This began a whole string of routine escapes from the Ozdust for Elphaba, and she had to work hard not to show her enthusiasm as she and Galinda got ready every night. She knew her roommate was suspicious. Elphie always disappeared early in the evening at the same time as Fiyero, and then she didn't reappear until well after the party had ended. The guys at Mercus's house had come to recognize her by name, and they became the accepting group of friends she had daydreamed of having.
It was strange being so accepted. Fiyero, as one of their host's oldest friends, was a highly-respected person, and Elphaba was recognized as his. His what exactly she didn't know, but the possessive was very clear in everyone's eyes. It should upset her to be viewed as such, but instead she found herself longing to really be his. She had noticed that while there were always lots of girls at the parties, it was never really the same ones. She was the mascot girl, the little sister of the group, protected and respected. Fiyero no longer felt the need to supervise her constantly, knowing the others would immediately report any problems to him. She felt a small stab of annoyance that they all expected her to need protecting. Elphaba was many things, but weak was not one of them.
Best of all, the people she met here actually cared about making things better, or at least were willing to listen to her. She found herself regretting that school would start again soon, wishing she could spend every night like this instead. Ever since that first night, she had sung at Mercus's request at least once every time she visited. The feeling onstage was so exhilarating as people cheered for her. Whenever she sang, Fiyero always dropped what he was doing to come listen, and she found herself fighting the urge to sing every time he left the room.
She had discovered a love for pool as well, and she was quickly becoming the shark Mercus had accused her of being the first time she'd played. She had even tried to play poker, though Fiyero had beaten her every time. "I can just read you too well. You've never been good at hiding your emotions," he had teased her, and she knew it was true. At least she hadn't made anything explode or move by itself.
One new experience she had not repeated was drinking so many shots. She had learned her lesson, and while she might drink one or two, she didn't test the limits like she had the first time. The results could have been much worse, and she didn't feel up to waking up wondering where she was again.
Elphaba felt like she was finally finding herself, like she had been locked up all her life in everyone's reaction to her skin. All her frustration, fear, and false bravado were just the shields she hid behind. Now, she was beginning to feel safe enough to drop her defenses. It was so wonderfully liberating. She remembered when they had left the party a couple nights ago, she had pulled Fiyero to her. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you for bringing me here. Thank you for helping me find a place I could think of as home." He had smoothed her hair over her back, telling her how glad he was that she was happy.
She felt the need to see him, so she headed toward the poker table he frequented. One of the guys wolf-whistled as she walked in, and she didn't realize he meant her until Fiyero told him to knock it off. "Hey beautiful," one of the new guy-friends greeted her. She was secretly convinced that Fiyero had told them of her ridicule at Shiz, and they overdid the compliments to make up for it.
Fiyero took her hand and pulled her to him. "Look at this." She tried to keep her reaction blank, but she knew he wanted them to know he had a great hand. Fiyero hated taking other people's money, and skilled as he was, he often would sabotage himself to give the others their money back. She rested her hand on his shoulder, smiling as he covered it with his own. The guys often teased him about her, saying how he should just pull her down and make out with her already. Tonight was no different, until he replied, "And what if I do? You'll all be heartbroken then. You know you love the fact that she might be single." Might? Did he know something she didn't?
The crowd of guys all traded manly remarks about her breaking their hearts and various ways they'd love to have it done. Returning their comments with some nice jabs of her own, Elphaba earned the admiration of the guys for her wit. Fiyero pulled her into his lap to fuel their mock cries of jealousy and cheers. She leaned against him, enjoying how easily they touched now. It used to be such a struggle for her to let him touch her. He would brush his hand against her, and she would tense up, ready to head for the hills. Now, it was just another part of her liberation. Fiyero didn't think she was a freak, he wasn't afraid she was contagious, and he would never hurt her, and so she had finally learned to accept that he was just a touchy kind of guy. In return, he understood that no one else was allowed to touch her, and he took it upon himself to establish that rule with everyone should they ever even reach toward her.
His arm casually wrapped around her waist, and they resumed the poker game. He would ask her for advice on some of the hands, winking and nodding in a ridiculous fake elaborate code. She laughed, knowing that her advice was probably the last thing he needed anyway. After she lost him several rounds, she got up to go hit the pool tables again. Or she tried to. As soon as she stood up, he pulled her back down into his lap. "Hey!" She stood up again, only to be brought back. "Let me go!" He smiled his widest, most charming smile, and then shook his head like a naughty child.
She decided if he could play dirty, so could she. She leaned into him to whisper in his ear, "Please Fiyero. I'll be your bestest friend." She batted her eyes like Galinda, and laughed at his shocked expression. He released her more out of surprise than planning, and by the time he realized it, she had dodged out of his grasp.
"Hey, you, come back here." He pretended to be upset, chasing her down the hall. Luckily she was fast, and she almost made it to the stairs before he caught her. He pulled her back, pinning her to the wall. This time it was his turn to whisper in her ear, his lips brushing delicately against her. "Now, that wasn't very nice."
"What if don't want to be nice?" she challenged.
His eyebrows raised, he asked her softly, "Do you?" She blushed at his implications, not really sure how to answer. Her eyes focused on his lips of their own accord, and she felt herself leaning up slightly toward him. Drawing together, they were breaths away from a kiss when one of the guys interrupted.
"Hey, Fiyero. Mercus needs you to…oh. Sorry."
Fiyero touched his forehead to hers, sighing heavily. "I'll be back." He headed off down the stairs. She leaned her head back against the wall, catching her breath. What was she doing? When he reached the bottom, he called out, "And don't even think of going anywhere. You're going to be my lucky charm whether you like it or not."
