Day Five

The next morning over breakfast, Frex coolly and casually informed Elphaba that the following night, Friday evening, he was inviting several people over for a dinner party. Elphaba gave no reaction, except to nod in acknowledgement and Fiyero recalled she'd predicted as much only a few days ago. She didn't make any comment on the relatively short notice he'd given her, and Fiyero wondered if she was still treading softly in case her father really did pull her out of school.

As he'd suspected, once Frex, Kasmira and Ibrahim left for the day, Elphaba relaxed instantly.

"So, what's on the agenda for today?" he asked her.

Elphaba looked up at him briefly. "Today's going to be a little out of whack," she warned him. "I'm going to be planting Nessa's garden this morning, before it gets too warm, so I'll be behind in the housework. You might have to work on your own today," she said almost apologetically and Fiyero shrugged.

"Ok. Do you want some help with the gardening?"

Elphaba seemed crossed between being surprised and amused. Fiyero quickly picked up on what would be funny about his offer and grinned.

"And yes, I have planted things before."

"I didn't say anything!" Elphaba protested innocently, but she was smiling.

Fiyero turned to Nessa. "What are we planting, Ness?"

Nessa beamed at the question. She loved her little garden, even if she couldn't care for it herself because of her chair.

"We've got some really beautiful flowers- tulips and lilies. And then a few different herbs, rosemary, thyme and lavender."

Fiyero nodded. "Cool. Should we get started then?"

Elphaba nodded. "Yes, let's. Before it gets too hot. I don't want to be doing this in the heat."

Fiyero obediently stood up and helpfully wheeled Nessa outside into the yard, stopping beside the empty flowerbed she directed him too. Elphaba was wearing her oldest dress, and piled her long hair on top of her head so it wouldn't get in the way as she worked. Obviously, Nessa couldn't really help that much with the actual planting, but she sat in her chair beside the flowerbed, a little parasol held over her head to protect her fair skin from the sun.

Fiyero insisted on doing the digging, although he knew that Elphaba was more than capable. It amused Nessa to see that there finally seemed to be someone more stubborn than Elphaba- despite his reputation before coming to Shiz, it was clear that Fiyero was quite chivalrous when it came to her sister.

It was also clear to Nessa that Elphaba had no idea as to the reasons behind Fiyero's actions or how to respond to them. Finally, there was a subject that all Elphaba's books and smarts couldn't prepare her for.

It seemed so long ago that Fiyero had first arrived at Shiz. When news of his enrolment had first spread across campus, it had all the students buzzing. The scandalacious Fiyero Tiggular, the Vinkus prince who had been (rumours had it) expelled from every school in Oz and was renowned as a heartbreaker, a scoundrel who used pretty girls and left them, and who quite frankly, you were considered lucky if he would remember your name afterwards.

Nessa had been intrigued about him, despite her horror about being associated with someone like that- she knew her father would never approve of the boy's behaviour. Of course, Nessa would forever associate Fiyero's arrival at Shiz with the best night of her young life. The dance at the OzDust… for the first time, she hadn't been excluded because she couldn't walk, she was a part of it. And thanks to Galinda, she'd had a date! That had been the biggest thrill of her life, that Boq had actually asked her out. And knowing that nothing had come of that didn't dampen the memory of that night.

And then of course, Elphaba had walked in wearing that Oz-awful hat, which she loved. Just seeing all the students stare at her sister- even more so than usual, had been incredibly embarrassing for Nessa who hadn't known how to react. But then, strangely, it had resulted in Elphaba and Galinda becoming friends and quickly from that- best friends. And Fiyero…

When he was dating Galinda he was nice enough. Nessa had still had little do with him, except to see him in class. She knew Elphaba spent a little time with him- given that he was dating her roommate, but she still held in contempt for their infamous first meeting- the story of which was all over campus, even if Nessa hadn't witnessed it personally. And then, even more suddenly then Elphaba and Galinda's abrupt friendship, Elphaba and Fiyero were suddenly increasingly awkward and tense around one another.

Nessa had no clue what could possibly have occurred between the two, knowing her sister, she suspected Elphaba's temper may have gotten the best of her about Fiyero's 'dancing through life' attitude, which she found idiotic and irritating. It had happened around the same time Dr Dillamond was fired, which Nessa knew had affected her Elphaba greatly. But out of nowhere, Fiyero had broken up with Galinda, and the five of them (Fiyero, Galinda, Elphaba, Nessa and Boq) had formed their own little social group.

Thankfully, whatever had happened between Elphaba and Fiyero had seemed to resolve itself and they had clearly settled into some form of friendship, especially when Elphaba had tutored Fiyero for the final exams. But at times, Nessa saw that old tension reappear and she wished she had more information. But Elphaba would never tell and she although she and Fiyero were friends, they weren't close enough for Nessa to have to courage to ask him.

Whilst Nessa reflected and mused over Fiyero and Elphaba's relationship, the two in question worked steadily and comfortably together planting the garden. Then after she had cleaned up, Elphaba made lunch. And once again, Fiyero had to marvel at Elphaba's multi-tasking skills.

All afternoon, as he worked on his summer work, Elphaba did all the chores she usually did in the mornings, whilst planning the menu for the dinner party the next night. Fiyero snuck a peek at the notes she had scribbled down from the various cookbooks she had checked out from the library and his mouth watered in anticipation.

"Yum..." he said enthusiastically and Elphaba snatched the paper from him with a roll of her eyes.

"Don't get too excited, Yero. It could change yet, I'll probably end up changing it before I start cooking," she admitted and Fiyero frowned.

"Why? It sounds great."

She merely shrugged. "I might think of something better. And even then, it could turn out horrible."

"I doubt it," Fiyero replied confidently and she laughed at his confidence in her cooking abilities.

The only downside of seeing the menu and already mentally preparing himself for the treats they'd be getting the next night, was that Fiyero found himself slightly unenthusiastic about the pasta Elphaba set before them for that night's dinner.

"I've told the guests to arrive at half-past five, Elphaba," Frex informed her as they ate. "There will be a dozen of us total."

Elphaba nodded. "Ok."

"And I expect you to be dressed appropriately," Frex continued with a warning glare. "It is an official government meeting, not a funeral."

Elphaba scowled. "The only difference is the absence of a corpse," she muttered under her breath.

Only Fiyero heard and he choked on the mouthful of wine he'd just swallowed, drawing the attention of the table.

"Sorry," he apologised hoarsely when he'd recovered. "Swallowed the wrong way."

The others looked away but he caught Elphaba's eye and shook his head with a faint smile and she winked back at him subtly.

Fiyero couldn't help but grin a little as a thought occurred to him, which Nessa noticed.

"What's so funny, Fiyero?" she asked him and he shrugged casually.

"Just picturing Galinda's reaction to the news that Elphaba has to Galindafy herself," he answered and Elphaba groaned.

"Do not call it that," she warned him. "And Galinda doesn't have to know."

"Oh, I think she does," Fiyero argued lightly and she kicked him under the table.

"You tell her and I'll kill you," she threatened solemnly. Elphaba knew that if Galinda found out Elphaba had willingly dressed up for an occasion, she'd never hear the end of it.

Fiyero laughed slightly, but smiled at her. "Your secret's safe with me," he promised but the image continued to amuse him all night.