Rifiuto: Non Miriena

A/N: Elphaba is a cross between...

August, Day Seven

"You going to Elphaba's dance thing tonight?"

"Her performance? Of course, I wouldn't dream of missing it, Av."

"I forgot, you two are dating."

Fiyero rolled his eyes.

"I can't believe you don't approve of Elphaba."

"I didn't say that I don't approve of her, I just think she's out for herself more than for this relationship." He stopped when Fiyero turned to him. "What? I'm just telling you what I think."

"Not funny, Av."

They took a seat at the table and continued their conversation, both trying to make points as to why the relationship should continue.

"You aren't sleeping with her, are you?"

Fiyero rolled his eyes. "Please, I'm not that stupidly male. I don't sleep with the first female that crosses my path."

"You don't even know how to react when she sits in your lap."

"I-" He stopped and blushed, realizing what Avaric meant. "I'm more a gentleman than you are, Av. Besides, Elphaba and I are taking things slow. We want to get to know each other before we sleep together."

Avaric rolled his eyes.

"I know. I just don't want you to get hurt."

"As you've stated, time and time again. I'll be fine. I'm a grown up. I can take care of myself. But I am going with her to the City. I think it'll be good for both of us to get away for a week or so."

"Any idea on what you're going to do, besides her auditions and meeting with the Wizard?" Fiyero shrugged.

"I don't know. I do know that there won't be any business meetings of the sort. Those are my father's dealings, not mine. I just wanta normal life."

"Yero, you're Crown Prince of the Vinkus, you'll never have a normal life."

"Not unless I abdicate."

Avaric sighed.

"Do you really want to do that?"

"... No. But I don't want to rule a country, either, Av."

As they left the cafeteria and made their way across the green, they noticed other students making their way towards the green, where the performance was being held. They saw a number of their friends, talking and laughing, waiting for the performance to begin. As Fiyero and Avaric made their way towards the stage, they saw Nessa and Boq, and Galinda further on.

"Boq! Nessa!" They hurried towards the two, who looked up from their conversation as they neared.

"Hey! What are you doing here?"

"We wouldn't miss this for the world. You?"

"I... I promised Fabala I'd be here." Nessa said over the chatter. Fiyero watched the younger girl, noting how uneasy she felt around the crowd. After a moment, he reached out and squeezed her shoulder.

"She cares about you, Nessa."

"I know."

Suddenly, the dance coach came onstage, tapping the microphone once before speaking.

"Hey everyone. I'm glad you could all make it tonight. As you all know, our girls are going to the City to compete in the intercity finals next week." Cheers answered back, as sapphire and emerald pendants waved in the air- Shiz's school colors. "We had the preliminary finals today, and that just proved that we are going to the intercity finals!"

Fiyero had never seen so much excitement, and he momentarily blocked the rest of the coach's speech.

"... Now please welcome our very own Shizian Sapphires!"

She left the stage as the girls came on, dressed in black dance pants with emerald and sapphire stripes down the right side, and matching tops. As the dance began, Fiyero realized that he couldn't take his eyes off Elphaba. She seemed to light up the whole performance, and the smile she wore never left her face as she performed. They locked eyes more than once, and every so often, she'd mouth 'I love you.'

She had captured his heart, and had showed him that he didn't have to be the prince, that he could live a normal life without his crown always hanging over his head. He was carefree when he was around her and their friends; he was more open around Avaric, not always keeping silent. Before, he'd have spent every day in the library, reading and working on homework. Before he would have kept to himself, preferring to be friendless to making friends. Now, he was willing to spend nights out with friends, laughing and joking; he was more outgoing, willing to take risks, and it was all thanks to Elphaba.

Avaric watched the performance, but he also kept a close eye on Fiyero. The crown prince was his best friend, his brother; they'd grown up together, and while they lived entirely different lives- Avaric was the partier, Fiyero the bookworm. It was astounding how two people so different could end up best friends. But it had happened. And as he watched Elphaba perform, he realized that she was not only in love with Fiyero, but also the stage, the dance, the feel of performing.

She loved all of that, and also had enough love in her heart for Fiyero as well. Though protective of Fiyero, he hoped that Elphaba would show her true colors that week in the City with Fiyero, and that Fiyero would be wise enough to chose between staying with her if she was truthful, and leaving her if she wasn't. He wasn't going to see Fiyero get hurt by a girl who was only out for fame and fortune. He didn't want to see him be strung along only to get cut when something or someone better came along.

If that happened, there'd be hell to pay.