Chapter Twenty-Two: Misunderstanding

She had no idea what in Oz was going on with Fiyero. The stupid boy was acting so strange. He had insisted on studying with her after class on Wednesday despite the fact that she told him over and over again she wanted to study alone. He didn't have a single question to ask her, either.

"Fiyero, what is wrong with you?" She demanded after they'd been sitting in silence for half an hour in her dorm room. Galinda was out with Pfanee and Shen-Shen, as usual.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that you've been acting weird since Monday. You've gotten even more obnoxiously clingy. Are you having some sort of sex hangover from the fall holidays? Because that's the only thing I can think of that would cause you to behave like this."

"No, it's not that."

"Then what in Oz is going on?"

"Nothing."

This was the first time that Fiyero had been unwilling to talk. Usually this was the way she behaved. Elphaba sighed. "Get out, then."

"What?"

"Obviously you don't need my help and you're not going to actually talk to me about anything, so you can leave."

"But, Fae…"

"And by the way, what were you thinking calling me 'Fae' like that in front of Boq? I know Galinda knows, but she hasn't actually told anyone. We are still trying to be discreet, you imbecile!"

"I forgot myself for a moment."

She didn't believe a word of it. "Whatever you say. Now leave."

He looked so dejected she almost gave in, but held her head high until he left. "Bye, Fae. I'm sorry about… this."

"When you can explain why you're sorry, then we can talk." Elphaba shut the door behind him. "Sweet Oz, that boy is so difficult!" For once, she considered asking Galinda for advice about this. She might know what this behavior was all about.

When Galinda got back to the room, that was exactly what she did. "How exactly is he behaving strangely?" Galinda bounced onto Elphaba's bed.

"He's been strained, in a way. And earlier today, he supposedly 'forgot' and called me by a nickname in front of Boq."

"What nickname?"

"Why does that matter?"

"It doesn't, but I'm curious."

"He calls me 'Fae'." Elphaba flushed.

"Cute! Do you have a nickname for him?"

"No."

"You should! Now, did anything else happen on today?"

"Now that I think about it, yes. He got all funny at Boq and started arguing with him. I've argued with him plenty, but not like that. It was like he was trying to be a jerk. And then, as I told you, he insisted on coming over here and studying with me no matter how much I told him I did not want to."

Galinda bit her lip thoughtfully. "Hmm. That is strange. Maybe he's just worried you think he's stupid so he's trying to impress you."

"By being a jerk?"

"I don't think he realizes he's being a jerk."

"And he knows I don't think he's stupid. He's helped me with schoolwork at times, too, as much as I hate to admit that."

"I don't know what to tell you, Elphie. If I saw it for myself, I might understand better."

"Can you do me a favor, then?"

"Of course."

"Sit one row behind us in life sciences on Friday. And get there early. Okay?"

"No problem."

When Friday came about and Elphaba got to class, Boq was already sitting in the seat beside the corner seat. He'd been earlier than she had lately. "Hi, Boq."

"Hi, Elphie!" The munchkin boy was cheery.

Galinda was already sitting behind them. She didn't say anything but merely nodded at her roommate.

Fiyero entered just then, as well. "Hey, Elphaba." He frowned for a moment when he looked at his chair, but sat down. Was there something gross on his desk? She hadn't seen anything.

"So, Elphie, I was wondering, would you like to get lunch this afternoon?" Boq asked.

Galinda gasped.

Elphaba was confused. "I guess. I don't know."

"Okay, no, that's enough." Fiyero stood up, his face dark. This wasn't good. She still didn't understand what was going on, but she could tell he was angry. She rarely saw him angry.

"Fiyero, what is going on?"

"Leave her alone. She is not yours." Fiyero said to Boq.

Oh sweet Oz, he thought…?

"Who are you to tell me what to do?" Boq challenged, standing up, too. It was a humorous sight, the little munchkin boy standing face to face with Fiyero.

"I'm her - "

"Fiyero! Shut up now!" Elphaba got up and stood between them. "You promised."

"But Fae…"

"But nothing. Now stop."

Dr. Dillamond walked in and everyone sat down sheepishly. The three students in the front row couldn't concentrate at all during class. As the class dispersed after the lecture, Galinda ran up to her outside the building. "Elphie, I think I understand what's going on."

Fiyero was standing beside her. She'd been about to snap at him, but Galinda had started talking before she had the chance. He snorted.

Elphaba turned to him, glaring. "What in Oz is your problem?"

"His problem, Elphie, is that Boq just asked you out and you kind of agreed." Galinda explained.

"WHAT?"

"You really don't see it, do you, Fae?" Fiyero's voice softened a little.

"He was just being friendly. I think. I don't know." The only person who'd ever really been interested in her was Fiyero, and things hadn't exactly been normal with them. She had no clue what flirting was.

"He's been flirting with you all week, Fae." Fiyero said gently.

Elphaba shook her head. "No, he likes Galinda."

"He does?" Galinda asked, shocked.

Only Galinda could miss something that obvious. "He does. The only reason he even talked to Fiyero and I was probably because we knew you. He does not like me. He likes you."

Realization flashed across Fiyero's face. "And that's why he's been trying to get you to go out with him. He wants to get closer to Galinda, and you're the closest thing."

"That's so rude!" Galinda exclaimed.

"It is. And if I ever get my hands on him, I'll kill him. Not only did he ask her out, he wasn't even really interested. He would've hurt her!" Fiyero was almost growling.

"Calm down, Yero." Elphaba lowered her voice.

"What did you call me?"

"Yero. If you're going to call me something, I should get to pick a nickname for you. Now stop it. He wouldn't have done that if I hadn't played along, unknowingly or not."

"I'm still going to hurt him."

"That's so romantic," Galinda opined, opening the door to their dorm room and letting the other two inside.

"That is not romantic, Galinda, it's barbaric. He does not need to defend me or fight for me. This is not ancient times." Elphaba felt embarrassed, but she wouldn't admit to it. How could she have missed this? She turned to Fiyero. "This is why you've been acting strange all week, isn't it?"

He sighed. "Yes."

Elphaba wanted to laugh. She wanted to cry. She wanted to smack him. But she did none of those things. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. "You are completely and totally ridiculous."

"I just love you, Elphaba."

Galinda sighed dramatically from her side of the room, pretending to swoon.

Elphaba rolled her eyes. "And I know that. I have no interest in Boq. How could you even think I would?"

"I didn't. I thought… I'm not quite sure. I just knew I didn't like it." Fiyero grasped her hands in his. "I'm sorry. But can you at least understand?"

"No, I can't. But I can forgive you." Elphaba got up and started to leave the room.

"Where are you going?" Fiyero asked.

"Over to Three Queens. You aren't going to give Boq hell, but I sure am!"