Elphaba was clearly in her element. Taking Madam Morrible's class has been hectic. As much as she'd love for me to admit it, I refuse to admit defeat. I will pass her course! While I was struggling to keep up, Elphaba diligently took notes and never shied away from questions. Which Madam Morrible gladly welcomed. When I put my hand up, it was welcomed with a groan, eye roll or frown. The old hag maybe think little of me, but oh in all the name of all pink, she will choke on her pride someday.
What kinda bothered me about this course was while I struggled, Elphaba was a complete natural, and yet she isn't even aware of it! She's so apologetic, even though she could do no wrong. Than again she's clearly been pushed and bruised for her obvious quirk. I've seen girls like her, who are outcasted, but thankfully she's started to come out of her shell lately, wish she'd let loose a little more. However she doesn't explode at people as much as before so that's progress.
Madam Morrible though is horrible. I'm constantly wracking my brain with concentrating on magic let alone alchemy. Elphaba thought if I took a stepping stone of science maybe magic would come closer to understanding. I flunked it. Madam Morrible didn't hesitate to berate me in our next class when she heard. Elphaba tried to keep the peace given how clearly Madam Morrible adores her.
Today we were on transformation of color. We were supposed to focus on the wings of the butterflies in the cage set in front of us. Nothing. The butterflies stayed their orange color.
"Well Miss Upland maybe you'll marry well." Madam Morrible commented. I nearly broke my 5th pencil that day. Thinking to myself, "That ugly old-!"
"My turn?" Elphaba gingerly asked. Madam Morrible nodded. Within a flash the butterflies wings were now pink. My eyes widened in delight.
"I thought you might like it." Elphaba said.
Turning to Elphaba I couldn't help but tackle her with a smile. She clearly did it to cheer me up.
It cheered me up to much I got excited and tried again. Except I wasn't focusing on where I was aiming my wand. With that my hair suddenly changed from its golden blond curls to strawberry blond curls! I gasped in delight! One this was my first time actually doing magic! Second I now have a new hairstyle!
Elphaba and Madam Morrible were shocked. Elphaba was stunned while Madam Morrible started waving her hands in the air, lecturing us or really me on focusing and that magic isn't for our own amusement. Can't the old bat be happy that I actually made something happen?!
After that Elphaba has been helped me master my hair changing magic. Soon I could change it back to its original form thank goodness, and now were working on highlights. I'm so happy! I feel as the way I do when I was younger, reading those fairytales.
Elphaba of course is far in advanced. However I according to Madam Morrible, am simpleton, of the lowest level. Lowest Progressive student she's ever had. Honestly, I was really trying! Just my head won't wrap around it! No matter how simple it apparently is. Something just won't give. I hate it! Why can't I just do it?! I scolded myself. I'm not stupid! I have good grades, never been an honorary student sure, but I'm not dumb, and I am trying! I wish for once my stupid riches, background, and obvious gorgeous self, wasn't all they saw. I know I can do it. I know I'm capable.
"Galinda?" I heard Elphaba say. I snapped out of my thoughts. We were on one of the many walkways outside heading to our dorm room. Elphaba looked at me with concern. "Your-." She hesitates for a moment. "Your scowling, in public." I whip my head around to see who's seen me at this embarrassing moment. Thank Oz there's no one near by to see. Taking a sigh of relief, I calmly lamented to her.
She listened to me go on and on, and I could help but be so grateful for her willing to hear me ramble. Normally I'd lament girl stuff but NEVER EVER anything like this! Its because it's Elphaba. She doesn't have anything to gain or really anything anyone would believe. Elphaba clearly cared and it confused me. Did she really care?! Was she secretly judging me?
Galinda was spewing out her anger, frustrations and concerns about our class with Madam Morrible. I was completely guiltily in the judgmental wagon. Here she was pouring out her concerns, while I have thought she was nothing but another blond with daddy's money and power. She's really trying, she actually cares. Now I really did feel like a witch.
Coming into our dorm, two of her friends were there sitting on her bed, giggling and chatting whatever they chat about. Their eyes glittered once seeing Galinda coming in. And fade seeing me. "Oh...Galinda, your roommate is here." One said, looked towards the other clearly uncomfortable. "We thought she'd be in the library or whatever." The other said.
"Oh, well we just got done with Madam Morrible's class. Now we need to work on our homework for it." Galinda said as she started escorting them out.
If I didn't know any better, I'd think she didn't want them there. Or was she actually too embarrassed I'm there? I couldn't help but have doubts resurfacing.
Giving the last of her greeting setting plans for a shake, before closing the door. Turning to me, she stood frozen for a few moments before gingerly making her way to her side of the room.
"What was that about?" I said, crossing my arms. Waiting for her reply. She signed before she tried to change the subject. I didn't budge, until finally she let it slip that she wasn't comfortable on how everyone questions her friendliness towards me. Sure people write it off as her being a saintly pink princess, while clearly we both know that's not the case. I admit it kinda hurt me, but I'm used to it. What else is there to suspect, she does have a reputation to uphold.
After we finished our homework, it was perfect timing. I started prepping myself before heading to meet the girls for shakes. Elphaba was already moving onto another book of hers. I would have said something but I could tell she was ready to relax with a good book I assume. About to leave, a knock came to our door.
"Enter!" I said while powdering my nose. In came Someone we definitely weren't expecting. It was Boq. She came in breathing heavily, trying to pull himself together, while closing the door behind him.
"Miss Galinda, Elphaba? I need your help." He said folding his hands respectfully. Looking between the both of us, he continued to explain. "Look me and Nessa have been dating sense the Oz Dust Ball, but...well I really don't think it's working out." He said glancing at me, with his sick puppy eyes.
Elphaba glanced up from her book with concern, before asking why, but he didn't answer. I think he was afraid of offending her. It's clear people are still hesitant to come around her. He just stood there silent like a guilty child. "Umm...well, I just don't think I'm ready. I just need to focus more on my studies." He finally answered. At this point it was awkward for him to answer.
"Don't worry Nessa will understand." Elphaba said passively, as she looked down at her book. I was taken aback, a bit concerned. Elphaba isn't the type of let something about her sister slide. Her sister is like her corner stone. To the annoyance of Nessa sure but this was a bit out of character for Elphaba.
"Elphaba?" I hesitantly started. "Doesn't Nessa really like him, wouldn't she be a bit crushed to get the news from you?" Looking towards Boq, I couldn't help but ask with slight irritation. "Don't you think you owe her some explanation and explaining?"
He flinched at my interrogation. "Oops", I thought. "I'm sorry Boq. Just Nessa is a sweet girl, really smart, and deserves better than this." Before he could say anything I scurried myself out of the room. I didn't want to give him any chance to slip out of it, and try to ask me out.
By the time I got back it was already passed midnight. As expected Elphaba was already asleep in her bed. Collapsing in my bed, before I knew it, it was morning. Leaping out of bed, getting myself ready for class, I caught Elphaba snickering in the corner of the room. Looking at her dumbly, I couldn't help but snap at her. "What's so funny?"
I asked in the middle of pulling up my knee long skirt. "Nothing", she said. Smiling like a cat. "Just the fact that it's Saturday."
I could feel my whole face going red. "Grrrr." I threatened. Before collapsing on my bed. After a few moments, according to my clock it was a prefect time to get ready for lunch. Walking into town for lunch and groceries, me and Elphaba couldn't help but take in the fall creeping it's head out.
Pretty soon it will be winter. I've already started planning Christmas Shopping. I can't to find the perfect gift for Fiyero. He's been rather silent lately... STILL.