Chapter 5
Morning arrived too soon.
Galinda had barely slept, her mind looping through last night’s conversation, through the words she had let slip in a moment of weakness.
Maybe I don’t want to be just your best friend.
She wanted to take them back. Wanted to pretend they had never left her lips.
But she couldn’t.
So she did the next best thing. She ignored them.
She forced herself out of bed before Elphaba could wake, moving through the motions of her morning routine with practiced ease. Every brushstroke through her curls, every button fastened, every swipe of her makeup—it was a carefully constructed shield. A performance she had perfected long before Elphaba Thropp had ever stepped into her life.
She was fine. She had to be.
But then—
“Morning.”
Galinda’s hands faltered, just slightly. She caught herself before the pause could last too long, forcing her fingers to keep working through the curls that suddenly felt far too tangled.
“Morning,” she returned, light, effortless. As if last night had never happened.
Elphaba sat up in bed, watching her. Galinda could feel her gaze pressing into her back. “You’re up early.”
“I have things to do.”
That wasn’t a lie. It wasn’t the truth either.
Elphaba didn’t answer right away. Galinda could hear the rustling of blankets, the creak of bedsprings. She braced herself.
“Galinda—”
“Don’t.” The word slipped out sharper than intended, but she didn’t take it back.
She saw Elphaba’s reflection in the mirror, saw the way her brows furrowed, the way her mouth pressed into that determined little frown that meant she wasn’t going to let this go.
“You can’t just pretend nothing happened,” Elphaba said, her voice edged with something Galinda couldn’t quite name.
Galinda turned to face her, the mask still carefully in place. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Elphaba let out a sharp breath. “You do.”
A flicker of something unsteady ran through Galinda’s chest. She ignored it. She turned back to the mirror, brushing her hair with a focus so intense it was almost painful.
“Elphaba, please,” she said, softer this time. “I just... I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Why not?”
Galinda clenched her jaw. She hated this. Hated how easily Elphaba could unravel her.
She hesitated, then exhaled a short, uneasy laugh. “Does it matter?”
“Of course it matters,” Elphaba shot back.
Galinda looked at her then, properly looked at her, and the weight of Elphaba’s gaze made it suddenly so much harder to breathe.
“Why?”
Elphaba stilled. “What?”
“Why does it matter?” Galinda challenged.
Elphaba stared at her for a moment. Studying her face.
“Because you matter to me.”
Galinda’s breath caught in her throat and she turned away, gathering herself.
“It doesn’t matter what this is about.” Galinda shook her head, forcing the conversation back onto safe ground. “Can we just—can we just go about the day?”
Elphaba didn’t answer right away. She was studying her now, carefully, eyes dark and piercing.
Galinda swallowed.
Please just drop it. Please.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Elphaba let out a slow breath. “Fine.”
Galinda let out a breath she didn’t even know she was holding.
Elphaba threw her satchel over her shoulder, her expression unreadable. “But this isn’t over.”
Something twisted in Galinda’s chest. She pushed it down.
“It is if I say it is,” she stated.
Elphaba smirked, and it was infuriating how much that simple expression made Galinda’s pulse stutter. “We both know that’s not true.”
Galinda turned away before Elphaba could see the crack in her armor.
A beat passed. Then—
“Are you coming?”
Galinda hesitated. It would be easier to stay behind. To let this distance between them stretch just a little further.
But that wasn’t an option. It could never be an option.
She forced a smile and turned back around. “Of course.”
Elphaba held the door open for her, and as Galinda stepped past, their shoulders brushed.
It was nothing. A fleeting touch. A moment. They had shared a thousand like it.
But it still sent a shiver through her spine.
She knew—deep down, no matter how much she tried to deny it—Elphaba had noticed.
Oh, this was far from over.
____
The day passed in a blur.
Galinda did what she always did—she smiled, she laughed, she charmed. She flitted from one conversation to the next, throwing herself into the role she had perfected over the years.
But beneath it all, there was a weight in her chest she couldn’t quite shake. She had always been good at pretending. But today, it felt more exhausting than usual.
Especially when every now and then, she’d catch Elphaba watching her.
Not in the way others did—not with admiration or curiosity or even jealousy. No, Elphaba’s gaze was something else entirely. It was searching. Unrelenting. Like she was trying to unravel something Galinda wasn’t ready to face.
So she avoided her. Not obviously, of course. That would be too transparent. But she lingered a little longer in conversations with others, took the longer route between classes, asked an extra question after class concluded.
And even when she saw Mariel approach Elphaba once again Galinda simply didn’t have it in her, so she turned away.
By the time evening rolled around, Galinda had run out of excuses.
She pushed open the door to their shared room, already bracing herself for what awaited her inside.
Elphaba was at her desk, books spread around her, quill tapping absently against the page. She didn’t look up right away, but Galinda knew she was aware of her presence.
She shut the door behind her, slower than necessary.
A beat of silence.
Then—
“You were avoiding me.”
Galinda flinched. “I was not.”
Elphaba finally looked at her, raising a single brow.
Galinda huffed, dropping her bag onto her bed with a little more force than necessary. “I was simply busy with my schoolwork.”
Elphaba hummed. “Right.”
Galinda turned away, focusing on unbuttoning her coat. “You don’t have to say it like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you don’t believe me.”
Elphaba leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. “That would be because I don’t.”
Galinda groaned. “Elphie—”
“Why won’t you just talk to me?”
The words weren’t accusing. If anything, they were softer than Galinda expected.
And somehow, that made it worse.
She swallowed hard, fingers tightening around the fabric of her coat. “Because there’s nothing to talk about.”
Elphaba didn’t respond right away. And for a moment, Galinda thought—hoped—that she might just let it go.
But then—
“You said you didn’t want to be just my best friend.”
Galinda froze. Her breath caught in her throat, her back still turned. She slipped off the coat soundlessly.
“I just want to understand,” Elphaba continued, quieter now. “What did you mean by that?”
Galinda squeezed her eyes shut. She could feel the walls she had carefully constructed all day beginning to crack.
She couldn’t do this.
Not now. Not yet.
So she did what she always did when things became too much—she deflected.
Galinda spun around, plastering on her brightest, most insufferable smile. “Honestly, Elphie, one might think you’ve been thinking of me all day with this pestering.”
Elphaba’s eyes were pleading. “Galinda—”
She waved a hand. “Oh, and for the record, I was not avoiding you. But if I had been, I assure you, I would be much more tactful about it.”
Elphaba stared at her.
Galinda held her breath.
And then—
Elphaba sighed, rubbing her temples. “You are exhausting.”
Galinda smiled softly. “And yet, you insist on keeping my company.”
A familiar smirk tugged at Elphaba’s lips. “For now.”
Galinda knew the conversation wasn’t over.
But for now, she had survived.
The next morning, Galinda woke to the soft golden light of early morning spilling through the window, casting a warm glow over their room.
For a moment, she simply lay there, staring at the ceiling, thoughts instantly brought back to the night before. But no amount of pretending could erase the weight in her chest.
She turned onto her side, gaze falling on Elphaba, who was still curled up in bed, half-buried beneath her blanket. Her book had fallen to the ground sometime during the night, and her face was peaceful in sleep, her usual sharpness softened by the quiet stillness of morning.
Galinda’s heart fluttered at the sight.
Galinda quietly climbed from her bed and began her routine. Every so often she’d glance at the peaceful form of Elphaba, curled up, warm, soft. She couldn’t help but smile at her.
Time was ticking and Elphaba still hadn’t risen. She could let her sleep. She should let her sleep.
But some part of her—some selfish, aching part—wanted to spend this morning with her, to remind herself that they were still them, that nothing had changed. That she could put things back how they were.
Carefully, she reached out and gave Elphaba’s shoulder the lightest nudge.
Nothing.
She tried again.
Elphaba groaned softly, shifting but not opening her eyes.
Galinda bit back a smile. "Elphie."
A muffled noise of protest came from beneath the blanket.
Galinda chuckled. "Oh, don’t be dramatic. It’s morning.”
"That’s exactly the problem," Elphaba mumbled, voice thick with sleep.
Galinda poked her again, a little firmer this time.
“You wouldn’t be so tired if you hadn’t stayed up so late reading.”
Elphaba cracked one eye open, glaring half-heartedly. "Why are you like this?"
Galinda grinned. "Because I adore you, darling. Now, come to breakfast with me."
Elphaba exhaled a long-suffering sigh but, to Galinda’s quiet delight, pushed herself up anyway.
"You’re insufferable," she muttered as she swung her legs over the side of the bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"And yet…." She trailed off. They both knew what came next.
Elphaba rolled her eyes, but there was no real irritation behind it. Instead there was a playful softness behind the action.
They walked to breakfast together, the crisp morning air wrapping around them. Elphaba was quiet, but that was nothing new.
And yet—Galinda kept sneaking glances at her, waiting, expecting her to bring up last night. But Elphaba said nothing. And Galinda, for just a moment, took comfort in the normalcy.
They were nearly to the dining hall when a familiar voice called out—
“Well, well, if it isn’t my two favorite ladies.”
Galinda barely had time to react before Fiyero swooped into their path, all easy grins and careless charm.
Elphaba sighed. “Fiyero.”
Galinda forced a smile, though she felt irritation curl at the edges of it. She hadn’t forgotten his snide remark about him flirting with Elphaba
“Off to breakfast?” he asked, rocking back on his heels as he glanced between them. His gaze lingered on Galinda for a beat too long, as if searching for something in her expression.
“Obviously,” Elphaba said dryly.
Fiyero chuckled, slipping between both women, draping an arm around each pair of shoulders.
“Ah, but you see, I was hoping to steal our dear Galinda away for a moment.”
Elphaba lifted a brow, glancing at Galinda. “Were you?”
Galinda hesitated. A part of her wanted to decline outright, to stay with Elphaba and pretend Fiyero hadn’t interrupted them at all. But another part of her—the part of her Fiyero had figured out so easily—was tempted to say yes.
Maybe a little distraction wouldn’t be the worst thing.
She glanced at Elphaba, her smile careful, unreadable. “I won’t be long.”
Elphaba’s expression didn’t change, but there was something unreadable in her gaze.
Galinda ignored the way her stomach twisted.
“Suit yourself,” Elphaba said simply as she slipped Fiyeros arm off her shoulder, then turned and continued into the dining hall without another word.
Galinda watched her go, feeling something heavy settle in her chest.
Fiyero hummed. “Trouble in paradise?”
Galinda shot him a glare and peeled his arm off of her. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
Fiyero simply smirked. “Come on, darling. Walk with me.”
And though she followed him, her mind was still with Elphaba.
“You know," he mused, hands tucked into his pockets, "if you wanted to make her jealous, there are subtler ways to do it."
Galinda nearly tripped. She caught herself quickly, recovering with a sharp look in his direction.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Fiyero chuckled. "Oh, come now, Galinda. You and Elphaba have been circling each other for too long, and don’t think I haven’t noticed."
Galinda scoffed, folding her arms as they walked. "I do not know why I humor you."
"And yet, here you are."
Galinda exhaled sharply, willing herself not to show just how much his words rattled her. "If you must know, I agreed to walk with you because you asked. That is all."
Fiyero hummed, unconvinced. “And if I didn’t know you any better I’d even think you were telling me the truth.”
Galinda stiffened and glared at him.
“You are infuriating.”
Fiyero grinned. "Oh, don’t look at me like that, darling. I only mean—if you want her attention, why not just tell her?"
Galinda stopped in her tracks.
Tell her?
Her mind flashed back to the words that had slipped out before she could stop them.
Well, maybe I don’t want to be just your best friend!
Her stomach twisted.
"That’s ridiculous," she said, too quickly. "She’s my best friend, Fiyero."
His brow lifted. "Is that all you really want?"
She opened her mouth, ready with some witty retort—something lighthearted, something safe.
But nothing came.
Because the right answer and the safe answer weren’t the same.
And that terrified her.
Fiyero studied her for a long moment, then sighed. "Well, whatever this is, I do hope you figure it out soon. It’s exhausting watching the two of you dance around each other."
Galinda forced a smile. "I’ll be sure to keep that in mind."
Fiyero smirked but didn’t press further. "Come on, then. Let’s at least make an appearance in the dining hall before people start talking."
Galinda nodded, following him back toward the hall. She was ready to be back by Elphaba’s side.
There she was.
Sitting at their usual table, book open but untouched, eyes flickering toward the door as if she hadn’t meant to look up at all.
Something in Galinda’s chest warmed at the sight.
She hardly heard whatever it was Fiyero was saying now. She barely even spared him a glance as she murmured something dismissive and stepped away, drawn forward as if by instinct.
Elphaba’s eyes followed her as she approached.
Galinda slid into her seat, nudging Elphaba lightly with her elbow, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Miss me, Elphie?" she teased, reaching for a piece of fruit from her tray.
Elphaba rolled her eyes, but the response was immediate. "Tragically."
Galinda couldn’t help the way her lips curled into a pleased smile.
Yes. This was where she was meant to be.
The morning had settled into something warm and easy and Galinda let herself enjoy it—let herself bask in the quiet rhythm of Elphaba’s company, the way they fit back together like they always did. It felt normal, like the words she hadn’t meant to share hadn’t slipped out.
But, of course, it couldn’t last.
“Good morning, ladies.”
Galinda knew that voice before she even looked up.
Her fingers tightened slightly on her lap, but she forced her expression into something effortlessly pleasant as she turned toward Mariel.
Elphaba, for her part, didn’t seem surprised by the intrusion. She simply glanced up from her book, raising a brow. “Morning.”
Mariel smiled. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
You are. Galinda thought, but bit back the words before they could slip past her tongue.
Elphaba merely shrugged, setting her book aside. “Something you need?”
Mariel hummed, tilting her head slightly before settling her gaze on Elphaba in a way that made Galinda’s stomach twist unpleasantly. “Actually, yes.”
Galinda didn’t like the way Mariel said it. She didn’t like the way she leaned just slightly closer, the way her eyes shone with something determined.
“I was wondering,” Mariel continued, her tone smooth, silky, confident. “Would you like to have dinner with me this evening?”
For the first time, Galinda felt Elphaba falter beside her.
And Galinda?
She forgot how to breathe.
Elphaba blinked in surprise.
She looked at Mariel, then at Galinda—who had gone entirely still beside her—then back at Mariel again, her brow furrowing.
“…What?”
Mariel’s smile didn’t waver. “Dinner. With me.”
Galinda could feel her pulse roaring in her ears. The words echoed, rattled around in her chest, and suddenly, she couldn’t bear to sit there and wait for Elphaba’s answer.
Because what if she said yes?
The thought made something sharp claw at her throat. It was unbearable. Unthinkable.
She had to get out of here.
“Oh, would you look at the time!” Galinda chirped, her voice too bright, too forced as she shoved back her chair. “I just remembered—I have something terribly important to do before class!”
Elphaba turned to her immediately, confusion flashing across her face. “Wait—what?”
But Galinda was already moving, already gathering her bag with hasty, fumbling hands. She couldn’t let Elphaba or Mariel see the panic creeping into her expression, couldn’t let herself stay long enough to hear the answer she wasn’t sure she could handle.
“I’ll see you later, Elphie!” she trilled, barely sparing a glance at Mariel before she turned on her heel and fled the dining hall.
Elphaba stood and stared after her, brow furrowed. “…What just happened?”
Mariel, to her credit, looked thoroughly amused. “I couldn’t say.”
Elphaba huffed, shaking her head before refocusing on the conversation at hand. “And you—” she said, looking back at Mariel, expression unreadable. “—you’re serious?”
Mariel simply smiled. “Of course.”
Elphaba opened her mouth, then closed it. And then, after a beat—
“No.”
Mariel blinked. “No?”
“No,” Elphaba repeated, firmer this time. “I appreciate the offer, but I—” She glanced back towards the door. “I can’t accept.”
Mariel studied her for a moment, her sharp gaze flicking over Elphaba’s face as if piecing something together. And then, after a beat, she let out a soft, knowing hum.
“I see,” she mused, stepping back with an elegant little shrug. “Well, I can’t say I’m surprised.”
Elphaba frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Mariel simply smiled. “Nothing at all.”
She turned, glancing over her shoulder. “If it doesn’t work out, let me know.”
And with that, she turned and strolled off, leaving Elphaba standing there, confused, annoyed, and entirely too aware of the empty spot beside her.