A few Days later the pupils of Dr Dillamond were assigned a project. The project was a study of Animals and their rights. Elphaba was of course thrilled with the chosen subject and couldn't wait to get to work on it. The students all chose their pairs quickly; Elphaba chose to work with Fiyero but assured him that he would do an equal amount of work to her, much to his disappointment.
Elphaba and Fiyero headed over to the library straight after class to get a head start on the project.
"Ok Yero, you go and look for some books that will help us over there" She said pointing to her right "And I'll look over here."
"Yes mam!" Fiyero saluted and Elphaba rolled her eyes in response, if it was down to him to organise everything nothing would ever get done.
Elphaba walked over to the huge shelves of books and began searching intently. She didn't notice Avaric sneaking up behind her until he spoke to her in a vengeful voice causing her to drop the books she had picked out.
"Hello Artichoke, getting a head start on the project are we? " He sneered as he covered her mouth with his hand making sure she couldn't call for help. Elphaba could only look on in fear as she knew trying to get away would be pointless. "Where's you're precious 'Yero' now hey?"
Meanwhile, on the other side of the library Fiyero grabbed the books he had found and placed them on the table where he and Elphaba had left their things. He wondered where Elphaba had gotten to and decided to look for her amongst the endless shelves of books and scrolls the library at Shiz contained.
Seeing Avaric with his hand over Elphaba's mouth he acted quickly not wanting to find out what he would do to her. Fiyero lunged at Avaric who was clearly surprised by the sudden attack. Fiyero punched him hard in the face and his nose began to stream with sticky, red blood. He then left Avaric on the floor and rushed to Elphaba's aid.
"Fae, are you alright? Did he do anything to you?" Fiyero said as he held her protectively. She didn't answer as tears were now freely falling from her eyes causing her skin to sear with pain "Avaric, I swear down if you ever pull a stunt like that again I will kill you! You got off lightly there trust me... Now go away you evil little bastard before I do more than break your nose!"
"That's right Elphaba, you run back to Fiyero but I'm warning you... You better watch your back" Avaric said with hatred in his voice whilst wiping more blood from his clearly broken nose.
Fiyero turned back to Elphaba wiping the tears from her face with his shirt. She winced in pain at the feel of his shirt rubbing across her new burns.
"Yero, thank you I..." Elphaba began but never finished as she buried her face in her hands and shrank to the floor, leaning against a bookcase. Fiyero sat with her and placed an arm around her shoulder doing his best to comfort her "What did I ever do to him, surely me being green isn't enough to do this?"
"Fae, he's just evil he doesn't even need a reason... Just a victim!" Fiyero said as anger built up inside of him.
A teacher who had watched the whole incident but 'failed' to react called the police and had Avaric arrested for threatening Elphaba. The police arrived and escorted him to prison, Elphaba, Fiyero, Boq and Galinda were only too glad to see the back of him.
A week passed at Shiz and nothing eventful had happened, both couples were still happily together. With Avaric now out of the picture everything was going extremely well.
Tomorrow was Elphaba's birthday. Fiyero, Boq and Galinda decided to make it special as no one had ever celebrated the day she was born on. This year it would be different, they were all determined for it to go well so they planned a surprise birthday party for Elphaba with just the four of them and Nessa-rose.
"OOOOh Elphie! It's your birthday tomorrow!" Galinda said flamboyantly.
"Yes Galinda, I do know that but no one has ever celebrated it so it's just another day of the year!" Elphaba stated as she tried to concentrate on reading a book on animal rights for the project she and Fiyero were still working hard on.
"Elphie, you mustn't think that way anymore! A lot has changed since last year... for the good! Just think about it... You have Fiyero... you met me and Boq and now your more confident in yourself too!" Galinda argued "This is going to be your bestest birthday ever! Nothing is too much for my dearest and most darlingest friend!"
"Oh Galinda I know this year has been amazing but please DON'T go over the top!" Elphaba moaned.
There was a knock at the door and Elphaba got up to answer it.
"Oh hi Yero... come in" She greeted before giving him a brief kiss.
"Hey Fae... and Galinda" Fiyero added as he walked through the door and sat on the edge of Elphaba's bed.
"So what brings you here?" Elphaba asked.
"So now I have to have a reason to see my girlfriend?" He said mischievously as he put an arm around Elphaba's waist pulling her into him.
"No... I was just asking if you wanted something" She concluded
"Well, I can think of one thing..." Fiyero flirted.
"YERO..." Elphaba said as she swatted him away in a playful manner.
"What?" He said trying to look innocent "Is it my fault you're so irresistible?!?!"
"Aawwwww" Said Galinda from the corner of the room where she was watching the pair. She bounced over to them and pulled them into a group hug "I love you guys! Oh and Fiyero please tell Elphie to stop being so silly by saying her birthday is just another day of the year!"
"Fae seriously, your birthday is not just another day! You're going to be 18 so we have to do something special!" Fiyero said with determination.
"Will you guys shut up if I agree to go along with it?" Elphaba said doubtfully.
"Yes and I promise Elphie you are going to have the best birthday ever!" Galinda bubbled with excitement "I've got you the most adorable present too Elphie! You're going to LOVE it!"
Elphaba thought about what 'adorable' meant to Galinda - something Pink and Frilly with Sequins and LOTS Glitter! She shuddered at the thought of the present Galinda may have gotten her.
"What's wrong Elphie? Are you cold?" Galinda asked noticing Elphaba's shiver.
"No, No... I'm fine!" Elphaba answered trying not to laugh. She sensed Fiyero knew what she had been thinking as he too looked as if he was trying to hold back his laughter.
"So what are we going to do today guys?" Fiyero said once he'd composed himself.
"Well, I told Nessa I'd meet her in the coffee shop at 1 o'clock so how about I meet both of you two and Boq of course here after and we can decide then?" Elphaba said as she rushed to find her coat noticing it was now quarter to one.
"Sounds perfect! OOOH I just know we are going to have a thrillifying day!" Galinda added enthusiastically.
"Ok then I'll be seeing you two later!" Elphaba called as she walked out of the door.
"Ok Fiyero, now that she's gone show me what you got Elphie for her birthday!" Galinda ordered. Fiyero reached in his pocked at pulled out a small blue box with green stripes patterned on it.
"Do you think she'll like it?" Fiyero asked as he showed Galinda a beautiful gold locket with a heart engraved on the front with a single emerald and a single sapphire in the middle for decoration. On the back of the locket there was an inscription and this read -
To my darling Fae, love always, Yero x
On the inside there were two small slots to fit pictures in, Fiyero had placed a picture of Elphaba and himself together in one and in the other a picture of Galinda and Boq.
"OMG!" Galinda gasped "Like it? She'll LOVE it Fiyero! It's so beautifully thoughtful of you!"