Chapter 3
Fiyero had been watching this ridiculous game unfold for days.
At first, it had just been a passing amusement—Galinda, in all her dramatic glory, pouting over Elphaba’s apparent inability to be flustered by her. Then, of course, Galinda had taken it as a personal challenge, determined to make Elphaba blush first.
And then—
Somehow, somehow, Elphaba had turned the entire thing around.
And now, Galinda was the one blushing, fussing, and obsessing over it.
Fiyero had seen a lot of things in his time. But this? This was something else.
Which was precisely why, when Galinda sat across from him at breakfast, glaring into her cup of tea like it had personally offended her, he decided enough was enough.
He leaned forward, propping his chin on his hand. “So,” he drawled. “Are you ever going to admit that you’ve lost?”
Galinda’s head snapped up, eyes narrowing dangerously. “Excuse me?”
Fiyero smirked. “Come on, Galinda. This whole thing with Elphaba—you were trying to fluster her, weren’t you?”
Galinda scowled, stirring her tea far too aggressively. “I was trying to teach her a lesson.”
Fiyero raised an eyebrow. “And that lesson was what? That you’re terrible at your own game?”
Her glare could have melted steel.
Fiyero just grinned. “Because, correct me if I’m wrong, but you’re the one who keeps getting flustered.”
Galinda sniffed, tilting her nose up. “That is not true.”
“Really?” He rested his chin in his hand. “So if I brought up the fact that she—”
“Enough!”
Fiyero’s grin widened. He was simply bluffing but Galinda confirmed everything she needed to for him.
“Oh, that’s adorable.”
Galinda picked up her tea, taking a sip as if that would somehow hide the color creeping into her face. “You are insufferable.”
“Probably,” he agreed easily. Then, after a beat, he tilted his head. “But, honestly, Galinda—why does this matter so much to you?”
She blinked.
Fiyero studied her carefully. “I mean, sure, it was funny at first, but you’re really fixated on it.” He leaned forward. “Are you sure this is still just a game?”
Galinda opened her mouth to respond.
Then hesitated.
Because was it just a game?
That flutter in her stomach when Elphaba had leaned in—when she had kissed her cheek, when she had smirked—that wasn’t about winning.
…Was it?
Galinda cleared her throat, sitting up straighter. “Of course it is,” she said airily. “Nothing more.”
Fiyero didn’t look convinced.
He watched her for another moment, then sighed. “Alright, well,” he said, stretching, “just let me know when you finally admit you have a crush.”
Galinda choked on her tea.
Fiyero patted her back, grinning. “Take your time, of course. I’m sure you’ll get there eventually.”
Galinda sat there, stunned, pulse racing, head reeling, face flushing. Fiyero’s words echoing in her mind like a particularly annoying melody she couldn’t shake.
A crush? I do not have a crush on Elphaba!
That was ridiculous. Absolutely absurd.
…Right?
She huffed, taking another sip of her tea—only to grimace when she realized it had gone cold. Just perfect.
And then—
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted her. Elphaba. Standing near the far side of the dining hall, deep in conversation with—
Galinda’s stomach dropped.
That girl.
The very same girl who had made Elphaba blush in the first place. The one all of this fuss was about to begin with.
Galinda scowled. This was unacceptable. Her grip tightened around the teacup as she watched from across the dining hall, her irritation bubbling beneath the surface. Galinda mumbled under her breath, barely noticing the way Fiyero glanced at her over his coffee.
“Huh,” he mused, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips. “You look positively thrilled.”
Galinda ignored him. Instead, she smoothed out an imaginary wrinkle in her skirt, squared her shoulders, and stood.
Fiyero chuckled, setting his cup down. “Going somewhere?”
“I just remembered I have urgent business to attend to,” she replied, lifting her chin.
“Ah,” Fiyero nodded sagely. “Urgent business that just so happens to involve Elphaba and that girl?”
Galinda sent him a look. “Mind your own affairs, Fiyero.”
He held up his hands in surrender, grinning. “By all means, don’t let me stop you.”
Galinda didn’t dignify that with a response. Instead, she turned on her heel and marched across the room, her smile already fixed into something bright and deceptively sweet.
“Elphie!” she sang, seamlessly inserting herself beside Elphaba and looping their arms together. “There you are, darling! I simply must borrow you for a moment.”
Elphaba blinked, looking down at their linked arms. “…Must you?”
Galinda tightened her grip. “Absolutely.”
Elphaba gave her a long, considering look, then sighed. “Right. Of course you must.”
Galinda beamed. “Wonderful! We have so much to discuss.”
Then, as if just noticing, she turned to her, flashing her a quick, dazzling smile. “Oh! You’re still here.”
The girl smiled, perfectly poised, glancing between them. “Of course I am.”
Galinda tilted her head, eyes sharp. “How charming.“
Elphaba sighed. “Galinda, don't be rude.”
Galinda ignored her, instead tugging Elphaba along, her grip firm and possessive. “Come along, darling, we don’t have all day.”
Elphaba cast one last glance at the girl—almost apologetic, though for what, Galinda didn’t care—before allowing herself to be led away.
Only once they were far enough did Elphaba glance down at her, raising an unimpressed brow. “You do realize that was blatantly obvious, don’t you?”
Galinda scoffed. “I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about.”
Elphaba hummed, her lips twitching. “Right. Not jealous at all, then?”
Galinda smiled. “Of course not, I’m simply playing the game.”
Elphaba just smirked. “If you say so.”
Galinda huffed, flipping her curls over her shoulder as she quickened their pace. “Honestly, Elphie, you should be thanking me. That girl is boring.”
“What’s her name?”
Galinda paused and glanced at her.
“What?”
“Her name.” Elphaba leaned closer, a smirk tugging at her lips. “If you know her so well that you just know she’s a bore you must know her name, yes?”
Galinda felt her pulse quicken and began walking again, pulling Elphaba along with her.
“Her name doesn’t matter.”
“I think it does.” Elphaba could feel Galinda’s grip tighten as she pulled her along. “Does that bother you?”
“Of course not!” Galinda shrieked.
Elphaba smirked, eyes darting to the growing pink color dancing up Galinda’s pale neck. “You are a terrible liar.”
“And yet,” Galinda mused, her grip still firm around Elphaba’s arm, “here you are, letting me steal you away.”
Elphaba didn’t have a retort for that, and Galinda tried very hard not to be pleased about it.
They walked in silence for a few moments, Galinda still holding onto Elphaba like a prized possession she had no intention of letting go. Elphaba let her, though she raised a brow when Galinda’s grip didn’t loosen even after they’d long since left the dining hall behind.
Finally, Elphaba sighed. “Alright, we’re alone now. What exactly was so urgent?”
Galinda blinked up at her, momentarily at a loss. “Oh. Well—” She floundered for a reason, her mind racing. “I simply thought we could use some quality time together, you and I.”
Elphaba arched her brow. “Quality time huh.”
“Yes,” Galinda said primly. “After all, I am your dearest friend, am I not?”
Elphaba snorted. “You’re something, that’s for sure.”
Galinda ignored the comment, instead stopping in her tracks and turning to face her. “Honestly, Elphie, you should be careful who you associate with. You don’t want people getting the wrong idea.”
Elphaba crossed her arms, tilting her head. “The wrong idea about what, exactly?”
Galinda faltered. “Well. You know.” She gestured vaguely. “People might start thinking things .”
Elphaba gave her a dry look. “Very specific.”
Galinda huffed. “Things about you and… and her!” She wrinkled her nose. “You wouldn’t want people assuming you like her, now would you?”
Elphaba stared at her, bemused. “Are you saying you’d rather people assume I like you?”
Galinda stiffened, her mouth opening—then closing.
Elphaba smirked. “Is that it?”
“Obviously not!” Galinda blurted, too quickly. “That would be— I mean, that would just be—” She trailed off, suddenly unable to find the right words, actively trying to force the blush she could feel back down her neck.
Elphaba took a step closer, watching her carefully. “Would it be so terrible, my sweet?”
Galinda’s heart stuttered. “I—”
She had no answer.
Not one she was ready to say out loud, anyway.
So instead, she straightened her shoulders, flipped her curls, and smiled, “I don’t have time to entertain your ridiculous notions, Elphie. I simply wanted to ensure you weren’t making a fool of yourself.”
Elphaba hummed. “Right. Out of the kindness of your heart.”
Galinda pointedly ignored her, taking Elphaba’s arm again and dragging her forward.
Elphaba allowed it, the smirk never quite leaving her face.
Galinda tried not to think about it too much.
____
The next day, Galinda was determined to put the entire incident behind her. It was a silly, fleeting thing, after all. A moment of mild irritation. Nothing more.
Certainly not jealousy. Absolutely not about Elphaba.
And yet—
She spotted her the moment she stepped into the dining hall.
Elphaba.
And worse—
That girl.
Again.
Galinda stared, her stomach twisting in something unpleasant as she watched them talking. She pursed her lips, gripping her breakfast tray a little tighter. How was this still happening?!
With a huff, she turned sharply on her heel and made her way toward the table where Fiyero was already lounging, watching her with thinly veiled amusement.
“Don’t,” she warned before he could even open his mouth.
He smirked anyway. “Didn’t say anything.”
Galinda dropped her tray onto the table, sitting primly across from him and stabbing at her food with unnecessary force. “You were thinking it.”
Fiyero rested his chin in his palm, studying her. “You do realize this is getting out of hand, don’t you?”
She scoffed. “I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about.”
Fiyero hummed. “Right. You just happened to glare daggers at some poor girl for speaking to Elphaba.”
“I was not glaring,” she retorted.
“If looks could kill she’d be dead on the floor.”
Galinda gasped. “Certainly not!”
Fiyero chuckled, shaking his head. “Alright, fine. You weren’t glaring. You were just... watching very, very intently.”
Galinda scowled, stabbing at her eggs. “It’s simply concerning that Elphie would waste her time entertaining such boring company.”
Fiyero raised a brow. “Oh? And what makes her so boring?”
Galinda faltered for half a second before straightening her posture. “She’s just—she’s—”
She hesitated.
Fiyero leaned in slightly. “You don’t even know her name, do you?”
Galinda bristled. “That is entirely beside the point!”
Fiyero grinned. “I think that is exactly the point.”
Galinda narrowed her eyes. “What is the point, then, Fiyero? Do enlighten me.”
Fiyero the ever observant fool dropped his voice low. “That Galinda Upland has a crush on Elphaba Thropp.”
Galinda huffed, flipping her curls over her shoulder. “You are so irritating.”
“And you,” Fiyero said, stealing a piece of toast from her plate, “are impossibly obvious.”
Galinda glared at him, but Fiyero just chuckled, shaking his head. And despite herself, she couldn’t stop glancing toward Elphaba.
And that girl.
Galinda spent the rest of breakfast not looking at Elphaba.
Or at least, trying not to.
Which was absurd, really. She had no reason to keep checking if Elphaba was still talking to that girl, no reason for her chest to tighten whenever she caught sight of them, and certainly no reason to feel this ridiculous, burning urge to do something about it.
So she didn’t.
She carried on with her morning as if everything was perfectly normal. And if Fiyero kept shooting her knowing looks, well—she simply ignored him.
She refused to acknowledge any of it.
At least, until Elphaba forced her to.
It happened in their late morning class.
Dr. Nikidik was droning on about something or other—Galinda wasn’t paying much attention, far too preoccupied with her delicate balancing act of looking just in Elphaba’s direction without actually looking at her.
But then—
“Galinda.”
Galinda snapped out of her thoughts and glanced fully at Elphaba
She blinked. “Hmm?”
Elphaba was watching her, eyebrow raised, quill tapping lazily against her parchment.
“I was just wondering,” she said, voice light and far too knowing, “if you had something to say to me.”
Galinda’s spine straightened. “Why ever would I have something to say to you, Elphie?”
Elphaba hummed. “Oh, I don’t know. You just seem… preoccupied today.”
Galinda’s stomach twisted.
The audacity.
“I haven’t the faintest idea what you mean,” she said primly, folding her hands in her lap.
Elphaba hummed, her gaze unwavering. “Interesting.”
Galinda met her eyes, chin tilting upward in defiance. Elphaba just smiled. Galinda did not like it. Not when it meant Elphaba knew. Not when it meant she had noticed. And certainly not when it made Galinda’s heart do something unforgivably ridiculous in her chest.
She huffed, turning her attention back to her notes. “You’re imagining things, darling.”
Elphaba chuckled under her breath and Galinda ignored the warmth rising to her cheeks.
For the remainder of class, Galinda refused to look at Elphaba. Which was infuriating, because she could feel Elphaba looking at her.
Not obviously, of course—Elphaba wasn’t that obvious. But every so often, out of the corner of her eye, Galinda would catch the tiniest flicker of movement, the subtle shift of Elphaba’s gaze in her direction, like she was waiting for Galinda to react.
But Galinda would not give her the satisfaction. Instead, she sat perfectly poised, scribbling nonsense in her notebook just to appear unbothered.
Completely and utterly unbothered.
Even as she became increasingly aware of the way her heart had picked up speed. Even as her skin still burned from that awful, insufferable smile.
Even as she thought—just for a moment—that perhaps Fiyero was right.
No! Absolutely not! That is ridiculous!
So when the lecture finally ended, Galinda gathered her things gracefully (and not at all in a flustered hurry) and swept out of the room before Elphaba could say anything to her.
Which was, of course, why she was completely unprepared when Elphaba caught up with her in the hallway.
“You know,” Elphaba mused, falling into step beside her, “for someone who claims they aren’t preoccupied, you seem rather…distracted.”
Galinda straighted, keeping her gaze ahead. “Perhaps, I simply have more important things to do than entertain you today.”
Elphaba laughed. “Oh, of course. What was I thinking? Clearly, I’ve imagined the past few days of jealousy.”
Galinda huffed. “I am not jealous.”
Elphaba smirked. “You do say that a lot.”
“It’s because you keep insisting on it. Frankly, it's getting old.” Galinda stated.
Elphaba hummed in amusement. “So you haven’t been glaring at her every time she talks to me?”
Galinda’s step faltered. Elphaba grinned.
Oh, how dare she.
“I do not glare.” Galinda said, regaining her composure.
Elphaba tilted her head. “Really? Because it feels a bit like you’re glaring right now.”
Galinda was glaring. She forced herself to smooth out her expression. “You are so terribly arrogant, Elphaba.”
Elphaba smirked. “I simply take note.”
Galinda exhaled sharply through her nose, willing herself to remain unaffected. But then Elphaba leaned in, just slightly, her voice dropping into something lower, something teasing .
“Tell me, Galinda,” she murmured, “if you weren’t glaring, then what were you doing?”
Galinda’s pulse began to pick up pace. Oh, she hated her. And she definitely wasn’t thinking about how nice her voice sounded when it dropped like that.
She lifted her chin, refusing to be cornered. “I was merely… observing.”
Elphaba’s lips twitched. “Observing.”
“Yes,” Galinda said firmly, flipping her curls over her shoulder. “It’s simply concerning that you insist on associating with such bland company.”
Elphaba gave a thoughtful hum. “And what, exactly, makes her so bland?”
Galinda opened her mouth—then promptly closed it.
She hadn’t actually spoken to the girl beyond her snippy remarks.
And she still didn’t know her name.
Elphaba knew it. The amusement was practically radiating off of her.
Galinda tilted her chin up. “Her presence is bland.”
Elphaba outright laughed. “Her presence? ”
“Yes,” Galinda said, undeterred. “It’s—she’s—dull . It’s in the way she carries herself, the way she talks, the way she—”
She paused.
Elphaba was watching her again, head tilted slightly, unreadable. Galinda suddenly felt warm.
“…Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked, wary.
Elphaba’s smirk softened, just a fraction. “No reason.”
Galinda narrowed her eyes. “I don’t believe you.”
Elphaba chuckled under her breath, shaking her head. “Come along, my sweet.”
Galinda blinked.
Before she could form a retort, Elphaba was already walking ahead. And Galinda—after a beat—found herself hurrying to catch up.
Galinda quickened her steps, falling into place beside Elphaba with a huff.
“Where are you leading me?” Galinda asked.
“To the dining hall. Even princesses need to eat lunch.” Elphaba chuckled, as Galinda stumbled.
Galinda looked away, trying to shrink her neck deeper into her collar. “You are insufferable, you know.”
“And yet,” Elphaba mused, “you insist on keeping my company.”
Galinda pursed her lips, ignoring the way her heart tripped at the casual remark.
Because she did insist, didn’t she? Even now, when she could have very easily parted ways and gone about her own business, yet she was still here. Still walking beside Elphaba, still matching her stride, still—
Galinda exhaled sharply, pushing the thought aside. “You are an absolute menace, Elphaba Thropp.”
“So I’ve been told,” Elphaba said, amused.
Galinda scowled, though there was little heat behind it. She should have let it drop there.
She should have.
But she was still far too aware of the way Elphaba had smiled at that girl, the way she had looked pleased to be in her company, the way she had—
Galinda clenched her jaw.
No.
She wasn’t going to let Elphaba get away with this.
She slowed her pace just slightly, tilting her head as if deep in thought. “You know, Elphie,” she began, voice light and casual, “I’m starting to wonder if perhaps you enjoy my attention a little too much.”
Elphaba blinked, a bit taken back by the shift in tactics. “Excuse me?”
Galinda pouted playfully, looping her arms behind her back. “You’ve been provoking me all morning, darling. It’s as if you want me to fuss over you.”
Elphaba scoffed. “You fuss regardless.”
“Yes, but usually not like this.” Galinda gave a knowing hum. “You must enjoy it, just a little.”
Elphaba thought for a moment before grinning. “Of course I enjoy it.”
Galinda’s heart could have burst from her chest at that.
She enjoys it?
“It is incredibly amusing to watch you squirm”
Galinda flushed and looked away. “You are unbearable!”
“And yet,” she echoed, mirroring her earlier words, “you insist on keeping my company.”
Galinda didn’t look back at her. She had, yet again, completely lost control of this situation. And to make matters worse as soon as they entered the courtyard Elphaba did something unexpected.
Before Galinda could even process it, her back was up against the nearest tree. Elphaba was close. Closer than she had anticipated.
Her breath hitched as Elphaba leaned in close, her fingers landing on her chin. Galinda was seeing stars and didn’t even try to control the deep blush she knew was coloring her face.
Elphaba was gentle as she tilted her chin and Galinda couldn’t help it when her eyes fluttered shut. Her heart was pounding and threatening to burst from her chest.
But instead of what she expected Elphaba tilted her face, her breath tickling her ear.
“You’re blushing, my sweet.”
The words felt like a slap as her eyes shot open and Elphaba pulled away laughing.
“You are a horribly wicked thing Elphaba Thropp!”
And even though she was embarrassed by this turn of events she couldn’t help but admire the genuine, beautiful, laugh that escaped Elphaba’s lips.
It was then Fiyero’s words echoed through her head.
“Just let me know when you finally admit you have a crush.”
“Take your time, of course. I’m sure you’ll get there eventually.”
“Galinda Upland has a crush on Elphaba Thropp.”
Oh no.
Three different times he had stated it, and now they all hit her at once. She felt dizzy as the realization hit. Her eyes widened as she watched Elphaba turn away and walk towards the dining hall, still laughing, as if what just happened wasn’t earth shattering.
Galinda stood frozen, her back still pressed against the tree, heart racing wildly in her chest.
Oh no.
Oh no, no, no.
This was not happening.
Except—
It was.
Elphaba had just cornered her. Teased her. And worst of all—
Galinda liked it.
Her knees felt weak. Her mind was spinning. And somewhere in the distance, she was sure she could still hear the sound of Elphaba’s wicked laughter echoing in her ears.
This was a disaster.
She had a crush. A crush on Elphaba Thropp.
She wanted to scream.
Instead, she forced herself to take a breath, smoothing out her skirt with shaking hands before turning on her heel and marching toward the dining hall.
She would not let this shake her.
She would not let Elphaba win.
By the time she stepped inside, she had schooled her expression into one of perfect poise, her chin lifted high. She spotted Elphaba easily—already seated at their usual table, flipping idly through a book and sipping her drink as if nothing had happened.
As if she hadn’t just left Galinda a blushing mess against that tree.
The nerve.
Galinda inhaled sharply, then strode forward with purpose, sliding gracefully into the seat across from her. She had a plan.
Elphaba barely glanced up. “Ah. So you survived, then.”
Galinda’s eye twitched. She refused to react beyond that.
Instead, she plucked a piece of fruit from Elphaba’s tray, taking a delicate bite before fixing Elphaba with the sweetest, most nonchalant smile she could muster.
“I’ve been thinking, darling,” she said lightly, tilting her head. “Perhaps I was mistaken about that girl.”
Elphaba stilled. Then slowly—she closed her book.
“Oh?”
Galinda hummed. “Yes. I may have judged her unfairly.” She took a moment to study Elphaba before continuing. “So I’ve decided—I should get to know her better, since you are so fond of her.”
Elphaba blinked. Then—her lips twitched.
“I see.”
Galinda smiled. “I am terribly charming, after all. I’m sure we’ll get along splendidly.”
She watched carefully as Elphaba studied her, the amusement in her eyes laced with something else, something unreadable.
Elphaba leaned forward slightly, resting her chin in her palm.
“You’re ridiculous.”
Galinda beamed. “So I’ve been told.”
Elphaba exhaled through her nose, shaking her head.
But there was something in her expression. If she didn’t know any better she would think Elphaba was nervous at this proposition.
Galinda’s stomach twisted.
Good.
Let her squirm for once.
She offered Elphaba a sly smile, ignoring the way her pulse still refused to settle.
Elphaba could play her little games all she liked.
Two could play, after all.
____
The girl—Mariel, as Galinda had learned through careful, casual inquiry—sat beneath a flowering tree, legs crossed neatly at the ankle, her book balanced in one hand with effortless poise.
She did not startle when Galinda approached. On the contrary, she looked up with a slow, knowing smile, as if she had expected this exact moment to arrive.
“Miss Galinda,” she greeted, voice smooth as silk, closing her book with a quiet thump.
Galinda tilted her head, offering a dazzling smile. “Oh, no need for such formality, dear. Simply Galinda will do.”
Mariel hummed, tapping a manicured nail against the spine of her book. “How kind.”
Then—
“To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Galinda settled gracefully onto the bench beside her, arranging her skirts with practiced ease. “I realized just this morning that I had been positively remiss in never introducing myself to you properly. Can you imagine? We’ve shared the same halls for weeks, and yet we’ve barely spoken.”
Mariel’s lips quirked. “Imagine that. And here I’ve been, simply waiting for you to finally approach me.”
Galinda lifted a brow. “Oh? Whatever do you mean by that?”
Mariel’s smile deepened, something playful dancing behind her eyes. “Well, I’ve certainly felt your presence before, you know. Always near, always watching.” She tilted her head, appraising Galinda with the same kind of casual scrutiny Galinda so often reserved for others. “And now, here you are. Alone.”
Galinda scoffed lightly, though her own smile didn’t falter. “Darling, if you’ve felt my presence, it’s only because I happen to have an undeniable presence.” She batted her lashes. “People are naturally drawn to me.”
Mariel let out a soft laugh, low and lilting. “Oh, I believe that.”
There was something about the way she said it—light, effortless, but undeniably pointed. It reminded her of…well…her.
Galinda waved a delicate hand. “Well, I simply had to speak with you. I couldn’t help but notice how often you’ve been spending time with my dear Elphie.” She let her gaze drift over Mariel, as if only just now considering her. “And you, dear, seem quite interesting as well.”
Mariel smiled, slow and deliberate. “Do I?”
Galinda hummed. “Oh, certainly . ”
Mariel’s expression didn’t shift—if anything, her smile sharpened at the edges, a glint of mischief hidden beneath polished charm.
“Elphaba is fascinating,” she said breezily. “And brilliant. It’s always so refreshing to speak with someone with such sharp wit.”
Galinda forced herself to keep her expression light. “Is that so?”
Mariel tilted her head. “Oh? You sound surprised.”
Galinda’s own smile twitched at the corners. “Not at all. She’s quite… charming.”
Mariel nodded, her gaze never wavering. “And she has such a presence, doesn’t she? There’s something so… commanding about her.”
Galinda’s jaw tightened, but her smile remained perfectly in place. Mariel studied her for a brief moment before leaning in slightly, voice dipping into something softer, something teasing .
“I feel like I could listen to her talk for hours.”
Galinda inhaled sharply through her nose.
“Well,” she said, voice a touch too bright, “isn’t that just lovely.”
Mariel hummed, tilting her head in mock thought. “I do believe she likes me.”
Galinda’s fingers curled ever so slightly in her lap.
Mariel’s gaze flickered, sharp with amusement. “I do wonder, Galinda—why does that bother you so much?”
Galinda blinked, her composure slipping for half a second. “I—”
Mariel’s smile grew, her voice all honeyed curiosity. “You do seem terribly invested, darling.”
Galinda forced a light laugh, lifting a delicate hand. “Oh, please. I was merely being polite. She is my best friend, after all.”
Mariel’s eyes twinkled. “Of course,” she murmured, tilting her head. “Anyone could see how entangled the two of you are.”
Their gazes locked, two poised smiles never once faltering.
The air between them hummed with something unspoken.
Then, after a beat, Mariel turned her attention back to her book, flipping through the pages as if entirely unaffected. “Well, now that we’ve finally been introduced, I do hope you’ll visit me again.”
Galinda exhaled softly through her nose, lifting her chin.
“Perhaps I shall.”
She stood with slow, practiced grace, her every movement refined.
But as she turned to leave, she couldn’t shake the feeling that—for the first time in a very long time—she had met someone who could match her, step for step.
She now could see how Elphaba might find this girl quite intriguing.