphaba felt her movements and frowned. "Yes." She moved back to her bed to grab more clothes, but feeling other hands on her clothes stopped her. She quickly slapped Galinda's hands away, causing the petite blonde to shriek.

"What in Oz's name was that for?" she asked.

"I said I don't need any help," Elphaba snapped, grabbing her clothes and putting them away.

"Well, I'm sorry for…"

"What? Sorry? Sorry for what? Sorry that you got roomed with the blind girl and want to help her out of pity?"

"Miss Elphaba…" Galinda began.

"I don't need anyone's help! I wish people would just understand that. I'm not an invalid and refuse to be treated as such!" A strange thing began to happen. The lights flickered on and off. The window opened and closed. Green mist began to swirl around the room, terrifying the blonde.

"Miss E-Elphaba…"

"Moreover, I wish to be treated like a normal person, which doesn't require someone down my neck every two seconds!" The lamp on the desk fell and shattered into little pieces. Screaming, Galinda ran out of the room, leaving Elphaba alone to try and calm herself down.

How was that, everyone? I value your opinions, good or bad. Just leave a review!