This began as a one-shot for Pops, who wasn't feeling too well the other day. Seeing as how it was getting very lengthy, I decided it would be best to do it as a short chapter fic. So Pops, this is for you, dear. I hope it makes you smile. All thoughts are more than welcome. Enjoy :)
"Elphie, what do you think of this dress?"
"Perfect."
"You didn't even look at it."
"Yes, I did!"
'Did not!"
"Galinda, I did!"
"What color is it?"
"Pink."
A pause. "Lucky guess. But I still know you weren't looking!"
"And what would it matter if I had or not?" Elphabasnapped, looking up from the notes she had bee pouring over for the better part of the afternoon. "Ninety-five percent of what you own is pink. You've had me trapped in here for nearly two hours after swearing you simply needed to show me 'a couple things' for you date tonight. Surely you've made a decision by now."
The blonde didn't answer, only stood in front of her full-length mirror, chewing thoughtfully on her lower lip. "I wonder if I like the other one better…:
"I rest my case," Elphaba exclaimed as she shook her head. "It's a good thing you have two hours before class starts. Otherwise you'd never have an outfit picked out in time."
"Sorry, Elphie. Did you say something?" Her friend picked at the overly-puffy sleeve of her blouse. "I wasn't listening."
The green girl's brow rose. Clearly. Instead, she returned her attention to her notes and replied flippantly, "Not a thing."
"Oh, good." Galinda flounced across the room to her closet and began rummaging through it again. "I just don't have a clue what to wear! It's a tragedy!"
"I can't believe you put this much effort into selecting your clothes. If you worked this hard at school, you wouldn't need my help at all."
"You're talking about two completely different things!" Galinda cried. "Classes are one thing. Boys, however, are a completely different story" She waggled her eyebrows. "Priorities, my dear friend."
"And we clearly know who values what, now don't we?" came the mutter from the other side of the room. She watched as Galinda pulled yet another skirt and blouse set out of the closet and walk to the mirror. "Galinda, isn't that the exact one you have on?"
"Of course not!" came the indignant reply. "This one is white. The one I'm wearing is ivory." Her tone gave the green girl the implication that she should have known the answer before even asking the question.
"Forgive me," Elphaba said dryly. "I must be suffering from strained eyesight due to the fact that I wish to better myself academically rather than stylistically."
"That's why I don't see the point in looking at all of that small writing," Galinda's tone was practical as she tossed the discarded clothing on her bed. "It ruins your eyes so you have a hard time with life essentials."
Her roommate glanced over at her over her glasses. "Such as the difference between white and ivory?"
"Precisely!" Galinda bounced over to sit on the foot of Elphaba's bed, her smile dropping as she took in the expression on her friend's face. 'Elphie, what is it?"
She had removed her glasses and was blinking rapidly. "I'm still trying to process the fact that you used a three syllable word correctly."
"That's not funny!" Galinda gaveher a shove as she shot off the bed and retreated to her own side of the room. "I'm trying to share important life lessons with you and all you can do is make fun of me!"
"I'm sorry, Galinda," The green girl attempted to cover her smirk at her friend's glare. "Let's face it. There are just some things we'll never see eye to eye on."
"I suppose not," the blonde huffed, but a smile pricked at her lips. 'But that doesn't mean I'll ever stop trying to pull your head out of the books for a bit of fun."
"Somehow I knew that," retorted Elphaba as she brought her eyes back to her notes. "Mark my words, Galinda. One of these days you'll wish you had listened to me a little more."
"The same to you." Galinda replied flippantly as she began rummaging through her closet once more, now more than ever intent on finding the 'perfect' fashion.
Elphaba glanced up, then shook her head as she marked another card of notes. Why do I even try? The girl was brilliant. If only she would apply herself.
A squeal soon brought her out of her studious silence and her head shot up to see her blonde roommate bouncing in front of the mirror, clapping her hands in glee like a small child. She knew she would probably regret this, but, "Galinda, what is it?"
She turned and met Elphaba's expectant gaze, an obnoxiously large smile stretching across her lips. "I've found it!"
Suppressing a groan, the green girl nodded. "I'm happy for you."
"Don't you want to see it?"
"Not particularly."
"Elphie!"
"Oh, for Oz's sakes.." she muttered, placing the book aside. "Alright, Galinda. Show me the 'one'"
"Ta da!" The blonde spun and struck a dramatic pose as the other girl watched with a raised brow. "So what do you think? Isn't it just glorious?"
Elphaba was silent for a moment before she spoke. "Are you telling me," she began slowly, "That I'm losing valuable study time over an outfit that you've had on all morning?!"
"You don't like it?" Galinda pouted.
"Galinda, it's the exact one you've had once since this whole idiotic process began! Why the whole episode if you knew you had the right one on the whole time?"
Her lower lip trembled. "I had to be sure."
"I don't believe this," she muttered as she closed the book and removed her glasses.
"I have to look my best all the time, Elphie," her friend reasoned. "You never know who you're going to run into."
She rolled her eyes and went to stand beside the other girl at the mirror. "You'd think you were still with Fiyero with all the effort you're putting into this."
Galinda shrugged. "It's always important to look good. And if there happens to be someone special," she smiled slyly, "Well, that never hurts either. Oh!" She began to finger the ends of Elphaba's braid. "Let's pick out something for you to wear!"
Fearing the turn this conversation would take, she was extremely glad when a sudden knock at the door prevented it from going any further. The green girl extracted herself from her roommate's hold to call out, "Come in!"
"Hello, ladies," Avaric greeted as he entered the room, Fiyero on his heels. "Never fear, we're here to fulfill your every fantasy."
"Boys." Galinda smiled from her place at the vanity.
"Hello, Galinda, Elphaba," Fiyero acknowledged with a slight smile.
"Hey, artichoke!" Avaric slung an arm around Elphaba's shoulders "Have you decided whose morning you're going to ruin with your presence today?"
She glared as she shoved his arm off of her. "I would have said yours, but it seems you beat me to it."
"Ooh. It seems the cactus is a bit prickly this morning." He tweaked her nose.
"Touch me again and you'll be missing that hand."
"Okay. Round one over. Elphaba, Avaric, to your separate corners." Fiyero let out a nervous laugh. 'We wouldn't want any blood spilled before our first class."
"I'm afraid it began when you let him out of his cage this morning," Elphaba muttered as she returned to her bed. "No offense, Fiyero, but what are you even doing here? You and Galinda broke up weeks ago."
"Does that mean we can't be friends?" he asked as he took a seat in her desk chair. "We didn't part on bad terms;we just decided that we weren't right for one another."
"That's right, Elphie. I told you, remember?" Galinda placed an affectionate hand on her ex-boyfriend's shoulder, returning his smile. "Just because we're not 'together' anymore doesn't mean we don't care about each other. We're all friends here."
"Including you," Fiyero supplied. "I hope you know that. Besides," he added, wagging his brows, "I thought you might miss me.
She snorted. "Not likely." Refusing to acknowledge any sentiment in that statement, she asked again, "That still doesn't explain why you're here."
"We came to walk you girls to class," Avaric said, seeing his friend. 'And for Fiyero to share his news."
"Av, you agreed to keep that a secret."
"What? Man, you're proud of it and you know it."
'What's going on?" Galinda asked.
"Well, it seems that my man here managed to get himself named "Bachelor of the Month" by Ozmopolitian magazine," announced Avaric, with pride.
Fiyero grinned and spread his hands, as if he had nothing to do with the whole idea. "What can I say?"
"Sweetie, that's wonderful!" Galinda was at his side in an instant, launching herself into his arms and pressing a kiss to his cheek. "I knew it wouldn't take long!"
"I'd say two years of sending in your picture finally paid off," Avaric teased.
From her position on the opposite side of the room, Elphaba watched the exchange in incredulous silence. "You're joking, right?"
The Prince's eyes narrowed. "I'm sorry?"
"Come on, Fiyero." Standing, she went to join the group. "You can't tell me you're actually happy about this. It's degrading! What could you possibly have to gain from it?"
"Oh, I don't know," Avaric mused. "Lots of publicity, an adoring public, and millions of girls throwing themselves at you. Nope. Can't think of a single advantage."
The green girl narrowed a glare at him before turning back to the other man. "Well?"
He shrugged. "Like Av said," he indicated his friend. "What's not to love?"
She gave a short laugh. "I can't believe it. You're actually proud of this chauvinistic spectacle simply because of your good looks."
"Why Miss Elphaba, are you blushing?" Fiyero grinned.
She flushed deeper and turned away. "You wish," she snapped. "I can't believe this is something to celebrate. It's nothing more than false hero worship over shallow standards that reflect nothing more than the outward appearance."
"I looove it!" Galinda exclaimed.
"Surprise, surprise," she muttered.
"You're just jealous that you won't get a piece of my man's action," Avaric taunted. "You know you want him."
"Me?" Elphaba snorted. "You couldn't pay me enough to go out with him."
"Hey! What happened? I thought we were friends!" Fiyero cried.
'We are," Elphaba assured him. "That's why I'm doing you a favor by not indulging your male ego in this whole ridiculous episode. Honestly, I'm not evens sure why anyone would want to put themselves through it."
"Why's that?"
"These girls will be lining up to go out with you simply because some magazine named you worthy-"
"Excuse me, but I was morethan worthy before any magazine declared me so. Ask any girl on campus," Fiyero interrupted.
Fighting the urge to roll her eyes, the green girl continued. "The point is that you'll probably never speak to any of them again after your dates. I can't see the point in going out with someone that you'll never cross paths with again."
"And how do you know I'll never see them again," he challenged. "Maybe I'll meet someone special and that'll be it."
"Or make some poor sap think she's special," countered Elphaba. "You'll be your charming, brainless, self and some girl will fall head over heels, just because you're paying special attention to her. Then, as soon as you're bored, you'll dump her for the next nice pair of legs that come by. I know your type, Fiyero, and as dear as you are to me as a friend, I can't stand by watch that happen,"
"I thought you said she was over 'wanting to kill me' phase," The Prince whispered to Galinda.
She patted his arm. "She is. This is her logic talking."
"Are you listening to me?" Elphaba was watching them with an expectant gaze. "Have you heard a word I was saying?"
"Unfortunately, we have," mumbled Avaric from the corner.
"Seriously, Elphaba. What does it matter to you? It's not like I'm asking you to go out with me, for Oz's sakes. Lay off."
"Maybe she should," Galinda suggested.
Her eyes widened. "What? Why?"
"That's not a bad idea," said Avaric as he rose. "Let Greenie go out with our boy here and see how she likes it."
"I don't think so," said Elphaba, her voice thin through her clenched teeth. "I'm not the one seeking attention. I'm perfectly fine to hear about involuntarily through Galinda."
"What's wrong, Elphaba," Fiyero asked as he sauntered up to her. "Afraid I might get too close for comfort?"
"For one thing," she snapped. "The other being I have much more important things to do with my time."
A brow quirked. "Such as?"
'Studying, for one."
"Elphie, that's all you ever do! Shouldn't you go out and have some fun? Galinda asked.
"When something fun presents itself, I will."
"Ooh, harsh" This from Avaric
"Alright, alright. I'll make you a deal." Fiyero's tone was diplomatic. "You go out with me on one date. See what it's like to spend an evening in my company. If you're right, I'll decline the invitation."
She was skeptical. 'And on the slim chance that I'm wrong?"
He spread his hands. "If you're wrong, then you stay out of my personal life other than when asked. What I do is my business."
"I've never invaded you're business!"
"You think this whole idea is nothing more than an archaic ego booster for me, do you not?" When she didn't deny it, he conceded. "My point exactly. If I'm right, you keep you opinions to yourself. Are we agreed?"
She scoffed, "This is ridiculous! I have no desire to take part in this."
He wasn't moved. "Do we have a deal or not. Come on, Elphie" he turned his most charming smile on her. "What do you have to lose?"
My dignity, for one. "Oh, alright. One evening. That's it."
He smiled as she placed her hand in his larger one, ignoring the warmth that seemed to seep into his skin at her touch. "I'll pick you up at eight."