Chapter Text
Elphaba ignores the excited chattering of the students streaming away from the library, searching through her bag with increasing panic.
Her textbook is missing. She had it out on the table, she knows she did. She intended to start the study guide she’s been putting off, too caught up in her ongoing war with her roommate. She’s sure she put it in her bag when she escaped the chaos in the library. Didn’t she?
With an irritated sigh, she gives up and makes her way back into the nearly empty library. She looks over and under the table she was at before, her irritation giving way to worry because the textbook isn’t there. She even searches the nearby tables and book carts.
Eventually she admits the stomach twisting truth. It’s gone. She’ll have to write to Frexspar and beg for funds for another. Who knows when or if he’ll grant it to her. In the meantime, maybe the library has a copy she can check out to study with.
She strides to the librarian’s desk, mentally composing the letter to her father, feeling more and more resigned with every step. He had barely agreed to supply her with her books in the first place; after all she was only supposed to help Nessa get settled and then return home. Having to supply another outrageous book fee just a month into term…she’s not sure she can fault him the annoyance he’s sure to rain upon her.
Nearing the librarian’s desk, she pulls herself from her wallowing to look up and pauses. He’s there. The prince. The arrogant boy who not only ran over her in the dark but had nearly fooled her into thinking he was maybe halfway decent…before he started laughing the second she turned her back. Echoes of that embarrassment burn in her stomach even now. For a moment last night, she had really thought that maybe….
The librarian, smiling and blushing like a girl a third her age, starts stacking a pile of books in front of the prince. Including a copy of the Ozian Politics textbook she needs.
The prince thanks the librarian, causing the ridiculous woman to pat her heart, and hefts the stack. His semi smug smile seems to fall the second he turns away from her, the sparkle fading from his eyes. He looks…tired, Elphaba thinks. Worn. It’s only for a moment, long enough for him to look up and find her only paces away. His face clears, shifting again like magic. There’s surprise, but it’s different from what she’s used to receiving. There’s no malice. He looks almost…glad to see her.
“Well, hello again,” the prince says smoothly, voice rich and pleased. “Are-?”
“Excuse me, Majesty. I’m a little busy,” she cuts him off, walking past hurriedly. There’s no need for either of them to waste their time and she refuses to be fooled twice.
He scoffs behind her, but she ignores that. And the slight twinge of guilt and shame at her curtness. A little niggle of doubt has her glancing over her shoulder, maybe to apologize. But he’s walking away, his golden head shaking. Oh well.
Resting her hands on the tall desk, she clears her throat, waiting for the librarian to turn around. Theres no smile now, only a disapproving frown.
“Do you have a copy of Ozian Politics volume 1 for long term check out, please?” Elphaba asks politely, keeping her voice low.
“it’s been loaned,” the librarian sniffs, glancing longingly at the retreating prince’s back. She taps a stack of papers briskly, already dismissing Elphaba.
“What’s the process to order another copy?” Elphaba’s stomach plummets. She has only just started her notes; she needs that book and soon. “How long will it take?”
“At least two weeks. And you’ll have to reach out to the bookstores in Emerald City or Traum yourself.” The librarian snaps. She looks down her nose, unsympathetic to Elphaba’s dejected sigh. “We expect Shiz students to responsibly care for their books we supply. Especially at the start of term.”
She gives another irritated tap of the papers and walks away. Elphaba doesn’t try to stop her, turning to lean back against the desk. Two weeks, and that’s after having to write to her father and receive a response.
Elphaba closes her eyes. “Wonderful.”
“Hey! Wait!”
Fiyero looks around, casually curious about who’s being called to. But those that are still around are staring at him and whoever is coming up behind. Oh. He turns, preparing a quizzical smile. That smile spreads into a large grin without his control. It’s her.
She’s walking to him with the same determined stride she had used to leave him in the woods the night before. Just like then, he can’t help but admire it; not only for the sway of her hips but the very attitude she exudes with each step. Unfortunately, he sees as she nears, she’s not smiling at all; he wonders if that’s her default expression or if it’s just for him. He dampens his smile as best he can, tilting his head.
“Oh? Are you talking to me?”
“Yes,” she stops a few feet away, far enough that she doesn’t have to tilt her head up too much to meet his eyes. “Um…”
To Fiyero’s curious and surprised amusement she hesitates, her hands moving to the front of her stomach, her fingers clamping together in what he can’t help but to assume are nerves. Oh sure, plenty of girls and boys have been nervous or embarrassed talking to him, A Prince. But he hadn’t expected it from the mysterious girl, not after their few short interactions so far.
Her nails are long, he notices, watching as they move as a protective shield in front of her. They’re longer than most girls he’s met. Hmm, he hadn’t seen that last night. He wonders how sharp they’d feel. Realizing he’s starting to stare and his mind is wandering, he snaps his attention back to her frowning face.
“Are you actually going to read those?”
She’s looking at his arms. He raises his brows, glancing down at the large, and increasingly heavy stack of books he’s carrying. “Uh… Yes? That’s what they’re for, aren’t they?”
The girl doesn’t look impressed, mouth lifting in a half-hearted sardonic smirk. “I wasn’t sure you realized they weren’t sport equipment.”
Fiyero winces. Perhaps sliding on and kicking books in the library wasn’t the best fresh start at a new school. Not this time. The girl tilts her head, looking curious, her eyes locked onto his face. Oh. He shifts his grip on the books, sliding back into a slouch as best he can and quickly adopts his lazy smile once again.
She looks… disappointed. It stirs something uncomfortable in his chest, something he’s only felt around his parents or Feld. He doesn’t think he likes it. He rolls his suddenly tightened shoulders.
“And you care, why?” he snaps lightly. As intrigued as he is by the beautiful green girl, he’s tired. Both physically and…much more. He just wants to close himself into his dorm and sleep the rest of the daylight away. “Are you an assistant librarian or something?”
The girl sighs, though to Fiyero it sounds almost like a growl. And despite all his current uncomfortable feelings, he smiles. She’s just so…cute. And despite her unsubtle disinterest, he can’t help but be drawn to her.
Her hands, long nails shimmering in the sunlight, clench even tighter at her waist. Her very slim waist… Again, he forces his gaze back to her face. He thinks her cheeks are darker, is she blushing?
“I…misplaced my copy of Ozian Politics. There’s a test in three days, so I can’t wait for a replacement. You have the only library copy and…” She sighs again, defeated. “May I please borrow it?”
Fiyero narrows his eyes, looking past her in frustration, that weariness he’s been carrying getting heavier in his chest. Of course there’s a damn test as soon as he arrives. Why he didn’t think of that before showing off, he couldn’t say. Habit, he supposes. He meant to arrive and actually try this time, but all the attention as soon as he stepped on campus made him nervous, as usual. So, he did what he always does. Damn it.
“Hell,” he mutters.
The girl shifts. “Your Majesty- “
“Highness,” he corrects, his voice somber and serious for the first time, distracted. He shakes his head, focusing back on her, brightening again with a forced smile. And again, the girl tilts her head, watching him. Its…unnerving. “Though Fiyero is preferred. Unless you’d like to continue with being formal, Miss…?”
“Thropp.” She sighs, but its softer. And he sees her shoulders loosen up for the first time. “Elphaba. Just Elphaba.”
“Elphaba,” he smiles, honestly this time. The name suits her. He alters his grip on the books, balancing them in one arm and reaching out with the other. “Fiyero.”
She actually takes a half step back; embarrassed, he considers abandoning his efforts and just taking his hand back. But she’s already returning his handshake, watching him with those penetrating curious eyes. Her hand is warmer than he expected, and soft. Very soft. She glances around them, trying to pull back her hand quickly. But he doesn’t let go, struck with a brilliant idea.
“How about a trade?” he offers. He knows he should release her, but he likes the feel of her hand in his. Its small, delicate…like her, he fully absorbs. He had noticed how short she was the night before, but it had quickly been overridden by her personality and anger. He’s a little surprised to realize if it wasn’t for her shoes, he’d tower over her.
“A trade?” she jerks her hand out of his, crossing her arms. And that look is back- the burning, piercing, distrustful glare. He sighs deeply, rolling his eyes to the heavens.
“Are you always this suspicious?”
The girl, Elphaba, continues to glare, but she shuffles closer. Her arms are still crossed, but they’re not gripped quite as tightly. His mouth twitches; she’s warming up to him. “What’s the trade, Fiyero?”
Sobering once again, he sets the books down on a nearby bench. He taps on hand against the stack, head down, his other hand hiding nervously in his pocket. He’s never asked this before…never cared enough to ask before. But after his most recent visit with his parents, the deep disappointment in his mother’s eyes…
“I’m behind,” he admits quietly. “And…”
He feels Elphaba move closer and looks up. She doesn’t look amused, which relieves him, or pitying. He’s not sure he knows what that quiet expression means, but as it’s not a frown or a glare, he’ll take it as a good sign. He taps his fist against the books again, forcing away the kneejerk inclination to hide behind a joke or charm. He promised this school would be different.
“I’ll let you borrow any book you need,” he finally says earnestly, openly. “If you’ll help me not fail my first test at Shiz.”
She doesn’t say anything, doesn’t look away. And against his usual instinct to joke or flirt through a long silence, Fiyero holds her gaze and his tongue. Thankfully, it seems to work because Elphaba blinks and her entire face softens. Her crossed arms release, her body swaying as she considers whether to stay or turn away. Though it’s clear where she’s learning towards. Fiyero allows a tiny hopeful smile, dipping his chin.
“Fine,” she finally relents, turning her face away from his grateful beam. And yes, he decides, that is her blushing. “We’ll meet in the back study room of the library. Tomorrow at 7.”
“In the morning?” Fiyero pulls back the textbook he was in the process of handing over. He shakes his head slowly, appalled. “I’m not sure you heard, but there’s a party tonight. At the Ozdust.”
The glare is back. “And?”
He laughs a little, genuinely confused. “Don’t you want to get some actual sleep before studying?”
Elphaba looks baffled. “I’m not going.”
Before he can ask why, the sneaky girl tries to snatch the book from his hands. He twists away, holding it behind his back. He’s tempted to hold it over her head when her glare turns into a scowl, but he’s afraid that would invite her to actual violence. He tsks at her, knowing he’s inciting her anger even more. If only she wasn’t so damn cute with it.
“Meet at 10,” he offers. Elphaba scoffs.
“8.”
He taps the book against his back, considering. Elphaba lifts her chin in challenge.
“9:30. And I’ll bring coffee.”
Fiyero brings the book back in front of him, holding it flat between them. She looks between it and him.
“Fine.”
And quick as flash, she grabs the book and starts placing it in her bag. He can’t help it, Fiyero laughs. He’s sure he spies a small smile on her as well. Even that ghost of amusement is gone when she looks back up. He accepts it for now, though he’s determined to draw out a real smile before their test. Fiyero has always enjoyed an amusing challenge.
“Well,” Fiyero picks up his remaining books, bowing to her. “Until tomorrow then, Miss Elphaba.”
She only rolls her eyes once again and turns away back to the library.
“You know,” he calls after her, smiling in full charm when she pauses and looks over her shoulder. “You should come tonight. It’ll be fun.”
Another long glare, that enticing green blush, are his only answers before she turns again and walks away. Fiyero smiles to himself.
Maybe Shiz will be different after all.