Author's Note: So so so so so so sorry for the wait. I've been really busy. Forgive me. PS Wicked is not mine. Thanks.
Important Notes:
This chapter includes Elphie and water...not good. Having not actually seen the musical I'm not sure if it would actually pose a problem...I've only listened to the soundtrack, seen the first ... half hour, maybe, and read the wikipedia summary of it. I did read the book, and that's where I got that piece from.
Also, Galinda and Elphie are friends here; it's post "Popular" but pre "One Short Day."
"I'll be right back…gotta change if I'm coming. Can't show up in wrinkled clothes, can I?" Fiyero smiled in his friend's general direction, at the same time having no idea who, precisely, he was talking to. Vaguely, he heard the suggestive remark, "Well, you could. We'd be able to come up with a good reason why…" but he ignored it. He hurried out the door and glanced both ways down the corridor, trying to see which way she'd gone. Her room, perhaps? If he sprinted he might be able to get to her before she could get away with avoiding him.
Elphaba was running faster than she'd ever run in her life. He'd set her up. That was the only explanation she could come up with. How else would Fiyero's idiot friend know where to find him? And how could he have had such…impeccable…timing? And on top of it…what had she been thinking? She had always had the sense not to trust people and now…the one guy who'd managed to get under her skin and look where it had gotten her! She decided not to go back to her room; she wouldn't be able to sleep anyway. Instead, she chose to slip outside and under her favorite tree…it was the shadiest one in the daytime, and the easiest to hide under should the need for such a place arise. She sighed, leaning against its rough trunk and breathing deeply in an attempt to slow her still racing heart.
And then it began to rain. Elphaba cursed loudly, throwing her arms over her face in an attempt to ward off the scalding droplets. What am I supposed to do now? The sudden downpour made no sense whatsoever, but there it was…and there she was. Phenomenal. She gave small, uncharacteristic squeak, put her head down and made a break for the building.
Fiyero halted in front of Galinda and Elphaba's suite and knocked softly on the door. He held his breath, hoping that Elphaba was there, and that he wouldn't wake Galinda up. Nothing. He tried a bit louder. "Elphaba? Open the door. Please?" They weren't the best of friends and he didn't even pretend to really know her, but he knew somewhat what she was like…and he knew she'd be furious with him.
The screeching of wet shoes echoed on the floor, he whirled around and found himself facing Elphaba. Elphaba, dripping with water. "Out of the way," she spat, her head bowed so that he couldn't see her face.
"Elphaba! Great. I was looking for you." He beamed, and then furrowed his brow in confusion. "Are you all right?"
"I said get out of the way!" she snarled.
He didn't move. "But I want to talk to you. I need to explain."
"Explain it later!" She reached forward and literally shoved him out of the way. Then, she slipped through the door and slammed it.
"Elphaba…come on." He leaned against the wall, sighing loudly.
She stripped of her soaking clothes and tied hair back, wincing with pain. Oil…where's the oil? She threw open the dresser drawers, one after the other in her desperate search. She let out a quiet, relieved moan when she found it and nearly tipped it over in her enthusiasm. Carefully, she began to rub it into her burning, blistering skin.
Galinda, who was typically a pretty heavy sleeper, was startled from her slumber by Elphaba's less than quiet movements. "What are you doing? I was asleep."
Elphaba ignored her, continuing to apply the oil.
"Elphaba, what are you doing?" She opened her eyes completely, sat up, and she suddenly gasped. "Elphie! What happened to you?"
"Nothing. Go to bed." She stretched out gingerly.
Another knock sounded at the door. "Sweet Oz, who could be here at this hour?" demanded Galinda.
Elphaba grimaced. "Galinda," she began.
She was already at the door. "Who is it?"
Fiyero groaned under his breath. Galinda was a lovely girl, but he didn't need her distracting him now. "Elphaba?"
Galinda spun around. "Elphie, it's for you!" she hissed, as though Elphaba couldn't hear Fiyero herself. Even sleepy the voice sounded familiar. "Is that Fiyero?"
Elphaba stepped closer to the door. "I told you not now."
"You didn't. You just said…Okay. Okay, I get it. Will you at least meet me for lunch tomorrow to let me explain? Under that big tree toward the back of campus?" Fiyero pleaded.
"Fine. Lunch, then. Good night." She turned out the light and got into bed tentatively, trying not to further irritate her skin. That oil worked wonders, but her skin was still sensitive.
"Elphiiiie…what was that all about?" Galinda drawled, curious. "Was it Fiyero?"
"Never mind. Time for bed." Elphaba replied, rearranging herself so that she was as comfortable as she could get.
"But this is the first guy who's ever come looking for you in the middle of the night! You have to tell me everything!" Galinda whined.
Nothing.
"Fine." Galinda pouted and threw herself down in bed, mumbling, "Gave my sleep up for this. So ungrateful."
Elphaba woke up early, of course. She gazed outside and frowned. The sky was still filled with heavy gray clouds that predicted more rain. Great. It wasn't as though she could skip that lunch with Fiyero, though. He'd probably just track her down and try to make her listen to him again, and, heaven help her, she wanted to know what he was going to say.
Of course, the day ended up horribly rainy and cold. When it came time for lunch, though, Elphie couldn't bring herself to ditch Fiyero. She bundled up, grabbed an umbrella and headed on her way. "You have ten minutes." She spat, upon seeing him standing there.
He paused. Then: "All right. I wanted to…apologize about last night."
She tossed her head, but stayed silent. What could she say that wouldn't give her away?
Fiyero sighed. "I shouldn't have bothered you."
"No." She shook her head. "You really shouldn't have."
"And…I'm sorry." He sighed again. What could he say without her freaking out on him? This was insanity. It was taking every tiny bit of willpower he had not to mention anything about what had gone on the night before. Maybe he'd imagined it…but maybe he hadn't. She'd probably get mad at him for bringing it up, though, and that would just kill him. Her silence was painful enough.
"What I find funny," she began, unable to stop herself, "is that your friends even know where the library is. Or are they under the impression that that is where you sleep all the time?"
With those words, Fiyero understood...hopefully. Could it be? "Miss Elphaba…you don't think I set you up?"
She froze. "What…what are you talking about?"
"You don't think I'd planned for him to walk in do you?" He spoke as directly as possible. Might as well do this right.
She couldn't speak. He'd caught her. Caught her, and she had no idea how she could get herself out of this situation now.
AN 2: This is a really abrupt ending, and I'm not too crazy about this chappie...please review and be honest. No flamers, though. There's such a thing as constructive criticizm.