5- Talking Business

Elphaba yawned. She had spent almost six hours at the library, studying. The old building was beautifully designed; four floors full of books- new, rare, whatever- organized according to genres and authors. It was heaven for Elphaba, and the best place to study in, as far as she was concerned. Galinda suggested that she would join her and her friends on the lawns, but Elphaba knew better than to accept that invitation. She needed the peace and quiet the library could provide her in order to memorize the spells for Madam Morrible's exam. The last thing she needed was sitting on the grass with Galinda and her silly friends. She knew just how much she'd be able to learn then, or what. Practically nothing.

A shadow suddenly fell upon her open spell book, and she raised her head with a start. She was more than surprised to see the person in front of her. She let a nasty expression take hold on her features as she said, in the most sarcastic tone she could manage, "You? In the library? I must be dreaming."

"I hope it is a good dream, at least," Fiyero retorted, flashing at her what he probably believed was his best smile. "Am I interrupting you?"

"As a matter of fact, you are," she replied, smiling sweetly.

"Oooh, that hurt!" he said, playing along, "Mind if I sit down?"

"Be my guest. It's not my reputation being shattered into pieces here. Sitting in the library, and with me of all people? Must be your lucky day."

Fiyero laughed softly and took a seat across from her.

"Courageous," she remarked, one eyebrow raised. "This is a point of no return, you know."

"Oh, like it's going to ruin your image or something," he teased. For a second he regretted it- she might take it the wrong way and be offended.

She detected the spark of regret in his eyes and snorted. "Oh, please! It takes more than that to insult me! Besides, it's not my image that I worry about." He wondered what did she mean by that but didn't have a chance to even ask her; she continued. "So, what can I do for you? I mean, you surely need something, you wouldn't have risked your reputation in coming here just to see my pretty face, huh?" she asked in the most sweet and flirtatious tone she could manage. She was allowed some fun after so many frustrating hours of memorizing spells, no matter what was her decision regarding her feelings for him.

He had that annoying, goofy grin that made her want to smack him to wipe it off. "Did anyone ever tell you how hopelessly cynical you are?"

"Cynical is my middle name, don't wear it out." He chuckled. "What do you want, Fiyero?"

"Well… I've been thinking-"

"You have been what? Are you feeling okay? Should I fetch the school nurse?"

"Will you just listen?" he asked impatiently. She frowned but stopped talking. There was this unmistaken urgency to his voice. Now she was curious. "I like it here," he said, sounding serious all of a sudden. "I don't want to be expelled again, but I need to work really hard to keep my grades up. If I fail I'm out, that's what Morrible said."

Elphaba chuckled. "Horrible Morrible. That's how I call her."

Fiyero burst out laughing at that. "Huh! I bet you are, you wicked girl!" Someone behind them told him to keep his voice down. Fiyero mumbled a quiet apology in his direction and turned to look at Elphaba. "Anyway, she said that I might want to use some of my fellow students' talents… and she happened to mention your name as the one at the top of the class, almost in every class."

It wasn't that hard to follow. "So you want me to help you pass the exams?"

Fiyero nodded. "Exactly," he smiled. "And just in case you wondered, you won't do it for free, either."

"Oh?"

"Help me pass the exams, and I'll take you to the spring dance… as my date," he concluded, deadly serious, and looked deeply into her eyes.

For just a moment she was completely shocked, and speechless. Did he just say what she thought he had just said? She suddenly realized he was still looking at her, waiting for her reply. She mustered all her strength and said, "That's sweet, but I'll have to turn you down on that." More than anything she wanted to accept his invitation to go with him to the spring dance; yet an image of a devastated Galinda crossed her mind, and she knew she just couldn't.

"Do you have a good reason?" The expression on his face was unreadable to her. Offended? Upset? Disappointed? Relieved…?

"Yes, I do," she replied seriously. He didn't seem to follow. She sighed at his hopeless brainlessness. "Did you ever think of what Galinda would have to say about that?" He looked away. "I thought so," she said softly. There was an uncomfortable silence between them.

"Okay than," he said after considering it. "How about a dance?" he suggested, "One dance? I'm sure Galinda won't mind that."

Elphaba shook her head, a faint smile now curling on her lips. The boy was stubborn. "I'm not much of a dancer, I'm afraid."

"Well, I'll have to teach you then, right? So it's only fair," he returned her smile. She hesitated. "Come on, you can't be that bad. One dance? Okay?"

After what looked like an eternity, she slowly nodded. "Done," she said quietly.

A huge smile lightened up Fiyero's face. He shook her hand formally. "Done," he echoed. "So, when do we start?"

"Tomorrow morning, bright and early. We have a lot of work to do."

"I'll meet you here?" he asked, already on his way to leave.

"Yes. And don't be late!" she warned.

"Swankified," he smiled, then got serious again. "Thanks a lot, Elphaba."

"No problem. See you tomorrow," she replied softly and watched him walk away. The moment he disappeared of her sight, she sighed and laid her head on her arms, setting them on the desk. Oh sweet Oz, give me the strength to be able to do this, she thought.

She had no way of knowing that on his way back to the boys' dorms, Fiyero was thinking the exact same thing.