Chapter Four

Galinda wasn't crying because she had felt shamed by Nessarose's words. She was crying a little in shock over how cruel Nessa had been and little in fear of what might happen if Nessa told anyone other than Elphie. She wasn't too worried about what Elphie herself might think. She wasn't anything like Nessarose when it came to prejudice. She only hoped that Elphie would at least consider returning her affections, even though the chances of that were slim. She went into the bathroom and washed the now tear-ruined make-up from her face and then quickly dried her face and reapplied her make-up. She finished this with just enough time left to get to Art class without being late. As she walked along her normal route of getting to class, she let her mind wander. She thought about Aura and how she had thought she had been in love with Aura. She thought about how Aura had broken her heart. She had long since realized that she had never really been as in love with the red-head as she had once thought. Then she thought about what she felt for Elphie. It was so much stronger than what she had felt for Aura. She knew she was in love with Elphie. She knew it for reasons that could not be put in words, but the feeling was so intense that sometimes it scared her.

The feelings themselves didn't scare her though, and she wasn't ashamed of them either. She wished that her parents and "proper society" did not condemn her. She didn't feel guilty or ashamed because she liked other women and had no interest of that kind in men. She just became so very sad sometimes that what she felt to be so right was said to be so wrong. 'Love is love,' she thought to herself as she took her seat in Art class, 'I wish other people could see it that way.' Taking out her sketchbook and colored pencils, Galinda absentmindedly began the day's classwork assignment, a portrait. She didn't really pay attention to what she was drawing, but rather let her thoughts linger on her roommate.

Meanwhile, Elphaba, whose first class was not until ten, was in the library, looking through dozens of books. After she had skimmed the twenty-seventh book and found nothing, she slammed it shut and threw her hands up in the air, in a gesture of frustration and defeat. "I just don't understand! There is supposed to be a scientific explanation for everything," she exclaimed, not caring that she was loud. She knew that there were no other students in the library yet and the librarian had stepped out for a cup of coffee. The emerald-skinned seventeen-year-old stood up and began pacing back and forth in front of the table which she had taken over. "Nothing," she said, as if to the books and bookcases, "I must have looked through more than two dozen books and there is nothing in any of them that can define, explain, analyze, or name what I am feeling. I understand the physical part of it well enough. Lust is a simple, scientifically explainable occurrence caused by hormones in response to sensory stimuli." She paused for a moment, recalling the instances in which she had experienced lust, trying to find the link between her physical feelings and the frustrating, foreign emotions that had been accompanying them more and more often of late. She had already been through this thought process hundreds of times, of course, but she tried it one last time hoping that this time she would see the connection she was sure existed but which she was unable to identify. "If I could find out the connection between the physical sensations I experience and the emotions I feel, then maybe I could discover what these strange feelings are," she said much more quietly and in a pensive tone. Sighing, she sat back down at the desk and began to organize the books so that she could put them away. And it appeared she had ended her rather loud and aggravated tirade just in time too, because as she sat down the library door opened and the librarian returned.

Galinda was so lost in thought and so thoroughly engrossed in what she was doing that she only looked up when her professor called her name. The blond-haired girl looked up, a little startled to see that Professor Cindavi was the only other person in the room besides herself. "Miss Galinda," the woman said, "I see that you are very serious about finishing your pieces, but the class ended some fifteen minutes ago. I do not know your personal schedule, but if you have a class between now and lunch, I would advise you to hurry, or you shall be late." Professor Mahakala Cindavi, who was probably in her sixties, had long, grey hair which seemed always to be coming undone from its braid. She had warm amber eyes, a soft voice, a kind smile, and an enthusiasm for her subject. All in all, she was probably Galinda's favorite teacher.

"Oh, I'm sorry that I wasn't paying attention to the time," Galinda apologized with a twinge of embarrassment, "Thank you for warning me." She then hastily closed her sketchbook and put away it as well as her colored pencils in her bag. Then, with a hurried farewell to her professor, she rushed out of the Art room in the direction of her next class.

Fiyero entered the classroom a few seconds after the rest of the students, but managed to sneak through the door unnoticed and slipped into the seat next to Elphaba. To his dismay, she did not even seem to be aware of his arrival at all. She did not greet him. Instead, she was writing furiously –in a language and/or alphabet he couldn't decipher- in a leather-bound notebook. The normally scholarly girl continued her writing throughout the entire class, not answering a single question and not taking down a single line of notes. Fiyero was a little put out by the fact that Elphaba hadn't said a word to him, but more concerned by the fact that she had not participated in class at all.

"- at lunch?"

Elphaba closed her journal to notice Fiyero waiting for her while everyone else filed out of the classroom. She also realized he had just addressed her. "Could you please repeat that," she asked as politely as was possible without actually saying the word 'please'.

"I said, 'Do you want to sit with me at lunch?'" The vinkus prince reiterated.

"Sure," Elphaba replied, slinging her bag over her shoulder and heading for the door. "Why nor? I'm sure Galinda will be fine with it. I don't have to worry about Nessa. She and Boq are having lunch in the indoor Gardens."

"Boq?" Fiyero echoed her, confused.

"Yes. Boq," Elphaba repeated. Seeing the look on her newest friend's face, she said with a slight laugh, "What? Didn't anyone tell you? They're dating."

"But- but Boq is totally in love with Galinda," the boy sputtered.

Elphaba shrugged. "I don't care who he's in love with. He can date my sister as long as he doesn't break her heart." And that was the end of that conversation. Before long, the duo had reached the cafeteria, where they first got their lunches and then proceeded to search for Galinda. Seeing her at a corner table near the window, Elphaba led Fiyero through the clusters of tables and gossiping groups. Putting her tray down, she took the seat across from her roommate. Fiyero took the seat next to the blonde girl.

"How was your art class, Galinda," Fiyero asked with sincere interest.

"Fun," Galinda replied, "We had to draw portraits." Her answer was truthful so far.

"Who did you draw," Elphaba questioned between bites of her salad.

"My mother," the petite blonde lied, not wanting to admit that she had drawn a portrait of her roommate. A very detailed, nearly-perfect portrait. If she admitted that, it would point out the fact that she had memorized Elphie's features far more accurately than she was willing to confess. Fiyero sensed her unease and noted that both of his female friends were acting a little odd today. He changed the subject to something inconsequential and unobtrusive. Lunch went a little more smoothly after that.

Just a short while after Galinda, Elphaba, and Fiyero sat down for their lunch, Nessarose and Boq settled themselves at one of the several tables that were scattered –or rather, strategically placed- throughout the beautiful indoor garden. Boq, ever the gentleman had just returned from the cafeteria, carrying not only his lunch but Nessarose's as well. As they ate their lunches, they commented on the beauty of their surroundings. Eventually, Nessarose just let Boq speak and listened silently. A while later, Boq noticed that his new girlfriend was not really paying attention and that she was twisting a monogrammed handkerchief in her lap distractedly.

"What's wrong, Nessa?" Boq looked at her with concern. It was rare to see her so very distracted. He could tell that something was bothering her. At first, she cast her eyes to the ground. He repeated his question.

"What? Oh, nothing's wrong," she tried to lie with a false smile.

"No something is bothering you, Nessa," the Munchkin boy insisted, "I can tell."

Finally she threw her handkerchief down on the table and clasped her hands together anxiously. "Oh, Boq," she exclaimed, "It's horrible! It's absolutely horrible! My poor sister! I'm so worried for her!" Nessarose seemed truly distraught and Boq became alarmed.

"What's horrible? What happened to Elphaba? Is she hurt? Is she sick? Nessa, tell me what's wrong."

"No, no, no,' the girl in the wheelchair explained, "there's nothing wrong with Elphaba. Not yet anyway. But Galinda-" She had to stop for a moment to collect herself. "Galinda Arduenna, that sinful, wretched-" She simply couldn't continue.

"Nessarose," Boq prompted very calmly and evenly, "tell me what is upsetting you so much." Inwardly he was panicking. What the hell was going on? Why had Nessa spoken Galinda's name with such hatred? In his –somewhat biased- opinion, the Gilikinese girl couldn't have done anything as heinous as his girlfriend seemed to be implying.

Finally she calmed herself down and as sedately as possible, began to explain what she had read in Galinda's journal. "But you can't tell anyone." She swore him to secrecy, adding anxiously, "Not until I tell Elphaba. I don't want people to think her roommate has corrupted her. Turned her into a- a- oh, you know what I'm talking about."

Boq did know what she was talking about and thought she was being ridiculous. He almost told her so, but then remembered her strict religious beliefs and decided to remain silent. He was a bit disappointed to find out that Galinda didn't like men, since that sealed his failure to get her to love him. The more he thought about it though, the less disappointed he was. If he actually considered Nessa's fear that Elphaba might be 'corrupted', he would have to admit that it was entirely plausible. Furthermore, if there was anyone Elphaba had a crush on, it was likely to be Galinda. He left lunch with his mind made up. He would try to talk to Elphaba before her sister could and see what her take on the matter was. One thing was for sure. He was in for one very interesting study group.