Chapter 5
The Winter Ball had transformed Shiz into a glittering wonderland, with every corner of the grand ballroom adorned in shimmering silver and icy blues. Galinda stood near the edge of the dance floor, radiant and confident as ever in her flowing pink gown, her smile dazzling as she effortlessly commanded the attention of Shen Shen and Pfannee, who hung on her every word. She held herself with an air of self-assurance, her usual glow amplified by the satisfaction of knowing she had orchestrated this perfect evening.
“What I can’t understand,” Pfannee began, voice dripping with derision, “is why you, Galinda Upland, would bring her here to play at our Winter Ball.”
Shen Shen nodded in agreement, her eyes wide with melodramatic disbelief. “What even is her name? And why is she here? She’s not even a Shiz student, is she?”
“I don’t care what her name is,” Pfannee said with a huff. “She doesn’t belong here. She doesn’t even look like she belongs in civilized company, let alone at a ball like this.”
Galinda gave a light laugh, brushing a stray curl from her shoulder as she raised her glass to her lips. “Oh, Pfannee,” she said breezily, “you’re so predictable. That’s what makes this so much fun.”
Shen Shen blinked, momentarily thrown. “Fun? What’s fun about this?”
Galinda tilted her head, her smile widening with a hint of mischief. “The unexpected, of course. You saw her at the Ozdust. Everyone did. She’s… intriguing.”
Pfannee arched an eyebrow. “Intriguing isn’t always a good thing, Galinda. She’s strange. People don’t like strange.”
“People like what I tell them to like,” Galinda replied, her voice sugar-sweet but with an unmistakable edge. She glanced toward the stage where Elphaba and her band, Emerald Fog, were setting up. “And tonight, they’ll see what I saw. Trust me.”
Shen Shen and Pfannee exchanged uneasy glances, but neither dared to argue further. Galinda, satisfied, gave them a little wave of her hand. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got better things to do than listen to complaints.”
She swept away, her heels clicking against the polished floor as her heart thrummed with anticipation. She hadn’t told anyone the real reason she’d invited Emerald Fog to perform tonight. Their last meeting left her with a feeling she couldn’t quite name, and she’d been eager to see Elphaba again ever since. She told herself it was curiosity, a fascination with something new and unusual. But as she made her way across the ballroom, she realized her confidence wasn’t as solid as it had seemed. What if she’d imagined the spark she’d felt? What if tonight was different?
The moment she saw Elphaba, all those doubts evaporated.
Elphaba stood at the microphone, her guitar slung low, her focus on tuning the instrument as her bandmates adjusted their positions. She moved with a quiet intensity, utterly at ease, as if the stage was her natural habitat. The crowd around her, the glittering elite of Shiz, faded into insignificance in her presence. Galinda’s breath caught, a rush of heat spreading through her chest like wildfire.
It was as if Elphaba had taken the entire room and bent it to her will without saying a word. Something about her, her confidence, her raw energy, was intoxicating. Galinda’s carefully curated poise wavered, and for a moment, she felt like she was standing on unsteady ground.
She quickly found Fiyero near the bar, his easy smile a welcome distraction. He greeted her with open arms and a playful bow, taking her hand and pulling her into a hug. “You’ve outdone yourself, my dear,” he said warmly, gesturing around the room.
“Oh, this little thing?” she replied with a laugh, tossing her hair in a practiced, dismissive motion.
He smirked and offered his hand. “Well, since you’ve made this night perfect, may I have the honour of a dance with the most beautiful girl at Shiz?”
Galinda pretended to consider, tapping a manicured finger to her chin. “Hmm… I suppose I can spare a moment.”
He led her to the dance floor, and soon they were gliding among the other couples, the lively rhythm of Emerald Fog’s opening song filling the ballroom. Fiyero was charming, his movements effortless, and Galinda matched him step for step, her pink gown twirling around her like a rose in bloom. She knew she looked perfect, knew they looked perfect together. This was the life she’d always imagined, graceful, glittering, and enviable.
And yet…
Her eyes were drawn, inexorably, to the stage. Elphaba’s voice rose above the music, raw and haunting, wrapping itself around the crowd like a spell. The lights painted her green skin in warm golds and cool shadows, accentuating the sharp angles of her face. Her dark eyes swept the room, and when they locked on Galinda’s, it was like a jolt of electricity. For a fleeting moment, everything else, the music, the crowd, even Fiyero, disappeared. It was just her and Elphaba, and Galinda’s breath hitched, her steps faltering for the briefest of seconds.
Fiyero didn’t notice. He chuckled, pulling her closer. “You’re distracted tonight,” he teased, his hand tightening slightly at her waist.
Galinda forced a laugh, her usual brightness feeling forced. “Am I? I hadn’t noticed.”
But she had. Her attention kept drifting, pulled back to the stage, to Elphaba’s commanding presence. It was unnerving, how quickly the world seemed to blur when she looked at her. It was like a drug, intoxicating, overwhelming, and utterly irresistible. When Elphaba’s gaze found hers again, there was something in it, something unspoken but undeniable, and Galinda knew she was in trouble.
Fiyero dipped her suddenly, his grin broadening when her hand tightened on his shoulder. “Relax,” he said, bringing her upright again. “You’re too tense. What’s got you so wound up?”
“Oh, nothing,” Galinda said lightly, brushing a stray curl from her face. “Just…enjoying the atmosphere.”
Fiyero seemed satisfied with her answer and leaned in closer. “You’re stunning tonight, you know,” he murmured, his voice low and warm.
“Thank you,” Galinda replied automatically, but her mind was elsewhere. She glanced back toward the stage, her pulse quickening when she realized Elphaba was watching again.
The next movement in the dance brought her face to face with Fiyero, and he took the opportunity to lean in, pressing a kiss to her lips. It was soft, deliberate, and practiced, like so much of what Fiyero did. Galinda kissed him back, her mind racing, not with thoughts of Fiyero, but with the sharp memory of Elphaba’s gaze. Why did she suddenly feel guilty?
When the kiss ended, Galinda turned her head, stealing a glance toward the stage. Elphaba’s expression remained calm, but there was a subtle shift in her features that Galinda noticed immediately. Something so small it was imperceptible to anyone else.
Her lips tightened for just a moment, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly before she looked away, focusing on the frets of her guitar as her fingers moved with precision. It wasn’t a frown, not quite, but there was something there…a crack in Elphaba’s usual composure that made Galinda’s chest tighten.
“See?” Fiyero said, oblivious, his voice light and teasing. “Now that wasn’t so bad, was it?”
Galinda managed a smile, though her mind was reeling. “Not at all,” she said, her voice soft and distant.
The music swelled, and the dance continued, but Galinda felt untethered, as though she were moving through the steps on autopilot. Her eyes kept drifting back to Elphaba, who was now focused entirely on the music, her face a mask of concentration.
For the rest of the song, Galinda danced with Fiyero, smiled at his jokes, and played the part expected of her. But her mind stayed with Elphaba, and the fleeting change in her expression. There had been a small, undeniable sign that she had felt something too.
As the applause died down after the penultimate song, Elphaba stepped forward, her guitar slung low across her hips. She adjusted the microphone, her fingers briefly brushing her black hair behind her ear. Then she cleared her throat, her voice amplified over the ballroom.
“We’ve got one last song for you tonight,” she began, her tone steady but quieter than usual. The crowd hushed, sensing the moment’s significance.
“To be honest, we didn’t expect to be invited to an event like this,” she said, her lips curving into a faint, sardonic smile. “It’s not exactly…our usual scene.”
There was a murmur of laughter, but Elphaba didn’t laugh with them. Her expression softened as her gaze settled on Galinda.
“But someone believed in us. Someone thought we deserved to be here, and whether or not we fit in doesn’t really matter, does it? What matters is that we’re here, playing our music.”
The crowd began to murmur again, heads turning to see who Elphaba was addressing.
“This last song,” Elphaba continued, her voice growing stronger, “is dedicated to the person that put this all together…Galinda Upland.”
Galinda froze mid-step, her hand still resting lightly on Fiyero’s shoulder. She felt a rush of heat rise to her cheeks, her heart pounding in a way she couldn’t quite explain. Around her, cheers broke out, but she barely noticed. Elphaba’s eyes had locked onto hers, and in that moment, the room seemed to fall away.
Without waiting for the crowd’s response, Elphaba turned back to the microphone. She nodded at her bandmates, and the opening chords of the song began to play. The melody was slower, gentler than their earlier songs, and the lyrics, though ambiguous, spoke of gratitude, trust, and being seen for who you truly were.
Galinda couldn’t tear her gaze away. She felt as though the song wasn’t just for her, it was about her. Every note, every word felt heavy with meaning, and Elphaba’s voice seemed to pour straight into her chest.
From his position, Fiyero gradually noticed Galinda’s distraction. His bright smile dimmed slightly as he followed her gaze to the stage, where Elphaba sang with unflinching intensity. He arched an eyebrow, his expression turning mischievous.
Without warning, Fiyero spun Galinda around in a playful twirl, pulling her back into his arms before leaning down to kiss her again.
Galinda, caught off guard, didn’t resist, but her mind raced. Not with thoughts of Fiyero, but with the sensation of being watched.
When the kiss ended, Fiyero grinned down at her, his voice low and teasing. “You’re blushing, darling. Was it the kiss or the dedication?”
Galinda’s mouth opened, but no words came out. She glanced toward the stage, her heart sinking slightly when she caught sight of Elphaba’s face.
Elphaba’s fingers moved effortlessly over the strings of her guitar, but her expression had shifted. Her jaw was tighter, her gaze more guarded. She hadn’t looked away from Galinda, but the connection that had seemed so powerful moments before now felt…fragile.
Galinda’s chest tightened. Had Elphaba seen the kiss? Of course she had. But more importantly, had it mattered to her?
As the song drew to a close, the room erupted into applause, but Galinda hardly noticed. Her hands clapped automatically, her mind too preoccupied with the storm of emotions swirling inside her.
Elphaba offered a curt nod to the crowd and thanked them before stepping away from the microphone. She slung her guitar over her shoulder and began packing up her equipment with the rest of the band, her movements precise but noticeably tense.
Galinda watched her, torn between staying with Fiyero and going to Elphaba. She didn’t know what to say, didn’t even know what she wanted to say, but the thought of leaving things as they were felt unbearable.
Fiyero, oblivious to her turmoil, pulled her close again, his voice light and teasing. “See? I told you this ball would be unforgettable.”
Galinda forced a laugh, though it sounded hollow even to her own ears. She smiled up at Fiyero, but her eyes kept drifting back to the stage, where Elphaba was avoiding her gaze.
Something had shifted tonight, and Galinda wasn’t sure what it meant. All she knew was that the final song—Elphaba’s song—had left her feeling seen in a way she hadn’t before. And it scared her.
It thrilled her.
And it wasn’t something she could ignore.
The night drew to a close as the ballroom gradually emptied, leaving behind only the faint echo of music and the sound of staff clearing away glasses and decorations. Emerald Fog had finished packing their instruments, and the bandmates were chatting quietly, their usual energy subdued after the charged performance.
Elphaba, however, kept to herself, standing near the back of the stage as she carefully wound cables and avoided looking out into the ballroom. Her mind was a tangle of emotions she didn’t have the patience to untangle. The kiss between Galinda and Fiyero had been burned into her mind, and though she told herself it shouldn’t matter, it did. More than it should.
“Hey, Elphaba.”
The sound of Nessa’s voice broke through her thoughts. Elphaba turned to see her sister waiting by the edge of the stage, her face kind but cautious. A gentle smile filled her face.
Elphaba smiled back, slinging the last cable into its case. “I’ll be right back,” she told her bandmates, who nodded and continued their conversation. Then she hopped off the stage, landing lightly next to Nessa.
“Should we go somewhere quieter?” Nessa asked gently. Elphaba nodded, gesturing toward a small, empty alcove near the ballroom’s exit. The two sisters made their way there in silence, the distant murmur of the remaining crowd fading into the background.
Once they were alone, Nessa turned to her sister, her expression soft. “The performance was amazing,” she said, her tone warm. “I mean it, Elphaba. You were incredible. I’m so proud of you.”
Elphaba managed a small smile. “Thanks, Ness. That means a lot.”
“I’m happy you’re here,” Nessa continued. “I’ve missed you. And now that you’ll be playing at the Ozdust every week…” Her smile grew. “It feels like things might finally be falling into place.”
Elphaba chuckled softly. “I wouldn’t go that far, but it’ll be nice to spend more time with you. I’ve missed you too.” Her eyes softened as she took in Nessa’s elegant appearance. “You look beautiful tonight. Truly.”
Nessa blushed faintly. “Thank you. And before you ask, yes, Boq is treating me well. He’s always a gentleman.”
Elphaba tilted her head, studying her sister closely. “And are you happy?”
Nessa hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding. “I am,” she said firmly. “But that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about.”
Elphaba stiffened slightly. “Oh?”
Nessa glanced around as if to make sure no one was listening, then lowered her voice. “I’ve noticed something tonight…about you. Or rather, about where your focus has been.”
Elphaba’s shoulders tensed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Nessa gave her a knowing look. “Elphaba, it’s okay. I just…wanted to say that I noticed how you’ve been looking at Galinda.”
Elphaba’s heart skipped a beat. “Nessa—”
“Please don’t deny it,” Nessa interrupted gently. “I’m not judging you. I just…want you to be careful with your heart. Galinda’s wonderful, anyone can see that, but she’s with Fiyero. And from what I saw tonight…” She hesitated. “I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Elphaba looked away, her jaw tightening. “Well, he made it perfectly clear where she stands,” she muttered. “Not that it matters.”
Nessa studied her sister for a long moment, her brow furrowing in concern. “Elphaba, I haven’t seen you look at anyone this way before ever. You can pretend to me that you don’t care, but don’t pretend to yourself. For what it’s worth…I don’t think the staring was one-sided.”
Elphaba’s head snapped up, her eyes narrowing. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m saying,” Nessa said carefully, “that Galinda was watching you tonight just as much as you were watching her. And when you dedicated that song to her…” She trailed off, her expression softening. “You should’ve seen her face.”
Elphaba’s heart thudded painfully in her chest, but she shook her head. “It doesn’t matter,” she said firmly. “She’s with Fiyero. End of story.”
Nessa didn’t push further, sensing her sister’s discomfort. Instead, she reached out, placing a gentle hand on Elphaba’s arm. “Just…promise me you’ll take care of yourself. You deserve to be happy too.”
Elphaba didn’t respond immediately. She glanced back toward the ballroom, where Galinda was still standing with Fiyero, her smile radiant but her posture stiff. Elphaba forced herself to look away, her expression hardening.
“I’ll be fine,” she said quietly. “Don’t worry about me.”
Nessa gave her arm a reassuring squeeze before letting go. “Alright,” she said softly. “But if you ever want to talk…you know where to find me.”
Elphaba nodded, watching as her sister returned to the main hall. For a long moment, she stood alone in the alcove, her mind racing. She thought of Galinda’s smile, her laugh, the way her eyes had lingered during the performance. She thought of Fiyero’s arms around her, the kiss that had felt like a punch to the chest.
And then she thought of the song—her song—and the way Galinda’s face had lit up when Elphaba had said her name.
With a deep breath, Elphaba pushed the thoughts aside. She wasn’t sure what any of it meant, but one thing was clear: tonight had changed something. And no matter how much she tried to ignore it, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.