"So, you and Fiyero broke up?" The next morning, it was painfully obvious Elphaba cared much more than she put on.
Galinda considered calling her on it, but then decided against it. If she did, she would probably wind up coming clean about reading Elphaba's diary, and didn't quite want to do that. Instead, she just said, "Yes."
"Oh." She cocked her head to the side, clearly unsure of how she was susposed to behave in this situation. Eighteen years of being mostly friendless had left her socially awkward. She dug the toe of her shoe into the floor. "Sorry."
Galinda clicked her tounge. "Nothing to be sorry about, I broke up with him."
"Oh?" Galinda was vaguely aware of how hard Elphaba was trying to control her expression. It was obvious now that she was interested in Fiyero. The signs were easy to spot once she was looking for them.
"I just thought it was time for a change. I'm not angry with him, or anything. He's still a friend of mine." She tried to make Elphaba as comfortable as possible. She glanced to the clock. "Oh! We're almost late for class. C'mon!" The girls ran out of their dorm room, toward their class.
They were. The classroom was nearly full, and only two seats were left, one beside Fiyero, and the one next to it. Seeing oppourtunity, Galinda quickly went to sit at the far desk, leaving Elphaba to sit beside Fiyero. "Please." She whispered. "It would be awkward if I sat beside him with our breakup and all." Elphaba nodded and took the last seat.
Galinda tried to focus on the class, but watching her best friend and her former boyfriend was much more entertaining. Occasionally, she would catch one of them looking at the other. Eventually, there was a slight breakthrough. Fiyero leaned over to gently poke Elphaba in the ribs. She jumped out of her skin. Galinda(and Elphaba, for that matter) looked at him expectantly.
"Would you mind..." He began.
"Yes?" Elphaba prompted.
"...Letting me borrow a pencil?" Elphaba fished through her bag for a spare pencil, and Galinda sagged into her desk. Matchmaking was much harder than she thought. Then again, it probably didn't help that Fiyero had no idea Elphaba liked him. Elphaba's paralyzing shyness wasn't much either.
At this rate, they would never get anywhere. Even if she were more outgoing, she would never approach him, anyway- he was, afterall, her best friend's former boyfriend. And Fiyero... well, was he interested in Elphaba? He was always sweet to her, but he was generally nice to everyone. But she knew he was protective of her, at least. That was a start, wasn't it? And she had never heard him say a word against her.
That was a start, but not quite enough. If Fiyero and Elphaba were ever going to begin dating, Galinda would have to be the one to set things in motion.
She looked over at the pair. She was staring at the professor, and he was staring at his desk.
This would not be esay.
One thing Galinda had learned in her time at Shiz was that the Thropp systers had an odd relationship. Normally, the pair didn't behave as ideal sisters. Elphaba was nearly a servant to Nessarose, and was completely devoted to her. Neither girl seemed to find much odd about that, and Nessarose generally never considered that her older sister's life was not simply devoted to serving her.
That being said, it was clear there was quite a bit of love between them. Elphaba was naturally protective, and Nessarose idolized Elphaba. The two had a system, and both seemed generally content. And Galinda knew if anyone had any idea on how to get Elphaba out of her shell, Nessarose would.
So that was how Galinda found herself sitting in Nessa's dormroom, a small room off of Madame Morrible's suite. Galinda couldn't imagine the horror of living so near the old bat, but Nessa seemed well enough.
"How are you and Biq getting along?" Galinda asked, making conversation.
"Boq, you mean? We're fine." Nessarose looked inward for a minute. "He's been more attentive in the last few days." She eyed Galinda pointedly and added. "Then again, quite a few things have changed recently."
Galinda felt a rush of saddness. Nessarose was clearly aware that Biq-no, Boq- had been infatuated with Galinda. Did Nessa really feel like she was second fiddle to the blonde girl? Galinda knew that Boq's crush on her had been completely based on appearences, and knew in her stomach that he had probably lost interest in her what with her 'un-makeover'. Which was what she had wanted. "I'm sure things will work out with you two. That'll be wonderful. Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about your sister."
"Elphaba? Is she alright? Did she have another... episode?" Nessarose delicately referred to her her sister's magical outbursts.
Galinda raised her hands. "Oh! No, no she's fine." She assured her. "Actually, she may be more than fine. You see... well, I'm not dropping any names, but.. well I think it would be adoreably if Elphie had a suitor. But, well... I would try to help this potential suitor in wooing her, but I don't know if I really know her well enough to really know what will appeal to her romantically. But I was thinking, since you are her sister if you might help."
"Well... well, I don't... who is this suitor? I mean, no offense to her, but Elphaba is a little... shall we say unorthodox?" The word Nessarose avoided saying was clear on her face. 'Green.'
"I know but... well, just tell me what you think would appeal to her!"
"Alright, alright! Well, Elphaba is a girl, as... unusual as she may be. And what girl doesn't fantasize over roses and horse drawn carriages. Handsome, strong men, all vying for your attention!" Nessarose was clearly living in her own fantasy. But... she would surely know her sister better than anyone.
Galinda would speak with Fiyero in the morning. Maybe Nessarose's advice would help in all of this.