Alright so this is my first try at a Wicked fan fic (or an fan fic for that matter) that's truly AU so please go easy on me until I get the hang of this…I will admit that the basic idea for this came from an AMAZING book series (those of you who can guess it have EXCELLENT taste in reading)…however this story is most definitely NOT a crossover and borrows quite lightly on the series I'm referring to
Enjoy
Galinda was quite shocked to find Elphaba, her cynical, viridian roommate, hunched over a copy of Glitz Magazine in their dorm one night. Curious the blonde inched forward to peer over her friend's shoulder. It appeared that Elphaba wasn't actually reading anything. Instead her expressive, brown eyes skipped from picture to picture, taking in each airbrushed face.
Of course everyone in Glitz Magazine possessed unnaturally gorgeous features; it was made in the Emerald City where sorcerers magicked people into beauty all the time. Outsiders weren't allowed to enter the City unless they had urgent business to attend to, but those that did returned with stories of how every citizen looked like a model.
"Elphie I'm surprised at you," Galinda chirped, startling the green girl half to death. "You never struck me as the type to get absorbed in gossipy magazines." Elphaba glared daggers at her roommate.
"It's quite rude to read over someone's shoulder," she scolded.
"It's also rude to steal a friend's magazine," the blonde retorted.
"I didn't steal anything," Elphaba contradicted with a defensive scowl. "I simply borrowed it without asking." Galinda rolled her eyes.
"Whatever." Silence billowed through the dorm. "Well are you going to explain yourself?"
"Nope," the green girl responded curtly. "I've got studying to do."
"Come on Elphie," Galinda pressed. "Don't you trust me?"
"Of course," Elphaba replied, moving to sit on her bed. "You're my best friend."
"Then why are you keeping secrets?" The green girl sighed, giving in to Galinda's pouting. It wouldn't do well to alienate her only comrade over something so silly.
"I was just thinking about what those appearance sorcerers in the Emerald City are capable of," she explained, eyes averted sheepishly. "You know they could fix me if I went there."
"What do you mean 'fix you'?" Galinda demanded. She glowered forcefully at the green girl. "Elphie we've been over this; your skin isn't ugly. It doesn't need to be fixed." Her sudden anger rushed out in a frustrated huff. "Besides, outsiders can't get into the City just for some beautification magic."
"I'm the daughter of Munchkinland's governor," Elphaba countered. "They make exceptions for people from politically powerful families."
"Elphie you can't really be consider…"
"Galinda I'd like to be more than just not-repulsive," the green girl hissed softly.
"This is about Fiyero isn't it?"
"What?" Elphaba's cheeks colored violently. "Why would you say that?"
"Because you've obviously had a crush on him since we broke up," Galinda observed with a triumphant grin. "You don't have to change for Fiyero either. I think he already likes you."
"This isn't about him," Elphaba growled. "This is about me not wanting to be a freak." For all her pretenses the green girl really did care what the world thought of her. She finally met the blonde's eyes again. "I've dreamed about getting degreenified since my first day of preschool and now that I'm eighteen it's actually a possibility." There was such raw longing in Elphaba's face that Galinda couldn't help giving her a hug. The green girl stiffened for a moment before reluctantly squeezing back. "Thanks Glin."
"You're welcome," she replied cheerily. "Now let's go to bed and leave this silly conversation alone."
"Fine," the green girl relented, far from finished with her discussion of a degreenified future. Still she allowed the argument to lapse into nonexistence for the time being.
/
"You know I'm serious about getting fixed," Elphaba whispered when the lamps were out and both girls nearly asleep in their beds. Her roommate groaned.
"Are we really at this again? You're beautiful the way you are."
"That's easy for you to say," the green girl muttered. "You don't need magic to make you unfairly pretty. You haven't looked into the mirror every day and felt utterly disgusted." Galinda's mouth clamped shut on an already formed retort. How could she respond adequately when Elphaba's words were so true?
"Elphie…"
"Goodnight Glin."
/
Things were tense between the roommates during History. Galinda kept sneaking furtive glances at Elphaba's sullen face. Sometimes she wished her best friend could be a little more normal. It would be nice if the green girl liked makeovers and shopping and boy talk. It would be nice if she didn't constantly think so much, especially about unpleasant things that left her in these moods. Immediately the blonde felt a sting of guilt.
Then a note bumped onto Galinda's desk. Sorry, it read, I shouldn't have gotten so worked up over my appearance. It was stupid and vain. More guilt needled the blonde. Galinda's argument last night had apparently convinced Elphaba that wanting to escape her status as pariah was a shallow pursuit.
No, it was my fault, Galinda wrote back in swirling pink letters. You're right; I have no idea what it's like to be green. If you really want to get degreenified I won't argue. It's your decision and, as your friend, I should be happy that you have the opportunity to get something you've always wanted. Honestly the blonde wasn't sure why she'd been so adverse to the idea originally, other than its implications about Elphaba's self esteem. It wasn't as if she was particularly attached to her roommate's odd skin.
Thank you, the green girl scribbled, smiling at Galinda. I'm so glad you understand. Elphaba sent an application for permission to visit the Emerald City right after History class ended. Two weeks later a train ticket and letter of approval arrived.
/
Fiyero came to see Elphaba off at the train platform. He arrived just as Galinda was giving the green girl a tight goodbye hug. "Have fun Elphie," the blonde squealed. Despite her earlier qualms she was now nothing but supportive enthusiasm. "You'd better bring me back news of all the latest fashions."
Elphaba's eye roll didn't do much to mask her excitement. She was practically glowing. "I can't believe this is really happening," the green girl exclaimed. "In a few days I'll be degreenified."
"We'll miss you," Fiyero said earnestly. As always happened when he met Elphaba's gaze the Winkie suddenly felt his mind being consumed by folds of expressive brown. It was something that just didn't happen when he looked at Galinda.
"I'll miss you too," the green girl admitted with a shy smile. Fiyero grinned back stupidly. Oz, why couldn't he think when she was around? "It's only a few days though; I'll be back before you know it." The train whistled impatiently, summoning all passengers into its steamy, metal bosom. Elphaba smiled warmly at her friends, muttered a few more eager goodbyes, and disappeared into a haze of engine smoke.
The real Elphaba would not return.
Sorry that this started out slowly but (for those of you who haven't read my other long fan fics) my stories tend to begin slow but build into epic adventures very quickly
Please review (plot predictions and suggestions are welcome)