Chapter Fourteen:
"When you say you love me, I know what you mean as a form of words, but nothing more."
Great Expectations, Charles Dickens.
"I didn't bring you two here so that all you could do was fight," Glinda's remark interrupted the intense staring contest going on between Elphaba and Fiyero.
"He started it," supplied Elphaba, her eyes like daggers.
"Me? I was just trying to have some polite conversation and then she went all crazy on me for my opinions," Fiyero defended himself.
"I just think that since you are going to be a ruler someday that you should be better educated about the world and its people and not have such small-minded opinions." Elphaba snapped.
She had to admit, she had been slightly on edge. She wasn't so sure what this Prince was like and she couldn't help but pounce after his first bad move. She knew that it was rude of her to be so judgmental and go off on him but she couldn't help it.
He was dating Glinda and she, as her best friend, wanted to make sure he was deserving of her.
And he was not getting points with Elphaba.
Though it was true that his charm and appeal were highly attractive, and Elphaba was not denying that they weren't, his intelligence was what caused the problems. He seemed utterly clueless to anything around him that was happening that wasn't about him. He was vainly selfish, even more than Glinda which was saying something.
But he did care for her, Elphaba could at least give him that. He seemed to really love her.
Elphaba wished that he just had a bit more brains on him.
"You two are causing such a scene," complained Glinda, fanning herself lightly, as if to keep her embarrassment away, even though it was frigid cold outside. "I knew we shouldn't have come here."
They were at the local cafe and Glinda was right, they had attracted the attention of nearly all of the building's occupants.
"I'm sorry, dearest. Neither Elphaba nor I meant to," Fiyero apologized placing one hand on top of the blonde's.
Elphaba just sneered, "Don't apologize for me. I am perfectly capable of speaking for myself," she paused and took a breath, "I do not take back my words but I am sorry that I distressed you, Glinda."
It wasn't exactly what Glinda wanted but she took it anyways with a nod and tight lips.
"We should be heading back now anyways, it's almost time for class," Elphaba said more as an excuse to leave.
They all stood up, with Fiyero lacing his arm around Glinda's and Elphaba following behind.
The crisp fall air swirled around them and there was a thin layer of snow on the ground. Winter was in the air and there were only a few days left until holiday break. Only a few days until Elphaba went back home to Nessa and her father, until Glinda went home to the Vinkus with Fiyero.
"My parents are eagerly awaiting to meet you, darling," Fiyero said to the blonde as they passed through the University gates, "They have an entirely grand reception planned out for you."
"I'm looking forward to it," answered Glinda with a small smile.
"Where are you off to for break, Miss Elphaba?" Fiyero asked, glancing her way.
"Home. Munchkinland," she said abruptly.
"I promise to write, darling," swore Glinda as they made their way through the courtyard and into the halls.
"I'm sure you will have lots to tell me," said Elphaba and Glinda caught her glance and gave her a half-smirk.
"Have you lived in Munchkinland all of your life, Elphaba?" asked Fiyero.
"No," Elphaba quickened her pace to keep up with the couple, "No I've lived with Glinda since I was ten in the Upper Uplands."
"What a curious upbringing," commented Fiyero.
"My father thought I needed a friend, the Upper Uplands is mostly filled with farmers and fields... there are hardly any children anywhere. He thought I could use someone to be a companion with," Glinda reflected melancholy.
"So you two grew up together?"
"Yes," they both answered, but Glinda continued, "Darling I thought I told you all of this already."
He nodded, "Yes, but it's just such an interesting tale. Who would have thought?"
He didn't have to say it but they all knew what he was insinuating. Who would have thought that a green girl and a blonde beauty would have grown up together? Who would have thought that such a pair would be such best friends?
"The same could be said for you. Who would have thought that the infamous Prince of the Vinkus would have been kicked out of... how many schools has it been?" It was an unfair jest but it amused Elphaba to see Fiyero squirm.
"Four and that was uncalled for, Miss Elphaba."
But Glinda had a slight smirk on her face. Elphaba's endless jesting did sometimes make her laugh when she wasn't terribly annoyed with it.
"It's such a cold day out, do you think that it will snow for Lurlinemas?" the blonde attempted to steer the conversation in a different direction.
"Lurlinemas isn't a real holiday. Who cares if it snows on that day, it is, after all, just a day."
"Honestly, Elphie if you continue to on in such a manner I will find a new roommate before holiday break and leave you to room in the Pink Room with ten other girls," shot Glinda sounding vaguely annoyed.
Fiyero smiled at his girlfriend. Elphaba frowned.
"Fine, fine no more jests today. Let's just get to class on time."
"Oh, don't forget though," called out Fiyero once they had gotten a good distance away from each other, "There's going to be a dance at the Ozdust ballroom tonight. Everyone on campus is going."
"Not me," said Elphaba flatly.
Glinda frowned, "Oh Elphie, please come. You have to, otherwise I'll tell Mother you're being a terrible chaperone."
Elphaba grimaced, reluctant to say yes.
"Fine, but only for you."
Glinda just smiled softly and walked to class.
The Ozdust ballroom was nothing short of spectacular. It seemed to have crystals embedded into every surface of its hall that shone the light in dazzling rays.
Glinda looked radiant in her dress, a fiery crimson that complemented her complexion and features. It was short but nothing compared to some of the other girls' dresses.
Elphaba on the other hand wore black, as she always did. Her hair was pulled into a bun. Glinda had tried to get her to wear some lipstick and she had succeeded, though she had wanted to put on eyeshadow and other cosmetics on her face, but the lipstick was enough.
Fiyero stayed by Glinda's side the entire night, he spent it adoring her, complimenting her, loving her. Every other girl in the room hated her guts for snatching up the prince. They all thought she was the lucky one.
But Glinda looked off, distant like she didn't want to be there.
Elphaba watched them like a proud parent but couldn't help but be slightly concerned. She was happy for Glinda. She seemed to be coming out of her shell and embracing her own identity. Still there were times when she would slip back into her Ice Queen demeanor, but they were becoming rare.
She wondered if today was one of those days.
"You look bored, Elphie," Glinda commented after she had grabbed drinks for herself and Elphaba. The green girl took her glass of punch and sipped it.
"You know how I am about parties."
Glinda smiled, "Have you danced with anyone yet?"
Elphaba laughed, "You know I can't dance."
"What if Fiyero danced with you? The blonde drank her punch, "I'm sure he wouldn't mind as long as you behaved."
Elphaba stared at her, puzzled. "What are you up to? Why do you want me to dance with him?"
The blonde avoided her gaze, "I just want you to have fun, Elphaba. You have my permission I promise."
Fiyero then showed up next to her, as if on cue.
"May I have this dance?" he asked.
Elphaba was too stunned to say anything otherwise, and before she grasped a sense of what was happening it was too late and she was already on the dance floor.
All eyes were on her. It made her nervous and she stumbled a few times but Fiyero led her with grace and poise. He knew what he was doing.
"I don't know why she's doing this," she remarked to Fiyero as she caught sight of Glinda as they spun around, she was standing with her flirtatious friends, "It seems all strange to me."
"I think she felt bad for you, she knows you don't like social events," Fiyero said.
Elphaba bit back a harsh comment about how she didn't really like him either but she deemed it too cruel to say out loud so she kept it in.
"She looks beautiful tonight, doesn't she?" Fiyero commented adoringly.
Elphaba looked at the blonde. She did look amazing, but there was a small glint of sadness that Elphaba detected in her eyes. It worried her, but not enough for her to point it out to Fiyero.
"She does indeed," she answered getting back on topic.
"I know you and I don't get along very well but I'm glad we can be cordial to one another for her sake," he whispered in her ear.
"I would do anything for her," Elphaba then paused, "I don't hate you, you know. I just don't agree with most of the things you say."
He laughed, "I can understand that. You are very opinionated and that's not a bad thing. Sometimes I wish I could be more like you."
She arched an eyebrow, "You want to have green skin and be Glinda's chaperone?"
"No, no not that. I wish I had your intelligence. You are very smart Elphaba." He looked at her straight in the eyes.
Elphaba blushed slightly at the compliment, "I think this is the longest we've gone without insulting one another."
He grinned, "Then I think Glinda's plan worked. I believe she did this to force us to get along."
Elphaba smiled as well, "I wouldn't put it past her."
The song ended but neither of them moved away from each other.
"Take care of her, will you?" said Elphaba suddenly, "Take good care of her. She needs it."
He stared at her, and nodded silently.
"I promise, I will."
Elphaba bit her lip, "Good. Good. Because if you don't I will personally be responsible for your murder."
He laughed slightly at that and just then Glinda came up to them.
"So how did we enjoy our dance?" she asked coolly.
"Your plan worked, we didn't insult each other for a whole three minutes," Elphaba said.
"Oh, thank Oz," said Glinda relieved, "If that didn't work, I was going to strangle both of you."
Fiyero wrapped his arms around the blonde and kissed her cheek.
"Well it did. We're the best of friends."
Glinda looked as though she didn't believe it one hundred percent but she let it go.
"Alright, good I'm glad to hear it."
Both Elphaba and Fiyero just looked at each other and laughed.
They really did seem to all be getting along.
Maybe he was the one for Glinda. Maybe Elphaba had been wrong about him.
She watched as the couple placed themselves back on the dance floor and felt a bittersweet feeling surge up in her.
It was good to see Glinda break away from her Mother's teachings... but she wondered how long it would last... and if it would last.
Hopefully I can get the next chapter out by the end of this weekend. Thanks for the continued support! It means so much!
Any guesses as to what might happen next?
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