The next morning Elphaba awoke in the bright sun to the sound of Galinda's feet lightly pattering around the room. From the sounds of it she was dancing, doing Oz knows what. For once in her life, Elphaba grinned at the ceiling as she stretched. It quickly turned to a grimace as her body screamed in protest. Her arms and chest stung, her brain felt like mush, nothing in her wanted to be awake. But Galinda had started to hum under her breath and going back to sleep seemed impossible.
Rolling onto her side Elphaba watched Galinda prance around the room, mirror in hand, admiring herself and the statue Fiyero had given her. She kissed the air and winked at her reflection before spinning off in another direction. Elphaba smiled and shook her head at the sight that would have made her scowl a few days previous.
She swung her legs out of bed and sat up, her brain pounding relentlessly against her skull. She shuddered heavily; her body was exhausted from the energy spent on the magic she'd done the day before. She knew it would get better with time, but she was ready to move past the headaches and exhaustion that came with learning sorcery.
The moment she sat up, Galinda froze. She peered at Elphaba through the mirror, while the sun streamed in around her, casting her in a golden glow. She stopped humming and turned to fully face Elphaba, a smile in place. "Miss Elphaba Thropp," she sang, "good morning, beautiful."
Elphaba's insides churned and her hands went cold at the word beautiful. Was this a normal response? It was only the second time she'd ever been called beautiful and she wasn't sure she could believe it. She wanted to think Galinda meant it, but doubt gnawed at her. No—Galinda wasn't mocking her. That much, at least, she was sure of.
For the first time in her life someone was seeing past the green. She felt her insides sink to the pit of her stomach: hopefully this wasn't a fleeting moment.
"Hi," she responded with a crooked smile, still not believing her feelings for the other girl had changed so suddenly and was more confusified than ever. Just two days ago they had spent their time together in this room in aggressive, stony silence and now here was Galinda practically dancing for her around their pink dorm.
Galinda tossed the mirror on her bed and swept across the cluttered room to grab Elphaba's hands. She held them close to her chest, "how are you feeling, Elphie?" She was so close Elphaba knew she would be able to count every freckle scattered across her cheeks.
"Oh, you know, like I got attacked by an angry chicken," she responded dryly.
Galinda laughed, then held out Elphaba's bandaged arms to inspect the dressings. "I'll need to change these for you after you shower, oh great chicken wrangler," she said with a smile that showcased her dimples. Without missing a beat she added, "Sweet Oz, I am an amazifying friend," with a sigh and a toss, toss of her hair.
Elphaba wanted to laugh, but she didn't want to take away from Galinda's insistence to tend to her. She was being a great friend after all, even if she needed to announce it. "You are," she agreed simply.
Galinda somehow took a step closer to Elphaba, peering closely at her chest. Elphaba felt like she was being x-rayed under Galinda's stare and shifted uncomfortably. Her cheeks grew warm when Galinda's hand brushed her collarbone while pulling one of the bandages free. "You poor thing," she breathed.
A shiver ran down Elphaba's spine. She coughed trying to play it off, but Galinda's eyes rested on her for a fraction too long before quickly darting away. Elphaba squirmed under Galinda's brief gaze. "I should probably go get ready," she said after a silent moment.
The trace of a smile appeared on Galinda's face, "wear the dress I got you."
——————
After a hurried breakfast the two girls found themselves out in the sunny courtyard, squeezing in extra levitation practice before their first class. Students milled around, some watching curiously, others wrapped up in their own worlds.
"You just need to relax…relax your shoulders," Elphaba insisted.
"I am relaxed!" Galinda shot back, waving her wand dangerously through the air. "Look at me! Who's more relaxed than me?" Her eyebrows were raised so far into her hairline they were in danger of disappearing. Elphaba had to stifle a laugh, she could name about 20 people around them that looked more relaxed.
"Look, just," moving around Galinda to stand behind her, Elphaba nervously reached up and massaged Galinda's shoulders into a more relaxed position, "relax," she said softly.
"Mmm, Elphie, you're really good at that," she sighed, leaning back into Elphaba's hands. Elphaba's face flushed and she quickly dropped them to her sides. Touching Galinda felt like static.
"You should just try again," she said stiffly, acting as if nothing happened.
Galinda's face fell slightly at the loss of contact, "Oh…right." She cleared her throat, trying to drag her focus onto the rock she was supposed to be levitating. Sticking out her wand, she furrowed her brow and narrowed her eyes, trying desperately to move the rock in vain.
After another 30 seconds where she stopped breathing she was trying so hard, she had turned beet red and was gasping for breath. "Ugh" she dropped her wand dejectedly and flopped backwards onto the grass, staring at the sky, "why can't I do this, Elphie?"
Elphaba looked around her as if someone else might give her an answer. "You just need to…"
Popping back up, Galinda pointed a threatening finger at Elphaba, "if you say relax one more time." She looked serious for a second but then her face split into a grin. Elphaba breathed a sigh of relief at the joke.
After a moment of quick thinking, she scooted closer to Galinda and nervously held out her hand, Galinda immediately slid hers into it without question. "Okay," Elphaba tried to not pay too much attention to how soft Galinda's hand was as she hesitantly placed their hands so hers was resting on top of Galinda's with their fingers intertwined "just stay with me." She tried to focus on helping Galinda, but the feeling radiating out of her hand was doing its best to distract her.
Galinda's breathing went ragged, whether from their closeness or her excitement to cast Elphaba was unsure. Subconsciously she was hoping for the former.
They both got very quiet as they reached out together, pointing Galinda's wand at the rock, "keep your hand steady," Elphaba barely breathed, as if making any noise would disrupt what was about to happen. She felt Galinda stiffen beside her "relax," she whispered into her ear, "no one is paying attention to you," she lied, hoping it would make Galinda feel more confident. She wasn't sure if she made it up but it seemed like Galinda shivered in the warm sun as Elphaba's lips drew closer to her ear.
"Okay, I can do this," she murmured, then furrowed her eyebrows again before realizing she was supposed to be relaxing. "I can do this," she repeated. Elphaba smiled behind her, she loved how determined Galinda was.
They waited, a few seconds went past where their hands were still joined together when suddenly the rock rolled over one way and then the other. "Come on, you've got it," Elphaba said excitedly, her hand tightening around Galinda's. Slowly but surely the rock lifted off the ground by about two inches. Galinda squeaked in excitement.
"Elphie! Elphie, I'm doing it!"
The rock wavered up and down, but In her excitement, catapulted off to the right. In slow motion they watched as it went rocketing towards the first unfortunate person to approach them. Fiyero.
"Darl—ow," he stopped abruptly, stumbling back as the rock bounced off his forehead.
Elphaba hid a laugh, but Galinda immediately dropped her wand, all thought of magic driven from her mind, and hurriedly got to her feet. Elphaba tried to ignore how she missed the feeling of Galinda's hand the second it was gone. She huffed to herself, slightly annoyed at Galinda for having this effect on her.
"Dearest, I'm so sorry," Galinda rushed to Fiyero's side, looking up at him as if she might have maimed him. "We were just practicing and I got a bit carried away. How is your face?" She whimpered as he moved the hand that had been tenderly massaging the spot. There was an angry red mark and it was already slightly swollen.
"It's nothing…can't have lost too many brain cells," he joked with a winning smile. Galinda continued to fuss over him, so he wrapped his arms around her and planted a kiss on her mid sentence. She made a noise of surprise, but kissed him back happily. Once he pulled away he smiled at Elphaba, "between the two of you I'm surprised I have any left."
Elphaba blushed, remembering the newspaper incident from the day before and busied herself with collecting their books. She packed her and Galinda's bags while she and Fiyero fell into a streamline of chatter. Occasionally, Elphaba noticed Galinda's eyes shooting over at her between sentences, almost as if she was consistently checking to make sure she was still there.
Elphaba got to her feet, swinging her bag over her shoulder, "We should get to class." She looked away, suddenly eager to leave
"We should," Galinda agreed breathlessly, not taking her eyes off Fiyero.
"Of course, let me take your bags" he offered, reaching to grab both girls' bags.
Elphaba clung to hers, "you don't need to do that." Something within her was too proud to allow anyone to help her, especially Fiyero who was fixing her with an untrustworthy, kind gaze.
"Very well," he said with a wink. Elphaba sighed, he was very charismatic.
As they started heading towards their art class, Galinda snaked her hand through the crook of Fiyero's elbow. "I can't believe I just managed that! I'm so sorry about your forehead, dearest…Elphie!" She reached her empty hand out for Elphaba who examined it for a few seconds before nervously grabbing it.
Once Galinda had a firm grasp on her she started chattering away again, "Elphie, you're the most astoundifying teacher. I couldn't have done it without you."
Elphaba felt her chest swell with pride at Galinda's words; she had managed to help her, maybe even Madame Morrible would have a bit more faith in the tiny blonde now.
"Oh, you would have done fine without me."
Galinda's eyebrows joined together, she was getting ready to come to Elphaba's defense against herself when Fiyero spoke.
"I think you're a good teacher," he said gently, looking over Galinda to smile at her. He said it genuinely, not like he was making fun of her. Elphaba stammered in response, unsure of what to make of the praise from a near stranger, this was all so new to her.
"So what are we all doing tonight?" Galinda asked as if she had no clue they were speaking. No one had tried to make plans with Elphaba before, she didn't know what to suggest so she remained quiet.
"I was thinking maybe a bit of exploring the grounds," Fiyero mentioned offhand; Elphaba wanted to laugh but once again held it in. Galinda seemed like the last person to go exploring.
Her face said as much.
Even clueless Fiyero noticed the response. "Well more like Thrumwich Hall," he added even more casually, like exploring an old building would make it more enticing.
Galinda gasped quietly as she looked nervously at the other two, "isn't that supposed to be the most hauntified building on campus?"
Elphaba's interest began to grow at this, maybe Fiyero was onto something interesting. Thrumwick Hall not only was the most hauntified building on campus, it was also the only abandoned one and it was full of animal history. It could have lots of great source material for her next essay for Dr Dillamond.
The more realistic part of her quaked at the thought of them getting caught. It seemed like a surefire way to get expelled; she couldn't imagine her fathers reaction if she were to come home in shame.
"Exactly," Fiyero said with an eyebrow raised.
"I don't know…" Galinda whined.
"Unless of course you're scared," he taunted playfully.
Galinda narrowed her eyes with a small grin, before straightening her back, Fiyero seemed to have found the correct button to push. "Perhaps I have more braverism than you think, Fiyero Tigelaar," she jabbed him in the chest with her finger and winked. Elphaba raised an eyebrow, she had seen Galinda scream over the tiniest of bugs and doubted she would survive a gross, abandoned, hauntified building.
"So tonight then," Fiyero said like it was settled.
Galinda shot a weary look at Elphaba who straightened up with a cough, "I'm not trying to get kicked out—" she started nervously, thinking once again about her father as she spoke.
Fiyero cut her off with a boyish smirk, "they won't oust us for being out late…it's college—"
"Yeah, well they might if we're caught breaking and entering…and didn't you just get expelled? You don't seem to have the best track record." The more she said aloud the worse an idea this felt like.
"What is there to life if not to live?" Fiyero asked in way of answer as they made it to their classroom and stopped outside the door.
"He makes a good point," Galinda sang with a nod and her brows raised. She looked as if she was trying to sell Elphaba on the plan she had just boarded.
Elphaba looked at her like she was crazy—just a moment ago, she had seemed too scared to even entertain going. And Fiyero hadn't made a good point at all. Being alive wasn't an excuse for getting expelled. But neither of them seemed to care about that, and now they were both looking at her expectantly, waiting for her to decide.
She hesitated a second longer, searching for a reason to say no, but all she could hear was Galinda's excited hum under her breath.
"…Fine," Elphaba groaned, crossing her arms. "I'll think about it."
————————————
The day flew by with thoughts filled with expulsions and ghosts. Soon their last classes were ending and students were pouring out of their lessons, ready to start the weekend. Galinda found Elphaba afterwards, made her promise she would contact night and then disappeared saying she needed to take a nap before dinner and their adventure, but Elphaba had a feeling she was making sure she slept some just in case she was too scared to fall asleep in her bed that night.
Once she was alone, Elphaba found her way to one of the common areas of the campus, taking a usual table in the corner. It didn't feel quite right to return to the library to see Miss Greyling again so soon after her mishap, so she would have to make do with somewhere else. She was just pulling her books out when Fiyero suddenly appeared, a crooked smile in place.
"Hello," he said, "mind if I take this seat?"
Elphaba looked up at him, slightly annoyed that he had attracted a gaggle of giggling girls at the next table. A part of her wanted to say no, but she shelved the feeling. "I suppose," she sighed, clearing a space for him.
He sat down across from her and leaned back in his chair while he studied her curiously. Elphaba couldn't help but notice the bruise flourishing on his forehead. She buried her head in her book, avoiding his incessant gaze as she tried to identify stars and planets on a chart until she couldn't take it any longer.
"Are you planning on studying or are you just going to stare at me?"
"You are always defensive," he muttered with a chuckle. Leaning down, he pulled a singular book out of his bag, but didn't bother to open it.
Elphaba glared at the history of law book with a huff as if it had offended her mother.
"And you are always staring," she responded hotly.
He furrowed his brow, "Well I find you interesting, if you must know."
She felt her spine prickle; something she was used to, of course. "Let me guess…Because I'm gre—" she stopped short, perhaps Fiyero wasn't insulting her in an offhand way. Perhaps he was genuinely interested in her.
He didn't seem the least bit perturbed by Elphaba's near hostile demeanor, "No…I mean you are green, but that's not why. Because you're…you're…" he paused, trying to find a way to say what he was thinking, "It's not everyday you meet someone who doesn't care what people think about them…no matter what."
Whatever she had been expecting him to say it hadn't been that. She didn't know if she should take this as a compliment or not. It felt a lot like he was trying to say "no matter if you're ugly."
"Thanks," she responded slowly before adding dryly, "it comes from years of being a spectacle."
She looked back down at her book as if to say she was finished talking. Fiyero ran his hand through his hair and watched her continue to pour over her work.
"Well, I don't think you're a spectacle—"
Fiyero watched as Elphaba's head slowly lifted, an eyebrow raised in interest or annoyance, he wasn't sure. He stammered to a stop at the look on her face.
"Why are you trying so hard to—"
"Be your friend?" He tossed his head back and laughed, Elphaba's cheeks flushed a dark shade of green. "I thought you were smarter than this? Or maybe I thought you were less obstinate."
A look of shock overcame Elphaba's face, "that was a big word for you."
Fiyero flashed his dazzling smile and grabbed at his chest in feign hurt, "Feldspar likes to practice his new words with me sometimes."
"You would have a horse with a bigger vocabulary than you," she said with an eye roll before giving her attention back to her astronomy book.
"Oz, you have a wicked tongue," he shook his head in disbelief.
She sighed and looked up from her book again. "You're not going to leave me alone are you?"it was starting to feel like he'd shown up specifically to grate on her nerves.
"I'm afraid Galinda told me you would entertain me until she rejoins us—"
"She did, did she?" Elphaba asked through gritted teeth. All she wanted to do was finish her homework and be done for the week and instead she was stuck babysitting the prince, who was far too interested in getting to know her.
He nodded earnestly and jauntily cracked open his book. "Sounds like you're stuck with me," he hummed as he flipped mindlessly through the pages.
Elphaba sighed heavily with a frown, what was she going to do with this…with this boy until dinner. She watched him over the edge of her book; He seemed to be entertaining himself well enough. Maybe it wouldn't be so horrible to have the company.
After a moment he must have felt her gaze because he looked up curiously. "By all means, don't let me interrupt your studies…I can keep to myself. Besides…" he flipped the book around to reveal a drawing of the Wizard, "this one has pictures,".
Elphaba couldn't hold back a chuckle. She hid her smile behind her hand and avoided his eye.
"And I've finally cracked her—"
Thankfully, she thought to herself, Nessa and Boq arrived just at that moment; they were a welcome distraction from her conversation with Fiyero.
"I saw Galinda earlier…she said you're sneaking into Thrumwich Hall tonight," Nessa stated upon seeing her sister.
Elphaba looked sourly into space then repeated, "She did, did she?" Galinda might as well have told the teachers if she was going to start saying something around the campus to the first people who would listen.
"Interested?" Fiyero asked, leaning in towards Nessa with a mischievous grin.
She looked expectantly at Boq who looked like he was going to be sick from the thought. "Sounds great, if we're all going," he squeaked, with a forced smile.
"Oh, Boq," Nessa grabbed the munchkin's hands and held them close, "we're going to have the best time. I knew you'd keep me safe." She was looking at him like he was the last great Ozian hero, but he looked as if he'd turned a light shade of Elphaba.
Elphaba watched him bitterly and thought to herself if Galinda hadn't been included his answer might have been different.
—————-
"Elphie, I don't know about this."
It was dark out now, Galinda had awoken from her nap and she and Elphaba were anxiously getting ready for their adventure. Both were excited, but they could also feel the weight of the rule breaking they were about to do and nervousness was permeating the air as they got dressed.
In a shocking turn of events Galinda was staring before the mirror wearing Elphaba's skirt and jacket.
Her eyes fell on the green girl who was standing behind her with a slight smirk on her face. She had to admit, it was quite odd to see Galinda in something other than pink.
"Oh well you know black is this year's pink," Elphaba joked, using Galinda's own words against her.
Galinda rolled her eyes, "I don't see why I can't wear my clothes—"
"Because you'll stand out like a sore thumb." This felt like an obvious fact. Breaking into an abandoned building was already going to be difficult enough without Galinda practically wearing a sign that read "catch us."
"But I'll look cute," it came out as a long whine.
Elphaba then heard herself as if someone else was speaking, "no, you always look cute." She buried her head in her hands. She would have melted on the spot from embarrassment if Galinda hadn't been so used to receiving compliments.
Galinda smiled at her reflection, "I know," she sang.
Turning suddenly, she clutched the coat around her Elphaba had let her borrow, a triumphant smile on her face, "I am such a good match maker," she sang with a spin.
Elphaba raised an eyebrow.
"It's so great your sister and Bick are coming tonight. Thanks to me," she giggled. Elphaba wanted to point out that Fiyero had technically invited them to this, but she refrained.
"Boq," she corrected.
Galinda's brow furrowed, "Mmm I'm quite certain it's Bick."
Elphaba shook her head with her lips pursed, "it's…it's Boq…it's always been Boq."
"Hm. Bot. Well, that'll be hard to remember," Galinda raised her eyebrows and shrugged before turning on her heel with a flourish and another toss of her hair.
————-
It was five past midnight and they were crowded in a tight circle around the large oak doors leading into Thrumwich Hall. There was a chilly wind that bit at their ankles and the backs of their necks while they held their breath waiting for the doors to unlock.
Elphaba was using all her concentration. She wasn't sure if she could do this, but she was still trying anyway. She stared at the locked door in front of her, imagining the locks clicking open one at a time. She could feel everyone gathered together behind her…all eyes on her.
After what felt like an eternity they heard the tell tale sign.
Click, click.
She breathed a sigh of relief. She was getting good at this.
Galinda came up behind her and held on tight to her arm, "Ooh, Elphaba Thropp, I knew you could do it," she squeezed her arm and didn't let go. Elphaba couldn't help but think it was from a combination of awe and a little bit of fear.
"Impressive," Fiyero muttered under his breath with an appreciative head nod. "I'll lead the way shall I?" He pushed through the unlocked door, it creaked loudly in protest, but swung open regardless. The five of them crept inside, grateful to be out of the cold. Galinda held tight to Elphaba.
The windows were boarded up, the place pitch black and dead silent. Their eyes and ears strained to identify anything in the building, but there was no way they were going to make out anything. Each footstep they took was muffled by the thick layer of dust coating the floor and the air felt too heavy to carry sound. They shuffled to a stop in the foyer, not wanting to continue on blind.
Galinda was shaking next to Elphaba, her hands tightening their grip on her arm with every step they took. Boq and Fiyero lit the lanterns they had brought and the wide foyer they were in was illuminated. Everyone gasped together.
There were massive vaulted ceilings and staircases sweeping up to a second floor. They each spun on the spot, taking in each corner of the room they found themselves in.
"Wait," Elphaba breathed, her eyes wide and staring as she looked at the floor. A fairly wide path had been forged through the dust, like something or someone had been dragged through it recently.
"I thought this place was abandoned?" Fiyero asked, squinting down the hall as he followed the path with his eyes.
There was a creak from somewhere down a hallway and Galinda squeaked, jumping slightly. "Elphaba, I don't like this," she whispered, her voice shaking.
"Do you think someone is in here?" Nessa asked the group at large. She didn't bother to hide the worry in her voice.
"Only one way to find out," Fiyero said confidently, he reached out for Galinda's hand, she faltered, standing back with Elphaba, looking as unsure as possible. Finally, she pulled Elphaba along with her as she went to grab his hand in her other one.
"Stay with me," she whispered to Elphaba, who felt her heart rate pick up with each step they took.
"Mm," she mumbled back, trying to make out any little shapes she could in the dark beyond the lantern light. To be quite honest she was terrified. This was something she hadn't been expecting, so clinging to Galinda was as much for herself as it was for the other girl.
They made their way further into the building, moving as a steady group. Boq and Nessa held up the rear, carefully navigating the derelict building while Boq had his hand on Nessa's shoulder. Whether out of fear or protectiveness Elphaba wasn't sure.
"What do you think happened in here that's hauntifying it?" Boq whispered in a voice much higher than usual. Nessa shivered nervously, her breathing picking up the pace.
A clanking sound ahead of them caused them all to jump.
"I don't think I'm so worried about ghosts right now," Elphaba responded. The ghosts she had been prepared for, the possibility there was someone else who shouldn't be in there with them was a whole other thing.
That was enough to scare anyone she thought.
Galinda's hand tightened on Elphaba's arm to the point she felt her fingers going numb, "Galinda," she motioned to her hand and Galinda loosened her grip, looking embarrassed.
"Sorry," she mouthed with a handless hair toss.
Elphaba couldn't help but smile: even in this intense of a situation would her friend find an opportunity to insert a Galinda-ism.
"It looks like the place got ransacked," Fiyero noted, raising his own lantern as he peered into an abandoned classroom. There were piles of papers thrown about, pulled out drawers that were overturned and broken furniture. Only a few footsteps were imprinted in the dust over here.
"Dearest, should we really be here?" Galinda giggled nervously. She tugged at Fiyero's hand anxiously, a small whimper escaped her lips.
He turned to look back at her, "nothing will happen to anyone while I'm here, darling," he assured her with a smile.
Elphaba wanted to say she highly doubted Fiyero could single handedly protect them all, but Galinda looked so scared she didn't want to add to her terror.
Nearly every room had been given the same treatment, torn apart with reckless abandon. The group proceeded, tightly knit as they made their way deeper into the dilapidated building, following the dustless trail.
"What do you think happened?" Nessa croaked.
"Only one way to find out," Fiyero shrugged and squared his shoulders before plowing further into the building.
Galinda whimpered before stiffly allowing Fiyero to lead her forward. Her grip on Elphaba tightened again.
Elphaba realized they'd been walking for quite awhile now and the dustless trail continued. She looked around her and noticed multiple large paintings of animals in power that had been slashed.
"Should we explore the dorms?"
She knew this had been a hall dedicated to the animal students of Shiz and she was interested to peruse the facility for insight on animal life. Even despite the ominous vibes she was still eager for an interesting discovery.
Galinda stopped in front of her, she had dropped Fiyero's hand and was now holding onto just Elphaba. "You know I was just thinking…just considering…and do correct me if you think I'm wrong," she paused dramatically, "I have officially decided this is not fun."
Just then a noise like a door opening sounded down the hall. Every single one of them froze, not even daring to breathe. There were slow retreating footsteps that disappeared further into the building. They all looked at each other once it had grown quiet again and stared noiselessly, too afraid to move.
All of the sudden the sound of drums rang out clear and steadily into still air. One long rhythmic beat that chilled the very air around them.
Elphaba felt fear surge to her very fingertips and out into the room. Every glass object around them burst into a million pieces. Fiyero, Galinda and Elphaba all hit the ground, narrowly avoiding being sliced to shreds by the flying glass. Boq however wasn't as lucky, he had bravely shielded Nessa and in result was sporting nasty cuts along the back of his hands and neck.
They didn't have time to check his injuries; in the distance they heard the sound of a door bang open and multiple pairs of feet sprinting in their direction. "We need to go," Elphaba panted, grabbing hold of Fiyero's proffered hand to drag herself off tbe floor.
They no longer cared if they were quiet or not and were crashing their way back through the building. Elphaba's lungs burned and her mind reeled, a stitch grew in her side as they loudly made their way out of the building, stomping and gasping for breath the entire way.
Once they were all outside, Elphaba made the door slam behind them and they heard the locks click, but still they ran. Up the path and back to the occupied part of campus.
They were quite the sight, Galinda slipping around in her heels, Boq pushing Nessa as fast as he could, blood dripping off his hands and neck, and Elphaba and Fiyero constantly looking back to check they weren't being followed. Every turn they took back to the dorms felt as if someone was about to pop out at them. They only slowed down when they reached the confines of the building.
"What was that?" Nessa asked, a look of anger permanently stuck on her face as they arrived outside her dorm. From the tone in her voice Elphaba knew she was more upset at her than she was at the events of the evening.
"I—I don't know," she stammered at her sister who was worrying over Boq. She felt shame bubbling in her stomach like she hadn't in the last few days. This was a feeling she was used to. "Boq, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean—"
The redheaded munchkin looked at her, a sour expression on his face. "Yeah, Elphaba," he mumbled, dismissing her apology with a wave of his bloodied hand.
Elphaba stayed silent. She had just made everything around her explode and Boq had gotten hurt. She needed to get herself under control or she might not be so lucky the next time she caused an accident.
"Maybe we should just go to the ozdust again next time," she heard him mumble to Nessa as he kissed her hand goodnight, "the only scary thing there are the prices."
———————
"Well wasn't that the most scandalocious evening you've ever had," Galinda said airly, dropping down onto her comforter with a flop. For once, she looked slightly disheveled; her hair was ruffled, her heels were covered in dust and her forehead had a streak of dirt on it. She was still wearing Elphaba's clothes and seemed in no hurry to take them off.
Elphaba raised an eyebrow at Galinda who was acting with much more braverism now than she had been 10 minutes before. "I suppose that's one way to put it," she slipped her shoes off and went to grab pajamas from her side of the room. She could feel Galinda's eyes on her.
"What do you think it was?" She asked in a hushed voice.
Elphaba stopped taking her boots off for a moment, "I don't know…I kind of want to find out."
"Elphaba! We can't go back there!" There was the scared Galinda from 10 minutes prior. She looked genuinely scared and her eyebrows were raised wearily. "Why in Oz's name would you ever want to step into the hideotious building ever again?"
She continued to take her shoes off while she tried to find an answer for Galinda. Why did she want to go back?
"There's just something weird going on in there…I wonder if it has anything to do with the animals that are disappearing."
"Don't be silly, it's just an old building, it doesn't have to do with anything," Galinda was trying to sound casual about it but she couldn't remove the fear from her voice. She cleared her throat for a subject change. "Your magic is getting really powerful, Elphie," she said, not hiding the admiration and slight jealousy in her voice.
Elphaba shrugged out of her dress, allowing it to pool around her feet for a moment before she stepped out of it. "I don't know if that's a good thing…it would be better if I could control it."
"Well I think it's impressive," Galinda said, her head propped up on her hand. "You always impress me, Elphaba…you know even when we didn't like each other I thought you were…special."
It was a good thing she was facing away from Galinda because her cheeks flushed dark green. Her pulse immediately accelerated and she stared wide eyed before her.
"Because I'm green?" She heard herself ask for the second time that day.
Galinda chuckled and sat up so she was properly facing Elphaba who was slipping into her nightgown. "Why must you always harp on being green?" She asked with a dazzling smile. Normally this would have bothered Elphaba, but coming from Galinda she didn't mind as much. She started to speak, but Galinda cut her off. "You are much more than green, Miss Elphaba."
She got skipping to her feet.
"Well, you're much more than pink then," Elphaba countered with her own smile.
The two girls happily stared at each other across the room for a moment too long. "I should get changed," Galinda murmured, finally breaking the spell.
By the time they each climbed into their beds they were so exhausted they could barely talk. Elphaba slid under her sheets and nestled down in them ready to fall into a deep sleep, but she could hear Galinda rolling around across the room.
A few minutes passed, Elphaba felt herself nearly seconds from sleep when Galinda called out in a hushed voice. "Elphie?"
She struggled to rouse herself enough to answer.
"Elphaba?"
"Mmm?" Elphaba grunted, pulling herself from her sleep so she could pay attention to Galinda.
"Are you asleep?"
"No," Elphaba responded bitterly.
"Me neither."
"Clearly."
"Elphie…I'm scared…." There was a long pause. Elphaba didn't know what to do for her. "Elphie? Are you asleep? Elphaba?"
Elphaba sighed, "No, Galinda, I'm not."
There was another longer pause then the light clicked on.
"I can't stop hearing the drums…and the…and the footsteps. Who do you think it was?" Her voice was shaking slightly. The irony that she waited until it was dark and they were almost asleep to bring this up again wasn't lost on Elphaba.
"I don't know," Elphaba replied, exhaustion dripping off her voice. "But we're safe here," she assured Galinda even though she wasn't too confident in that herself.
Galinda didn't respond for so long Elphaba thought she had fallen asleep. When she spoke next took Elphaba by surprise.
"Could you come get into bed with me?" She heard Galinda's voice squeak through the dark. "Please?" She tacked on nicely.
Elphaba's heartbeat picked up even more. Galinda wasn't really asking her to come sleep with her was she? No way anyone would want to share their bed with the green girl. No one ever had. Not even Nessa. She didn't move as she stared across the room at the light on Galinda's bedside.
"Elphie?" Galinda prompted, her voice nervous.
She hesitated, a part of her was excited at the prospect of sleeping beside Galinda, but the other was nervous to cross this line with her new friend. This new friend who very much wanted her in her bed.
Finally she forced herself to her feet. Silently, she got out of bed and crept across the room to Galinda's bed where she was met with a dazzling smile. "A sleepover!" Galinda squealed, sliding over to make room for Elphaba. She patted the bed beside her.
Nervously, Elphaba sat down, swinging her legs up onto the bed at the same time. Galinda's bed was larger than hers, but not by much and it was a bit of a tight squeeze. Her heart felt like it had taken up residence in her throat as she laid down beside Galinda.
"Have you ever had a sleepover before?"
"Does sleeping in here with you every night count?"
Galinda switched off the light and giggled into the dark, "no, silly. So I'm your first?" She asked, sounding more serious now. "I feel special."
"You are," Elphaba sighed, sleepily, nestling down into her pillow beside Galinda. She anxiously kept to her side of the bed, not wanting to intrude on Galinda's bubble.
Galinda chuckled again, "thank you, miss Elphaba…you could get closer, you know?" She wiggled nearer to Elphaba, her head supported by her arm so they were eye to eye. Locking their pinkies together she smiled happily while Elphaba felt her own breathing shudder.
Galinda Upland.
Of the upper Uplands.
She was special.
Galinda kept chattering, clearly no longer tired now that Elphaba was beside her. She had been going on for almost five whole minutes when she heard Elphaba snore slightly beside her.
"Good night, Miss Elphaba," she whispered, watching her. She chewed her lip as Elphaba's eyes fluttered beneath the lids. "Elphie?" She whispered, her voice trembling slightly. Only this time Elphaba didn't stir.
Galinda sighed, then leaned over Elphaba to place a kiss on her cheek before cuddling beside her and falling asleep.