Chapter 10

She made her way back to the apartment to find that it was empty. Fiyero hadn't returned from his afternoon class yet, it seemed. Elphaba put her things down at her desk and grabbed her life sciences book, wanting to read up on a few things Dr. Dillamond had spoken of. A few minutes after she settled into a chair, Fiyero walked in.

He came over to the chair she was sitting in and put a hand on her shoulder. "How was your second class?"

"It was not nearly as mortifying as this morning." She paused, trying to put her words together, though she knew they were simple ones. "Thank you for helping me with Boq and Galinda."

"You seemed a little stressed. I didn't want that to ruin your first day of classes."

"I'm sure you've noticed that I'm not so great with people sometimes. And Galinda isn't exactly the type of person I'm used to talking to and then Boq came along and it was just a bit much." She didn't want to seem like she'd needed his help, but she was grateful for it.

"I doubt you'll have to worry about Boq bothering you much after today, Elphaba."

"Why?"

"He seemed quite smitten with Galinda." He observed.

"Really? I didn't notice."

"Why do you think he asked to sit next to her? And he was staring at her the entire class period."

"He must think she's very lovely."

"He probably does."

"Do you think she is? I mean, conventionally? I suppose the whole pale blonde thing…"

"Conventionally, yes. But conventional isn't my type. I like… different, exotic."

She flushed, suddenly wishing she hadn't stepped into the murky waters of this conversation. "Yes, I didn't notice any paintings of women like her in the Vinkus. In Munchkinland, though, women as beautiful as that are basically worshipped."

"It must've been hard," he said as he sat down beside her. "Having the normality of other people shoved in your face, always being told how different you are. I never realized how different we were until we got here."

"We're not just different in our looks, Fiyero." She commented.

"You mean the fact that we're married?"

"And that it was arranged. The people here, the ones who get higher education, they're usually much more progressive. The idea of arranged marriage is generally considered old an unnecessary."

"Is that how you feel?"

"Yes," she answered honestly, though she noted she felt some guilt as she said it.

"I see," he said dejectedly.

"Fiyero, don't you see how backwards this is?" She put a hand over his. Elphaba could tell she may have hurt him, and that hadn't been her intention.

"It is. It's strange to live together, to behave as a married couple when it sometimes seems that we're very distant." He squeezed her hand. "I would like us to be closer."

Elphaba tried to smile at him. "It certainly would be easier."

"Not just that. I want to get to know you. I think I would even if we weren't married and we'd just met in some other way."

That shocked her. "Really?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

He laughed lightly and dropped her hand, as though he knew she'd been struggling to keep it there and not pull back. "You are intelligent and interesting. Like I told you before, I like when we talk and you don't necessarily agree with everything I say. You have your own, educated opinions and I enjoy and respect that. You don't hold anything back, and I know sometimes it rubs people wrong, but for the most part, I like that."

She broke eye contact. "Thank you. I like talking to you, as well."

He beamed at her and kissed her hard. "I'm glad to hear that." After a moment he said, "It looks much clearer today. What if we tried going out on that date again?"

"It's a bit early for dinner, isn't it?"

"You had a small lunch. Are you hungry?"

"Yes."

"Then let's go, Elphaba." He took her hand and led her out the door, not even giving time for her to grab her things.

It was a short walk to the cafe, and he kept her hand in his the whole time. There were many students wandering about campus that stared at them, though Fiyero seemed to be doing his best to ignore it - a new attitude since that morning. She admired that.

When they walked in the doors, she felt safe inside, knowing this was a small place and at least there would be less people to stare at them. But that feeling was quickly ripped from her. "Elphie!"

"That would be Galinda," she muttered.

"Elphie, over here!" This time it was Boq.

Fiyero looked over to where the two were seated amongst a small group of people. "We don't have to sit with them if you don't want to. I can tell them we wanted to spend some time together."

She was so grateful he was understanding and that he knew immediately what she needed. But she wasn't sure it was good for her to hide all the time. "Maybe we should try to be social."

"Whatever you want, Elphaba."

At that moment, though, she felt the eyes of another young man at the table as he sneered at her. He was one of the older boys who had thrown the water at her. If Fiyero ever realized… that had been too recent. He'd need time to cool down. In fact, so would she. The boy was snickering at her. "Nevermind. This was supposed to be our date, right? That doesn't involve other people."

"You're right. I'll go tell them." He kissed her cheek gently and left her standing alone for a moment. She could hear his voice, though she couldn't make out his words. The young man who'd been giving her looks was now giving Fiyero a very condescending gaze. She liked that even less than the way the boy had looked at her. She'd have to find out who he was and make sure to avoid him. It wouldn't surprise her if he was one of those people she and Fiyero had talked about, one who was only here because his parents could afford it.

Fiyero came back and they were seated a decent distance away from the group. "Thank you," she smiled at him. "What did you say to them?"

"I said it had been a long day and we wanted some alone time. I did make a half-hearted promise we'd get together another time."

"I can live with that. There was someone staring at us, though. I didn't like the way he looked at me. Or you, Fiyero."

"I noticed him. I think I heard them call him Avaric. I felt like I recognized him."

Elphaba looked down, trying to be calm about this. "Fiyero, he's one of the boys who threw that bucket of water." She put a hand over his as he said it, watching anger flash in his eyes. "Stay here. Don't you dare do anything, Fiyero."

"I could kill him."

"You can't let him know he got to you, Fiyero. It will only make it worse."

"See, Elphaba, I hear what you're saying to me, and I know it makes sense, but I would really like to punch him in the face."

She felt his hand twitch under hers and she squeezed it. "Please, Fiyero. That won't do us any good. Besides, it would be a bad idea to cause a scene on our first day of the semester, you know."

He laughed. "You're probably right." He squeezed her hand back. "Maybe we shouldn't spend more time with them."

"Maybe we can spend more time with some of them."

"Yes. I did want to get to know Boq a little more."

"Why?"

"He seems nice. Plus, it sounded like you were friends when you were younger. I trust your judgement in people."

"I'm glad you have faith in my choice of friends."

"I know you wouldn't waste your time with someone who didn't have good qualities and wasn't smart."

"That, Fiyero," she began sweetly, "is why I like spending time with you. You don't waste my time."

"Thank you. You don't waste mine, either."

"I know I argue with you a lot and I'm not necessarily the warmest person, but I do appreciate the way you have treated me. Not everyone in this world is as kind, generous and understanding as you are, Fiyero." Well, that came out without warning. She surprised herself by saying outright how she felt.

"Well, I want to be good to you. I don't think I would be to just anyone, but you bring it out in me somehow."

She flushed. "I suppose we should stop this conversation before I get uncomfortable, huh?"

He laughed again. "Yes, that might be a good idea. I like to keep you comfortable if I can."

"You do well."

"Elphaba, before we change the subject, let me say one more thing. I know we haven't been married long, but I am starting to actually care for you, genuinely care. I hope you're beginning to feel the same."

"Well," she said quietly, "I think that maybe I am."