Note:I am sorry for the long wait for this chapter. I am in the middle of writing a tird fic and it has been giving me some trouble. I kinda forgot that I hadn't posted a chap in a while. I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me. ducks to avoid rotten fruit Right...well...in any case, happy reading:)
Elphaba was awakened abruptly by a loud banging. It took her a few moments to realize it was someone at the door. She threw off her blanket and swung her feet to the floor. The knocking became more insistent.
"I'm coming," she said through a yawn.
Fiyero stood on the other side of the door. He glanced at the hall clock anxiously. Finally, Elphaba opened the door. He noticed her disheveled appearance.
"Elphie, you have to get dressed! We have an exam in ten minutes!"
Elphaba's eyes widened. She had overslept! She ran to the closet and pulled out a long, navy blue skirt and a white blouse. Fiyero watched her move quickly about the room. He glanced at her desk and saw her books stacked atop it. Her bag hung from the chair.
"Do you want me to pack your bag for you?" he asked.
"Yes, thanks!" she shouted from behind the bathroom door. She was dressed in two minutes flat. Fiyero watched in awe as Elphaba deftly braided her hair, laced her boots, grabbed her bag, and strode out the door. He raced to catch up to her.
"I see Glinda got up just fine," she said while they hurried to class.
"When I saw her in her seat, and you were nowhere to be found, I knew something was wrong," he said.
Elphaba was furious with Glinda! She realized they were not on the best of terms at the moment, but to leave her asleep was plain spiteful. She looked at Fiyero and said, "I never thanked you for waking me up. I really appreciate it."
Fiyero smiled warmly at her. "Anytime, Elphie."
They walked into the classroom right before the bell rang.
"That was just under the wire Miss Elphaba and Master Fiyero. Try to be a little more punctual in the future," mumbled Doctor Nikidik. Elphaba and Fiyero sat down and began the exam.
That afternoon, Elphaba was sitting cross-legged under an oak tree. She munched absent-mindedly on an apple while she read one of her many essays on religion. The sun was shining down on the lush landscape of the campus. Slowly, a shadow approached. It halted at the bottom of the page.
"Must you stand in my light, Fiyero?"
She was teasing, but she could see the uncertainty on his face. She patted the grass beside her.
"You may sit if you like."
Fiyero settled himself on the ground. "What are you doing?" he asked.
Elphaba put the papers into her bag. "I was reading an essay on the nature of love, but I need to talk to you." She stretched her legs out and turned to face him.
"I did a lot of thinking last night. I thought about my childhood and my life here, and I realized what's been missing. I need a friend, Fiyero. I need someone to give a damn about me. I need you."
She paused to draw a shaky breath. Fiyero held her hand to comfort her. Her fingers tightened around his hand, desperately holding on.
"I have never been close to anyone. With Nessa, it's more devotion than love. It's so easy to talk to you. I can tell you things I've never told anyone."
She looked at Fiyero with admiration and wonder. "How do you do it?"
"Do what?" he asked.
"How do you break down my walls and gain my trust in a mere moment?" she replied softly.
Fiyero wrapped his arms around her. He moved his hand in a slow circle over her back. She stayed close to him despite her natural instinct to pull away. Eventually, her tension dissipated and a contented feeling took its place.
Glinda sat on the stone wall near the lake with her legs slightly behind her. Avaric lay with his head on her thighs. She watched Elphaba and Fiyero intently. She distractedly ran her fingers through Avaric's wavy locks.
"I don't believe it," she said.
"Hmmm?" murmured Avaric.
"Look at them." Glinda motioned to the tree.
"How quaint. The frog and the heathen are getting cozy," he mocked.
Glinda didn't approve of his name-calling, but she kept her mouth shut. Elphaba had said some unkind things about Avaric, after all. She shrugged her shoulders.
"It's her life. Let her live it," she said.
Avaric sat up and stretched. "I'm bored. Let's go somewhere more interesting." He lifted Glinda off the wall and led her toward Crage Hall.
Fiyero shifted Elphaba to cradle her against him. She sighed and fingered the buttons on his shirt.
"Can I ask you something, Fiyero?"
"Sure."
"I'm leaving for the Emerald City tonight. I want you to come with me," she said in a low voice.
"Why are you leaving?"
"I have to let the Wizard know about Dr. Dillamond's research. With his findings, the banns will have to be lifted!"
Her face was getting flushed and her voice was rising with passion.
"Shhh! Do you want Horrible Morrible to hear you?" he warned.
Elphaba blushed. "Will you come with me? I don't think I can do this alone."
Her deep brown eyes implored him. Fiyero was honored that she would trust him with something that meant so much to her.
"When should I meet you?"
Elphaba beamed at him. She ripped a page out of her notebook and scribbled the information down before rolling it up. She handed it to Fiyero and closed his fingers around it.
"After you read this you have to burn it."
His eyebrows shot up in surprise. "I'm not kidding, Fiyero. Promise me."
"I promise."
Elphaba sighed in relief. She gathered her belongings and stood up.
"I'll see you tonight," she whispered. She took off toward Crage Hall at a run.
Fiyero started to walk back toward Ozma Towers. He kept his fingers tight around the paper in his fist. He didn't open his hand until he was safe inside his room. He sat down on the bed and slowly unrolled the paper.
For my heart could not flee from my heart. Nor could I escape myself since wherever I ran, I should be following.
It's not easy for me to let people in. I am not what you might expect. However, I am as human as everyone else. I have thoughts, feelings, and desires. I want to make a difference. I don't want to settle for mediocrity. I am not a philosopher, but I can think and feel. I want you to help me change the world. I know that is a lot to ask of you. We hardly know each other and yet, I can't think of anyone I would rather be with. Meet me in the kitchen garden at midnight. Please trust in me.
Fiyero was stunned. Elphaba was willing to let him in. He wanted to keep the note, but Elphaba had instructed him not to. He carefully rolled the paper back up and removed a box of matches from his desk drawer. After setting fire to the paper, Fiyero put it in the bathroom sink and opened the window. He didn't want the smell to alarm anyone. He rinsed the ashes down the sink when the flame died out. He packed a small bag and waited for midnight to arrive.