My buddy "Denpa Wave Chick Saki" co-wrote this with me. Enjoy!
Galinda was heading back to Crage Hall with her friends when she noticed a shadow lurking far in front of her, heading into the hall. Elphaba is most definitely not as sneaky as she thinks she is... She sighed and looked over at Pfannee who, she finally realized, had been asking her something. "I'm sorry. I was just a tad bit distracted. What were you asking?"
Pfannee just smiled and spoke again. "I was wondering if you might be interested in joining us for a little socializing tonight. You know, go get to know some of those nice boys over in Briscoe Hall..." She and the other girls grinned.
Galinda smiled back. "I'm sorry...but, you see, today just hasn't exactly been the best of days for me. I'd really just like to relax in my bath and stay in for tonight, if you wouldn't mind."
Shenshen spoke up. "Oh, don't worry about it Galinda. We'll just have to try again some other time."
Galinda gave them a grateful smile. "Thank you. I can't wait 'til we do. So, I shall see you all tomorrow, then? Toodles." She left the group and headed back up to her room.
Elphaba started the bath and laid down on her cot, pulling out a few sheets of paper and holding her green bottle close as she began to write out a letter to Nessa, not wanting the brunette to worry or to feel too lonely.
And that's how Galinda found her when she walked in the door, shutting it behind her. "You had better work on your sneaking skills. I saw you the entire night, and that means others probably did too. I will not let my reputation be ruined just because you lack that little skill. Now, my bath better be ready." She had moved to her vanity to empty out her purse and put it away.
Elphaba looked up and moved to turn off the faucet. "You should care more for your safety than your reputation." She laid back down to resume writing. "One day you'll appreciate what I do."
"For as long as I am the most popular girl in all of Shiz, which will be always, I will value my reputation above anything else." Galinda slid her brush through her hair a few times, looking over at her. "What are you writing?"
Elphaba froze. "N-nothing. Just...a to-do list."
Galinda gave a look at her bruised neck in the mirror with a flash of anger. "Don't lie to me, vegetable."
"I'm not...I, unlike you, am a very busy person. It's hard to remember everything."
"So what are you telling Nessa in your letter, Elphaba?" She turned to face her, leaning back against her desk.
Elphaba sighed. Caught. "I don't want her to worry...and she must be awfully lonely. I...I miss her."
Galinda noticed Elphaba was holding something in her hand, as she was writing. "And what is that that you're holding? Do you really need whatever it is to write a letter to a sister who doesn't love you?"
Elphaba gripped her pen and the bottle tighter. "Nessa does love me...and what I am holding is my own business. It doesn't affect your life. You should get into your bath before it runs cold."
"Not until you tell me what it is. You owe me that much after what you did to me earlier." She glared at her. "Or...I could always tell Father, if you'd prefer that..."
"No!" Elphaba stood up quickly. "Please...don't tell him." She opened her hand slowly and shakily. "It...it was my mother's...that's all."
Galinda came closer to look at it. "Really? A funny little green bottle like that? It's worthless." She snatched it out of her hand before she could react, and she headed for the bathroom.
"Galinda! No, stop, please!" Elphaba chased after her. "Galinda, please...just let me have it back...it's one of the only things I have left of her...please."
Galinda held the bottle over the bathtub, turning to look at her. "Don't worry. I won't break it."
Elphaba felt her heart skip a beat. "Galinda, please...don't. I'm sorry! I'm sorry for what I did!"
"Don't do what? Oh, you mean do this?" She let go of the bottle, her eyes narrowing on Elphaba as it sank to the bottom of the bathtub. "Oh, whoops. I'm sorry. It slipped..."
"NO!"
"What's wrong, vegetable? Your precious little bottle is perfectly safe."
Elphaba ran to the tub, looking in at the bottle. She turned on Galinda. "Drain it now!"
The blonde dramatically rubbed her throat. "I don't know...I have this sore throat, you see, and I wouldn't want to irritate it with cold water. I'm terribly sorry. Looks like you'll just have to wait until I'm all better to get your little trinket back..." She walked to the bathroom door, pausing only for a moment to look back at her. "...unless you were really desperate enough to get it yourself..."
Elphaba glared at her before turning back to the tub. She couldn't leave it there...it meant too much. Elphaba thrust her hand into the water, letting out a cry as the recently healed skin burned again. She snatched up the bottle and pulled it out, quickly grabbing a towel and throwing it over her hand and the bottle. She dried both off before exiting the bathroom, moving to sit on her bed, holding both her injured hand and the bottle close to her body. "Is there anything else I can do for you, Miss Galinda?"
Galinda stood in the doorway, smirking at her. "Well, now that you got the water dirty...it looks like I'll have to drain the tub and refill it for my bath. I'll take you to the nurse just as soon as I'm done. I do so hope you've learned your lesson, Miss Elphaba. I am starting to tire of having to take you to the nurse." She turned back into the bathroom, draining it and refilling it with fresh hot water, just as she said she would. She stripped off her dress and underwear and stepped into the tub, leaning back with a content sigh.
The green woman wanted to say more, but instead she just pressed her uninjured hand to her mouth, stifling back a sob. She closed her eyes tightly, as she held back another sob, before she regained herself and went back to writing her letter. "I don't need to go to the nurse, Miss Galinda."
Galinda gave a sly grin and shook her head, not moving from the tub. "Alright. Whatever you wish, Miss Elphaba." She laid her head back against the tub and relaxed.
Elphaba finished the letter and sealed it in an envelope, placing it on her suitcase. She pulled out one if Galinda's textbooks from her desk and began reading it, holding the bottle close to her. "Let me know if you need anything."
Galinda finished with her relaxing soak in the tub, reaching for a towel as she got out. She dried herself off then wrapped it around herself. "Get my nightdress out," she called to Elphaba, just before she left the bathroom. The green woman set the book down, as she stood and retrieved the nightdress, setting it on the blonde's bed before she went back to reading. Galinda ran a brush through her wet hair before dropping the towel to the floor and changing into her nightdress. She ignored Elphaba and got under her blankets, getting comfortable. "Shut off the lights, vegetable." Elphaba put the book down again, as she extinguished the lamps, changing into her own nightdress and soon falling asleep on her little cot.
The next morning, Galinda woke completely refreshed, but she didn't want to get out of bed. She buried her head under her pillow. Why should I even get out of bed today? It's just going to be the same boring day as yesterday... She sighed.
Elphaba entered the room, setting a cup of coffee on Galinda's desk. "Miss Galinda, I must inform you that a Master Fiyero is due to arrive today. He is the prince of the Vinkus...and he is interested in meeting you."
Galinda immediately sat up in her bed, looking over at Elphaba. "You mean that Prince whom I've heard has such a scandalacious reputation?"
She sighed. "The same one...though I would suggest that you not get involved with him."
Galinda got out of her bed and ran to her closet, pausing only to grab a sip of her coffee. "Nobody cares about what you think, vegetable. How can I not get involved with him? I hear he's the dreamiest young man in all of Oz. No way in hell am I going to pass up a perfect chance like this." She started rifling through all of her clothes, trying to pick the perfect outfit.
"But Miss Galinda, your father specifically told me to keep all boys away...and this prince will only get you into trouble. You are the heiress to the throne; therefore, you must act as such."
"Yes, well, Father isn't here, now is he? I will meet Master Fiyero today." She stuck her head out of her closet to glare at Elphaba."And Father will not hear of this, will he?"
Elphaba sighed and looked down. "No...he will hear nothing of this."
"Good choice." Galinda disappeared back into her closet, finally reappearing many minutes later wearing a blue dress and white heels. She moved to sit at her vanity, taking a quick sip of the coffee before starting to put her makeup on.
"Miss Galinda...you shouldn't try so hard to impress people. They should like you for who you are, not who you pretend to be."
"Yet again, you're offering your opinion where it is not wanted. I have a reputation for being the best dressed and most charming girl in Oz. And I will not disappoint." Galinda finished with her makeup and started with her hair.
"I'm just...trying to help...You can't wear that mask forever. Even diamonds, as beautiful as they are, have their breaking points. What happens when you hit yours?"
Galinda wasn't even paying attention to her. She was too busy trying to fix her unmanageable hair, growling at it. "This is not the day to be an unruly mess..." She finally got most of her hair looking as perfect as usual, but there was still this one little part, right at the top of her head, that refused to stay down with the rest. Galinda glared at it in her mirror, cursing under her breath.
Elphaba moved in silently, her hands running through Galinda's hair gently and somehow managing to fix the mess it was in, having it look as nice as it did the night before at dinner. "Yes...what indeed..." she murmured to herself.
The blonde looked up at her, somewhat shocked. "How did you-" Then she saw that same piece of hair pop out again, and her face fell. She threw up her hands and stormed into her closet, coming out mere seconds later. Galinda placed the white beret she had grabbed on her head. "Ha! Stupid hair...I win. You will not mess up my day." She gave a twirl in the mirror, a smile spreading across her face. "Actually, this looks pretty damn good with this outfit..." She sat at her vanity, giving her makeup a double check. "I want the whitish silver bag for my books today," she told Elphaba, not turning to look at her.
Elphaba nodded, moving to get the bag and loading all of Galinda's books and supplies into it. She held the bag out to the blonde, her gaze on the floor. "You look...very nice."
"I know I do. I always do." Galinda grabbed her bag, swinging it over her shoulder as she left the room. She headed down to the lobby, the officially designated meeting spot for her and her friends. Elphaba pulled on her cloak, lifting the hood over her head, as she followed the blonde, moving to stand in the corner when they arrived in the lobby. Her dark eyes never left the blonde's petite figure.
After the others had arrived, the four girls left the hall, heading to the cafe to grab some food for breakfast. Galinda excitedly whispered to them, as they sat around a table, "Do any of you know anything about a certain boy by the name of Fiyero Tiggular coming to Shiz? I've only heard rumors..."
The girls immediately got excited at the news. Milla spoke up. "Isn't he the Prince with the scandalous reputation?"
Galinda nodded. "Yes, yes. That's what I've heard."
"I've been told that his hair is like the purest golden rays of the sun..." Pfannee said.
"And his eyes are like the most beautiful topaz in all of Oz..." Shenshen added. The two girls sighed dreamily.
Elphaba rolled her eyes, unable hold it back any longer. She approached the table, pulling down her hood. "And he's been kicked out of every school he's ever attended. He thinks his status allows him to walk over everyone and anyone he wants. Looks are only looks, Miss Galinda, and you would do well to heed my advice of steering clear."
Galinda frowned at her, waving her away. "Oh, shoo. Nobody cares what you say." She rested her head on her palm. "Besides...he sounds so dreamy..."
"Yes, but take away his looks and what have you got? A perfectly good waste of life and mind."
"You're the only one who cares about aptitude, you vegetable. Everybody else knows that the only important thing is how you're viewed."
"Yes...your father is perfect proof of that. He overthrows a perfectly capable regime, and no one cares because he's so damn 'wonderful'. Oz is dying under him...and you'll do no better."
Galinda stood up, getting very close to her with a glare. "Now, you listen here. I-" She happened to glance out the window, and her jaw dropped. "Oh! Shoo, shoo! Go away! I can't be seen with the likes of you!" Galinda pushed her away, as she spotted the gorgeous guy heading towards the cafe. She quickly straightened the skirt of her dress, before she sat back down, huddling closer to the girls. "Now, remember, the best way to get a boy's attention is to act like you don't notice them. I know, it sounds completely ridiculous. But, I swear it works wonders..." The other girls quickly fixed their hair and followed Galinda's lead. "Just act normal..." She leaned back in her chair with her cup of coffee, sipping it and crossing her legs in front of her. She gave one last glare to Elphaba to make sure she stayed away before she gave a playful pat on the arm to Pfannee and laughed. "Oh, you absolutely must be joking. How silly it is to describe somebody's hair as 'golden rays of sun.' You simply must be exaggerating..." The other girls played along, laughing with her and carrying out their conversation about Fiyero despite the fact that he was in earshot of them.
Elphaba refused to stand by and watch. As Fiyero started to approach, she met him halfway, stopping him. "Master Fiyero, I know very well who you are and all about your reputation, and I am warning you now: stay away from Miss Galinda if you know what's good for you."
Galinda growled under her breath before she decided to use this to her advantage. She looked over at them. "Miss Elphaba, who are you trying to scare away this time? I do hope you won't be afraid of her." She looked at Fiyero, pretending she didn't notice how gorgeous he was. "Oh, do ignore her. She's harmless..."
Fiyero gave the blonde girl one of his stunning smiles, before moving around the strange green girl in front of him. He held his hand out to Galinda. "Hello. I don't believe we've met, Miss..."
The blonde gave a quick toss of her hair with her hand before taking his outstretched hand with a smile. She pulled away as soon as propriety would allow, acting as though he were just any average boy. "I'm Galinda. Galinda Arduenna. And you are?"
"Ah, Miss Galinda. I have heard much about you." He gave her a low, flawless bow. "I am Fiyero Tiggular, Prince of the Vinkus. Perhaps you've heard of me?" He flashed another one of his famous smiles.
Galinda looked up for a second, as if in thought, then she shook her head. "No, I don't believe I have. I'm sorry. Should I have?" She looked back at him with an innocent expression.
Fiyero's smile faltered the smallest bit. He shook his head. "Oh, no. It's fine. I'm sure someone as beautiful as you must have many more important things to do than to bother with pointless gossip." He winked at her. I have to get this girl. She's the first girl I've met who might actually be more gorgeous than I am...
Galinda allowed herself to blush the tiniest bit at his compliments. "That's very kind of you to say, Master Fiyero. Sadly, though, my friends and I must be heading to our classes now, right girls?" She turned to her friends, before she stood and slowly gathered her things. The girls did the same. Galinda turned back to Fiyero, swinging her bag over her shoulder. "Perhaps we will see each other another time. It was a pleasure to meet you, Master Fiyero."
Elphaba already didn't like where this was headed. She moved in again, placing a hand on Fiyero's chest before he could follow the blonde and pushing him back slightly. "Master Fiyero, as I'm sure you can understand, Miss Galinda is not to involve herself with men, being as important as she is. You would do well to stay away from her, unless of course, you wish to deal with me, and that would be very unpleasant for the both of us, I assure you."
Fiyero smoothly reached around Elphaba and grabbed Galinda's hand, bringing it up to lay a kiss to it and giving her another wink. "You can just call me Fiyero..." He brought her hand down again.
That was inappropriate in Elphaba's eyes. Obviously he didn't believe her...time to follow through. The minute he released Galinda, Elphaba grabbed him by his throat and threw him to the ground, grabbing one of his arms and pinning it behind his back as she kneeled on him. "Did you think I was joking? Stay. Away. Or I will break your arm next time."
Fiyero struggled against her. "What the hell is this?"
Galinda's hand flew to her mouth. "Elphaba Thropp, you let go of him right now!" She smacked her across the back of the head. Elphaba recoiled, but she didn't release him.
Fiyero swung his legs around, knocking her off her feet and standing up. "Don't touch me, you freak." Elphaba rolled and got to her feet, letting out a low growl.
"How dare you!" Galinda stood in front of Fiyero, before Elphaba could do anything else to him, piercing her with a glare.
Elphaba's hands formed fists. "Stand aside, Miss Galinda. Obviously he didn't take me seriously."
"I will not step aside. I was in no danger here! That was completely unwarranted!"
"It starts off innocent, but every boy only wants one thing from you, Galinda, and he's no different! My job is to protect you from scum like him, and that's what I'll do! Now stand aside, or I will be forced to move you myself!"
Galinda closed the gap between them, getting right up into her face. "If you make one more move towards this young man, Father will be hearing about 'the incident'." She pointed at her neck, where she had hidden the bruises with a large amount of makeup.
Elphaba looked down at her, over at Fiyero, then back at Galinda. Her fists clenched and unclenched a few times. Finally, she sighed. "Fine. I'll let it go...for now." She fixed her dark gaze back on Fiyero. "But I will be watching you...closely."
Galinda turned back to Fiyero, placing a hand on his chest. "I do hope you don't take that personally. She's like that with everybody."
The prince fixed Elphaba with one last glare, brushing off his clothes. He moved to place his hand over Galinda's, bringing it up for another kiss and smiling down at her. "Maybe you would like to make up to me by agreeing to go out with me?"
Galinda blushed. "I'd love to. Perhaps you could walk me to class right now, and we can discuss it on the way?"
Fiyero held out his arm to her with a grin. "That sounds like a splendid idea." The blonde took his arm and gently led him towards the door, giving one last glare back at Elphaba.
The green woman set her jaw as she followed the two, wanting nothing more than to punch Fiyero in the back of the head...but she refrained. They reached Dr. Dillamond's class, and she sat in the desk behind the blonde, looking forward to the fact that she was actually allowed to learn in this class. She had somewhat of an affection for the Goat.
Galinda sat next to Fiyero during Dr. Dillamond's class. The two of them spent the entire class passing notes and flirting with each other.
"...and so, this was set into motion with what event, Miss Glinda? And yes I see you passing notes with Master Fiyero," Doctor Dillamond said, as he turned towards her.
Galinda sighed. "It's GAlinda. How many times must I tell you, Doctor? And I apologize. It...won't happen again..." She blushed, looking over at Fiyero, who was looking back at her with a grin. Elphaba had her hand raised uncertainly.
"Yes, go ahead, Miss Elphaba. Don't be shy," Dillamond told her.
"Well, um...from what I've read...I believe it was the Great Drought?"
"Very good."
Galinda rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath. "Know it all..."
"Alright, class, you're dismissed. Miss Glinda, if I could have a word with you?"
The blonde sighed, and Fiyero gave her hand a kiss before getting up. "I'll wait for you outside..." He left the room.
Galinda reluctantly gathered her things and went to the front of the room. "You wished to speak to me, Doctor?"
"Miss Glinda, I have read the essay you wrote over the summer, and I...well, it would appear as though you do not have a very good grasp on the subject material. Now, I realize you do not see Miss Elphaba as a...friend, but her essay was absolutely superb. Perhaps you could have her help you actually pass my class, for I personally would love to see you succeed." Elphaba turned dark green and looked down at the mention of her essay. Galinda wasn't supposed to know about that...
Galinda frowned. "Can I be completely honest with you, Doctor?"
"Of course."
"I don't like learning. I think it's utterly pointless to learn material that has absolutely nothing to do with my future. My path has already been chosen...and none of the classes here are relevant to it. Except perhaps political science, but I'm not even allowed to take that until my second year."
Dr. Dillamond merely nodded. "I see where you are coming from, Miss Glinda, but may I be honest? History is very important to our futures, even to those that have been chosen, as you say. Surely you have heard the phrase 'those who don't know the past are doomed to repeat it'? As the next leader of Oz, I believe it would be exceedingly beneficial for you to learn this subject matter to the best of your ability."
Galinda sighed. "I suppose you are right, Doctor. I'll just get Elphaba to give me some help. May I go now?"
Dr. Dillamond sighed as well. "Yes you may go, Miss Glinda." Elphaba didn't exactly like the way Galinda had said her name, and she had a feeling that the "help" Galinda had referred to was not what Dr. Dillamond thought.
Galinda muttered under her breath, as she turned to leave. "It's GAlinda, you daft old goat..." She glared at Elphaba on her way out the door.
Though she knew she shouldn't say anything, Elphaba couldn't help it as she followed the blonde out. "Galinda, that was highly disrespectful, calling Dr. Dillamond a 'goat'. You know very well that he deserves more respect than that. He's brilliant!"
Galinda smiled at Fiyero, as he took her arm, looking back at Elphaba. "Being brilliant does not warrant a person respect. Now, shoo. I have plans with Fiyero." She looked dreamily up at the prince with a smile.
"Oh no. No, no, no. There is no way that I am leaving you alone with a boy. You can glare and beat me all you want for this, but I'm not going anywhere." Elphaba crossed her arms defiantly.
"Watch me..." Galinda looked out the window, smiling at the storm clouds gathering above them. She took Fiyero's hand and pulled him outside, just as it started to rain. The two of them ran through the rain with a laugh until they arrived at the nearest café in town, sitting down.
Elphaba swore under her breath, before she pulled her hood up and started after them. But dodging the rain caused her to lose time, and she soon lost sight of the two. She swore again before she headed down the nearby street, peering into shop windows as she passed, hoping that her cloak would hold out against the pelting rain.
Fiyero bought one very large hot cocoa, and the two of them drank it together. When Galinda noticed a cloaked figure outside the window, she pulled Fiyero deeper into their booth and brought up his coat to hide them. "She just will not give up, will she?"
Elphaba caught sight of the blonde, just as she pulled up Fiyero's coat. She growled lowly, before she headed into the small café, bristling like an angry, wet cat. She approached their booth and grabbed Galinda by the upper arm. "Get up. Now." She yanked the blonde to her feet. "Don't you dare do that again! You think rain is going to stop me? I've made my living off working for you, and I will not be thrown out or killed just because you want to have a little fun! I'm taking you back to Shiz now." She looked at Fiyero. "And you stay put, or I swear to Oz, I will throw you out using that window!"
Galinda tore her arm out of the green woman's grasp, as Fiyero got out of the booth, ready to fight her. The blonde held up her hand to stop him. "Don't. It's not worth it." She turned to Elphaba with a smile, gently pulling off her cloak. "Why don't you sit down and finish with us. It would be a shame to leave all that hot cocoa to waste." She pushed Elphaba down into the booth and pushed the drink closer to her. "There you go. Bon appétit." She quickly grabbed Fiyero's arm and pulled him back out into the rain, taking Elphaba's cloak with her.
The green woman let out another growl, as she stood angrily. Without her cloak, her time in the rain was limited. The green woman stood and sighed, before she ran from the café back to Shiz, covering her head and face as best she could. Her hands burned as the droplets hit them, but finally, blissfully, she made it back to the safety of Crage Hall. Elphaba only had enough energy and strength left to collapse onto her bed, her body aching. There was simply no winning with Galinda. It was then that Elphaba decided that it was time to actually crack down hard on the blonde. No more fooling around. "I am not about to lose everything because of you."
Galinda and Fiyero finally stopped beneath a large tree, looking behind them to see if Elphaba had followed. She leaned back against the tree with a sigh of relief. "Thank Oz she finally gave up. I was starting to worry she'd be following us forever."
Fiyero grinned down at her. "You're amazing, you know that?"
"And you're perfect," she blushed.
"You're perfect." He tucked a lock of her wet her behind her ear, looking deep into her eyes with a smile. "So we're perfect together..." He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. Galinda could have sworn that her heart stopped. Her arms wrapped around Fiyero, as she melted into the kiss.