She was watching her again. Elphaba could feel Glinda's eyes on her as the two sat in the carriage that was currently transporting them to the Emerald City. Elphaba looked out the window at the passing scenery, but the hairs on the back of her neck were standing up. Glinda was still staring at her. Why? What was it about her that drew the blonde's attention so? Elphaba began to fear that something was wrong with her clothes maybe. Was there a hole somewhere? Was there some spot that had managed to elude her eyes? Finally, Elphaba couldn't take it anymore.
"Stop staring at me," she said defensively, turning to face her companion. Glinda looked surprised. "If there's something wrong, tell me. Unless you prefer to let me humiliate myself by going about with something horribly wrong."
"There's nothing wrong."
"Then stop staring." Elphaba turned away and pulled the brim of her hat down lower. There was silence in the carriage for a few minutes and Elphaba was starting to become unnerved. She whipped back around.
"I can't take this anymore!"
"Why, Miss Elphaba, I haven't even said anything. Really, there's no reason for you to get so defensive."
"I am not getting defensive! I just don't like the way you're looking at me!" At this, Glinda raised an eyebrow, but if she was being mocking or was just simply curious, Elphaba couldn't tell.
"And what way would that be, Elphie?"
"It feels like every time you look at me, you're mentally undressing me."
"Why, Miss Elphaba! What a thing to say! Honestly!" Glinda exclaimed, her hands flying to her face.
"Well, that's how I feel!"
"For you to even think that I could- well, I just- what a thing to say!" Glinda repeated, obviously at a loss for words. She turned away and looked out the window, partially to hide her blushing face from Elphaba. There were a few more minutes of silence. Elphaba sheepishly looked at her feet, which were clad in the same heavy boots as usual. She pushed her glasses back up her nose as they started to slide down.
"Sorry." she finally mumbled.
"I accept your apology." Glinda said. The fan had made its way to her hand and she had it open now, fanning herself for no real reason at all. She supposed she did it to keep her hands busy and the keep her gaze off of the green girl sitting beside her. Sweet Lurline, was she really that obvious? She had always thought herself discreet, only sneaking glances when she was sure her friend wasn't looking.
"Besides, Miss Elphaba, I don't even know how to look at someone… that way." she said in her defense, trying to compose herself.
"Yes, you do. It's like this." Elphaba put her chin in her hand and stared at Glinda, her eyes moving up and down her body occasionally. Glinda felt her face growing hot and pulled her shawl closer to her body, hiding herself.
"Oh, Elphie, you terrible thing, you stop that right now."
"See? You don't like it either."
"Well, of course I don't like it, but you oughtn't assume that-"
"I'm not assuming anything. I'm pointing out a fact." Glinda looked away again, indicating that their conversation was over. The rest of the carriage ride was in silence, with both girls too embarrassed to look at, let alone speak to each other. When carriage stopped to let them off, Elphaba got out first. She took Glinda's hand and helped her down from the carriage before taking their luggage and starting for the inn. But after a few steps, she stopped and turned around, looking at Glinda with a smile that seemed almost devilish.
"And just to save you the trouble, Miss Glinda, I am green all the way through. Keep that in mind next time you experience one of your… fantasies."
Glinda could only stare at the green girl, mouth slightly agape, as Elphaba turned and started walking again, her job completed.