Chapter Seven: An Unheeded Warning

Glinda was in his beginning policies class - something about her hoping to marry a man with a decent government position. Sometimes the young woman would wave at him as they entered class, but she rarely acknowledged him. She was surprisingly keen on focusing on class work. That was why it shocked him a little when she slid into the seat next to him. "You know I told her not to do this."

"Elphaba?"

"Who else?"

"You really think it's such a terrible idea?" He asked.

"No. It's actually quite brilliant. I think she shouldn't be involved in it, though."

"Oh?"

"You don't know her like I do, Fiyero. I know you think that she's this emotionless creature, but no one is that uncomplicated."

"I never said I thought she didn't have feelings." He was starting to feel defensive.

"Did you stop to consider maybe she had them for you?" Glinda demanded in a quiet voice. "Because I think she does."

There was no way Elphaba had any feeling for him. Every time they were around each other and they weren't in public, she made certain to keep her distance. That told him enough. "Clearly you don't know her as well as you thought. There's no way she feels anything for me in any way other than friendship."

"Think what you want. But let me explain something to you: if this falls apart and I have to pick up the pieces, you will have me to deal with. And you may think she's fierce, but you haven't seen me angry."

"Why do you think she's so fragile, Glinda? I'm pretty sure Elphaba can take care of herself. If she thought this was a bad idea, she wouldn't have done it."

"I'm going to tell you something she told me one night, and if you repeat it to her or anyone else, you'll regret it. She'd had a little wine and the story just came out. When Elphaba was back in Munchkinland, there was an older boy who used to flirt with her to get her to let him copy her homework and such. He had her convinced he actually liked her, that he didn't care how she looked. So she helped him. But that wasn't all he wanted."

Just hearing this story was making him angry. "He took advantage of her?"

"A few times. One afternoon, she heard him bragging about it to his friends when he thought she wasn't there. Since then, she's refused to even show an interest in a boy - until you showed up. You don't know what she was before she met you, Fiyero, and I'm not sure if she's better or worse now. What I do know is that she's more vulnerable."

"You can't think I'd possibly do that to her!" The thought of someone hurting her like that had him clenching his fists beneath his desk. "She knows what this is. And so do I."

"Then promise me if you get the slightest feeling it might be more than that to her, you will put an end to it. For her sake."

He thought back to his life before he'd come to Shiz. There'd been a few girls back home, girls he'd talked to and one or two who'd asked him to take them to bed. Fiyero wasn't necessarily ashamed to admit that he had. But those girls had wanted that, just for the honor of telling people they'd been with the prince. And he had no intention of doing anything of the sort to Elphaba, though occasionally he found himself imagining her in ways he probably shouldn't. No wonder she pushed him away so much. "I will. Thank you for telling me, Glinda. I'm sure she wouldn't be happy about it, but I understand you're trying to protect her. You don't need to worry about me, though. This isn't about using her at all. We're both using each other, yes, but we're friends and she knows that."

She looked at him closely for a moment. "I hadn't considered this."

"Considered what?"

"That you might feel the same as she does."

"Neither one of us feels anything in that way, Glinda, I assure you."

"And what happens if you do? It's been known to happen, you know. Spending that much time with someone can affect you in ways you don't expect."

"I'd put an end to it. Just like you said. Because I do not need to complicate what should be a simple ruse." But he couldn't allow himself to meet Glinda's eyes. "Even if I did want her, Glinda, I wouldn't do anything about it. This needs to play out for more than a year. An actual relationship could jeopardize that if something goes badly."

"Why did you choose her, Fiyero?"

"Because it was believable. Because she's different. Because she had no commitments to anyone else and doesn't want any. I thought it would make both of our lives easier." And maybe because he wanted to spend more time with her, despite the fact that maybe it was under false pretense. "Really. Stop obsessing over this. There's no need to be concerned."

"I'm not so sure about that. But I'll leave it be."

"You'll still help, right? Because the other night, your ideas were fantastic. And I have a feeling we'll need more help."

"Whatever Elphie wants." Glinda said. "I just wish it wasn't you."

Elphaba showed up at his door just as she'd said she would the next afternoon. "Nessa has asked to eat dinner with me tonight. Alone."

"You're in for it, then."

"Oh, I know."

"She is going to give you a lecture."

"Good." She laughed. "I hate to say it, but I'm enjoying this more than I should. Did you see the horrified look on her face? I love my sister, Fiyero, but her sanctimonious attitude drives me off the wall."

He loved watching the way her face lit up when she got excited. "As long as you're enjoying yourself."

She settled herself back on the floor. "It's not nearly as bad as I thought it would be, actually. It's like I'm a whole different person. Don't get me wrong, I like being me, but getting away from it for a few minutes isn't so bad."

Fiyero thought about asking her to sit up on the bed with him, but remembered the conversation with Glinda the prior day. He did harbor a little affection for her, and he didn't think he would be able to keep his hands to himself if she was that close to him on a bed. "Everyone seemed to think it was cute. I guess it's not so hard to believe, the two of us."

"I didn't like being called 'cute.'" She said. "But it was awfully funny how everyone seemed to buy into it right away. I thought they'd think it strange." Elphaba shrugged and looked down at her book, chewing on the pencil she was holding. He wondered if she was aware she was doing it.

This time he decided to just stay on the bed. He knew she didn't like being disturbed and he'd let her read in peace, though he couldn't help looking up once or twice for just a tick, watching the way her eyes moved across the page or how she'd cackle occasionally at something she'd just read. When she left, he walked her out of the building and kissed her cheek again. "Just in case anyone is watching."

"Of course." She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek back. "I think we're all supposed to have lunch on Friday, so I suppose I'll see you then."

Friday was only two days away, but he caught himself wondering if he could find an excuse to see her again between now and then. Maybe Glinda had been right, after all.