Overcoming Adversity - Chapter 4

A/N: It's official. I have no resolve. I always say 'I'll wait until tomorrow to post the next chapter', then I'm like, 'Nah, can't wait, I'll post it today.' So lucky you guys. XD

GALINDA

'Lurlinemas shopping!'

This was one of my favourite times of year. The streets would be full of festivity: bright, colourful lights dancing across the buildings; festive ornaments for sale; discounts everywhere – and, of course, the Lurlinemas fairy giving presents to all of the little children! She wasn't the real thing, of course, just a person dressed up in a costume, but as a child I had been so excited to sit on her knee and get my photograph taken, and be told that good girls would get lots of presents at Lurlinemas.

All of this was wiped away when I glanced over to the other side of the carriage and saw a look of panic stricken terror on Elphie's face.

'Elphie? What's the matter?'

'Several things.'

Her voice gave way to the discreet clip-clop of the horses dragging the carriage. She turned away and stared out of the window. Her midnight hair blocked her face from view, and her fingernails dug into her knees. I thanked Oz that Momsie and Popsicle had not come with us: Momsie was seeing friends for lunch and Popsicle was at work. Elphie would have had no hope of saying whatever it was that was on her mind if they were here.

'My father is a strict Unionist, and so is Nessa. But not only that, Lurlinemas is a time for family. So, naturally, I have never celebrated.'

'You've never celebrated Lurlinemas? Never ever? But everyone has!'

Elphie shook her head.

'No, everyone with a family has. Everyone who's been loved has.'

My stomach churned and I fought the growing lump in my throat.

'That's not everything. With my new situation, how can I afford to buy anything? I'm going to be expected to buy gifts, but I haven't the money to put aside for it.'

'Yes you do. You have my money,' I insisted.

'Glin, I can't use your money to buy you your gift. There's something really wrong about that.'

'Hmm…yes, I can see your point,' I agreed. 'How very wrong indeed. I can see that you would never agree to it. So let me just say that you absolutely should not buy me anything, and save your money for other things.'

Elphie raised an eyebrow.

'Galinda turning down gifts? Have you hit your head, my sweet?'

'Absolutely not!' I shrieked. I felt stung by the comment. It drew far too much attention to the fact that I was used to receiving extravagant gifts my entire life. Nowadays that detail seemed sickening. There were things I wanted more than expensive objects, and one of them was sitting right across from me. It was her happiness and security that would be the best Lurlinemas gift I would receive, not a corporeal object.

'You know, I will be buying you gifts whether you like it or not,' I said. 'I simply cannot stand by and continue to see you in those raggedy clothes of yours! Oh, and you'll need a new suitcase. A bigger one. Oz knows, you're going to have enough items to fill it by the time Lurlinemas is over.'

'No,' she said.

'Elphie, I insist that…'

'No.'

'But…why not?'

'It would be frightfully unfair when I am unable to reciprocate.'

'Elphie! I thought you of all people knew better than that! Or is the girl who believes that the value of a gift is not defined by its price not my green, surely roommate after all?'

I had remembered a situation back at Shiz when I had been gifted with a lavish pair of gold shoes from Fiyero. For half an hour I had raved about both their expense and their beauty, and Elphie had turned to me and said: 'The value of a gift is not defined by its price, but the affection behind it.' Back then I hadn't paid her much notice. The shoes were beautiful enough to be worn at the next OzDust, and that was all I had cared about.

'Wait, you actually listened to that?' Elphie said.

'I do happen to remember some things, you know. Or do we have to revisit that conversation where I remind you that I am not in fact a stupid person?'

The carriage pulled up at Frottica Square. I hopped out before Elphie could reply. I wasn't truly annoyed with her. I gazed around the area, smiling at the familiarity. It suddenly felt like yesterday that I'd last been here with the cobbled streets posing a nightmare against my high heeled shoes; the many shops and boutiques enticing my wallet; the grand architecture and expressive buildings calling my artistic eye.

'Come on, Elphie, let's go!' I said, and immediately started walking.

Something was different. The odd stares of the Gillikinese people did not go unnoticed. Ashamedly, I knew exactly what they were thinking: they were wondering who this strange, green person was, and if they were going to catch it. Feeling uneasy, I took Elphie's hand and led her into a store, trying to ignore what was going on around me. Elphie appeared oblivious – but then, Elphie was used to this kind of thing.

We were in a jewellery store, when I heard my name being called.

'Galinda! Galinda is that you?'

'Sapphryn!'

I enveloped Sapphryn in a hug, then stepped back and looked at her. Her hair was much longer than when I'd last seen her, many years ago, but dark and straight as ever. She was tall and pale and a little older than I remembered.

'I wrote you a letter when I heard you were coming back for the holidays.'

I thought back guiltily to the pile of letters that still sat on my dressing table. After Caeleia's letter, I had refrained from opening the rest, deciding to deal with them at a later date. That said, I knew I should not have procrastinated reading and responding to Sapphryn's. Hers was much more important than the rest of them.

'Oh, I'm sorry, I meant to reply!' I said. 'I hadn't got round to it yet. But I did get your letter.'

'You look different. More sophisticated.'

'Really?'

I hadn't thought myself any different. Then again, it had been several years, so I supposed I must have grown up a lot.

Then I remembered Elphie.

'This is Elphie,' I said, taking her hand. 'She's my roommate at Shiz.'

Somehow it felt wrong to call Elphie my roommate when we were in a relationship, but I held out on the word 'girlfriend'. Not only had I not discussed it with Elphie, but I was also a bit afraid of the connotations.

I was pleased that Sapphryn did a decent job of hiding her shock at Elphie's skin colour. She extended a hand warmly, and I smiled proudly. I knew Sapphryn would be one person I'd be able to count on, where Elphie was concerned.

'It's a pleasure to meet you,' said Elphie.

'Sapphryn was my mentor when I was younger,' I explained as we began to walk. 'Kind of like an older sister. She used to babysit me sometimes when my parents were out. She taught me all I needed to know about fashion and make-up and all those important things.'

'Important?' Elphie scoffed. 'No offense,' she added.

'None taken,' said Sapphryn. 'I can see how they might pose you a problem. I have a few tips that can help, if you like.'

'Actually, I would prefer to never wear make-up at all.'

'Suit yourself.'

We arrived at one of my favourite restaurants in Frottica, Millennium. Elphie looked shocked by the grandness, but didn't raise the issue. We sat at a corner table with a bit more privacy.

While I chatted to Sapphryn, I realised Elphie had gone quiet.

'Elphie?'

She looked up from her menu.

'It's all so expensive,' she said.

'Oh don't be silly, lunch is on me,' I replied.

'But Glin…'

'Elphie, did we not just have this conversation an hour ago? I repeat: Lunch is on me. So order whatever you want, okay?'

I could tell she was embarrassed in front of Sapphryn, who was wearing real diamond earrings and a matching necklace. Her dress was made of expensive, blue silk decked with sequins and real sapphires. Her make-up was incredibly elegant, drawing attention to her best features, making her eyes pop out and her face incredibly beautiful.

But not as beautiful as my Elphie, I thought stubbornly.

'How is Shiz?' Sapphryn eventually asked.

I sighed. This was going to be the question of the holidays. Everyone wanted to know about the supposed high life of Galinda Upland of the Upper Uplands at Shiz University. A high life which was quite different from what anyone in Frottica could imagine.

'Good,' I said, wondering if I could confide in Sapphryn. Not telling her the truth was weighing down on me. I had always been honest before. 'Tiring,' I added.

'I can imagine. All that studying, and socialising, and boys…it's hard to believe you're all grown up now. Men must be falling over your feet. You've grown up to be beautiful. But of course, you were always beautiful.'

'On the outside, yes. It has come to my attention that outward beauty is incredibly limited.'

'Wise girl. I remember the days when outward beauty was your entire life. It is good that you are realising these things.'

'It is good…and trying. The whole term has been an emotional rollercoaster.'

'How so?'

'Turns out, people who I thought were my friends really weren't. And the person I thought I hated was the best thing that ever happened to me,' I said, glancing at Elphie.

Sapphryn nodded. Then her eyes widened.

'Wait, do you mean…you and her?'

Elphie gave me a tiny smile and I knew it was okay. I nodded, blushing furiously. It was strange to speak of my relationship with Elphie to another person.

'I take it your parents don't know.'

'No. I haven't told them much of anything,' I admitted. 'So what have you been up to?' I asked.

'I've recently been offered a job doing make-up for an upcoming show at the Emerald City.'

'Oh wow! That's amazing! What show?'

'It's called Wizomania. It's about the wonderful Wizard of Oz.'

'How wonderful! I've always wanted to go to the Emerald City! And I think Elphie has as well.'

'Put it this way, I'll blend in,' Elphie quipped, and I giggled.

'When do you start?'

'Just after the new year. You'll be back at Shiz by then.'

'Perhaps we can go and see it. Make a trip on a weekend. How about it, Elphie?'

'Yes, perhaps,' Elphie agreed. 'As long as you limit the amount of shopping you do. And as long as I have the money.'

I refrained from arguing, knowing it was a sensitive subject. After that, Elphie seemed to relax more, and I spent lunch feeling like a small weight had been lifted. I had told Sapphryn just a little of what had gone on at Shiz, and it had been okay. She had my back. I was glad. I had wondered if she'd changed; if she had become harsher in her views as time ticked on; but she was still just the same as I remembered.

The stares of the people who had passed us by faded into nothing more than a bad memory. Those people weren't important, so they could retain whatever opinion they wanted. The one person who did matter had accepted Elphie, and that was all that was all I cared about.