Hello, readers! Thanks for the positive feedback.
I would like to take this time to say two things. First thing: All dialogue for Galinda is written by myself, and all dialogue that Elphaba has is written by my co-writer, Kyra. Secondly, having said that, it would be amazing if you could leave some reviews on her story, as well. The link is underneath this story's description on my profile page. Thanks in advance, from the both of us.
Having said that, enjoy chapter two of Desperate Measures.
Galinda's weekend passes in a flurry of get-togethers with friends and parties with people, most of whom she didn't know. However, with her first class quickly approaching, Galinda can only accept the fact that she must face her responsibilities, and at least show up for one class. On more than one occasion, she sees Elphaba walking in the hallways. She thinks about making a big scene in the cafeteria, during lunch, but when she doesn't see her, she decides against it. Instead, when she sees her at her locker, she decides to say something then. Not making a big deal about it just yet, she simply walks over to the locker, pushing the door closed in front of the girl's face.
"Elphaba Thropp," she states simply, one of her characteristic cheeky smiles on her face.
"Yes?" Elphaba replies hostilely. Galinda is sure she's trying to put her off, but she won't allow her to brush her off so easily. Galinda Upland is not ignored.
"Meet me after school. In the courtyard." She watches the girl for a reaction.
"If it pleases you, your highness." Elphaba curtsies, and Galinda bristles a bit, but doesn't show it.
"You'd better be there, or there will be serious consequences." With a glare, she tosses her hair and turns around, leaving Elphaba to watch her leave.
As soon as the final bell rings, Galinda makes her way to the courtyard, making a beeline for Elphaba as soon as she sees her.
"So, what'd you want to talk to me about that was so private you couldn't say it in the middle of a crowded hallway?" Elphaba demands before Galinda has even come to a full stop. Elphaba tosses her hair. seemingly mocking her, and Galinda scowls.
"Quit mocking me and this will be over before you know it." Her gaze hardens as she glares at Elphaba. "I'm going to make this very clear, Miss Elphaba." She's faking kindness now, but it's all part of her plan. "I don't like you. Plain and simple. And you would do very well to stay away from me. In fact, one might even say you should just stay away from anyone popular, just to be safe. You never know when an 'accident' might happen." She knows that, as of right now, they're just empty threats, but she's just trying to scare her.
"Oh, dear. All those threatening words. One might think you have ulterior motives. I'm flattered, really."
Galinda scoffs. "You are so weird. No wonder you don't have any friends."
"But who needs friends when you've got more than five thousand followers on Tumblr?"
Galinda rolls her eyes. "Tumblr? What is that, some stupid website for weirdos? It has to be, if you're on it." She moves her gaze to inspect her nails, her lips pursed in a prissy way.
"Miss Galinda, I'm once again very flattered, but I don't think you and I would work. We're just too different." Elphaba makes a falsely sincere face, and Galinda bristles once again.
"Are you actually suggesting that I would even want to be associated with the likes of you, let alone be... interested in you? I'd sooner be caught dead than be seen with the likes of a... human... crow!" Is she even trying anymore? What kind of an insult is that?
Elphaba cackles, then, the shrill sound actually managing to send chills down Galinda's spine. "Caw caw, motherfucker!"
Galinda actually lets her jaw drop this time. "Miss Elphaba! Your tongue! That is hardly the kind of language a lady should be using." Her face drops into another characteristic pout.
"I ain't no such lady, missy." Elphaba cackles once again, and Galinda actually covers her ears this time.
"Elphaba Thropp, has no one taught you any manners? One might think you were raised without parents." She nearly smirks when Elphaba's face drops. She actually does smirk when Elphaba seems to be unable to find a witty comeback. She gasps, however, when she feels a firm smack across her face, and it takes her a second to realise that Elphaba's actually slapped her. Oh, who does she think she is? She responds in the best way she can think of, bringing her own hand up to meet Elphaba's cheek, hoping she hits her harder than Elphaba hit her.
"I recommend you stop now, you quim."
What in the world? "Quim? I bet that's not even a real word." She's circling Elphaba now, planning her next attack, whether it be verbal or physical, she isn't sure yet.
"It's as real as your narcissism, so very."
Galinda glares once again, and she's this close to pouncing on Elphaba. "I bet you made that word up, too," she practically growls.
"I am indeed a Greek goddess, thanks for noticing."
This is the last straw. With a little sound of frustration, she jumps on top of the girl, pushing her to the ground as she pulls on her hair. It's the only thing she knows to do; she's never actually been in a fight before. She feels Elphaba's fist connect with her cheek, and she gives a little squeal of pain as she tries to return the punch, landing her fist in Elphaba's stomach. "You're such a witch!" she manages to yell.
"Well, then we rhyme!"
Galinda growls again and begins trying to scratch her with her sharp little nails, but Elphaba manages to grab her wrists and push her back. Before she can register what just happened, she feels Elphaba's fist make contact with her other cheek, and she blindly tries to hit her again, her arms flailing out in front of her. She feels the wind get knocked out of her as Elphaba knees her in the stomach.
"Get away from me, you monster!" she pants as she flails more and this time she feels her fist connect somewhere on Elphaba, but she isn't sure where. She can feel something warm and wet on her hand, but she is unable to respond as Elphaba bites her arm. "Get off of me, you... you... bitch!"
"I think you should take her advice." They both freeze at the warning tone of one of the teachers. Finally, someone's here to help her.
"For the record, she started it," Elphaba starts to say, but Galinda cuts her off.
"Actually, she started it. I would never sink so low as to start a fight with another person. I'm above that." She crosses her arms and pouts.
"Verbal assault is an assault, nonetheless. You started threatening me, for no reason whatsoever. My actions were purely in self-defence."
"Why, I never!" Galinda is a bit surprised to hear other students agreeing with her, assuring the teacher that Elphaba was the one that started it. "See. They all saw what happened." She nods before looking down at her arms, gauging any damage that Elphaba might have done. Out of the corner of her eye, she can see Elphaba dab at her nose with a handkerchief. Has she really hit her that hard? Oh, well. "As you can see, all fighting that I did was purely out of self-defence. Nothing more and nothing less."
Elphaba doesn't say anything, and the teacher regards them for a while. "I think this is a matter for the principal to deal with."
Galinda's face nearly goes completely white. She's never been sent to the principal's office before. Even if this isn't her fault, it's still a bit unnerving. She spares a glance over at Elphaba, to see her reaction, and notices that she doesn't seem too thrilled, either. "Well... If you say so." Galinda, once again, sticks her little chin up in the air as she follows the teacher to the principal's office.
They sit in two chairs outside of the principal's office, each not looking at the other. Galinda actually does feel a bit bad for hurting Elphaba, but she doubts that she'll accept any apology, should she decide to offer one. Instead, she looks down at herself. Her clothes are covered in grass stains, and her tights are ripped at one knee. Maybe she can get the principal to make Elphaba pay for new clothes. She looks down at her arm, where Elphaba bit her, and she can see the bite mark. She sees some blood smeared around the bite mark, and with a shudder she realises that it must be Elphaba's. Great. Now she probably has rabies. She presses her hands to her cheeks and winces. There will definitely be a mark there for a while, as well.
"I hope you're happy," she mutters, not even looking over at Elphaba.
"Why would I be? I'm in big trouble," Elphaba finally says after a while.
"You're lucky I don't plan on suing you for injuring me, crowgirl." She glances over at Elphaba for a split second, then returns to inspecting her clothes and injuries.
A soft chuckle comes from Elphaba. "Nicknames, seriously? You're not terribly original, my sweet."
"Don't call me that," Galinda practically growls. "I am not your anything." She crosses her arms again.
"Oh, does it bother you? I'll continue, then, my sweet." She can just hear the smirk in Elphaba's tone, even though she isn't looking at her.
"You're such a creep." Galinda stops in the middle of her sentence when she hears the door to the principal's office open.
"Miss Upland, Miss Thropp."
Both girls stand and follow the principal into her office, each taking a seat in a chair across from the desk. There is a long silence, and Galinda can hardly bear it, but eventually, Principal Morrible speaks up.
"Your behaviour is inexcusable. Now, you don't need to explain yourself, because I have already heard everything I need to hear. Miss Thropp, your actions are unheard. I ought to expel you, but I believe there is a way we can make this work."
"Principal Morrible, if I may make a suggestion. I suggest that Miss Thropp has to pay for new clothes, since she has done a good job of damaging my current outfit." She puts on a pretty little pout, hoping to win over the principal.
"No, Miss Upland, that is not what I was thinking of. Truth is, your grades aren't too good, and I believe multiple teachers suggested to you that you should get a tutor. Now, Miss Thropp's grades are excellent, and I think she'll make a great tutor for you, free of charge."
"What?" Galinda cries.
"I agree with Miss Upland. What?"
"There is no way that I am spending any extra time with the likes of... that!" She points at Elphaba, but refuses to look at her.
"Miss Upland, Miss Thropp, if you both don't wish to get into anymore trouble, I recommend that you agree to this. If I do not see an improvement in Miss Upland's grades, I will be forced to take more desperate measures. You may leave."
With a frustrated sigh, Galinda stands, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she turns, making sure that her shoulder knocks into Elphaba's as she leaves. She is not happy with this. Not one bit.