unusually and exceedingly peculiar: a reimagining

Galinda

“Galinda you are just too good!” said Shenshen as she sat across from Galinda and Miss Milla in the Shiz dining hall as they shared a late lunch with each other. Miss Pfannee sat right beside Shenshen, who nodded in agreement. All of her actions and movements were animated in a way to accentuate whatever it was that Shenshen, whom she was loyalty devoted to as a best friend, was saying.

Galinda was stuck in her own thoughts, unable to eat or listen to her friends; all she could think about was that ridiculously odd conversation that she had with her roommate the night before. She couldn’t shake the encounter from her mind, it was so unusual and exceedingly peculiar. The late night chatter of religion and the Animal oppression stuck with Galinda many hours afterwards. 

It almost made her start thinking about such topics in her free time.

“Hmmm?” Galinda hummed as she was pulled out of her own thoughts by Shenshen.

“I mean, having to reside with that disgusticifying someone,” Shenshen answered with a smirk. “I can’t believe that Madame Morrible is actively forcing someone like you to reside with someone as like her !” She put her hand over her mouth and refused to say the name of Galinda’s roommate, almost as if she was fearful of saying it for what Miss Elphaba might do to her if she caught wind of their gossip. Either that, or she found the name too ‘disgusticifying’ to say out loud herself. 

Shenshen, like Galinda, came from Gillikin and came from the noble Minkos Family. They were rather aristocratic, more well off than Galinda’s family, so it seemed. Also like her fellow Gillikinese native, she had hair as yellow as corn and it cascaded down her shoulders and back in curls that probably took her several hours to style each morning.

Galinda leaned forward across the table. Needing to keep up the impression that Elphaba was the worst of the worst, she said, “I know! It’s utterly ridiculous it seems; here I was, set to live in a private suite. Then, Miss Elphaba strolls along needing a place to stay.”

She could never admit how much she actually enjoyed and was entertained by her in depth discussion with Miss Elphaba. She was far more intrigued by that than whatever this was.

All Shenshen ever wanted to talk about was how despicable Elphaba was, and Pfannee followed suit like the sheep that she was. 

She couldn’t put her mask down now. She needed this seat at the table. She needed this group. 

Elphaba was rather disgusticifying and annoying, now that Galinda thought about it on her own whilst her ‘friends’ continued mingling. They used harsh words against the green girl and Galinda nodded along, trying to remind herself of how terrible Elphaba really was.

But she wasn’t. Was she? 

She was unusually and exceedingly peculiar, and overall quite impossible to describe, but not particularly terrible as a person. Definitely not disgusticifying. Not with her well-proportioned face that was masked by the green skin that everybody else seemed to be blinded by. Yes, she turned Galinda’s private suite into a room for two, but that was a different story. That was a part of her private loathing, not group discussion. 

“You’re such a saint, Miss Galinda!” Pfannee praised as she cut into the conversation. 

Miss Pfannee was from Munchkinland, telling Galinda and their friends that she came to Shiz from the northern, more well off area of the province, practically hailing from Gillikin like Galinda and Shenshen. She was a gossiper, knowing everything that there was to know about everyone. Because of her Munchkinland origin, she knew all of the rumours about Elphaba and recited them to her newly formed clique.

Pfannee was shorter than the other girls, but not in typical Munchkin fashion, her family having married well-off a few generations back. Thus, she had a taller stature than the lesser-class Munchkins that the nation was so heavily associated with. Her hair was dark, perhaps the darkest in the group as it resembled the sky at the late hours of the night.

To accentuate her stories of her family’s lavish lifestyle in Phan Hall (and likely wanting to appeal to the two Gillikinese who made up the group), Pfannee told the others about their summer residence at Lake Chorge in northern Gillikin. She frequently told stories of the lakehouse, promising to take the girls there for holiday break. 

“How do you stand it?” Shenshen asked. It was almost as if Galinda hadn’t been residing with the green girl for weeks at this point. “I mean, living with her . I simply couldn’t live with her.”

“Nor could I,” said Pfannee who always had to agree with Miss Shenshen. “I don’t think I could stand it.”

“She is a terror,” Shenshen remarked with a shrug as she looked over at Pfannee who nodded in response.

“She’s tartar,” Pfanee laughed horsley, throwing her head back as she chuckled at her own joke. She placed her hand over her mouth to silence her laughter as other diners glanced in the direction of their table. 

“Oh, knock it off, you two!” said Galinda, who desperately wanted to change the subject. However, she couldn’t look like she was actively defending Elphaba, or even worse, disagreeing with Shenshen and Pfanne. So, to keep up public image and save her face, she said, “Please, Miss Pfannee. Not while I’m eating,” she flashed a slight, signature and cutesy-Galinda Upland smirk. “Can we please talk about something else? Miss Milla is so disgusted that she can’t even talk and eat peacefully. We owe her that at the very least.”

She was right, Milla hadn’t spoken. But that was just Milla, she wasn’t disgusted by what the girls were saying. Galinda just needed an excuse.

Milla wasn’t particularly shy or timid, but she more often than not reserved and preferred to watch the girls talk from the sidelines as opposed to actively participating. Shenshen had privately confided in Galinda that she thought Miss Milla should have been kicked out from the group because she found her reticent to be ‘odd and weird.’ Shenshen thought that everything was odd and weird, thought Galinda.

Milla was a sweet girl who minded her business and was kind, agreeing with them whenever she spoke, Galinda argued. Shenshen agreed to keep the Emerald City native brunette around as it kept the group bigger. That was better for appearance purposes.

Galinda wasn’t very fond of Shenshen, or Pfannee. She needed them though, to a certain extent—and they needed her in a similar regard. All three of the girls (and Milla no doubt) needed to have an inner circle of those similar to them so that they could network and in turn, climb the social hierarchy that Shiz University had to offer. They benefited off of one another’s presence, despite their varying degrees of true friendship. 

“I agree with Galinda,” said Milla who finally spoke up. That’s why Galinda was so fond of her.

“You see,” said Galinda as she looked across the table at Shenshen and Pfannee who were evidently irritated by the vexed looks on their faces. “Let the poor girl eat. No need to discuss Miss Elphaba now . Haven’t you two got anything better to talk about, anyway?”

That was good, thought Galinda. So, she continued on and watched as her friends (let’s be real: acquaintances) grew more and more flustered by her comments.

Everything that Galinda said was factual. It was nearly every time that the group met that either Pfannee or Shenshen would eagerly shout something about Elphaba, whether that be a new rumor, a hateful comment, or some gossip that they heard in the hallowed halls. 

“All this talking about my roommate—My, Miss Shenshen, Miss Pfannee, if you wanted a chance to get to know the poor thing why didn’t you just tell me up front? I’m sure that she would happily accept the company of two women as noble as you,” she smirked before finishing with, “All this time of us being friends wasn’t just so you two could try and get to her, was it? I’m not sure how she would feel about having to take on the both of you at once.” Galinda added the final question playfully and Milla laughed in response, but the other two girls were not pleased. 

“Miss Galinda!” shouted Shenshen. “How dare you make such horrendible claims!” She got a little too defensive, so Pfannee cut in as she always did.

“We are only trying to let you know that we are on your side with this situation that the Head has thrown on you,” said Pfannee who tried easing the situation amongst the girls. She couldn’t lose the closest things that she had to friends. “You are a martyr, Miss Galinda. We just want to address and praise your braverism.”

Galinda, who also needed to keep things smooth, decided to let it go. “I guess you’re right, Miss Pfannee. Miss Shenshen,” she said and looked at the other. “I’m sorry for the disrespectation. You are above Miss Elphaba and I take back my cruel statements.”

“All is forgiven,” said Shenshen.

“It’s just that having to live with her and talk about her—my only escape from her weird, crow-like ways—truly flusters me,” Galinda said, her vice wallowing with all forms of self-pity. “It is almost like I can’t escape her. A curse from both Miss Elphaba and Madame Morrible.”

Galinda would never admit that maybe, she didn’t want to gossip about her roommate because she herself began to grow fond of her. Maybe not fond, but began to feel bad for what she was doing and participating in behind her back. 

She could never admit it, Galinda thought.

The same way she could never discuss the somewhat comforting and deeply enlightening conversation that she shared with her roomie the night prior. 

“Oh, you poor thing,” said Pfannee who placed her hand on Galinda’s. 

“We share your loathing for her, dear,” said Shenshen who tried her best at offering some sort of support. It did nothing, though. Galinda’s ego had already been boosted to the highest it could possibly go by the girls as well as the other students she had become acquainted with.

It was always, oh poor Miss Galinda, having to reside with Miss Elphaba. 

Galinda, being who she was, and needing validation from others, did appreciate the kindness that everyone had shown her, but it was becoming too much for her to handle. She couldn’t constantly belittle Elphaba with her friends or with the other blabbermouths from Crage Hall who tried to talk to her in hopes to make her feel better. 

It was like she said, Elphaba was beginning to consume her life, both inside and outside of their shared suite. 

She even found herself constantly thinking about the viridescent girl, even though she would never admit it aloud. She tried forgetting and suppressing the thoughts about her.

It was partly because of the secret fact that not all of the thoughts were of detestation anymore. 

What was this feeling? Galinda wondered.

She had never felt this way before. It was as fervid as a flame. New and unfamiliar.

Was this… empathy ? Or was it something more?

It was slight empathy, she decided. Nevertheless, Galinda still loathed Elphaba. She only felt the need to defend her now that she knew more about her, she told herself. Besides, it was not the business of Pfannee or Shenshen, or even Milla, if the poor thing ever talked, to discuss Elphaba as they had no connection to her.

Galinda grew tired of all this negativity—from them at least. She reserved the right to say and think whatever she wanted about Elphaba in the comfort of her own head. 

She stood up, grabbed her bags and exited the dining hall without another word to her lackeys who watched silently. 

Regardless of the current standing between the four young ladies, they all knew that things would be fine the next day. It would be like Galinda’s sudden burst of defense for Elphaba never even happened.

That’s what it's like when you’re a part of a social circle, especially one that favors status and appearance over friendship.

It's not about aptitude, it's the way you’re viewed.

It was very shrewd for Galinda to be popular, no matter what. Despite her own feelings for Misses Shenshen and Pfannee, she had to keep them close to maintain her position in Shiz’s social ladder.

Miss Elphaba didn't have to worry about appearance, Galinda thought. She was uncaring of what others thought of her.

Oh, what Galinda would do for such a luxury.

She loathed her. 

Galinda sighed as she entered her suite, but was relieved that Elphaba was nowhere in sight. At the library or in class no doubt, Galinda thought, not that she cared about where her roomie was at. Well, she told herself that she didn’t care as she dropped down onto her bed, sprawling out across the pink blankets that adorned the comforting mattress. 

Finally, she was away from Shenshen and Pfannee and their constant need to talk about Elphaba. Even better, she was away from her , too. She had some time to finally breathe and think to herself.

Even if only for a few short moments, the suite became her’s again. It was no longer her and Elphaba’s. It was a private suite, just like she had been promised before Miss Elphaba came along and took that from her.

No, Galinda thought, that wasn’t fair. Madame Morrible was the one who assigned her to this room. It was the Head’s fault. She had already tried discussing Elphaba’s relocation with the Headmistress once before, but it ended in a threat to move Galinda to the Pink Dormitory across campus. To get out of it, Galinda had come up with a clever lie regarding Ama Clutch’s health, stating that the woman could only care for small groups at a time as opposed to the large number of girls who resided in the Pink Dormitory. 

Madame Morrible held her in a checkmate. The Pink Dormitory, that was no off limits because of Ama Clutch’s supposed hindrance, or the suite in Crage Hall that was supposed to be hers and hers only .

If only stupid Ama Clutch hadn’t stepped on that nail and made a big fuss about it. She would have been able to prevent her from being assigned as Galinda’s suitemate. Even then, when she did arrivate at Shiz, she hardly did anything to help rid Galinda of her roomie.

Something happened that night in Madame Morrible’s parlor that had never happened before. Galinda Upland did not get her way.

So, she was stuck with Elphaba until Popsicle and Momsie could figure something out.

Oh, for Oz’s sake. Here she was, thinking about Elphaba again .

This was supposed to be her peaceful Galinda-time and all she could think about was Miss Elphaba and how she had wronged her and how much loathing she felt for her in return.

Galinda sighed again as the door to the suite opened, expecting for her silence to be interrupted by her roomate. 

Rather than being met by the awkward ambience that Elphaba brought with her everywhere that she fluttered about, Galinda was greeted by the familiar voice of her longtime caretaker who she also considered to be a thorn in her side. 

“Hello, duckie,” said Ama Clutch as she shut the door behind her.

Galinda sat up and sighed, though she was grateful that it wasn’t Elphaba’s, for one reason or another. “Hello, Ama.”

“What are you up to today?” Ama Clutch asked as she set down the several boxes she was carrying down onto Galinda’s bed. “Have you no classes today, duckie?”

“They’re all done,” said Galinda. “I was hoping to get some peace and quiet away from her .”

“Oh, she doesn’t bother you too much, duckie,” said Ama Clutch who began to open one of the trunks, fiddling with the lock to get a look at the box’s interior. She was eager to find whatever it was that awaited Galinda inside as if she were a young child on Lurlinemas morning, excited to open her gifts from the Great Lurline. “Your father sent you some packages. I took the liberty of picking them and bringing them to you. You’re welcome. I wonder what he’s sent for you this time. Maybe a new dress or some lovely trinkets. Maybe something for loyal ol’ Ama Clutch.”

There was no ‘thank you,’ that followed, or any other response. Galinda began thinking. Again . 

Ama Clutch was right about the Elphaba remark, the one about her father and the packages seemingly flew right over the Gillikin-born girl’s head.

Now that she gave it some consideration, Elphaba typically more often than not, did not interrupt her silence or particularly disturb her solace. She was quiet herself, moving like a crow. She was so mindful. 

No. She was just good at staying out of the way and being peculiarly noiseless, the Gillikinese girl reminded herself. She was a pest.

Elphaba Thropp was the bane of her existence. 

Elphaba Thropp is not a good person. She would not be fooled by her quietness; Elphaba still invaded her privacy every single day. 

Galinda once again snapped out of her Elphaba-based thoughts, pushing all her sentiments of loathing (and other feelings, whatever they may) to the back of her head for what felt like the one hundredth time today.

Perhaps, even for the one hundredth time in this very hour. 

To forget about the green girl while she still could, Galinda looked over at Ama Clutch who was still struggling with the box and said, “Yes. A few more pieces from Granny Arduenna,” Galinda informed her Ama. “Popsicle wrote to me that she’s made me a few more accessories. I’ve only been gone for a few short weeks, and the poor old thing has been passing her time ever since making me those garments. No doubt, they’re horrendible,” she threw herself back onto the bed, agitated before sitting back up. “Hurry up, Ama Clutch! I want to see what hidodeous pieces she’s made this time!”

“I’m hurrying, Duckie,” said Ama Clutch. “I’m hurrying.” And that she was. The old thing, who in the eyes of young Galinda, was comparable to Granny Arduenna, finally managed to successfully get the trunk open. She flipped open the lid and found a few articles of clothing that she pulled out and displayed to Galinda.

Ama Clutch would pull out piece after piece, mostly headwear, continuing the process as she continuously opened the other hat boxes that Highmuster Arduenna had sent to his scholarly daughter. At the sight of each garment, Galinda became more and more repulsed, completely disgusted by the lack of taste and refinement. Each item was more ill-favored than the last. 

A garish, multi-colored feathered hat that was far too big (and unbecoming) for Galinda’s style. 

A lopsided bonnet that was decorated with Granny Arduenna’s best attempt at floral patterns.

Then, there was a light green beret-like hat that Ama Clutch inspected carefully, maybe taking a liking to it. Galinda had to admit, that of the assortment, this miniature hat was the best. Even then, it still wasn’t up to her standards.

It was well-made, a rare occurrence when it came to the handiwork of Granny Arduenna, but it was green . 

Galinda was never fond of the secondary color, no matter the shade, and she owned no green or viridescent outfits. The hat would simply not fit with the rest of her ensemble and contrast against the lighter colors she was known for wearing. Not only that, but green became too closely associated with her roomie. 

However, Galinda had to admit that the distasteful hue did not match Elphaba’s skin tone.

No, the hue of Elphaba’s firm skin was peridot. It was emerald. It was vibrant and jewel-like. 

It was the only shade of green that Galinda didn’t find to be too horrendible. It was almost, Galinda considered rather quickly, beautiful .

No. 

Elphaba Thropp is not a good person. She is disgusticifying.

She shook her head and turned her attention back to Ama Clutch who opened trunk after trunk, finally taking the lid off of the last box to reveal the strangest hat that Galinda had ever seen. It was less gaudy than the rest of her grandmother’s work. It was less extravagant. It was plain, almost muted. 

It was black and made of dark fabrics, stark in comparison to the other hats that Granny Arduenna had made both now and in the past. The brim was both wide and stiff with Ama Clutch having to hold out her arms wide to get both hands on the thing. The strangest thing about it wasn’t the brim, but rather the tall cone that pointed upwards. 

Something about it was elegant, even if it was not something Galinda would ever wear. She couldn’t put her finger on it, unable to determine if the hat was beautiful in an objective sense or the most hideodeous thing her eyes had ever laid eyes on.

It reminded her of something. It reminded her of someone. 

It was, as Galinda always said, unusually and exceedingly peculiar. It, quite literally, was impossible to describe. She couldn’t think of any words to say.

“I’d never wear such a thing,” said Galinda as she finally mustered up the words to speak about the conical hat that captivated her so. “Put it back in the box and put it in the closet with the others, please.”

Ama Clutch nodded and opened one of the many wooden wardrobes in the room, shoving the hat-boxes on top of one another on one of the top shelves where several trunks were placed. Galinda, who greatly disliked any and all things that her Granny made, never had the heart to throw any of the accessories in the trash. She felt too bad for her grandmother who put her time into making the hideodeuos hats, then would have them sent to Shiz for her. She didn’t have it in her to disregard all of her Granny's hard work, even if it made her cringe whenever she received a new package from her.

“That’s enough of that,” said Ama Clutch who shut the wardrobe once she finished her task. “Hopefully it’ll be a while before she or your father sends more your way. I must say, though, that the little green hat looked splendid. It would surely look stunning on Ama Clutch.”

Galinda wasn’t listening to her longtime Ama who so often spoke of herself in the third person. The remark that hinted at Ama Clutch’s fondness for the beret thing went right over the Gillikinese girl’s blonde head. 

“I hate her,” said Galinda who immediately jumped to another topic. 

“Woah!” said Ama Clutch who crossed her arms. “That is no way to speak of your grandmother. She may craft the ugliest gifts, but she means no harm. That is not acceptable, duckie.”

Galinda sighed, shaking her head. “I’m not talking about my Granny, Ama. I’m talking about her .”

“Ahh,” said Ama Clutch who took a seat on Galinda’s vanity bench. “You mean Miss Elphaba?”

“Yes,” Galinda replied with an eye roll before falling back onto her mattress. She kicked her legs that hung off her bed as she squealed silently, throwing one of her quiet tantrums to release the anger inside of her.

She couldn’t stop thinking about Elphaba and that only made her more upset.

“Calm down, duckie,” Ama Clutch sighed, all too familiar with the ways that Galinda expressed her distaste. She had served the girl and her family up in the Upper Uplands since Galinda was only a child. She knew everything there was to know about her, perhaps more so than either of her parents did.

“Oh, Ama Clutch! You just don’t get it!” Galinda said with a shout. She rolled over and buried her face into the sheets, her body sliding off of the bed. Her knees locked firmly onto the ground as she leaned over the mattress, her face pressed downward into the pink of her bedspread. 

Ama Clutch sighed and stood up. She walked over beside Galinda and took a seat on the bed as the girl wallowed in self-pity. The sight was all too familiar to Clutch who placed a hand on Galinda’s shoulder.

“There, there, my duck,” she said comfortingly like a mother speaking to her crying toddler. “All will be alright.”

“Ama Clutch…” Galinda groaned into the sheets before looking up at her caretaker. “It is so hard being good all of the time!” 

Ama Clutch curled a brow almost immediately, but Galinda carried on.
“I offered my private space to her,” said Galinda, but Ama Clutch cut in.

“ The Head offered your private space,” she corrected. 

Stupid Ama Clutch.

“ I let her live here.”

“The housing department lets her live here.” 

Foolish Ama Clutch.

“I don’t complain to her. I’m not rude to her. I let her live nicely.”

“Those unpleasant looks you make when she comes in say otherwise,” said Ama Clutch as she nodded, thinking to herself. “Those expressions also look quite unpleasant on you , duckie.”
“I’m unpleasant to look at?!” said Galinda, ignoring the rest of what Clutch had said. She threw herself back into her sheets, hiding her face again.

She couldn’t believe that Ama Clutch could say such a thing. 

Her? Unpleasant .

Ama Clutch knew better than anyone of her insecurities. She knew about all the time she spent getting ready every morning in hopes to make herself as appealing to others as she could. That was why she (or rather, her father) invested in such a collection of clothes and other products. 

“That is not what I said,” the caretaker shook her head. “You are very beautiful, you should smile more rather than glare at the poor girl.”

And with that, Galinda shot back up. “ Poor girl ?!” she shouted. “Now you’re siding with her? You’re my Ama!”

She couldn’t believe that Ama Clutch was defending Elphaba. She couldn’t believe that she was referring to her as ‘one of her ducks’ now. That made Galinda the most upset.

First, Elphaba took her room. Now, she was taking her Ama.

Galinda Upland loathed Elphaba Thropp.

“I am not siding with anyone.” Nanny would reply firmly. “She is one of my ducks now, too. I am to look out for the two of you. That was the agreement the Head and I came to. The poor thing has no Ama. Her sister has a Nanny, but she requires more… attention.”

She is one of my ducks now, too.

It hurt. It hurt more than Galinda would like to admit. Ama Clutch was the one person that she trusted to always be there for her, that was her job after all. 

“You see!” said Galinda. “You didn’t even try to stand up for me or my rights!”

“Duckie,” Ama Clutch said with a laugh, “don’t be so dramatic. It is not a good look. 'Rights?' You’re here to be a sorceress, not an actress.”

Galinda shot her Ama a glare, but the woman carried on. “The poor thing had nowhere else to stay, so I didn’t try and fight it. It would not be a good look for you if you simply kicked her to the curb.”

“But, I—”

Ama Clutch raised her finger and silenced Galinda. Ama Clutch’s raised index finger was one of the few ways to silence Galinda and make her pay attention. Her ability to shush the girl, even when she was a young child throwing tantrums, was something that only she could do.

Something about Ama Clutch’s discipline made Galinda cower and listen, even now as an eighteen year old. 

“I know, duckie. I know that you didn’t offer her to live here, but this is where the Head saw her best fit. You didn’t ask for this situation and I understand your frustrations.”

“Do you?” Galinda asked. 

There was no way in all of Oz that anyone could possibly relate to Galinda’s situation or understand the weight that Elphaba’s presence had on her mental wellbeing. 

Nobody understands me , Galinda thought.

“I do.”

“How could you possibly understand how I feel?” Galinda whined. “You’re not even taking initiative to rid me of her!”

“Duckie, I have known you since you were a wee little thing. I know when you’re sad. I know when you’re mad. I know when you’re happy. Trust me, I know how you feel all the time. Even if I can’t, you’ll make sure that I know.”

“What?”

“This tantrum for example,” Ama Clutch said with a smug smirk.

Galinda sighed. She knew that she shouldn’t have been reacting the way that she had been. It was ridiculous and childlike and she was not a child. She was a lady, and a proper one, no doubt. She was just angered.  

“I understand that you don’t want her here. Trust me, I don’t even want another duckie to take care of, either. I'm aging quickly."

“Then, why don’t you work harder to get her removed?” Galinda sat up, genuine curiosity in her tone.

“Because I won’t partake in any such thing. She is a girl with no place to stay. She needs a home. This is her home now, whether or not we like it. I understand your desire for a private suite, but there was a reason that Miss Elphaba found her way to us. All we can do now is show her hospitality and treat her kindly. There is nothing that will come out of self-pity or tantrums, my pretty duckie.”

Galinda sighed, Ama Clutch was always so kind. She had a way with words, she always did, even if she was too compassionate for others. She was her Ama. Nobody else's.

In Galinda’s eyes, Elphaba did not deserve her family’s compassion, she had caused them enough trouble, but she allowed Ama Clutch to carry onward.

“Complaining about the matter will get you nowhere, Galinda. You must accept her as a roommate as I have accepted her as a duckie.” Ama Clutch’s tone was stern, but also warm. It was the maternal note that Galinda had come to recognize from her loving Ama. She never felt such warmth from anyone else in her life, not even from Momsie. 

There was something that Galinda found so comforting from Ama Clutch. Maybe it was because in all of her most fond memories, Ama Clutch was there. Ama Clutch was always there, even if she was empty headed.

Ama Clutch’s words always had such an impact on Galinda. 

“Do you understand, duckie?” Ama Clutch asked, brushing her hand against Galinda’s cheek.

Galinda was so angry that she did understand what Ama Clutch was saying. Nothing was incorrect or swayed in Elphaba’s favor. All of it was true. Elphaba was just a poor girl thrown into their care and she had nothing to do with that outcome.

Elphaba Thropp was innocent. 

She loathed her. 

“Yes,” said Galinda. “I understand, Ama,” she would add with a drawn-out Galinda sigh.

“Good girl,” said Ama Clutch. She smiled wide and patted Galinda’s head. “I am proud of you.”

“So now what?”

“Now, you need to stop whining about her. You must stop making her feel uncomfortable. You must listen to her when she speaks. I know that she hardly speaks, the odd thing, but you must speak to her.”

Galinda bit her lip. She hadn’t told anyone about the conversation that she had with Elphaba. She didn’t want to be looked at as weird for conversing with her. Then, she remembered that not only was Ama Clutch her confidant (and maybe only true friend—even if she was on the large payroll of Galinda’s parents), but the woman had also taken a liking to the green girl.

She is one of my ducks now, too.

“I did,” said Galinda, not elaborating. She wanted to, but she couldn’t. Not unprompted and without reason, at least.

“Pardon?”

“I did speak to her.”

“Oh?” mused Ama Clutch who’s face seemed to light up. Galinda assumed that it was because her ‘two ducks’ were finally getting off on the right foot. “Go on, duckie,” she instructed.

Galinda shrugged. “We just spoke last night for a long while.”

“About?”

“A lot of things.”

“You weren’t hateful towards her, were you?”

“No!” said Galinda, who for once seemed totally against the idea of being mean to her roomie. “We just talked about religion. Her dad is a nut, you know?”

Ama Clutch nodded and said, “Yes, I’m aware. Her old Nanny told me about him the other day. Miss Elphaba didn’t fall for his teachings, but her poor sister did.”

Galinda simply nodded. She didn’t reply as she zoned out for a moment, thinking to herself. 

About Elphaba. Again.

“Duckie, I’m proud of you,” said Ama Clutch. “I hope that you can continue to make me proud by making her feel content here. You needn’t talk to her everyday from now on or befriend her, but perhaps, you can let go of the resentment that you have for Miss Elphaba..”

It wasn’t resentment, Galinda thought herself. It was loathing.

It was unadulterated loathing. 

Galinda sighed again. “Fine,” she obliged. 

“That’s my duckie,” said Ama Clutch. “You are still my favorite duck—my pretty duck.” 

Galinda couldn’t help but smile. It felt like a compliment of sorts and was almost reassuring. She was beginning to worry that Elphaba was stealing all of Ama Clutch’s devotion and care. 

Wouldn’t be the first thing that Elphaba took, but it would sting even more if Ama Clutch replaced her completely. 

Forget about her . 

She couldn't. Even if she tried.

Ama Clutch stood back up and headed towards the door with the conversation having come to a complete end. Galinda stood up, happy that Ama Clutch was satisfied, but also not yet realizing the extent of commitment she was agreeing to. 

She was going to let Elphaba live on without any compliance. No more nagging. No more glaring. No more microaggressions. 

“What do I get out of it?” Galinda blurted, not expecting her thoughts to be said aloud. She recoiled as Ama Clutch spun around.

“What?”

“What do I get out of it?”

“My dear Galinda,” Ama Clutch began, “there is a certain kind of beauty in kindness that has no real motivation; I know that your parents were never particularly fond of the idea, but you are my duckie. You were always my duckie, and now it is only you and I here at Shiz. I want to teach you what they could not, as well as what I could not then. I think that you have great potential to grow here and make some real good.”

Galinda felt her body shiver with goosebumps as she listened to her chaperone’s final words on the matter.

“The best good is done when nothing is expected in return.”