The Year Starts

The Year Starts

Elphaba dropped her bag onto the bed and sighed deeply. She had to share a room with someone who wasn’t Nessa how could she cope? Elphaba never shared with anyone who wasn’t family – it never worked out. Still here she was preparing to share a room with a blonde bimbo. Honestly, why couldn’t she keep her mouth shut? That blonde had to go and volunteer to share with her. Elphaba cursed and went into the little bathroom joined with their room. It was spacious enough, with a large bathtub, sink and toilet. There was a mirror above the small sink and Elphaba caught the sight of her face. She shuddered. Why did she have to be green? Turning away, Elphaba stormed from the bathroom and swung the door shut. She observed the room before her. There were two identical beds which had small dressing tables either side of them. Seeing as her roommate hadn’t arrived, Elphaba felt no guilt in choosing the bed nearest the window.

She walked over to it and started unpacking her stuff, arranging it neatly in her drawers and on her dresser. She looked around as she pulled out a small green bottle and placed in under her pillow. She took out the black blanket and pillow cover her father had packed and placed them on the bed. Stuck at what else to do, Elphaba almost sighed with relief as her room mate arrived and provided a distraction. Almost.

‘AAHHHHHHHHHHHHH !’ The scream could be heard down the whole corridor of the dorms. Galinda stood in the doorway of her room and waved her hands in front of her face in a bid to calm down. ‘Black? You used black?! And the window! You chose the bed near the window? That’s my bed! Why do you have to ruin everything?’ Galinda had stalked into the room and had placed herself a foot in front of Elphaba. Elphaba just looked her calmly in the eye while Galinda continued to rant and rave. ‘And why do you get to have the right side wardrobe? I wanted it! Why do I have to share with someone who doesn’t ask if they can have the bed near the window or the right side wardrobe? Why is life so unfair?’ Elphaba shook with anger at the last statement.

‘Unfair?’ She whispered. Galinda knew she had said something wrong and slowly backed away from the green tower of anger. ‘You don’t know the meaning. Unfair is when you expect to talk to the person you’re sharing with to see what you get and they’re not there. Unfair is having to find the room empty and not knowing where to put your stuff. Unfair is having to tell yourself every morning that you’re not hideous. Unfair is being in the university of your dreams and not being able to study for yourself but having to look after your sister. Unfair is being told you have to share with a blonde bombshell for 3 years. Unfair is having a father who controls your life even when he’s the other side of the country. And unfair is a word you know nothing about.’ Elphaba turned and stalked from the room, trying to shake of some of the anger she had. Meanwhile, Galinda stood in the room with a single tear running down her cheek. Everything her room mate had said was true, compared to the green girl she had nothing to worry about. Angry at herself for not thinking about Elphaba, Galinda settled for the bed against the wall and began unpacking her stuff.

An hour later, Galinda sighed. She was only half way through and was already exhausted. She grabbed another frock and stumbled into the wardrobe. Her head came out of the wardrobe when she heard someone cough. It was Elphaba. Dropping the frock, Galinda came out to face her and Elphaba shuffled her feet.

‘Look…’ Elphaba cleared her throat. ‘I just want to say I’m sorry. I was angry and I took it out on you and I’m sorry.’ She turned to leave the room but turned back at the sound of Galinda’s voice.

‘I’m sorry too.’ Elphaba turned to face her. Galinda swallowed thickly. ‘I should have been here to decide beds and stuff but I wasn’t. Sorry.’ Galinda hung her head. Elphaba just nodded and sat her bed and opened a book. Galinda went back into her wardrobe and continued sorting her clothes and un packing.

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Six thirty approached and Galinda left the dorm for dinner in a café. She entered the café and was surprised to see Elphaba sitting in there with Nessarose. She made eye contact with Elphaba and went to join her friends. She was immediately swarmed with praises for her attire. She had selected a simple cream skirt and matching jacket. With a white blouse it made the perfect outfit. Thanking her friends, she reached for a menu and placed an order. Turning to face them, Galinda fell into the easy lull of conversation and finally felt at ease. After an hour the conversation finally turned onto Elphaba.

‘Green skin – her parents must have sinned and are being punished for it.’ Shen-Shen laughed and everyone followed suit.

‘Imagine having to live with her! She’d clash with everything! I’d never be seen with her.’ Pfanee’s whisper carried across the room and Galinda could tell by the tensing of Elphaba’s shoulders that she had heard it.

‘Her father must be so ashamed. I bet her mother is thankful she’s dead. Well if she lived she’d wish she was dead seeing the disaster she produced.’ Elphaba clenched her hands into fists. She could not react.

‘That’s enough!’ Everyone turned to face Galinda who reddened. Oh Oz what have I done? She thought I have to cover this up. ‘I’m bored of talking about her. Shen-Shen did you see the new pink dress in Dress Circle? I’m thinking of getting it.’ And so the conversation turned onto fashion and dresses.

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Back at the dorm, Galinda was brushing her teeth. She heard Elphaba enter and hurried. She didn’t want to keep Elphaba waiting. Coming out the bathroom, Galinda sat on her bed and watched Elphaba dash into it. Smiling slightly, Galinda settled herself under the covers and closed her eyes. She heard Elphaba leave the bathroom and felt her presence over her. She heard Elphaba walk away and get into her own bed.

‘For the thing in the café today Galinda, thank you.’ Elphaba felt safe saying it as she checked that Galinda was asleep so she was surprised when she heard a reply.

‘You’re welcome Miss Elphaba.’ Galinda rolled over. Elphaba on the other hand, sat up.

‘But I checked, you were asleep. I never wanted you to hear that.’ Elphaba fell back onto her pillows.

‘Well at least I know you appreciated it.’ Galinda turned to face her again.

‘I suppose.’ Elphaba rolled over to face the window.

‘Miss Elphaba?’ Elphaba rolled back over to face her room mate. ‘This doesn’t make us friends.’

‘Of course not.’ Elphaba replied curtly before rolling back over. She thought as much. Galinda turned away and closed her eyes. With the thought of why she had rejected a form of friendship running through her mind, she fell asleep.

A/N review !!