Chapter 1
All this week Galinda had been talking about, how excited she was to go to the Ozdust again. They had been going every Friday for the past few weeks, rather than just special occasions. And as much as Elphaba hated public parties and outings like that, she had been dragged by her roommate every single week. One night they had gotten home extremely late, and Galinda was high off a mix of adrenaline and one too many drinks at the ballroom- that she had confided in Elphaba about her sexuality. Explaining that the only reason she dated boys were for her parents approval. And that when her and Fiyero had broken up, she was okay because she only ever liked him as a friend. And apparently he had felt the same way. And that she always knew she was a lesbian but was too scared of what other people would say. The other girl had listened intently, and when Galinda had asked her who she liked, Elphaba said anyone she had a connection with, and it didn’t matter their gender. Galinda had nodded along and said “good for you, Elpihe!” then passed out a few moments later.
Regardless, her and Galinda were extremely close and had gotten even closer after their confessions. In fact, neither of them really spent much time in their own beds alone- it was a sleepover everynight. They would hold hands often and talk 24/7. Elphaba was confused to as if this was just normal friendship ( which she never had ) or is this what two girls who like each other do. When she had confided in her sister, her sister had told her that it was obvious there was something between them, but Elphaba was still to afraid to admit her feeling out loud to her best friend.
Then, Galinda met Celeste, a girl they had met at the Ozdust one night- and when she and Galinda had started talking they hit if off right away. She has asked her if she was talking to anyone, in which Galinda replied no, of course. Then asked her to dance. Elphaba had sat and watched them the whole night. Celeste was beautiful though. Short black hair, multiple ear piercing along with arm and back tattoos that were very scandelocious to Galinda- which she liked. For the 4 weeks, evey Friday they would go where Elphaba would be forced to sit and watch the two.
Now here comes the 5th Friday in a row. Elphaba sat quietly on her bed as Galinda did her makeup carefully in the mirror. Elphaba was desperately close to saying, “maybe I’ll stay in tonight” to her roommate but couldn’t get the words out, even though she did want to stay in the dorm. She could only handle seeing Celeste and Galinda so much- she needed a break from seeing her roommate/crush/best friend dancing with another very attractive woman. Galinda played her music singing along softly to her playlist, every now and then smiling at her phone- in which Elphaba would roll her eyes at her smitteniss over this girl.
“Oh, Elphie, tonight is the night I give this to Celeste!” She brought up a necklace she had bought when the two went into town. A crescent moon with a cat on it. Galinda had said it was perfect because Celeste loved the moon and had a black cat, and Elphaba had nodded and walked away. Obviously, the blonde hadn’t noticed and kept shopping.
“It’s very nice, Galinda.” She responded shortly, before going back to reading her book.
“Oh God, you hate it, don’t you?” She whined, putting it back in the box. When did she ever say she hated it?
“I didn’t say that,” Elphaba let out a chuckle.
“You didn’t have to! Your face tells a lot.” She drops her face into the palm of her hands. Oh god.
“Galinda, I don’t know what my face did- but I don’t hate it. I think it’s,” she pauses, not really wanting to continue the sentence but not wanting to hurt the girls feelings either, “It’s extremely beautiful.” She said, and Galinda peeked her head up. “Just like you.” She added, and the blonde fully perked up.
“Oh, Elphie!” Her cheeks flushed slightly red, “You don’t have to compliment me!” She waved her hands around and looked at the bag. “You really think she’ll like it?”
“She’d be stupid not to.” She responded quickly, making Galinda laugh at her joke. But it wasn’t. Not to Elphaba. If Galinda had bought her something, she would cherish it. No matter what it was. She’d wear it everyday and she would think it’s beautiful- but, Galinda did not buy her the necklace, it was for Celeste. She continued getting ready and when Galinda had noticed the time she rushed Elphaba to change quickly or they'd be late.
“Maybe I’ll just stay in tonight, Galinda.” Elphaba finally said, watching the other girl put her shoes on. Her face dropped instantly.
“What?!” She protested instantly, “What do you mean?”
“I mean, maybe I should stay here, you know?”
“No, Elphaba, I don’t know.” She stepped closer to the green girl. “You always go with us! You can’t leave me!”
“I’m not leaving you, Galinda.” She shook her head, “You’ll have Celeste. And then you won’t have to worry about me.”
“But-” the girl wanted to protest more but she couldn’t think of the right words. “Please, Elphie. You didn’t even warn me!”
“What?”
“What if you come this week, and next week you don’t have to?” She propositioned, pleading with her hands to Elphaba.
“I don’t know-”
“Elphie! You must, I’m not asking you anymore- I’m telling you.” She rolled her eyes dramatically, and turned around. “Now, zip me up and change!”
Elphaba did just that. Zipped up the smaller girl and quickly changed into a dress that Galinda had picked out for her.
“And don’t think I’ve forgot about makeup.” Galinda reminded her, pulling our her vanity chair for Elphaba to sit. Although she hated makeup, she loved the intimacy of makeup. How Galinda would gently hold her face, and how her cold hands would feel against her skin. How when she’d breathe, she was so close to her face that they were breathing the same air. How she could inhale her scent and not make it awkward. And as much as she hated to admit it, it was relaxing. Sometimes it’d put her to sleep, and Galinda would get mad that when she was doing her eyeliner her head would become heavy and she’d have to wake her up again.
“How could I froget?” She asked saractially, and sat down in her chair.
“Okay traitor, now turn and close your eyes, you know the drill.” She had told her and Elphaba followed instructions, letting a small laugh out at the fact she called her a traitor. Galina worked quickly and smoothly, after doing her makeup so much it was just routine. She knew how she liked it, how much to put, or how little to put, and never changed anything unless specified by Elphaba. Which she never did. They worked in silence, Galinda still quietly humming her songs as she finished her friends simple makeup. Then a knock on the door- their time to leave. “Okay! You look perfect, as always!” She stepped back to admire her work then opened the door to their friends.
“Y’all ready to go?” Fiyero had asked giving a small hug to Galinda as her, Nessa and her boyfriend came into the room as well, all of them dressed and ready.
“Yes! Let me just grab my purse.” Galinda smiled and as they waited for her let a small yelp out as if she had remembered something important. The four of them stood by the door waiting for her, as she desperately searched her drawers then yanked something out. As she stuffed the item in her purse, Elphaba led the group out.
“Something for Celeste?” Nessa had asked and she shook her head no.
“No, actually! Something for your sister,” Galinda smiled showing her a new container of lip gloss.
“That’s for Elphaba?” Her sister asked, clearly conusef to as why she would buy her sister lip gloss.
“Yes! It’s um, it’s the one she always asks for when we go out and I recently ran out,” she shook her head, “So I hadn't been able to lend it to her, so- now she has her own!” Nessa had nodded along and smiled at the thought of someone doing something nice for her older sister, despite it being her sister's crush who was talking to someone else.
As they headed into the ballroom, Nessa watched as Galinda and her sister lingered back from the group and handed her the lip gloss. And to her surprise, apparently her sister did love it. They exchanged a hug and held each others hand. She watched as she put it on and Galinda looked mortified that she did not apply it correctly, how the gloss got not just on her lips but over as well. She watched as Galinda looked around quickly before taking her thumb and fixing if quickly, and how the two laughed before catching up.
“I suspect something going on with them?” A voice says, and Nessa turns to Fiyero who is also watching from afar.
“Oh, I don’t know- Galinda is talking to that girl Celeste, remember.” Nessa saying, not wanting to say anything about her sister.
“Ah right, right.” He nodded, “Eh, what a shame- I always thought there was something between them.”
“Really?” Nessa had looked back at the girls that were slowly making their way back.
“Yes, well, that’s all she’d talk about her when were together so I just figured- well, nevermind then.” He smiled to the girl in the chair and the other two girls approached them smiling.
“Okay, y’all two ready?” He joked, and they all walked in together. They had found a table and Fiyero and and Boq were off to get drinks for everyone. The three girls sat, patiently waiting. Galinda for Celeste to come find her, which she was always fashionably late for. Nessa for her boyfriend to come back so she could get some liquid courage and dance. And Elphaba… for the night to end so she could go to sleep. Eventually the boys had come back and they all had their first drink of the night together,
“Hey, remember tomorrow we have plans in town, okay?” Elphaba reminded Galinda as she made Fiyero get her another drink. They may not be dating or in love, but she sure did boss him around like it- and he let her. He quite enjoyed her company, as a friend of course- and vice versa.
“I know,” she smiled as she looked around for Celeste. A few seconds later, the taller woman approached the group with two drinks in hand.
“Hello, love.” She smiled and stood behind Galinda placing a kiss on her cheek.
“Why hello!” She beamed and lept up from her seat and into the tattoo’s womans arms. Elphaba had watched the interaction and tried her best to keep her composure as the two held each others arms and talked. Her sister watching her as the interaction happened. Shortly after, Fiyero had also arrived with Galinda’s drink in hand.
“Hey, here’s your drink.” He motioned it to her, and she shook her head no.
“It’s okay! She brought me one,” she gave a huge smile and and turned back around, taking the drink for Celeste’s hands. “And I’m trying not to get too drunk tonight.” She winked at Elphaba, who smiled in return.
“Alrighty then,” he scoffed. “Elphaba, would you like this drink?”
“Oh, I’m quite alright, thank you.” She politely declined, but after seeing the disappointment on his face she changed her mind. Also knowing that the drink he bought had to have been a least $10 down the drain.
“Actually, sure- I’ll take it.” She smiled, and took the drink from him.
“Thank Oz, I do not like Moonlights.” He shook his head and drank his own cup. Galinda and her date had still stood by the table until she finished her drink from Celeste.
“Let’s go dance!” She finally said, grabbing Celeste’s hand. She smiled to the blonde and added, “And get another drink!” In which Galinda nodded happily.
“Hey!” Elphaba had called after them, they both stopped clearly confused to as what wrong. “We have um, plans in the morning.” She stated again, and Celeste nodded, not understanding what that meant. “So remember, don’t drink too much.” She finished and the older woman rolled her eyes.
“I know Elphie-” Galinda started to reassure her friend, but Celeste cuts her off.
“It’s a party, Elphaba! And Friday night, I think this girl deserves to do whatever she wantt!” She smiled to Galinda, who looked between the two girls. And as she was going to say something, Celeste had dragged her away. Elphaba had gone back to join her friends, but they too had left their spots and were dancing- how fun.
She sat quietly for the next 2 hours, keeping her eye on Galinda and Celeste, counting how many drinks she had. Eight. Eight drinks. She wanted to tell her to stop but didn’t want to be over controlling- because Celeste was right, she can do whatever she wants. Eventually, she had gotten up to the go to the restroom and as she was leaving ran into Galinda, who was walking in.
“Elphie!” She yelped, shocked I was in the restroom. “What are you doing in here!?” She brought her voice to a whisper.
“I was just using the restroom.” She told her, smiling softly as she tried to walk past her.
“Aren’t you having the best time?” She asked, smiling up at the ceiling, swaying side to side.
“I guess.” She responded shortly. But no, she wasn’t. This was actually the worst time at the Ozdust.
“I’m about to give her,” she hiccups, “the necklace.”
“Oh, that’s nice.”
“Isn't it?” She smiled, “And don’t you worry Elphie, you’ll find someone soon.” Her words slurred and the girl rolled her eyes. She’s extremely drunk right now.
“Galinda, you’re drunk.” She snapped at her, and Galinda just laughed.
“Nooo! I am tipsyyyy Elphie, it’s called having fun.” She poked her stomach, “You should try it sometime.” She joked, but Elphaba did not think it was very funny.
“We have plans tomorrow, Galinda.”
“Yes! I know!”
“Do you?”
“Mhmmmm,” she smiled, tipping over a bit. The older girl held her up slightly.
“Then stop drinking, you’ll be even more hungover tomorrow- and then we won’t be able to enjoy our day.” She rolled her eyes, and Galinda groaned.
“Didn’t realize you would be such a Debby Downer tonight!” She slurred her words some more, making Elphaba ten times more irritated. “Don’t ruin the night, Elphaba!” She giggled some more.
“Well if you had originally listened to me, I wouldn’t have been here, “ruining the night”!” She finger quoted what Galinda had said and walked out the restroom, finding Fiyero instantly.
“Hey!” She shouted at him and his eyes widened. He pointed to himself as if her was making sure she wass talking to him. “Yes, you. Galinda is drunk as hell in the restroom, will you make sure she’s okay?”
“Ummm, sure?” He questioned, “I don’t understand weren’t you just in there?”
“Long story.” She pointed to the restroom where he followed her directions. Elphaba continued walking through the crowd, finding Celeste with two drinks in hand.
“Oh! Hey Elphaba, wanted to join the party I see.” She smiled.
“No, not really!” She crossed her arms. “Who are those drinks for?”
“My girlfriend?” She replied back snarkily. Girlfriend? Since when? Galinda had said they weren’t truly dating just messing around? Unless this is a recent development.
“Both drinks?”
“Yes?”
“She doesn’t need that many you know, she’s drunk of 4 or 5.”
“I don’t understand.” She shrugged, clearly not caring about a word the other girl was saying.
“What is wrong with you?!”
“What do you mean?” She asked, looking confused as if she had done something terrible.
“She said she wouldn’t get drunk, and it’s very obvious you got her drunk!” She raised her voice and Celester laughed.
“Elphaba, Galinda is a big girl,” she said in a mocking tone, “she can handle herself.”
“Oh don’t even, I’ve watched you all night hand her drink after drink- and you know she’s too polite to decline an offer from you.”
As Celeste was about to respond, both their heads turned to Fiyero walking out the bathroom with his arm around Galinda who was giggling softly. She walked pupoesefully as she tried to remain her normal composure, but it was clear she was heavily under the influence. As they approached both girls took a step back.
“Elphie! Are you joining us?” Galinda smiled, walked over to Celeste now.
“No Galinda, I am not- I was actually just telling Celeste we should get you back to the dorm.” She crossed her arms, looking to the boy who looked extremely concerned.
“I’m fine, Elphie, I want to stay.” She pulled at Celestes arm, who smiled at both her friends, as if she had won something.
“You are not fine, you are drunk.” She paused, “And it’s all because of her.” She tilted her head toward the girl next to her.
“Heyyyy!” She whined, “you’re overreacting, Elphaba, dont do that.” She furrowed her brows as her flushed face got redder.
“I’m not overreacting, Galinda. We should really head back, and I’m sure Fiyero agrees-”
“Heyyyy,” she whined again. “Leave poor Fiyero out of this! I’m staying!” She leaned into the other girl. “And, you’re not my mother, Elphaba. I can take care of myself,” she said, her words slightly slurred but sharp enough to sting- causing Elphaba to flinch slightly.
“I’m not trying to be your mother. I’m trying to be your friend.” She tried to remain calm.
Fiyero, who had been quietly observing, stepped in. “Galinda, maybe you should listen to her. She’s just worried about you.”
“Really? You too!” She sighed, “She’s not worried! She’s just trying to control everything I do- like always.” Her words slurred even harder now. “I don’t need,” she pointed to her friends, “you or you’re permission to have fun, okay?”
“That’s not fair, Galinda. Elphaba’s only looking out for you. You don’t have to be so rude about it.”
“Rude?! Me rude?” Her eyes widening with surpise he would say that. “You know what, fine! Leave! Be boring, I’ll be here, having fun, unlike some people!” She smiled, and dragged Celeste off into the dance floor. Elphaba could feel her heart beating 100 miles per hour. Never had they argued like this before, maybe at the beginning, when they bother practically hated each other… but they were friends now. Best friends. Slept in the same bed practically every night friends.
“Hey, don’t worry about her,” Fiyero had said. “She’s just drunk- she doesn’t mean any of that.”
But Elphaba didn’t respond. Her gaze was locked on Galinda, now laughing with Celeste as if nothing had happened. “I’m staying.” She finally said. “Whether she likes it or not, I’m staying because I cannot leave her alone like that!” She walked back to their table stubbornly keeping her eye on the pair.
Fiyero sat with her watching Elphaba’s reaction. Watching how visibility upset her face looked when they would lean in for a kiss. And it clicked- Elphaba wasn’t just upset at the fact she was drunk. But at the fact that it was with another girl. Jealousy. She liked her. It all made sense. As he was about to open his mouth to say something, he quickly closed it back up, not wanting to start any other drama.
“I’ll stay with you.” He opted for, and she turned to him.
“You don’t have to do that,” she muttered under her breath.
“I know, but someone’s got to be here in case someone decides to throw down Celeste.” He half joked, earning a small chuckle from the girls lips.