They had agreed to meet at the Gilded Truffle, the fanciest restaurant in Oz. This was another part of Fiyero's plot to see if Elphaba would look good as date material. If all went as planned, Galinda would give Elphaba a new look and bring her to the restaurant, while thinking she was Fiyero's date, but Elphaba would be impressed by Fiyero's charming wit.
To say the least, the date didn't go quite as planned.
The four arrived at the restaurant only to be met by a line as long as the Yellow Brick Road itself.
"Thank goodness Fifi made reservations." Galinda bubbled.
Fiyero swallowed loudly. "Oh...was I supposed to do that?"
The statement was followed by three loud groans from his companions and the most awkward silence he had ever endured.
Avaric broke the silence with a loud, "AWWWWWKWAAAARD!"
"So Galinda, Elphaba, this is my buddy Avaric." Fiyero tried to start.
Galinda smiled widely and shook Avaric's hand. However, when Avaric extended his hand to Elphaba, she nodded and turned away.
"Well she's a delight." Avaric muttered.
After a few more feeble attempts to start a conversation, the silence returned.
Finally, Galinda said, "I'm going to go check on the line. Fiyero, why don't you join me?"
Desperate not to leave Elphaba alone with Avaric, Fiyero said, "Well dear, you know me so well, why doesn't Avaric join you."
For the first time Elphaba spoke, "Actually Galinda, I have to go call Nessa, so I'll come with you." She quickly grabbed Galinda's hand and started walking away.
When they were out of earshot Avaric said proudly, "PHEW! Wow dude, you are the biggest failure ever, and I got 4/20 on the last basketball quiz."
"Aren't you on the basketball team?" Fiyero asked, just as the girls returned.
Fiyero thought he saw the ghost of a smile on Elphaba's face. Galinda must have said something to her.
"They said we have about an hour's wait from here." Galinda sighed.
"You know there's a Burger Wizard across from here. We could just go there." Elphaba spoke up.
Almost immediately, the four walked away from the restaurant and started heading down the street. Elphaba kicked off her shoes and started rubbing at her face.
For the first time, Fiyero really looked at her. He noticed that Galinda had put her in heels and a deep purple knee length dress that flattered her figure. He could see faint traces of eyeliner, lip gloss and blush but they were all overpowered by her skin, which conveniently was his favourite shade of green. It was then that he realized, maybe, just maybe, she looked better as herself. Without Galindification.
Seated at the Burger Wizard, in dressy clothes, Galinda, Avaric, Elphaba and Fiyero ordered their food and relapsed into another silence. Avaric was determined not to let this happen.
"Has anyone seen that movie with the talking furniture?" He asked, not really meaning anything.
"Oh I LOVE that movie!" Galinda exclaimed, "I saw it four times!" Launching into a full conversation about candles and clocks, Galinda was too absorbed in her conversation to notice when the cook rang the bell and called her name, signifying their food was ready. Elphaba began walking to the counter.
Determined to get her alone, Fiyero followed her. "I think this is going very well."
Elphaba looked deep into his eyes and said, "You make Galinda very happy, Fiyero. Please don't hurt her." She grabbed a tray and headed back to the table.
Fiyero was frozen. The first thing she had ever said to him. He felt like she had looked straight into his soul with her deep brown eyes. For a brief moment he felt queasy, like something was in his stomach. He never wanted to feel that ever again.
At the table, Avaric and Galinda were still talking. It seemed to have taken a pattern. Galinda talks, Avaric eats, Galinda eats, and Avaric still eats, but continues the conversation. Av's a pro at eating.
Over his burger, Fiyero surveyed Elphaba. She took small bites of her food, but ate quickly and she always had a thoughtful look on her face. At that moment, Fiyero would have given anything to have been inside her head.
NO! Bad Fiyero! Thinking is a dangerous pastime!
Finished with her food, Elphaba pulled a thick book out of her bag and began reading.
Fiyero gasped, "What are you reading?"
Elphaba smirked, "A book. Don't worry I know this is a new concept for you."
"They actually make books that big? Is it legal?"
Elphaba actually looked shocked. "Fiyero, our science textbook is a lot bigger, haven't you even opened it?"
"Clearly not." Fiyero tried to sound charismatic, but knew he had just blown it.
Standing up and preparing to leave, Elphaba sighed.
"Is there any hope for me at all?" Fiyero grinned.
Looking up, with a gleam in her eye Elphaba said, "Maybe in time, with lots of hard work."
Fiyero felt that more was implied there than Elphaba let on.
Determined to follow Elphaba, Fiyero grabbed his stuff, kissed Galinda on the cheek and left.
Swooning in her seat, Galinda nodded dreamily.