Fiyero had decided to postpone the inevitable break up with Galinda until after Elphaba gained her strength back. He knew that once he and Galinda were no more, Elphaba would try to avoid him as much as possible (as would Galinda) and the only other person she'd have to help her walk to class and carry books for her would be Lucas, and Fiyero would not be able to handle that. He tried to send Galinda the message by being distant and not as affectionate as a boyfriend should be, but it seemed the curls got in the way of any logical thought reaching her brain.
"Fiyero darling, it is just so goodly of you to help poor Elphie!" said Galinda one day as they walked to class. It was their third day back and Elphaba was slowly starting to need less and less assistance. Fiyero secretly wished she'd stay like this a while longer. He could get used to her in his arms all of the time. But that was selfish, beyond selfish really, knowing how she loved her independence so. He banished these thoughts quickly, savoring each moment with Elphaba. Because when he broke up with Galinda, those moments would be scarce, scarce indeed...
"Galinda, I really don't appreciate being referred to as 'poor Elphie'." Elphaba sighed, although she didn't really sound angry or displeased, rather amused actually.
"Yes I know, that's why I say it." Galinda chirped back. Elphaba rolled her eyes, but ignored her. Fiyero laughed at their rather unfriendly sounding exchange. If he were a stranger, it'd be pretty hard to figure out that those two were actually best friends.
"Anyway, I have to go meet Pfanee and ShenShen for tea. I'll see you later!" she called, giving Elphaba a small hug and Fiyero a kiss. She then went down the hall and was met by her squealing friends as they all caught a carriage together to go into town for tea. This left Fiyero and Elphaba in a rather awkward position. She was in his arms securely and was starting to get uncomfortable.
"Um...Fiyero?" said Elphaba, turning her head to see his face.
"Yes?" he asked.
"Well, Galinda is starting to worry." she said hesitantly.
"About what?" asked Fiyero, although he thought he had a pretty good idea about what.
"About your...relationship with her." Elphaba said, "She thinks that you don't like her anymore and that you're in love with somebody else."
"Somebody else?" asked Fiyero, "Who?"
"She wouldn't tell me who, but that's what she thinks and she's driving me mad with her constant complaints." said Elphaba, "Now I don't know how a 'boyfriend' is supposed to act exactly, but you don't seem to be acting as such towards her."
"Oh, I see." said Fiyero.
"Do you?" Elphaba raised an eyebrow, "Because she's really worried, and she loves you Fiyero, she really does." Fiyero stiffened at these words. Galinda loved him....that was not good, he would have to break up with her sooner than he thought.
"Fiyero?" Elphaba said, when she noticed him tense, "Fiyero, you do love her, don't you?" she asked. For once in his lifetime, Fiyero wished that Elphaba wasn't there at that precise moment. He couldn't lie to her and say he loved Galinda, and then turn around and break up with her the next day. But he also couldn't very well say that no, he didn't love Galinda and that he was in love with her. She'd most likely never speak to him again.
"I...uh..." Fiyero stalled. And then Lucas rounded the corner, book in face and nearly rammed right into Fiyero. Fiyero had never been happier to see him.
"Lucas, could you help Elphaba back to her dorm or something? I have to go." said Fiyero hastily. Elphaba seemed to catch the message that Fiyero needed to be alone. She understood, rather than felt offended, which was something Fiyero liked about her. If he'd done this to Galinda, she would have been overly offended.
"Sure," said Lucas, he was more than happy to. He'd been getting really sick of Fiyero these days, always holding onto Elphaba. He'd barely been able to talk to her, "I'd be glad to." He offered Elphaba his arm and she took it as she stepped into his arms rather than Fiyero's. Fiyero felt a part of him drift away as Elphaba stepped away from him, but he quickly took off down the hall.
"Thanks." he called to Lucas as he rounded a corner. Elphaba looked at Lucas and sighed.
"Actually, I'd rather just go to the library." said Elphaba, "Would you help me there?"
"Oh course." Lucas smiled at her and led her there. Elphaba smiled back and thanked him.
*******************
"Elphie!" Galinda whined as shes stormed into the dorm room later that day. Lucas had brought Elphaba back, and she was reading a book when Hurricane Galinda popped in.
"What is it this time Galinda?" asked Elphaba.
"It's Fiyero!" she wailed, "He didn't even look happy to see me today!"
"What do you mean? He smiled hugely this morning. Isn't a smile a form of expression usually implied to show happiness?" Elphaba supported Galinda. Galinda thought about this, true, Fiyero had smiled when he'd come to take the girls to class that day, but it wasn't at her, he'd smiled at Elphaba. She suddenly felt very jealous of Elphaba and possessive of Fiyero.
"Well yes, I suppose so." said Galinda. If Fiyero liked Elphaba, than Galinda decided to become more like Elphaba. She studiously picked up a book and began to read.
"Um...Galinda?" said Elphaba. Galinda looked up, confused. "What are you doing?" Elphaba asked.
"Reading." said Galinda, "I've got a test to study for."
"The test isn't for two months and you never study, what's wrong?" asked Elphaba. Galinda sighed.
"It's just...the girl I think that Fiyero likes is really smart and is always studying, so if I study more, maybe perhaps..." Galinda trailed off and Elphaba immediately understood.
"Galinda, making yourself more like this girl, who I'm sure Fiyero has no feelings for, will not make Fiyero fall in love with you. That is, if he's not already in love with you." Elphaba put a comforting arm around Galinda's drooped shoulders.
"You're right Elphie," Galinda sighed, "But I just wish..."
"I know Galinda." said Elphaba, "I'm sure you two will work things out."
**********
As the days passed, Galinda got more and more doubtful of Fiyero's love for her. Elphaba had finally regained most of her strength and could walk on her own, though Fiyero was still a bit protective. Now that Elphaba had her strength back, Fiyero had to end it with Galinda. The gang was heading back from the café, when Fiyero silently pulled Galinda away to the courtyards, rather than to continue to the dorms.
"What is it Fiyero dearest?" asked Galinda.
"Galinda...we need to....talk." said Fiyero. Galinda froze at these words. Those were the exact same words she said to each and every one of her previous boyfriends before she was about to break up with them. We. Need. To. Talk. Galinda gulped.
"Alright." Galinda said.
"Galinda....I think we should...break up." said Fiyero carefully.
"Break up?" said Galinda, trying to keep her tears at bay. She should have seen this coming.
"Well, yes. I mean...Galinda, I will always love you, in a friendly sort of way, as my sister. Would you mind, just being...friends?" said Fiyero. Galinda didn't say anything. Fiyero rushed to continue, "I mean, if you don't want to be, I understand. If you just want me out of your life, I can do that." he said, "I really care about you, and I don't want you to take this as rejection, just a something new, different in our relationship, but more a friendly relationship rather than romantic." After several long breaths, Galinda composed herself somewhat.
"Fiyero...I-I don't want you to completely just get out of my life. And I understand that you still care for me. I care for you too. But I'm going to need some time before I can acknowledge you as my friend. Alright?"
"I understand. That's fine Galinda." Fiyero said.
"I have to go now." Galinda said, and walked away as fast as she could, brushing tears from her eyes as she made her way to her dorm. Soon the tears were coming so fast, Galinda didn't bother to wipe them away. She'd really loved him. And for the longest time, she'd thought he really loved her. She knew why he didn't love her anymore. It wasn't because he'd just fallen out of love with her; he'd fallen for someone else, which made Galinda even more distraught. And the worst part was she knew who it was. Knowing the real reason Fiyero broke up with her and who he broke up with her for was like when you're in a competition and right before the winner is announced, you see the envelope that states the winner, and it's not you. She really wanted to be mad at Fiyero, but she couldn't. He hadn't really done anything wrong. But she was so in love with him. She swung the door open and ran to her bed when she got to her dorm.
"Galinda?" Elphaba called softly.
"Get away!" Galinda called, her voice muffled by the pillow she was crying her eyes out into.
"Galinda, what's happened?" Elphaba asked, pulling Galinda up, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
"I—Fiyero, he—he broke up with me." Galinda confessed before a few more tears fell from her eyes.
"Oh." said Elphaba. She did not know how to handle situations like these. Did she say comforting things to Galinda? Say nothing at all? Hug her? Threaten Fiyero? She decided on the comforting words, "Galinda. It's alright. I'm sure you'll find another--"
"No Elphie, I loved him. I really loved him!" Galinda cried, "I don't want anyone but him!"
"Why did he break up with you?" asked Elphaba.
"He said he just doesn't love me in a romantic sense anymore, but—but I don't believe him." Galinda said, her cries had quieted now as silent tears ran down her cheeks.
"You don't believe him? Do you think he cheated on you?" asked Elphaba, somewhat shocked. Fiyero was a good person; he would never cheat on Galinda.
"No!" Galinda was quick to say, "No, no, I just—think that—he'd still be in love with me if he hadn't fallen in love with someone else!" soon Galinda was sobbing again. Elphaba (who had seen Galinda sobbing her hardest) had never seen her this heartbroken and distraught. Elphaba suddenly realized the extent of Galinda's love for Fiyero. She'd always thought the relationship a little shallow and based on looks. But now she saw that the relationship meant much more to Galinda.
"Galinda," Elphaba said in a soothing tone, "Galinda calm down. You are blowing this way out of proportion."
"No I'm not." Galinda sniffled, she was sure of her inferences.
"Galinda, would you like me to go speak to Fiyero?" asked Elphaba. Galinda tensed at this. Before when she was dating Fiyero, she'd never given a care about when Fiyero and Elphaba were alone together, or speaking together. Now the thought horrified her. She didn't think she'd be able to bear seeing Elphaba with the man she loved. Her best friend, and her ex-boyfriend (who she still loved). Now her feelings were getting even more jumbled, because now she felt possessive of Fiyero and Elphaba. She did not love Elphaba (at least not in that romantic sense), but she still felt possessive of her, as though Fiyero's love for her would steal her away from Galinda. Galinda was so used to being Elphaba's only friend, her only best friend, the only one she told her secrets to, the only one who knew everything about her, Galinda adored being Elphaba's 'only' in almost every category. They spent all of their time together (sometimes Fiyero joined), but what if Fiyero came and took Elphaba away? What if she started spending all of her time with Fiyero? Told Fiyero all of her secrets? She did not want to share Elphaba anymore than she wanted to share Fiyero. She imagined Elphaba and Fiyero falling in love together and leaving her to her lonesome self as her heart broke at the loss of the man she loved and her best friend. The thought was enough to make her break out in sobs again.
"No." she said, shaking her head wildly, "Don't speak to Fiyero...at all."
"Excuse me?" said Elphaba, not sure she was catching the correct words. Galinda realized how that sentence must have sounded and rephrased.
"Elphaba. I—I don't want to see Fiyero anymore...at all, and I really need you by my side. Will you stay with me?" she said. She knew this was low and selfish. She was going to guilt Elphaba into staying as far away from Fiyero as possible. Fiyero was Elphaba's friend too, and she was going make Elphaba give him up, all because she couldn't stand Fiyero loving Elphaba.
"You don't want me to speak to Fiyero?" said Elphaba.
"Please." Galinda sniffled. Elphaba was torn. This was a true choice between friends. Galinda had always been such a good friend to Elphaba, her first friend. And Fiyero was Galinda boyfriend (well, now ex-boyfriend, but still) she'd met him through Galinda. She loved Fiyero, and that fact just made her feel guiltier and guiltier. And the way Galinda had asked made her sound like she really, really needed her. Elphaba knew all of Galinda's other friends were shallow, and didn't really care. They'd probably be jumping at the thought that Fiyero was single. They didn't care about Galinda...not really. So in a way, Elphaba had been Galinda's first friend too.
"I—alright." Elphaba sighed, "If that's really what you want and what you need."
"It is." said Galinda, "I think so."
*****************
The next day, Galinda awoke and felt her face was stiff with dry tears. She quickly washed her face and got dressed. Elphaba was already up, studying at her desk.
"Are you feeling any better?" asked Elphaba.
"Yeah." Galinda said, "Ready for class?"
"Of course." Elphaba smiled, "C'mon." they walked to class together, Elphaba didn't know what to say and Galinda wasn't in the mood for gossip or conversation. When they entered the class room, Galinda was immediately greeted with the sight of Fiyero sitting at his desk as usual. Elphaba noticed Galinda stiffen and took her arm gently and lead her to a seat far away from Fiyero. Galinda immediately asked if Elphaba would sit with her, making sure she wouldn't go to her normal seat by Fiyero. Elphaba nodded and sat down next to Galinda without a second glance at Fiyero, even as she felt him staring at her, she didn't look or acknowledge his presence.
Fiyero was staring at them the whole lesson. Elphaba seemed to be trying her hardest to ignore him, fidgeting with her pencil, flipping through pages in her book, busying herself and chatting with Galinda. Galinda wasn't her usually cheery and was doing everything half-heartedly. Though Fiyero thought her saw something like triumph or relief in her eyes as Elphaba ignored him completely. He dismissed this thought; Galinda wouldn't end his friendship with Elphaba on purpose, would she? He knew girl's did wild things when in love or heartbroken, but Galinda wasn't like them.
At the end of class, Fiyero followed them behind and approached them carefully.
"Um...Elphaba, could I have a word?" asked Fiyero. Elphaba almost agreed as she looked into those electrifying blue sincere eyes. But she glanced back at Galinda and quickly looked away from Fiyero's eyes.
"I'm sorry Fiyero, no." said Elphaba, she turned away quickly, but Fiyero's voice turned her back around.
"Why not?" asked Fiyero.
"I have to go the library." Elphaba replied.
"The library's closed today for recreational purposes." said Fiyero.
"Well...I have to--" Elphaba was cut off from forming another excuse as she saw the hurt in Fiyero's eyes, but it was somewhat mingled with understanding.
"Elphaba, why won't you just talk to me?" Fiyero asked, the hurt in his eyes spreading to his voice as well.
"I won't talk you because I don't want to Fiyero." said Elphaba, her voice strained as though she had to force herself to say the words. Galinda then grabbed Elphaba's hand and dragged her away from Fiyero. Elphaba was a little grateful for this, she couldn't stand to look at him anymore. He was too hurt and she was feeling guilty and terrible. She allowed Galinda to pull her away as they headed back to the dorms. Fiyero watched them leave. Elphaba hated him; she didn't want him in her life. She'd only ever put up with him because of Galinda, and now he and Galinda were no more. Had she ever even considered him a friend? He still cared about Galinda, and knew she'd need time before she could speak to him again. But Elphaba, why wouldn't she speak to him? Now that he thought about it, Galinda did seem to be acting a little...possessive of Elphaba. It must have had to do something with Galinda, friendship, loyalty, Galinda's jealousy? Who knew, but Fiyero just knew he'd be miserable until she came back.