Note: I apologize for the long span between chapters. Things have been a little crazy. I am experiencing some writer's block with my upcoming fic which is really irritating. Hopefully, it will not last long. I will not be updating for about 2 weeks since I am going to Cali! Woohooo! I will be bringing my writing with me so fear not faithful readers! Another fic is on the way!
The moon illuminated the garden in a ghostly glow. Elphaba sat on the bench beneath the tree, hidden in the shadows of its large branches. She had set a ladder against the shed for Fiyero. She hoped he would show. Even if he didn't, she was prepared to journey alone. She had survived without company before, and she would again if the situation arose.
A rustle of leaves startled her. Within moments, Fiyero stood before her. Elphaba inwardly sighed with relief as she rose to confront him.
"I didn't think you were going to come," she whispered.
"I couldn't let you face the Wizard alone. Besides, traveling alone is boring."
Elphaba touched his arm. "This is not going to be easy. If, at any point, you want to come back I'll understand."
"I'm not going to leave you behind, Fae."
Elphaba smiled. "Fae. I like that," she said softly. She hadn't realized how close they were standing. Nor did she comprehend how near his lips were to hers. She only knew how she longed to lose herself in his eyes, his arms, and his kiss. Seeing the faraway look on her face, Fiyero broke the silence.
"Are you ok?"
Elphaba leapt back into the outward world. "Yes, I-I'm fine. I'm just anxious."
She hurried to the ladder. She would have grabbed Fiyero's hand, but she didn't trust herself. She didn't trust the wave of emotion that threatened to engulf.
"We have to go," she whispered urgently. Fiyero quickly followed her over the shed.
Glinda tried to focus on the lesson, but her mind kept wandering. Where had Elphaba gone to? She wasn't in the room when Glinda woke up, and she wasn't in class. It was highly unusual for Elphaba to miss a lecture. She was always present.
"Miss Glinda?"
Glinda was jarred back to her senses by Doctor Nikidik.
"Forgive me, Doctor. I'm not myself today," she apologized.
"Please try to mumble mumble mumble. More careful attention mumble mumble mumble if on hopes to mumble mumble."
Glinda felt her cheeks flush a brilliant shade of red. Damn Elphaba for causing her embarrassment! It wasn't really her fault, but Glinda always felt better placing the blame on someone else.
Following the end of class, Glinda approached Doctor Nikidik. She apologized a second time and requested an extra homework assignment for Elphaba. She made up an excuse that Elphaba had come down with the flu.
When she reached the dorm, Glinda placed the assignment on Elphaba's weathered desk. Glinda couldn't believe the emptiness she felt. Without her green roomie she was lonely. Fiyero hadn't been in class either. She wondered where he and Elphaba could have disappeared to.
An envelope on her night table caught her eye. In her haste this morning, it had gone unnoticed. She opened it now with shaky fingers. Glinda stiffened as her eyes roamed the page. She had gone to the Emerald City without her! Why would she go back on her word? Rationale swept in. Of course, their spat had changed Elphaba's mind. Glinda sighed heavily. She wanted to make amends before Elphaba left.
The hawkish girl had left sooner than she anticipated. It was no matter now. Elphaba was gone, leaving an eerie silence. Not that Elphaba was one for conversation, but just the sight of her knees drawn up to support some book or another had comforted Glinda. Only the insecurity of being alone was left. With nothing else to do Glinda settled down to start her assignment. She smiled to herself.
"Elphie made a student out of me after all," she thought.
Fiyero woke from a light sleep. The carriage rolled noisily along the dirt road. Elphaba was still asleep, her head resting on his shoulder. Fiyero massaged his neck with his free hand. They had only been traveling a day, but to Fiyero it seemed like weeks. Fiyero wanted to ask Elphaba about her argument with Glinda. It would have to wait until they reached the inn. He resigned himself to watching the dust clouds roll by the window of the carriage.