Chapter 16
The next few weeks were bliss.
Elphaba had kept her word. Every Friday night, she played at the Ozdust, and every Friday night, she went home with Galinda. Their weekends had fallen into a comfortable routine: Friday nights at the club, Saturday mornings spent lounging in bed, long afternoon walks through the campus grounds, Sunday evenings filled with soft kisses and whispered promises before Monday morning inevitably pulled them apart again.
Elphaba had never known happiness could be so simple.
She still wasn’t used to having someone she wanted to be romantic for, but every Friday, without fail, she would bring Galinda a fresh bouquet, sometimes daisies, sometimes roses, once an entire bundle of lavender that had made Galinda sigh dreamily and insist on tucking sprigs of it into Elphaba’s braid.
She wasn’t one for grand gestures, but onstage, under the glow of the Ozdust’s lights, she allowed herself the smallest indulgences. Every now and then, she would dedicate a song to “the most beautiful girl in the room” with a teasing wink in Galinda’s direction, delighting in the way she blushed and clutched Boq’s arm in excitement.
It was perfect.
And then, almost without her noticing, something shifted.
The cruel whispers about her had lessened. The stares in the halls of Shiz had changed. People still noticed her, but no longer with scorn. Instead, they seemed…intrigued.
Her relationship with Galinda had, unintentionally, made her interesting.
It wasn’t just that she was dating the most popular girl at Shiz, though that certainly played a part. No, it was the way she carried herself now. The way she played on Friday nights, confident and self-assured, the way she stood at Galinda’s side like she belonged there.
And people were noticing.
At the Ozdust, the shift was most obvious. What had once been a half-distracted audience full of cruel whispers, now had its own dedicated section of admirers. Girls with wide eyes and adoring smiles, pushing to the front to watch her sing, their cheers nearly deafening when she hit the chorus. A small group of them had even taken to following her after performances, lingering by the bar in the hopes of catching her attention.
Galinda found it hilarious.
“Oh, Elphie,” she teased one night as they sat at their usual table, watching a particularly smitten girl sigh dramatically into her hands. “You’ve become quite the heartthrob.”
Elphaba groaned, hiding her face behind her drink. “Don’t start.”
Galinda giggled, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “Oh, don’t worry. I know exactly who you’re coming home with.”
And Elphaba proved her right, again and again. No matter how many admirers she gathered, no matter how many times people whispered her name with newfound awe, Galinda was the only one she ever looked at. The only one she ever wanted.
Everything was perfect.
Until it wasn’t.
It started with a passing comment.
They were sitting at their usual table after one of Elphaba’s performances; Galinda, Nessa, Boq, and Fiyero, when Fiyero, who had been absently gazing toward the bar, let out a low whistle.
“Well, well,” he mused, tilting his head. “Who’s the attractive bartender flirting with your girlfriend?”
Galinda turned, following his line of sight.
“Oh, that’s Rhea,” she said easily, recognising the tall girl behind the bar. “She’s lovely.”
And she was. Rhea had worked at the Ozdust for as long as Galinda could remember, friendly, charming, always quick with a joke. She was good at her job, and if she flirted a little while she worked, well, that was part of the atmosphere.
At first, Galinda thought nothing of it.
But then, as the weeks passed, she started to notice more.
Rhea’s interactions with Elphaba weren’t just casual flirtation anymore.
She would linger when passing her drinks, letting her fingers brush against Elphaba’s hand. She would lean in closer than necessary when talking, her laughter too warm, too personal. And worst of all, she did it right in front of Galinda.
And tonight was no exception.
The night had started off just like any other.
Elphaba had played her set, the crowd had cheered for her as always, and Galinda had sat at their usual table, basking in the pride and warmth she felt whenever she watched her girlfriend on stage. It was routine now, Elphaba singing on Friday nights, the two of them spending the weekend together, wrapped up in their own little world.
And yet, despite all of that, something had been gnawing at Galinda’s stomach all evening.
She watched Elphaba at the bar, waiting for their drinks, and she knew what was coming before it even happened.
Rhea was there.
She was hard to miss.
Tall, with striking red hair that tumbled in effortless waves over her shoulders, tattoos covering both of her arms in intricate patterns. She carried herself with a confidence that was almost lazy, an ease in the way she leaned against the bar, smirking at patrons, giving them just enough attention to keep them coming back for more.
And, as always, the moment Elphaba leaned against the counter, Rhea took her chance.
She smiled, slow and knowing, and handed Elphaba a drink with a lingering touch to her fingers. Her hand brushed against Elphaba’s wrist just a little too deliberately, her head tilting just a little too flirtatiously as she spoke.
And, as always, Elphaba didn’t notice.
Galinda set her glass down sharply, the noise drowned out by the music.
She had had enough.
She waited until she saw Rhea make her way to the bathroom. Excusing herself, she pushed her chair back and headed in the same direction. She wasn’t entirely sure what she was going to do, only that she needed to say something, needed to put a stop to whatever this was before it twisted into something worse.
She had just reached the sinks when a toilet door opened.
Rhea.
Perfect.
Galinda turned on her most charming smile, folding her hands neatly in front of her as the bartender made her way toward the mirror.
“Hello, Rhea,” she said, all sweetness and light.
Rhea met her gaze in the mirror, arching a brow. “Galinda.”
“I wanted to have a little chat,” Galinda continued, tilting her head slightly. “As friends.”
Rhea let out a short, amused breath, turning on the faucet. “We’re not friends.” Galinda ignored that. “You’re very good at your job,” she complimented, watching as Rhea washed her hands. “Always friendly. Always charming. It’s lovely, really.”
Rhea smirked but said nothing.
Galinda leaned casually against the counter. “But, as a friend, I’d appreciate it if you held back a little on the flirting and the touching. With Elphaba.”
She said it lightly, a gentle suggestion, but her meaning was clear.
Rhea finally turned, drying her hands on a paper towel. “Elphaba’s a big girl,” she said smoothly. “She can tell me if it’s too much.”
Galinda’s jaw tightened.
Rhea took a step closer, eyeing her curiously. “Tell me, Galinda. Do you really think you and Elphaba go together? Because I don’t see it.”
Galinda stiffened.
“I mean, you’re gorgeous, obviously,” Rhea continued, looking her up and down with a smirk. “But you and her? You’re from different worlds. Different people. It won’t last.”
Galinda’s breath caught, but she refused to let it show.
Rhea leaned in slightly, voice lowering. “She’s much more my type,” she murmured, amusement laced in her tone. “And sooner or later, she’ll realise that”
Then, with one last smirk, she turned and strode out of the bathroom, leaving Galinda standing there, her heart pounding furiously in her chest.
Galinda barely felt herself walking back out into the club.
She wasn’t upset. She wasn’t even angry.
She was furious.
When she reached the table, Elphaba was already there, sipping at her drink, completely oblivious to the firestorm brewing inside her.
“Elphie,” Galinda said, voice tight, “can we talk?”
Elphaba frowned, setting down her glass. “Of course.”
Galinda turned on her heel and walked toward the exit, knowing Elphaba would follow.
They stepped into the cool night air, the music from inside muffled behind them. The moment the door closed, Galinda rounded on her.
“Elphaba,” she started, “I need to ask you something, and I need you to take it seriously.”
Elphaba’s expression sobered immediately. “Okay.”
Galinda took a breath. “Would you mind keeping some distance from Rhea?”
Elphaba blinked, caught off guard. “What?”
“She flirts with you,” Galinda said, her voice still measured but firm. “And I know you don’t encourage it, but…it’s getting worse. She does it right in front of me, and I…I don’t like it.”
Elphaba let out a quiet breath, rubbing the back of her neck. “Galinda, she flirts with everyone.”
“Not like that,” Galinda pressed. “Not with anyone else the way she does with you.”
Elphaba sighed, shaking her head. “She’s a bartender, Galinda. That’s literally her job.”
“That’s not the point,” Galinda snapped, her frustration bubbling over. “The point is that she’s doing it on purpose, and I don’t like it.”
Elphaba frowned, trying to keep her voice calm. “Okay, I hear you. But you don’t have to worry about her.” She reached for Galinda’s hands, trying to reassure her. “I’m with you. You know that.”
Galinda pulled back.
Elphaba’s brows furrowed. “Galinda…”
“I know you’re with me,” Galinda admitted, her voice quieter now. “But you’re missing the point. I’m not asking if you want her. I’m asking you to acknowledge that she wants you and that it makes me uncomfortable.”
Elphaba exhaled sharply. “So what? You want me to ignore her? Refuse to go to the bar?”
“I want you to acknowledge how I feel,” Galinda bit back.
Elphaba’s frustration flared. “I do acknowledge it. But it sounds an awful lot like you don’t trust me.”
Galinda faltered.
Elphaba’s eyes darkened. That’s what this is about, isn’t it?” Her voice rose slightly. “You don’t trust me. You’re being insecure.”
Galinda swallowed hard.
“Insecure?” she repeated, voice shaking with disbelief.
Elphaba sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Yes, you did,” Galinda said, her voice dangerously quiet. “You think I’m being unreasonable.”
Elphaba hesitated, then let out a frustrated breath. “I think you’re making this into something bigger than it is.”
Galinda let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “You really don’t get it.”
Elphaba threw up her hands. “Then explain it to me, Galinda! Because from where I’m standing, I’ve done nothing wrong!”
Galinda swallowed. “You know what? I think I should go back to Shiz.”
Elphaba’s face fell. “Wait, what?”
Galinda turned, lifting her chin. “I need space.”
Elphaba took a step after her. “Galinda, don’t…”
“Don’t follow me.” Galinda’s voice cracked. “I think you should go home, Elphaba.”
And before Elphaba could say another word, she turned and walked away.
Elphaba walked back into the Ozdust, her expression unreadable.
She barely noticed Nessa watching her with concern as she moved to the table, sitting down heavily.
Nessa hesitated before speaking, studying her sister’s face. “Elphaba?” she asked softly. “What’s going on?”
Elphaba didn’t answer right away. Her fingers curled around her glass, knuckles white, her thoughts still outside, still chasing after the words they had thrown at eachother. You don’t trust me. You’re being insecure. Go home.
She exhaled sharply, pushing the heel of her palm against her forehead.
“Elphaba,” Nessa pressed, leaning closer.
Still, Elphaba ignored her. She turned instead to Fiyero, who had just returned to the table, glancing between them in quiet curiosity.
“Galinda’s going back to Shiz,” Elphaba said, her voice flat. “Can you make sure she gets home safe?”
Something in her tone made him stop. He nodded slowly, grabbing his coat. “Of course.” He cast one last glance at her before turning toward the door.
Elphaba watched him go, the weight in her chest pressing heavier with each step he took. She should have followed Galinda. She should have said something. Should have made her stay.
But she hadn’t.
And now, she was sitting here, hands clenched, jaw tight, staring at the spot where Galinda had been just moments ago.
Nessa’s brows knit together. “Why did she leave?”
Elphaba let out a tired breath, shaking her head. “She was upset that Rhea has been flirting with me.”
Boq, who had been quiet until now, let out a dry laugh. “We’ve all seen it. She’s pretty obvious about it.”
Elphaba ran her hands over her face, pressing her palms into her eyes as if that could somehow ease the pressure building in her chest.
Elphaba looked over at Rhea as Boq said that, and at that moment the bar girl caught her eye and winked at her. A fresh wave of guilt rolled through her.
Nessa folded her arms. “So what happened after she told you she didn’t like it?”
Elphaba sighed, running a hand through her hair. “I told her she was making a big deal out of nothing. That Rhea flirts with everyone.” She hesitated before admitting, “And I may have said that Galinda was being insecure.”
Nessa’s eyes widened. “You what?”
“I wasn’t thinking!” Elphaba snapped, then immediately slumped back against the chair, rubbing her temples. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
Nessa let out an exasperated breath. “And then what?”
“She told me she needed space.” The words tasted bitter in her mouth. “She told me to go home.”
Nessa stared at her as if she’d lost her mind. “And you just let her?”
Elphaba’s jaw tightened. “She asked me to.”
Nessa groaned. “You’re an idiot.”
Elphaba didn’t argue.
Nessa huffed, her expression softening just slightly. “Elphaba, she’s the best thing to happen to you. Why are you sitting here instead of going after her?”
Elphaba swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. “Because..” She hesitated. “Because I think she means it. And if I push, I could make it worse.”
Nessa studied her carefully. Then she sighed. “You need to fix this.”
Elphaba let out a humourless laugh. “You think I don’t know that?”
The weight in her chest grew heavier. The fight replayed in her mind over and over, her own words cutting just as sharply now as they had in the moment.
You don’t trust me. You’re being insecure.
She had hurt Galinda. And that realisation made her stomach churn.
Boq shifted uncomfortably. “Look, I don’t want to make things worse, but Galinda’s never been the jealous type. You’ve had girls all over you these last few weeks and she has laughed about it. If this upset her, it’s because she really felt like something was wrong.”
Elphaba exhaled slowly. “I know.”
Nessa’s voice was gentler now. “Then what are you going to do about it?”
Elphaba stared down at the table, then at the empty space where Galinda had been.
She had a feeling she wouldn’t be able to fix this tonight. She had really messed up and even though Nessa was telling her otherwise, she wanted to at least respect Galinda’s wish for space.
Collecting her things, she made her way out of The Ozdust and began the journey back to Munchkinland.