Chapter Text
Elphaba’s first impression is, against her best judgment, that Galinda Upland (of the Upper Uplands!) is really quite pretty.
When all the other students gasp and back away, leaving Elphaba stranded in the middle of a circle she’s never been able to close, it’s Galinda who steps forward. Galinda who gapes at her, eyes wide wide wide as they rake over her face.
Elphaba gathers herself, shoulders tight as she prepares to give her usual little speech, sure that this conventionally pretty, clearly popular, petite-framed, pink-wearing, perfectly-styled blonde is about to make some sort of nasty remark.
What happens next is something Elphaba couldn’t have made up if she tried.
“Hi,” Galinda whispers, her soft voice impossibly loud in Elphaba’s ears as she steps right up in front of the girl.
“Um,” Elphaba starts, thrown off balance by the way Galinda’s looking at her. Not like she’s something disgusting or even something intriguing. But like she’s something wonderful. “Hi.”
“I’m Gli- uh, Galinda,” the blonde introduces. “Galinda Upland.”
There is some sort of unreadable emotion swimming through the shimmering depths of this girl’s brown eyes, something Elphaba could drown in if given the chance. She has to visibly shake herself and take the offered hand carefully in her own. Galinda doesn’t even flinch at the touch of green skin.
“Elphaba Thropp.”
The students are starting to whisper amongst themselves, clearly just as confused as Elphaba. Galinda doesn’t even seem to notice. She just smiles, the force of it etching a single dimple into her cheek and leaving her eyes sparkling bright.
Pretty, Elphaba thinks. It shocks her, how easily it comes to her, but there’s really no other word for it. No one, in all her life, has ever looked at Elphaba like Galinda is right now. No one, in all her life, has ever looked this happy to see her.
“Welcome to Shiz University, Elphaba Thropp. I have a feeling we’re going to be very good friends.”
***
The next half-hour passes in a bit of a blur. She doesn’t mean to make a spectacle- she never does. But there’s an eerie shocked silence that fills the courtyard for a second, just a brief second, after Nessrose’s chair settles to a halt.
Elphaba can feel her pulse racing, guilt and shame twisting in her gut, when--
“Wow,” comes a breathy, sweet voice. It grows louder, capturing the attention of everyone there. “That was incredible!”
It’s that girl. That same blonde girl. Galinda Upland.
She’s standing in the middle of the destruction, gazing at Elphaba with wide brown eyes and a dazzling smile. “Why, Miss Elphaba! What a talent! Did you see that, everyone? Did you see how amazing that was?”
Confused murmurs grow as the students whisper amongst themselves, just as baffled as Elphaba is by the show. Who is this girl? And what in Oz is she up to?
Galinda sticks out her leg and giggles, tossing her hair behind her back. The other students are drawn to her like a moth to a flame, and even Elphaba finds herself inexplicably wanting to move closer.
“I’ll have you know,” Galinda is saying, the students somehow hanging on every word despite the fear and disgust Elphaba had seen on their faces just moments ago. “I have always loved sorcery. In fact, that’s why I chose Shiz! It has the best sorcery department in all of Oz.”
The students nod like little puppets, brightening with eager, happy energy the closer they get to Galinda, like she’s some sort of magic all her own. “Like Madame Morrible!” someone calls out.
And- it’s so tiny. A barely noticeable hitch in the girl’s breath, a tiny tightening of her shoulders and flattening of her lips. If Elphaba hadn’t been studying Galinda so closely, hadn’t been so enthralled by the show, she likely would’ve missed it.
“Yes,” Galinda says smoothly. “Exactly. Madame Morrible is one of the best. But- Miss Elphaba! You were simply astoundifying! Why, I bet you could be the star student of Shiz with that kind of power!”
It’s incredible. It’s ridiculous. It’s impossible. Yet here Galinda stands, effortlessly weaving a narrative that makes Elphaba, of all people, seem like someone to be admired. The students still seem a little confused, a little apprehensive, but they are willing to follow Galinda’s lead. Just like that.
Who is this girl?!
Elphaba would almost believe her, too, if only she didn’t see how clearly fake it all was. Her eyes narrow, taking in the strained edge of Galinda’s smile, the swirling emotions in her eyes. Her face is nearly unreadable, but there’s a tension to her that speaks of someone putting on a last-minute performance. Something isn’t right here, and Elphaba’s read enough books to know: never trust the popular girl when they appear to do something nice.
“You are quite right,” a new voice breaks in. The crowd parts to let Madame Morrible herself walk through, her eyes locked on Elphaba. She tilts her head just slightly Galinda’s way. “Miss…”
“Galinda.”
“Miss Galinda.”
There’s definitely no mistaking the tightness of Galinda’s smile now. Elphaba finds herself frowning as the blonde makes several steps her direction, turning awkwardly to keep herself facing Morrible even as she backs closer to Elphaba.
A spark of recognition flicks through Morrible’s eyes. “Galinda Upland, is it?”
“Yes, Madame.”
Galinda is practically in front of Elphaba now, one hand out behind her back slightly like she wants to shove Elphaba away. Like she wants to keep Morrible’s attention all on her.
Madame Morrible finally gives it, turning her eyes to Galinda for a moment. “I saw you requested to join my sorcery seminar this year,” she says. She has this stiff smile on her face, lacking the genuine awe and warmth that was aimed Elphaba’s way just moments ago.
“I…yes, I did.”
So that’s her game.
“Well, dearie, I’m sorry to say that class has been filled. And it’s really only for… exceptional students, anyway.”
There’s a gleam in Morrible’s eyes when looks back at Elphaba, and Elphaba can see Galinda lean away slightly. Well. Elphaba knew the girl’s actions were too good to be true. Those popular types- they were only ever looking out for themselves.
Brushing past the outstretched hand with deliberate force, Elphaba steps around the petite blonde to meet Morrible head on, a bubbly sense of victory filling her when she sees the warmth return to the sorceress’s expression.
For the first time in her life, someone is choosing Elphaba. Maybe her curse is finally doing something right.
“Elphaba,” she introduces again.
“Miss Elphaba.”
No one has ever smiled at Elphaba like that. Well, no one except--
And there she is again, sliding right in between Elphaba and Morrible again.
“I’ll volunteer!” she says, practically before Morrible can even finish asking.
It’s too late, Elphaba thinks, rolling her eyes behind the blonde’s back. I know your angle.
Elphaba may have fallen for the charm earlier, may have almost given in to that strange energy pulling everyone toward her, but she’s smarter than that. She knows better.
So, despite the way Galinda seems to reach for her, try to stop her, Elphaba follows after Madame Morrible. Besides, it seems she’ll be seeing plenty of Galinda now that they are apparently roommates. A pang of apprehension shoots through Elphaba as she walks away, a weird prickle on the back of her neck making her want to turn back around.
She shakes it off, instead focusing on the grounding weight of Morrible’s hand against her back, leading her toward a future she never dared to hope for. The roommate situation will be fine. After all, she has this Galinda girl all figured out. She can play her at her own game if need be.
Elphaba has always been so very good at games.