Disclaimer: Wicked is not mine.

A/N: Thank you for those who have reviewed! I didn't expect anyone to, so it was a nice surprise! I hope you enjoy this chapter! I think Fiyero may make an appearance in the next one…

"Oh, Elphie, the show is going to be so splendacious!" Galinda exclaimed to no one in particular.

Elphaba, who had long changed into her nightclothes and was reclining on her bed, rolled her eyes. Galinda wouldn't quit harping about this ridiculous fashion show. Ever since she had unfortunately sold her soul earlier that day, Galinda kept going on and on about how "splendacious" and wonderful the show would be. Elphaba wasn't convinced; what was Galinda thinking, asking her to model? Not only was Elphaba completely awkward in her own skin, she also had absolutely no fashion sense or any want for fashion sense, for that matter.

"There's so much work left to do, Elphie!" Galinda was still talking. "There's the fitting, of course, and I have to actually make the outfits…"

Elphaba sighed as Galinda continued her to-do list. This would be a long couple of months. Luckily, Galinda had told her about the show in plenty of time. Elphaba would need that time to prepare for a room full of people who would automatically reject her and very possibly laugh and make fun of her the whole time. Elphaba shook her head, wishing above all things that she had said no.

"Did you hear me?" Galinda asked, a drip of impatience in her voice. "Elphie, did you hear anything that I said?"

"Of course, deary," Elphaba lied easily, finding it simpler to just nod and smile. After all, she had no information or input to add to the conversation, which unfortunately revolved around fashion at the moment. Elphaba thought bitterly that the conversation would probably revolve around fashion for the next very long months. Perhaps she could go to the library tomorrow and get a book about fashion…She cringed at the thought.

"Well then, will you do it?" Elphaba hesitated, reluctant to fall into the same trap again. "Pleaseeeeeeeee? For me?" Galinda bounced on her bed, a smile illuminating her face.

"What did you want me to do?" Elphaba asked cautiously.

"Ah ha!! I knew it! You weren't listening to me! Elphie, we have to work together on this, and that means that you have to pay attention!"

Elphaba nodded dumbly, mouth open. She couldn't believe she had just gotten a lecture on paying attention from Galinda of all people. Surely the world would be ending soon, and then she would not have to model in that ridiculous fashion show, Elphaba thought dreamily.

Elphaba recovered and cleared her throat. "So what did you want this time, Galinda?"

"Oh, nothing," Galinda chirped. "I just wanted to prove a point."

Elphaba smiled in spite of herself, taken aback by Galinda's trick. Galinda was clever when she wanted to be. Elphaba suspected that Galinda was brighter than she let on. Galinda seemed to be content letting everyone think she was just another dimwit popular person, but in moments like these Elphaba could see beyond that. Galinda was actually one of the cleverest people she had met; the only thing that held her back was her unfailing optimism. But Elphaba was starting to think that optimism didn't hurt Galinda like it would and had hurt her.

"Point taken. So can I see your drawings?"

"No!" Galinda shouted, a squeal of terror erupting from her. "It has to be a surprise! Otherwise you might break your promise!"

"Galinda, what does that mean?" Galinda was quiet, looking awfully sheepish. "Are there frills?" An intense silence during which Galinda whittled her thumbs. "Pink?" Yet another silence. "Really, Galinda? And you expect me to wear these clothes and actually make them look pretty? What are you thinking?"

"Well, I guess you'll just have to wait and see, Elphaba," Galinda said ominously.

Elphaba sighed, realizing that Galinda wouldn't divulge any information any time soon. She decided to forget that this horrendous fashion show was ever even happening. She would simply carry on with her life like she wasn't going to be completely humiliated in a few months.

Unfortunately for Elphaba, ignoring Galinda and the fashion show would not be possible. She was awoken the next morning with a bouncing blond shaking her arm. She groaned, thinking it was too early for whatever it was Galinda had planned.

"Elphie! Wake up! We're going to be late!" Galinda trilled, her voice taking on an even higher octave, one that Elphaba wasn't sure had existed before.

Despite the annoying alarm clock, Elphaba's eyes shot open, taking in the perky blond before turning toward the clock on her bedside table. She squinted and grabbed her glasses, still not convinced that it was time to wake up. When she saw that class wouldn't even start for another two hours, she sighed and flopped back in her bed, taking off her glasses and pulling the covers up to her chin.

"Go back to bed," she grumbled, turning over.

"Elphie, I can't! I'm way too excited. Oh, this show is going to be splendacious!"

"Yes, yes, you've said that."

"How can you sleep with such an exciting opportunity at your doorstep. Oh, to be in a fashion show, especially one with Ozmopolitan," Galinda's voice took on a dreamy tone, and she plopped down on the foot of Elphaba's bed. She bounced, and Elphaba made a noise reminiscent of a growling bear.

"May I remind you that this ridiculous fashion show isn't even happening for a couple of months?" Elphaba snapped, pulling her pillow over her head.

"Ooooh, somebody's grumpy!" Galinda teased, poking Elphaba's foot, which had slipped out from underneath the covers. "And of course I know that the fashion show isn't for another couple of months! That's my point, silly! We've got a lot of work to do if you're going to be a model for me! We need to start as soon as possible."

Elphaba groaned. She would never get to sleep in again. "Let me guess—you're going to make me popular?" Elphaba sat up in bed, giving up the idea of sleeping until a decent hour.

Galinda beamed at her. "Of course! Let me see…we'll have to do something with that hair…"

Elphaba rolled her eyes and found herself praying to the Unnamed God that this hell would be over soon. She was becoming quite religious since last night. Nessa would be thrilled, Elphaba thought wryly.