Rifiuto: Non Miriena

Thanks to lizziemagic for reviewing 1, 2 and 3.

August, Day Two

He waited outside Crage, hoping to see her. They'd gotten along so well the day before, that he wanted to spend every moment he could getting to know her. Though they'd talked about which colleges were better, and finally both agreed that Emerald U outshined Shiz by two hundred years. In that one sitting, he'd found that they had so much in common.

He must have dozed off, because a hand on his shoulder and her voice forced his eyes open.

"I'm sorry, what?" He jumped, and met her eyes. She smiled at him, her eyes exposed due to her glasses being in her coat pocket.

"You okay?" She asked, burrying her hands in her pockets.

"Yeah, I... I'm fine." She nodded, watching him, before turning and starting up the path. After a few moments, she looked back.

"You coming?"

"Yeah." He hurried to catch up, before falling into step with her. They walked to class, making small talk even as they entered class and took their seats.

"So what were you doing outside Crage that early in the morning?" She asked, tossing her braid over her shoulder. He shrugged, meeting her eyes.

"I figured I'd walk you to class." She smiled at him.

"Really?" He nodded. "Well I'm glad you did." Before he could say anything, class started, and he found himself trying to focus on lecture, but instead, focusing on her. Every so often, she'd glance at him, and smile before returning her attention to the lecture. He couldn't focus, not on class anyway, and spent the hour in the classroom watching her, noting the way she placed the eraser of her pencil gently between her teeth, the way her eyebrows raised whenever a major point was made, the way she shook her head slightly every so often, as if clearing her head.

When class ended, and they all left, he reached for her books. She stared at him for a moment, before slowly handing them over. They left the classroom, making their way across campus, past the cafeteria, and to the Wilted Rose. They wandered along at a leisurely pace, enjoying the autumn air as it filled their lungs and caressed their faces. Once they made it to the Wilted Rose, they slipped inside and settled at the table they'd been at the day before. After ordering coffee, they sat in silence, each thinking of something to say to the other.

"I couldn't focus today." He finally admitted, leaning back and watching her. She cocked her head, a small smile spreading over her pretty face.

"Really?" He nodded. "I wonder why?"

He sighed. "I don't know. I guess... I was distracted by the beauty sitting next to me." He said, leaning forward and crossing his arms on the table.

"Really?" She asked, before leaning forward and mimicking his posture. He nodded. "What did she look like?"

"Well, she has this... long, lush raven hair, that's pulled back in a braid." He examined her for a moment, before continuing. "And... she has these beautiful violet eyes that see straight into your soul... but what gets me the most, is her skin. It's this... beautiful, beautiful harlequin green." He said, reaching out and taking her hand. Then, he brought her knuckles to lips and gently kissed them. A soft giggle escaped her lips, and she blushed.

"Yero-"

It was then that their coffee arrived. Gently, he released her hand, and the two settled down, sipping their coffee and talking softly. They ordered a piece of cherry pie and split it, discussing everything under the sun that they hadn't discussed the day before. He found that he could talk with her easily, that she understood, and he didn't have to dumb himself down to be understood; she was on the same level as he was.

Eventually, the door opened, the bell announcing another arrival, and they looked up, to see Avaric coming towards them. They moved over to make room, and soon the three settled into a comfortable conversation over coffee and pie. She interrupted him once, asking for the full extent of Avaric and Fiyero' relationship.

"We grew up in the Vinkus together. Avaric was my... constant companion, my best friend. We've thought of each other as brothers, and when we went to seperate colleges, we promised to keep in touch. And we had. Until someone decided that he needed to transfer to Shiz in order to keep watch over me." Fiyero said, giving Avaric a pointed look. The subject in question chuckled softly.

"Hey, be grateful I decided to transfer. Oz knows what kind of trouble you've gotten into while I've been at Emerald U."

Elphaba rolled her eyes at the gentle banter between the men, the friendship they held for each other evident.

"I've been meaning to ask," He turned to Elphaba. "The blonde was your roommate, right?" She nodded, sipping her coffee.

"Yes, that's Ga-linda." She said, rolling her eyes. "Why is she of any interest to you? She's nothing but superficial and bitchy."

Avaric shrugged.

"Just curious, is all."

Elphaba rolled her eyes.

"Right. You've got to be seriously deranged to be curious about that bitch."

Fiyero chuckled.

"I take it you don't like her."

She turned to him.

"Define 'like.'" The men shared a look. "And for your information, no. I'm sharing a dorm with a superficial, spoiled, self-centered-"

"Speak of the devil." Elphaba turned at Avaric's words, to see Galinda enter.

She rolled her eyes.

"Great."