"Are you listening to me?"

No. Elphaba was cheerfully not listening. And if she had her way, she'd continue not listening. But as in all matters of her roommate, she doubted she would get her way at all. If she could, she'd be in a nice, quiet library right now instead of camped amongst the dandelions and dragonflies.

The blonde huffed, and Elphaba set down her book. "There, I'm paying attention. Pleased?"

"Beyond," Galinda chirped back with a dismissive wave. "Don't pretend you don't like the sunshine."

"Perhaps. But not the company." Her roommate lifted an eyebrow. "I don't mean you, my pretty." Her eyes flicked to redheaded Pfannee with her sycophants Shenshen and Milla cooing over some ridiculous magazine.

"They aren't so bad once you get to know them."

Elphaba arched an eyebrow. "Can one get to know air? Or wool? I assume one of the two is used to fluff up their skulls since I've yet to hear a whisper of a brain amongst the three." She fixed Galinda with an appraising eye. "How can you be friends with them? I know you're not all fashion and glitter as you pretend."

The blonde heaved a sigh at the old argument. "I know you're not all sour and insults as you pretend."

"But I am, dearie. I am."

"I refuse to be drawn in. It's a lovely day. Why don't you take off that sweater?"

She crossed her arms before she caught herself. "And be accused of trying to blend in with the grass? No, thank you."

"Suit yourself." Galinda tried to hide her smug smile. "I thought you didn't let the opinions of others influence you like we lowly peons. But if you're chilled…" She trailed off, the ludicrousness of her statement obvious on the sunny spring afternoon.

Elphaba considered digging her heels in. Had it been anyone else, she would have stubbornly insisted that her cold heart kept her plenty comfortable despite the heat. But with a sigh, she shrugged off the offending garment. "Bully."

"Oh, don't be so cross." A bright smile softened the words. "It'll give you wrinkles."

"May I return to my book, my liege?"

"No." She grabbed her hand. "Come talk to us."

"I'd rather be boiled alive."

The garden gate swung open, and in wheeled Nessa, who took one look at her sister and frowned. "Being difficult again?"

"Me? Never." Elphaba smoothed a loose hair back behind the girl's ear. "How are you feeling today? Your color seems to be back."

"Yes, I'm feeling much better. Galinda was right. The fresh air is doing me worlds of good."

"Careful, those three words are dangerous – 'Galinda was right'." That earned her a glare, but a shriek from the others interrupted the reply.

Pfannee clutched the blonde's hand. "Isn't it perfect?" She passed over the magazine, and Galinda erupted in her own volcano of glee.

"Oz! It really is. Oh, Elphie, come see."

She eyed them suspiciously, certain the insanity might spread if she dared approach. "I'm afraid the excitement of next year's color schemes is quite lost on me."

"No, silly." Galinda held up the magazine to show a florid background with overly ornate script proclaiming: "Ozmopolitan's Best Destinations."

"Oh, for heaven's sake."

Galinda took the magazine and read aloud, "Oz's most sought after destination for love is Pemberly, a sprawling estate on Gillikin's sparkling river Larine."

"So you may read, but not I?"

She shot her a glare and continued without editorial, "Guests experience the beauty and tranquility of the picturesque grounds while cavorting with gents of the finest quality. Each travel package guarantees romance with one of the illustrious hunks. What better way to vacation than where you're guaranteed to fall in love! Pemberly gets five stars, for 'the view,' wink, wink."

"Does it really say 'wink, wink'? Ugh, how puerile."

"Ooh, it's close!"

Pfannee lowered her eyes and raised her nose. "Galinda, dear," she oozed false charm, "isn't your birthday soon?"

"Oh, you're right."

"What better place to festivate?"

"Ooh!" Galinda bit her lip as if just remembering she wasn't a human puppy. "But what about the boys?"

"Forget about boys. Don't you want a romance with a real man?"

Elphaba snorted. "Just not a real romance with a man."

"Shut up, green bean."

"Pfannee," Galinda warned, and the redhead edged back.

"You're right, I apologize. I just assumed you'd like to do something different for your birthday this year. Exciting. Classy. Thrillifying even. But if not…"

"I do." She bit her lip. "Let's go!" She turned to Elphaba. "You'll come, too, won't you?"

Elphaba grimaced. The hopeful expression wore at her, especially when mirrored by her little sister. She couldn't imagine anything worse, but she found herself sighing, "If I must." Nessa clapped her hands together with a grin.

The redhead's giggle was anything but polite. "Oh, I'm sorry. It's just, well, a little expensive, I think," her eyes traveled Elphaba's black frock, "for you."

"Pfannee!"

The girl ignored Galinda's scandalized expression. "I thought it best not to get her hopes up."

"No chance of that from you, unless it's that magical word I so long to hear you say – Goodbye."

"So you have seven thousand pounds?"

Milla paled. "Seven…thousand?"

Too frivolous an expense for that amount by far. "I do, but better uses for it as well, I'm afraid." Elphaba patted her friend's arm. "Besides, you'll be so busy being romanced, you won't miss me a clocktick."

Crestfallen, the blonde nodded. "But you'd do well for romance, yourself."

"Oh, no. I'm fall too heartless for all that. I'd only read and ignore the poor boy all weekend anyway."

"It's a week."

Elphaba frowned. "Whatever will you do for a full week?" Pfannee tittered, and Milla blushed.

As they left the garden to return home, a boy stared openly at Elphaba. She sighed. Hadn't they covered all this already. Surely all of Oz had gotten a gawk at the odd green girl by down. "What are you goggling at?"

"I…you…I…" He swallowed hard. "That's a pretty frock."

Her face scrunched inward at the thought of her dress, as plain and black as all the others.

He misinterpreted her expression and blurted out, "You have such beautiful arms."

She rolled her eyes. "You may as well attempt to be plausible. Honestly, if you're going to made fun, at least make it worth my time."

She stalked off, but Galinda caught up, pumping her shorter legs quickly. "Elphie, that was mean," she linked her arm through her roommate's, and Elphaba slowed in consideration.

"I'm well acquainted with such by now."

"No, I meant you."

"How so?"

"That boy complimented you."

"Mocked me, you mean. As if I still believed such a foolish idea."

She frowned. "He didn't appear to mock."

"My pretty, I'm afraid you are much too accustomed to praise, and rightly so, to recognize a mocking tone."

"I believe my roommate might have taught me a little something," she returned coolly.

"I just mean with all your suitors, I don't believe we have the same experience with the opposite sex."

"Still." Galinda tugged her arm. "Oh, Elphie. Do you think this trip is a mistake? What if Mercus or Tavon want to take me to dinner?"

"That's two very different questions." She waved her on. "I think the trip is frivolous and silly, but harmless enough. As I will not be joining you, I believe my answer to that is clear enough. For the second, I don't believe you should make your plans according to possible dates with potential suitors."

"You're right of course." She grinned and tossed her hair. "Better to play hard to get."

"You know, it is alright not to have a boyfriend."

Far behind her, Pfannee sniffed a laugh. "You would say that."

Elphaba didn't dignify that with a response.

"Have a nice trip."

To be honest, she relished the opportunity to have the dorm to herself that week. She thought of all the wonderful quiet she would have.

Pemberly was the best thing never to happen to her.

Elphaba shoved her clothes haphazardly into a suitcase. From her place curled on the end of the bed, Galinda clucked. "I still don't see why."

"If my dear sister wants this trip, it seems my father will give it to her."

"Why not-"

"I'm going, aren't I?" Whether she wanted to or not. She eyed her spare pair of shoes. No, better to travel light.

Galinda scoffed, "As staff. It's not the same."

"So? I've been 'accommodating the safety of the governor's daughter' my whole life. What's a trip?"

"But you won't get your romance!"

Elphaba cackled. She tucked her friend's hand into the crook her of her arm. "My dear, I'm about as interested in romance as you are in shoveling manure. But I will be present. And as it is your birthday, I will attempt to witness the preposterous celebrations with a minimum of snark."

Galinda sniffed.

A perfunctory knock heralded Pfannee's entrance. "Ready, ladies? Our beaus await."

Shenshen tittered behind her. "What are you packing?"

Elphaba lifted an eyebrow at the mountain of luggage accompanying the other girls. "I might ask you the same."

Nessa wheeled up with a porter in tow. Her leather cases joined the pile. "Is that all you're bringing, Fabala? I'd have expected that much just in books."

"They don't allow outside books." Galinda produced a folded page. "It's on the list."

"Oh, goodness. What else is on there? I didn't realize there was a list. I don't think I packed the Scriptures, but I don't want to get into any trouble."

She took her hand kindly. "Why don't we check?"

All bags finally loaded, Pfannee tucked a perfectly manicure nail through her perfectly coiffed hair. "Are we ready then? Where's Milla?"

"Not coming, poor thing."

Yes, poor Milla, indeed, whose mumbled excuse of studying rang decidedly hollow. Elphaba would trade places in a heartbeat.

"Oh? Well, more men for the rest of us, right, ladies?"

Shenshen giggled. Elphaba rolled her eyes.

Something told her the short drive would seem an eternity.

AN: I haven't written here in quite a while, but I have written this one through all the way. No long breaks between chapters, guaranteed! Thank you for reading, and especially those of you who take the time to review. ~fermataoso