The Kissing Theory

The day had been unexpectedly perfect. From the lazy morning wake-up in the dorm to the delightful hours spent at the bookstore, Elphaba and Glinda had found themselves growing closer in ways neither of them had anticipated. Now, back in their dorm, Elphaba was more than ready to retreat into the safety of her book, planning to spend the evening wrapped in her blankets, lost in the pages of some obscure text.

She had just settled in when a familiar voice interrupted her.

"Knock knock."

Elphaba sighed dramatically, already sensing trouble. She rolled her eyes, closing her book. "Who's there?"

Glinda grinned, her blonde curls bouncing slightly as she leaned against the doorframe, draped only in a soft pink silk robe. "What when."

Elphaba narrowed her eyes. "What when who?"

Glinda clapped her hands together excitedly, her laughter bubbling up. "Ozdust party, this night, me and you!"

Elphaba blinked at her, then snorted. "That was terrible."

"Oh, come on, Elphie!" Glinda whined playfully, stepping closer. "It was creative!"

Elphaba shook her head, trying to fight back the amused smile tugging at her lips. "I thought today was a day off. You were just saying how grateful you were that we didn’t have to do anything."

Glinda placed a dramatic hand over her heart. "That was before I remembered the Ozdust Ballroom! Elphie, it’s going to be fun. You and me, dancing, socializing… getting ready together. It'll be the best night ever!"

Elphaba arched a skeptical brow. "Best night ever? Sounds like a nightmare."

Glinda gasped in mock horror. "You wound me! Look, I know you’re allergic to fun, but just this once, let loose! Do something spontaneous!" She clasped her hands together and added in an exaggerated pout, "Pretty please? With pink sugar on top?"

Elphaba sighed heavily, rubbing her temples as if the very idea of socializing pained her. "Fine," she relented, pointing a long green finger at Glinda. "But only on the condition that if I start feeling uncomfortable, I get to leave. No complaints."

Glinda beamed, bouncing slightly on her feet. "Deal! Now, let’s pick out what you’re going to wear!"

Elphaba groaned. "Oh, no. Absolutely not."

But the mischievous glint in Glinda's eye told her she was in for an ordeal.

A few minutes later, both of them were standing before the open wardrobe, sifting through clothes.

“I think I’m going with this lilac dress,” Glinda said, holding it up against her body and twirling once. “Fiyero is going to be there tonight, and well… who knows, maybe I’ll kiss him again.”

Elphaba stiffened, her hands frozen mid-reach for her dark green dress. “Right,” she muttered. “Sounds exciting.”

“You think I should?” Glinda turned to her, lips puckered in mock contemplation. “We didn’t really get to talk about it after the last time.”

Elphaba forced a shrug. “If that’s what you want.”

Glinda paused. “You’re not going to suggest we practice again?”

Elphaba’s eyes flickered up to hers for a moment, vulnerability briefly flashing behind her usual sharp gaze. “You already said you don’t need to.”

Glinda blinked, suddenly uncertain. “Right. I guess I don’t.”

There was a pause—heavy, uncertain.

Elphaba turned to the mirror, smoothing down the front of her dress, retreating into herself. Glinda watched her with an expression that was harder to read. Her voice turned light again, teasing.

“Alright, enough gloom. I’m fixing your hair.”

Elphaba turned, half-scowling. “Why?”

“Because we’re going to a party, and I refuse to let you look like you’ve just emerged from the library archives.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

Glinda grinned, reaching for a brush. “It is. Now hush and let me work my magic.”

With practiced hands, she smoothed and adjusted Elphaba’s jet-black hair, weaving it delicately into a side braid that softened her entire face. Compliments slipped out between jokes and snorts of laughter. And when she was finished, Glinda leaned back with a satisfied hum.

“You look stunning. Now… time for makeup.”

Elphaba’s eyes widened in alarm. “Oh no.”

“Oh yes,” Glinda insisted, already reaching for her sparkling case of cosmetics.

“I don’t do makeup.”

“You do tonight.”

Elphaba opened her mouth to protest again, but before she could, Glinda plopped down—right onto her lap.

Elphaba froze. “Glinda. This… is not necessary.”

Glinda didn’t move. “It’s the best position for a makeup artist. Trust me. Now hush. I’m the professional.”

Elphaba sighed through her nose, her entire body stiff as Glinda tilted her chin up. Every brushstroke, every dab of highlighter, felt electric. Glinda was too close—close enough that Elphaba could count each freckle dusted across her nose, could feel the gentle puff of her breath every time she laughed.

“There,” Glinda said, still perched comfortably in Elphaba’s lap. “You’re perfect. Literally perfect.”

She didn’t move.

Elphaba stared at anything but her. “We’re done. You can get off me now.”

Glinda tilted her head, her smile soft and unreadable. “Are you in a hurry?”

“I just… we should get going.”

Glinda leaned in slowly, eyes locked with hers. For a moment, Elphaba thought—hoped—dreaded—

—but just before their lips met, Glinda pulled back with a mischievous grin. “Relax, Elphie. I was just admiring my work.”

She slid off her lap, smoothing down her robe. Elphaba exhaled in relief and frustration, hiding the tumult inside her. Glinda turned away to fix her own dress, cheeks still slightly flushed, her heart thudding wildly in her chest.

What are we doing? she thought.

Elphaba was wondering the same thing.

They didn’t say anything as they finished getting ready.

But the air between them was charged, their shared silence louder than any words.

And the night hadn’t even begun.

***

The moment they stepped into the Ozdust Ballroom, Glinda’s face lit up like a chandelier. Laughter echoed from every corner, enchanted lights hovered in the air like tiny stars, and upbeat music pulsed through the ornate hall. She was dressed to perfection—shimmery and pink, her curls bouncing with every excited step—and practically bounced into the crowd the second they crossed the entrance.

Elphaba, on the other hand, had her arms crossed and her eyebrows raised so high they might as well have escaped her forehead. She stood stiffly, scanning the room as if mentally checking for emergency exits. Her black dress was simple, elegant, and far less sparkly than anything else in the room—but Glinda had made sure her makeup and hair brought out the best in her features.

And Glinda hadn’t shut up about it.

“See? I told you,” the blonde said, tossing a wink over her shoulder as they weaved through the crowd. “You look edible.”

Elphaba nearly choked. “That's an unhinged compliment.”

Glinda just laughed and handed her a pink mocktail with a little umbrella.

They walked together, sticking close, with Glinda pulling Elphaba into small circles of people she knew. Elphaba didn’t love the socializing, but with Glinda holding onto her wrist like she might float away if she let go, she didn’t mind as much.

They danced a little. Well, Glinda danced. Elphaba awkwardly swayed and made sarcastic comments about the music.

“You’re moving like someone cast a freezing charm on your spine,” Glinda teased, giggling breathlessly as she twirled.

“Thank you, I take that as a compliment,” Elphaba said, deadpan.

“Oh, Elphie,” Glinda laughed, looping her arms around the green girl’s neck. “You’re so weird. And I think I like it.”

That last part hit Elphaba in the gut harder than any spell ever could.

They stayed close, dancing and talking, sipping drinks, and for a while, Elphaba allowed herself to believe they were just… together. Like they belonged like this.

Until Fiyero showed up.

He swooped in with his usual effortless charm and perfect smile, saying something flirty that made Glinda giggle. Elphaba’s heart plummeted. She stepped back instinctively as Glinda turned to Fiyero, chatting easily, her whole face lighting up.

Elphaba drifted away, no longer the center of Glinda’s attention. She found a spot in a shadowy corner near the refreshment table, sipping the rest of her drink as her eyes stayed glued to Glinda.

She watched them. The way Fiyero leaned in close. The way Glinda tilted her head back to laugh. The way their faces were so close it hurt to look.

Something in Elphaba twisted. Tightened. It wasn’t fair.

She’d been the one who listened to Glinda ramble every night. She’d been the one who kissed her a thousand times for “science.” The one who held her in bed when she couldn’t sleep. And now Glinda was just… laughing with someone else. Letting someone else lean in. Forgetting everything they had shared.

And yet, even as she watched, she couldn’t tear her eyes away. She hated herself for hoping.

Then it happened.

Fiyero leaned in, obviously going for a kiss.

But Glinda didn’t let him.

Her whole body pulled back suddenly. Visibly. Her smile dropped, and her hand rose as if to create space between them. She shook her head, said something low. Elphaba couldn’t hear what it was, but she could see the change. The moment of rejection.

And then Glinda turned.

She looked around—searching—and her gaze landed on Elphaba.

Without a word, Glinda walked away from Fiyero, directly toward her. She didn’t even hesitate.

When she reached Elphaba, she simply took her hand. “Come with me.”

Elphaba didn’t ask where. She didn’t argue. She just followed.

They walked hand in hand through the party, pushing past the laughter and music and twirling students, Glinda’s grip tight and urgent.

Toward a more private room.

And as the door closed behind them, the night changed.