A/N: So I have a lot of this story already written, and I think I've hit the halfway point. I think that deserves an early chapter update...right? And if that's not a good enough reason, then consider it a Super Bowl celebration (which, if you're like me, means awesome commercials and fangirling over Idina Menzel.)Will there still be an update tomorrow? Possibly...
Thanks so much to all the reviewers and followers and favoriters! Enjoy!
Elphaba was grinning when she woke up the next morning. It was still early—just barely dawn—but she was too excited to stay in bed. Besides, she had planned to be out of the room before Galinda woke up. She wouldn't want to be in her roommate's way on such an important day.
She rolled silently out of bed and quietly began tucking the sheets back into place. Then she straightened up, casting a glance over to Galinda's side of the room. The blonde was still fast asleep, curled up peacefully beneath her blankets. Elphaba rolled her eyes and moved over to her dresser. She changed into one of her plain black frocks and pulled on a pair of boots.
After she was dressed, she grabbed her bag and stuffed a few books and journals into it. She grabbed a couple of spare candles and matches from her desk and packed them as well, along with a flask to fill up at the café. While she was mostly just trying to avoid her roommate's wrath at the end of the day, she was also excited to spend the entire night in the library. It hadn't taken her long to figure out that the workers barely checked to make sure everyone was gone before locking up for the night. It would be all too easy to hide in a back corner somewhere until everyone left.
Today would indeed be relaxing. Just walking around, enjoying the campus, and keeping to herself. She didn't even have to worry about running into her roommate and that entire pack of snobs. With another grin, Elphaba tucked her room key into her pocket and slipped out the door, making sure to slam it loudly behind her.
Galinda woke with a start. She propped herself on one elbow and glared at the closed door. It was far too early to be up, yet her roommate had insisted on making an obnoxious exit. What a despicable, horrendous green monster, the blonde thought bitterly. Then, suddenly, she remembered what day it was.
She jumped up from bed and ran to the bathroom, eager to get started on her outfit and makeup. An entire day off of campus, with just her and her friends—including and especially Fiyero. And to top it all off, she wouldn't have to see or think about the green bean all day long!
Eleven dresses, seven shades of eye shadow, four purses, and two pairs of heels later, Galinda finally thought she looked perfect. She twirled a little in front of her mirror and beamed at her reflection. Today was going to be perfect.
Pfannee, Milla, and Shenshen came knocking on her door around noon, and they met up with Fiyero at one of the cafés on campus for lunch.
"Avaric apologizes," Fiyero said as he took the chair next to Galinda. "He won't be able to make it today."
Pfannee looked a little put out. Galinda had no idea what she saw in Avaric—the boy was improper and vile—but she decided not to point this out. If Pfannee wanted to pursue Master Avaric, that just meant that there was one less person trying to get Fiyero's attention.
After the lunch the group met their carriage at the front gates. Galinda didn't bother looking back at the campus as the driver clicked the reins and headed off. It was about time she left the stuffy old school—disgusting green residents included—behind for a day. She practically bounced in her seat as they rode down the cobblestone street into town.
"So Fiyero," Shenshen started shyly, "How have your classes been?"
Fiyero clasped his hands behind his neck and leaned back. "How should I know? I've barely paid attention in any of them."
The girls giggled. "Why ever not?" Galinda asked innocently.
"I figure they've already started without me, so what's the point? I might try harder next semester… but then again, maybe not."
"Oh!" Pfannee squealed, sitting up straight. "Have you had any classes with the green bean yet?"
Galinda scowled slightly, torn between wanting to gossip about her roommate and never wanting to mention her again. Fiyero raised his eyebrows.
"That emerald girl?" he asked. "I've seen her around, yeah. She's kind of hard to miss."
"She's a monster," Milla whispered. "You should hear the terrible things she's done this year."
Fiyero let out a laugh. "She's terrorized you that much already?"
"She's Miss Galinda's roommate," Shenshen said knowingly. "What a horrible thing she is, too."
Galinda huffed. "Destroying my belongings, threatening us. She even used magic once, you know."
Fiyero was beginning to look more serious. He leaned forward slightly. "You don't say? And here I thought she was just an innocent freak."
"Hardly," Pfannee sniffed. "Haven't you heard any of the rumors? There are even those that say she killed her own mother, in some magical freak accident."
Now Galinda shifted uncomfortably, remembering how strongly Elphaba had reacted to having her mother's bottle stolen.
It came as a relief when the carriage pulled up to the main square of town. The friends all piled out, and Fiyero tipped the driver, flipping a gold coin up at him with a wink. "Alright ladies," he said, turning back toward them. "Where to first?"
The next several hours were spent moving from booth to booth, running their hands over fabrics and holding up dresses or shoes or jewelry to show them off. Fiyero was a good sport the entire time—something Galinda swooned over—and they did their best to include them. Shenshen picked out a nice pair of riding gloves for him to try on. Pfannee and Milla oohed and aahed at various daggers or crossbows he held up. And while the other three were haggling over necklace prices at another booth, Galinda walked with him through the stables.
"Oh, look!" she said, moving over to a stall that held a particularly fine mare. "This one looks pretty good for riding. Not for carriages or much luggage, though. But for recreational, I'll bet she's fantastic. And just look at those markings—she's gorgeous!"
"You've got quite the eye for horses, Miss Galinda," said Fiyero.
She smiled shyly up at him. "My family owns a few back in Frottica. I used to ride and take care of them as a little girl."
He grinned cheekily. "And here I thought you Gillikin girls only played with dolls and dresses."
Galinda shuffled her feet a little. "Well, we played with those, too." With another tiny smile, she led him out of the stables and back to the main part of the square. They met up with the others and decided to head over to the Peach and Kidneys.
An Owl greeted them when they walked into the restaurant. Galinda had to hold back a noise of disgust, and it was clear that Pfannee, Milla, and Shenshen had the same reactions. Fiyero, however, didn't seem to mind. The Owl led them over to a table in the front half of the room. There wasn't enough room for all of them in the booth, so she pulled up a chair for Fiyero. The girls settled down neatly and ordered their drinks. Galinda didn't bother saying please or thank you, since it was only an Animal serving them.
As soon as their waitress was gone, they all leaned in close and began whispering.
"An Animal," Milla said, horrified. "What kind of establishment is this?"
"I wouldn't be surprised if our food is full of feathers," Pfannee scoffed.
Fiyero's lips twitched into a half-smile. "Come now, ladies, she's just a waitress. It could be worse. It's not like she's some high-standing member of society. There's no need to be rude."
Shenshen raised her eyebrows. "No need to be rude? We're being served by a beast!"
"I suppose things are different in the Vinkus," he said, sitting back.
The Owl returned a few minutes later. "About time," Pfannee muttered as they were handed their drinks. The Owl cocked her head a bit.
"My name's Ayla, and I'll be serving you all today," she said. "Are you ready to order, or should I give you a few more minutes?"
"I think we're ready," Fiyero said, giving the Owl a smile.
"Aren't you going to write it down?" Milla asked rudely.
Ayla clicked her beak. "I can remember it. Now, what can I get for you?"
True to her word, the Owl brought out their orders accurately. But as the meal went on, Galinda and the others continually forgot their manners.
"You there, Owl!" Pfannee called whenever they had finished eating. "Get rid of these dirty dishes. Also, we would like some wine and custard for dessert."
"Right away," Ayla said, sweeping the dishes into a cart with her wing. She flew off to the kitchen.
"Does anyone have some spare change for a tip?" Shenshen asked, looking through her purse.
"You would tip an Animal?" Milla asked, her eyes widening.
The other girl immediately stopped. "Well…I suppose not…"
Ayla soon returned with four glasses of wine and four small bowls of custard. She also dropped the check on their table and flew off without another word. Fiyero grabbed the slip and piled some money onto it.
"What a gentleman," Galinda said, batting her eyes.
"Disgusting!" Pfannee cried out. She dropped her spoon as the others all looked at her. "This custard is absolutely revolting!"
"Perhaps it's just your bowl, Miss Pfannee," Shenshen said. "I've been here before with my parents, and I remember it being quite delicious."
"Try it, then," Pfannee challenged, glaring at her. Shenshen shrugged and took a bite.
"Dear Oz," she said, gagging. "What in the—"
Milla tried her own as well, but then quickly grabbed her napkin and coughed into it. Galinda giggled. "Well I guess I know not to try mine," she said, taking a sip of her wine. But the liquid burned viciously in her throat. She began coughing violently, and it was all she could do not to spit the drink everywhere. "Lurline, that's terrible!" she cried.
Fiyero raised an eyebrow as he drank out of his own glass. "I taste nothing wrong." He picked up his spoon and tried his custard as well. "Nope, nothing. Are you ladies sure there's something wrong?"
Milla took a cautious sip of her wine and immediately spit it out. "I think I'm going to be sick," she said, leaping up from the table and running to the bathroom.
"What in Oz—that Owl!" Pfannee shrieked, rising from her seat. "She's poisoned our—"
"My dear Miss Pfannee," Fiyero said calmly. "If the Owl poisoned our food and drink, why would mine be untouched? It was probably just a bad batch. Please, you're causing a scene."
But that didn't seem right to Galinda. Something was off. She didn't realize what, however, until Milla came back.
"Miss Milla, your dress!" Shenshen gasped. They all leaned over to look. Sure enough, the skirt of Milla's dress—which had been pale blue at the beginning of the day—was now stained a bright green color.
Galinda could feel the blood leaving her face. Slowly, she slid out of the booth and looked down. Her own pink dress now sported several large orange spots. The other two girls exchanged horrified glances before standing up as well. There was an awful ripping sound, like fabric being torn, as Pfannee climbed away from the table.
Fiyero put a hand over his mouth to stifle a laugh. Not only was Pfannee's dress now stained purple, it was torn at the bottom, the trim having stuck to the booth and torn off.
"Glue!?" Pfannee cried, pulling at the torn off part of her dress. Galinda saw her purse still sitting on the booth and reached for it, but it was stuck as well.
"Who did this?" Milla demanded, looking around. Galinda's eyes met Pfannee's over the table, and it was clear they both had the same idea.
"Why, that vile, terrible, evil little vegetable!" Galinda fumed.
"The green freak?" Shenshen asked. "But how?"
"Who cares how! It's was obviously her!" Pfannee said, giving up on her dress and stepping away.
Galinda gave her purse one last, violent tug, and it came free. "She sabotaged our dinner! Oh, she'll pay for this. Just wait until I get back there! That disgusting toad will regret the day she was born!"