Elphaba's POV
I slipped the dress over my head when Erik left. I dragged a brush through my hair and looked in the mirror, admiring the gown. It must have cost a fortune! There were sequins along the cuff of the long sleeves and the v-neck collar. It was floor length and flowed out at the bottom and there was even a lighter blue belt to go along with the navy blue. I made a quick little spin in front of the mirror and pinned my black hair into a loose French updo. Everything looked perfect, I thought, except me. Me and my frog skin. How I wished to be normal all too often. When I was done, I tugged on my boots. I know they weren't right for the occasion, but I loved my boots and always want to wear them. I stepped into the hallway and made my way to the music room. I poked my head in the doorway and saw that Erik wasn't there. Perhaps he was changing. I sat on the piano bench and looked at the picture of the girl who looked all too much like Dorothy. Everything from her dark hair to her button nose matched perfectly. Maybe they're long lost sisters, I thought. Every time I looked at that picture a twinge of jealousy ran through my entire body. Jealousy and unadulterated loathing. Why, though, I don't know why. I try to find a logical answer to why I have feelings toward Erik but I can't. We simply belong. We're like two pieces of a broken heart. STOP! No, there is no way. I keep running that through my brain. I hear a gasp behind me and turn. Erik just walked in the room.
"Elphaba," he said approaching me, "You look amazing." I wanted to believe him. How I wanted to believe him so bad, but it's simply not that easy. I turned my head away.
"No I don't. I'm green." I said in a half whisper. I felt fingers under my chin as Erik turned my head back to him.
"You're you." That made me smile on the inside and blush on the outside. I tugged my chin away and looked at the painting of the girl again.
"Who is she?" I asked. There was a long silence and I turned my head his direction once again.
"That is Christine." He said quietly. "She just passed recently."
"I'm sorry, I didn't know." I said. When Erik said those words a wave of relief crashed over me. I mentally slapped myself. How could I feel happy that somebody died? Who will mourn over my death when it comes? Nobody. No one mourns the wicked.
"Shall we go?" he said, snapping me out of my thoughts. I nodded in response. I didn't know where we were going, but I was excited, none the less. We walk to the restaurant in silence. I wanted to break the silence, but I didn't know what to say.
When we got to a restaurant called Lumière Des Étoiles, a man walked up to Erik and smiled.
"Hello Mr. E, Haven't seen you in forever. Your normal seat?" Erik nodded and the man looked at me with no disgust whatsoever.
"And who's this? You've never brought a girl with you before." I looked over at Erik, who was blushing profusely. He nodded his head at me.
"I'm Elphaba Thropp. Pleased to meet you Mr…."
"Robin. Mitchell Robin." He said with a smile. "Here, I'll escort you to your table." Mr. Robin turned his back to us and walked to a secluded table in the back. I'm grateful the table was out of the way so there wouldn't be any prying eyes to stare at us. No wonder this is his normal seat. I smiled and thought, We are an odd pair. A green lady and a masked man…
"And just what is so funny?" Erik asked me. I waved my hand at him.
"Oh, nothing." I smiled again. Erik shook his head, also lightly smiling, and looked at the menu.
"Are you up for wine?" I've only had wine once, but it was delicious. I guess those parties at the Ozdust payed off.
"Always." I replied. Erik ordered a bottle of red wine.
"Of course Mr. E" Our waiter said, and left to fetch the drink.
"Mr. E?" I asked. Erik looked at me and expected me to request something until he realized it was a question.
"Ah, all of my employees know me as Mr. E." He explained.
"Well then, should I address you as Mr. E from now on?"
He shook his head at me. "Maybe when you're performing, but don't forget that you're also my student." He had a good point. It would be strange to be taught to sing by someone and not even know their name.
"Mr. E…" I repeated, tasting it on my tongue. It quite suited him, although I thought Erik fitted better. "I believe it suits you quite well. It sounds like mystery."
Erik arched his eyebrow. "I've never thought of it that way. I just placed the first letter of my name after Mr. and here we are. You do notice some strange things." He commented.
"It was just a thought. Could I go and see one of the other performances? You know, with another actress? Perhaps that Meg girl. She's supposed to be very good. I've seen her posters up around Phantasma." It's true. Probably around half of the posters in Phantasma were of the 'Ooh La La Girl' Meg Giry. I saw numerous posters on the first day I met Erik, when I was looking for the Opera House, and some tonight, on the way here. They looked better in sunlight. In the dark they looked very creepy, as if she were a ghost dancing on a stage in a fancy dress. The thought was funny, but it looked horrible.
"Perhaps…" Erik replied. I could tell he disliked Meg, for he sucked in his cheeks and his face was emotionless. "But I would much rather listen to you than her."
"Oh, she can't be that bad… she is called the 'ooh la la girl' after all."
"Just because she is called something does not mean she is good. Some people may believe she is good, but she used to be only a chorus girl until I was in desperate need of a main act. On top of that I was in debt to her and her mother."
"Why?" I asked.
"Tonight you shall have another lesson." He changed the subject, hoping I would forget our before conversation. I looked down at my plate and pushed it away, my appetite lost.
"Why do you keep so much from me?" I asked without looking up. He didn't answer and the rest of our meal was spent in silence. When we were both done he payed the bill and we walked out. I expected us to go back to the opera house, but we went in another direction instead.
"Where are we going?"
"So she speaks." He said with anger lacing his voice. "We are going to my flat. It's not as cold as the opera house and you'll have an actual room instead of a makeshift one. You can stay at least until the season starts and rehearsals begin, so you can earn money. Since you are from Oz, I assume you don't have any tradable money." He said slightly calmer this time.
He was right. We passed a carousel and a giant Ferris wheel and I looked up at them. I wonder how long it took to build all of this. Erik cleared his throat and I looked back at him. He passed me a black box with a red ribbon wrapped around it. My heart skipped a beat.
"I forgot to give this to you earlier." He said. I took the box and opened it slowly. Nestled in the black velvet was a chain with a single eighth note charm hanging from it. I let out a breath. Thank GOD it wasn't that. I don't even know how I thought it was that. I've known the guy for two days.
"Thank You." I said, taking it from the box while I kept walking. I unhooked the chain and slipped it around my neck. I planned on wearing it forever. He was the only person besides Galinda who gave me a gift. Not even Fyero ever gave me a gift. The more I thought about it, the more I realize that Fyero and I together is more of a dream. Sometimes opposites don't attract. He belongs with Galinda and most of us knew it from the start.
When we got to his flat he led me inside. He showed me the kitchen, the music room, my bathroom, and a library. Everything was either red or black. The only room he forbade me to go in was his bedroom. When he showed me my bedroom he bade me goodnight and turned to go to his room. I nervously grabbed his shoulder and turned him back to face me. I looked at him for a moment and took him in. His mask, his mismatched eyes, and his chiseled chin. I pressed my lips against his. Erik stood stunned for a moment with his hands at his sides, but slowly he started to react, kissing me back with passion. I pulled back when I needed a breath. I looked up at him and smiled at his stunned expression.
"Goodnight." I said and closed the door. I leaned my back against the door and slid down it, still catching my breath, and smiled to myself.
"Best. Night. Ever." I whispered.
Awwwwwwwwww! This chapter was so much fun to write! Anyways, to any Fyero lovers, I have nothing against the guy. Sometimes stories just go how they go. R&R PLEASE!