Chapter 4
Lunch at Crage Hall was its own ecosystem. The cafeteria was expansive, lined with floor-to-ceiling windows that bathed the long tables in natural light. Every friend group had their spot. Unspoken territory wars had been settled years ago, and shifting from one table to another was a statement.
Elphaba, Boq, Crope, and Tibbett always sat in the same corner—far enough from the center of the cafeteria that they could be left alone, but not so far that they looked like they were hiding.
Across the cafeteria, Fiyero had decided to sit with his girlfriend.
Glinda sat at her usual place, Pfannee and Shenshen on either side, Milla and Avaric across from her. Fiyero slid into the empty space beside her, immediately draping an arm over the back of her chair.
“So,” he said, flashing his signature grin, “how much did you miss me?”
Glinda huffed, taking a delicate sip of her water. “You don’t want me to answer that.”
Pfannee laughed. “Careful, Yero. She was in a mood earlier.”
“I was not in a mood,” Glinda corrected, though the edge in her voice made it clear she wasn’t pleased with him. “I was simply annoyed that my boyfriend couldn’t be bothered to show up to half his classes.”
Fiyero pressed a hand to his chest as if wounded. “In my defense, I was learning valuable life lessons elsewhere.”
“Oh, Oz.” Glinda rolled her eyes. “You sound ridiculous.”
Across the cafeteria, Elphaba looked up just in time to see Glinda glance in her direction.
Avaric, catching the look, smirked. “You sure you were annoyed about him skipping? Or just annoyed he didn’t show up when you wanted him to?”
Glinda set her water down with a sharp click. “Quiet.”
Milla giggled behind her hand. “I mean, you have been distracted today.”
Glinda lifted her chin. “I have not.”
But her fingers still lingered against her phone.
Back at Elphaba’s table, Crope popped a fry into his mouth, watching the exchange from a distance. “That’s so interesting.”
Tibbett smirked. “What is?”
“That,” Crope said, nodding toward Glinda’s table. “The way she’s barely paying attention to her very handsome, very rich, very present boyfriend.”
Boq stole a fry from Crope’s tray. “You have theories, don’t you?”
Crope grinned. “Always.”
Elphaba ignored them, stabbing at her salad with more force than necessary. It didn’t matter.
Or at least, it shouldn’t.
After lunch, the students of Crage Hall shuffled toward their next classes. For Elphaba, that meant History of Oz with Professor Dillamond.
She filed into the classroom with Boq, Crope and Tibbett. Professor Dillamond, a soft-spoken but sharp-minded teacher, was already writing on the board, seemingly lost in thought.
“I swear,” Boq muttered as he dropped into his chair, “if we have another pop reading quiz, I’m going to walk out.”
“You won’t,” Tibbett said, propping his chin on his hand. “You’re too much of a teacher’s pet.”
Elphaba smirked. “He’s not wrong.”
Before Boq could argue, the door swung open, and the energy in the room shifted.
Glinda walked in, her presence as effortless as always, her curls bouncing as she made her way to a seat near the front. She and Elphaba had sat in the same spots yesterday, and today was no different.
Professor Dillamond turned from the board, dusting chalk from his hands. “Settle in, everyone. Today, we’re covering the shifting political climate in the early days of Ozian rule…”
Elphaba flipped open her notebook, forcing herself to focus. But out of the corner of her eye, she could still see Fiyero leaning in close to Glinda, whispering something against her ear.
Glinda laughed lightly, tilting her head toward him, her pen twirling absently between her fingers. It wasn’t loud, but it was enough for Elphaba to hear, enough to remind her that Glinda Upland was someone else’s.
Elphaba didn’t roll her eyes. She didn’t scoff. She didn’t react at all.
She just took notes.
Like it didn’t matter.
Like she wasn’t watching.
Elphaba was already regretting this.
She sat at one of the library’s large wooden tables, her notebook open, pen tapping idly against the margin. She had arrived exactly on time—because of course she had. Glinda, however, was nowhere to be seen.
It wasn’t that Elphaba wanted her to be punctual, but if she was being forced into this study session, she’d rather just get it over with.
She sighed, glancing up at the grand windows lining the far wall. Outside, the sky had started shifting toward evening, gold melting into pink. The library itself was relatively quiet, save for the occasional shuffle of pages or whispered conversation.
She checked the clock.
Glinda was late.
And then, as if summoned by the sheer force of Elphaba’s irritation, a pair of heels clicked against the marble floor.
Elphaba didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. The scent of expensive perfume and the soft swish of perfectly tailored fabric announced Glinda’s arrival before she ever spoke.
“Sorry, sorry,” Glinda said breezily, dropping her bag onto the table. “I got caught up.”
Elphaba arched a brow. “Doing what?”
Glinda smoothed her skirt and smiled. “Things.”
Elphaba exhaled sharply, shaking her head as she flipped open their project rubric. “Right. Well, since I don’t have a team of assistants doing my work for me, I’ve already outlined most of what we need.” She slid a page across the table. “Pick something.”
Glinda blinked at the paper before looking back at Elphaba. “You just…did this already?”
“Would you have preferred I waited until the night before it was due?”
Glinda huffed, crossing her arms. “No. But you could have at least asked me what I wanted to do.”
Elphaba sighed, gesturing at the page. “That’s what you’re doing now. Choose.”
Glinda glanced down, scanning the neat columns Elphaba had listed. Her lips pursed, as if considering, before she picked up her pen and crossed something out.
Elphaba’s eyes narrowed. “Did you just—”
“I didn’t like that one,” Glinda said simply, replacing the name with another.
Elphaba clenched her jaw. “You could have just said that.”
“I’m saying it now.”
They stared at each other, tension thick enough to cut. The library remained hushed around them, other students too absorbed in their own work to notice the silent battle happening at their table.
Finally, Elphaba rolled her eyes. “Fine. Whatever. Just—do you at least agree with the structure?”
Glinda tapped her pen against her lower lip, considering. “It’s…acceptable.”
Elphaba let out a humorless laugh. “Oh, well, thank Oz it meets your high standards.”
Glinda ignored her sarcasm, flipping to a blank page in her notebook. “So, when are we doing this?”
Elphaba pinched the bridge of her nose. “We’re doing it now.”
Glinda blinked. “Right now?”
“Yes, Upland. Now.”
Glinda sighed dramatically, but when she met Elphaba’s gaze again, there was a flicker of something else—something unreadable.
Elphaba didn’t dwell on it. She just picked up her pen and started writing.
The first few minutes were filled with silence, the only sounds being the scratch of pens against paper and the occasional rustle of a page turning. Despite their earlier tension, they were managing to work—until Glinda sighed heavily and flopped back in her chair.
"Ugh, this is so boring."
Elphaba didn’t even look up. "It’s research, Upland. It’s not supposed to be thrilling."
Glinda spun her pen between her fingers, her eyes drifting toward the clock. "We’re not going to finish this tonight, are we?"
Elphaba finally glanced up, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "No. Because someone was late."
Glinda pouted. "Oh, come on. Like you actually thought we’d get it all done in one sitting."
Elphaba leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "I hoped."
Glinda smirked, closing her notebook with a satisfied snap. "Well, too bad. Because I have practice soon, and I refuse to show up exhausted."
Elphaba exhaled through her nose, rubbing her temples. "Fine. When’s the next session?"
Glinda tilted her head, pretending to consider. "Hmm…not sure. I’ll have to check my very busy schedule."
Elphaba groaned, already regretting asking. "Text me when you figure it out."
Glinda’s smile widened. "Oh, look at you. So eager to hear from me."
Elphaba gave her a flat look. "I will block your number."
Glinda laughed, standing and tossing her bag over her shoulder. "See you later, Thropp. Try not to miss me."
Elphaba watched her leave, shaking her head as she packed up her own things. This project was going to be a nightmare.
The rhythmic echo of cheers and synchronized claps filled the air as Crage Hall’s cheer team moved in perfect unison across the field.
The stadium lights cast a glow over the perfectly manicured grass, illuminating Glinda Upland at the very center of it all.
With each high-kicked toe touch, with every perfectly timed tumbling pass, she exuded an effortless confidence—a queen commanding her court.
She wasn’t just good at this. She was made for it.
“Alright, reset!” The sharp command came from Coach Vera, standing near the sideline with her clipboard tucked under one arm. “I need those stunts clean. Flyers, lock in your cores; bases, stay tight!”
Glinda took her place at the front as the team moved back into formation. The familiar rush of adrenaline thrummed in her veins as she inhaled deeply, preparing for the next rep.
Pfannee and Shenshen flanked her, both bouncing on their toes in anticipation. Behind them, the backline murmured amongst themselves, adjusting grips and footing.
“All good?” Glinda called out, scanning the squad.
A chorus of confirmations rang back.
She turned to Milla, her flyer for the next stunt, and squeezed her wrist. “You got this, babe.”
Milla nodded, confidence flickering through her features.
With a sharp clap, they began.
The bases braced, hands positioned just right. The backspot secured her grip. And then—
Milla launched into the air, her body lifting effortlessly into a perfect extension.
Everything held still for a moment—the kind of suspended, weightless magic that only cheerleading could create.
And then—
“Catch! Catch! Catch!”
The command barely had time to register before Milla wobbled. Her ankle wrenched midair, sending her off-center. The bases tried to adjust, arms straining, but it was too late.
Glinda reacted on instinct, rushing forward just as Milla came crashing down.
The impact wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been—she didn’t hit the ground outright, but the awkward catch made them all stumble.
Silence.
Coach Vera let out a slow breath, stepping forward. “Everyone alright?”
Milla grimaced, shifting carefully in Glinda’s grip before nodding. “Yeah. Just landed weird.”
Glinda exhaled. “You sure?”
Milla nodded again, rolling her ankle gently. “Yeah, yeah. I’m fine.”
Coach Vera gave her a look before clapping her hands. “Alright, let’s call it for today. We’ll run it again before the game on Friday. Good work, everyone—just clean it up.”
A collective sigh of relief swept over the squad as they broke apart to grab their things.
Pfannee leaned in with a smirk. “Maybe if you weren’t so distracted today, Goldie, we wouldn’t be having these issues.”
Glinda turned, arching a brow. “What exactly do you think I’m distracted by?”
Pfannee just grinned. “Oh, you know.”
Shenshen giggled. “Someone’s been acting off all day.”
Glinda rolled her eyes, choosing to ignore them. “Maybe you two should focus more on hitting your marks than on whatever delusions you’re entertaining.”
Pfannee simply hummed, tossing her pom-poms over her shoulder. “Whatever you say.”
Glinda let out a slow breath, stretching out her shoulders before grabbing her bag.
Friday’s game was the first of the season and it needed to go perfectly.
And she refused to let any distractions get in the way.
The rest of the team had already started clearing out, voices fading as they disappeared into the locker room or off toward the parking lot. Glinda stayed behind, still standing near the center of the field, stretching out her shoulders as the adrenaline from practice slowly ebbed away.
Her muscles ached—a good ache, one she was used to. What she wasn’t used to was feeling off.
She sighed, rolling her neck as she stared up at the darkening sky. The stadium lights buzzed softly, casting long shadows across the empty bleachers. It was quiet now. Too quiet.
“Should I be worried?”
The voice was familiar, and for once, she was actually relieved to hear it.
She turned to find Fiyero standing at the edge of the field, hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket, watching her with his usual lazy amusement.
Glinda huffed, crossing her arms. “About what?”
He walked toward her, his footsteps slow, deliberate. “You, alone, staring dramatically at the sky like you’re in the opening scene of a tragic romance.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m fine.”
Fiyero stopped in front of her, tilting his head slightly. “You sure?”
Glinda sighed, glancing away. “Just a long day.”
Fiyero reached out, fingers lightly grazing her elbow. “You wanna talk about it?”
She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she focused on the feel of his touch—warm, grounding. Something familiar in a day that had felt off-kilter.
Finally, she let out a breath. “I just need everything to be perfect on Friday.”
Fiyero smirked. “Ah, the legendary Glinda Upland Standards.”
She shot him a look. “It’s important.”
He held up his hands in surrender. “I know, I know. And you always pull it off, My love.”
“I just—ugh. Milla’s landing was off, Pfannee’s running her mouth, and I feel like I wasn’t completely locked in today.”
Fiyero stepped in closer, his voice dropping slightly. “You were distracted.”
Her eyes snapped to his. “What?”
His smirk softened into something unreadable. “You never lose focus. But today, you kept looking somewhere else.”
Glinda stiffened, her pulse kicking up a notch. “I was looking at the team.”
“Right.”
The way he said it made her stomach twist again—but this time, she wasn’t sure she liked it.
Before she could form a response, Fiyero’s hand slid from her elbow to her waist, pulling her in slightly. “You don’t have to be perfect all the time, you know.”
Glinda swallowed. “I know.”
“Do you?” His grip tightened just enough to make her feel it. “Because you always act like you’ve got something to prove.”
Her breath hitched. Maybe she did. Maybe she always had.
But she didn’t know how to explain it—not in a way he’d understand.
So instead, she closed the distance between them, letting his warmth wrap around her as she leaned in, letting his lips meet hers. It was familiar. Easy.
She ignored the part of herself that had expected something else.
Fiyero kissed her slow, his hands steady, his presence grounding. It should have made her feel better.
And maybe, for a moment, it did.
But when she pulled away, something in her chest still felt unsettled.
Fiyero ran a thumb along her cheek. “Better?”
Glinda forced a smile. “Yeah.”
But Fiyero wasn’t convinced. His hands, still resting lightly on her waist, tightened just a little, his thumb brushing absentmindedly against her hip. His gaze flickered over her face, searching for something unspoken.
And then, he kissed her again—deeper this time, more insistent.
Glinda responded automatically, letting herself melt into it. His grip firmed, pulling her body flush against his, the warmth of his touch spreading as his hands slid down to rest at the small of her back. It was easy. It had always been easy.
So why did it feel different now?
His lips moved against hers with practiced familiarity, coaxing, pressing. Her fingers curled into the fabric of his jacket, holding on—but not pulling him closer.
When his hands skimmed higher, tracing along her ribs, she felt it—that tiny flicker of hesitation in her chest, the whisper of a thought she didn’t want to acknowledge.
She let him deepen the kiss anyway, let him tilt his head to change the angle, let his hands wander just a little further—anything to chase away the nagging feeling that something was missing.
But when he finally pulled back, his forehead resting against hers, waiting for her to say something—anything—the words wouldn’t come.
She swallowed. “We should go.”
Fiyero studied her for a second longer before sighing, stepping back just enough to release her. “Yeah. Okay.”
The weight of his hands disappeared, and with it, the warmth she hadn’t realized she’d been relying on.
Glinda didn’t let herself think about why that bothered her so much.
It wasn’t a lie.
Not completely.