it starts, as most things do, with a disaster.
“miss upland,” madame morrible announces to the class, “your grades in history are, shall we say, less than satisfactory. to ensure your success, i have taken the liberty of assigning you a tutor.”
elphaba knows. she knows the moment morrible says “tutor” that she’s about to be thrown into some sort of personal hell, but she still isn’t prepared for the way morrible’s smirk widens.
“elphaba, you’ll do, won’t you?”
it’s not a question, not really, because elphaba doesn’t have a choice. she nods stiffly, pushing her glasses up her nose.
she hears galinda gasp behind her.
“you’re making me study with the green bean?”
elphaba’s jaw tightens.
morrible clucks her tongue. “if you have a complaint, miss upland, you can take it up with your parents. but i doubt they’ll be pleased to hear you’ve been struggling.”
elphaba turns slightly, just enough to see galinda slump back into her chair, arms crossed, pouting.
she doesn’t have time for this. she doesn’t have time for galinda.
but, like always, she doesn’t have a choice.
-
their first study session is a joke.
galinda doesn’t even pretend to care about history. she twirls her pen between her fingers, kicking her legs back and forth as elphaba tries to explain the significance of the ozzian unification.
“it’s so boring,” galinda whines, leaning back in her chair, stretching.
elphaba sighs. “it’s not boring. it’s important.”
galinda groans. “but i don’t want to study history.”
elphaba pinches the bridge of her nose. “well, that’s unfortunate, because if you fail history, you’ll be stuck here another year.”
galinda gasps, sitting up straight. “another year? absolutely not. i’ll die before that happens.”
“then maybe try paying attention?”
galinda pouts. she tilts her head, studying elphaba like she’s some sort of puzzle. elphaba doesn’t like it.
“hmm,” galinda hums. “you’re kind of cute when you’re bossy.”
elphaba freezes.
galinda grins.
“did i just make you blush, elphie?”
elphaba snaps her book shut. “we’re done.”
she leaves before galinda can stop her.
-
the second session is worse.
galinda has, apparently, made it her mission to fluster elphaba at every possible moment. she leans in too close when elphaba explains things, tilts her head just so when she listens, and bats her eyelashes far more than is necessary.
elphaba thinks she might actually die.
“so,” galinda drawls, tapping her pen against her chin, “do you have a boyfriend?”
elphaba gapes at her. “what?”
galinda shrugs. “a boyfriend. or girlfriend. i’m progressive, you know. since you’re so smart and all, i’m sure somebody must have fallen for you.”
elphaba blinks. her mouth opens. then closes.
galinda giggles.
elphaba stands up. “i’m leaving.”
“wait, wait, wait!” galinda grabs her wrist before she can make it out the door.
elphaba jerks away. her pulse is racing.
galinda pouts. “i’m sorry. i was just trying to make things fun.”
elphaba exhales slowly. “this isn’t supposed to be fun. this is supposed to be tutoring.”
galinda sighs dramatically. “fine. i’ll behave.”
elphaba doubts it.
she’s right.
-
by the fifth session, elphaba is ready to quit.
galinda is impossible. she flirts constantly, always finding new ways to throw elphaba off balance. she plays with her hair, twirls her pen between her lips, sighs dreamily whenever elphaba explains something particularly well.
elphaba can’t stand it. the way galinda’s stupid pretty eyes stare into hers instead of the history textbook.
wait, what?
“you’re not even trying,” she snaps one afternoon, slamming her book shut. “i don’t know why i bother.”
galinda gasps, pressing a hand to her heart. “elphie! you wound me.”
“stop calling me that.”
“but it’s cute.”
“you’re insufferable.”
galinda giggles.
elphaba throws up her hands. “i quit.”
galinda’s smile falters. “wait-”
“no. i mean it. you clearly don’t want my help, so i’m done wasting my time.”
she turns to leave.
galinda stands so fast her chair scrapes against the floor.
“elphaba,” she says, voice softer than elphaba’s ever heard it.
elphaba pauses.
galinda swallows. “i-” she hesitates, then steps forward. “i don’t actually hate history. i just-” she bites her lip. “i like spending time with you.”
elphaba stares at her.
galinda laughs weakly. “and, okay, maybe i got a little carried away, but-”
elphaba exhales sharply. “you think?”
galinda pouts. “i didn’t mean to make you mad.”
elphaba rubs her temples. “you’re impossible.”
galinda smiles. “but you like me.”
elphaba glares.
galinda steps closer.
elphaba backs away.
“don’t,” she warns.
galinda grins. “why not?”
elphaba’s throat is dry. “because i-”
galinda kisses her.
it’s sudden, and soft, and elphaba’s brain shuts off.
galinda pulls back, smiling.
“still quitting?”
elphaba scowls.
galinda giggles.
elphaba groans.
“fine,” she mutters.
galinda beams.
elphaba is so doomed.