Accidents Will Happen

Chapter Thirteen

The test Doctor Dillamond had devised for them was not much of a challenge at all for Elphaba. She finished half an hour early and let her eyes wander across the lecture theatre in order to pass time. She spotted Galinda and her clique in their usual seats. Avaric and one of his buddies exchanged notes whenever Dillamond wasn't looking their way. She couldn't be sure whether they were cheating or conversing.

Watching them brought back the memory of Galinda's plea to be more open about her social standing and use it to their advantage, even though she'd sworn to herself to never think of it again. On a whole, she couldn't say that the prospect was particularly tempting anyway. Not for any other benefit other than Galinda's unhindered interactions with her that was. Heck, they lived together and had to hide it; she could see how that might be taxing on her roomie and friend.

The more stubborn part of her, however, insisted that it was entirely Galinda's fault for insisting they keep their connection a secret. Despite knowing that the chances were slim, Elphaba would never stop hoping that she'd come around one day and abandon her caution and not give a twig if her cronies didn't like it. But why should she choose her over potentially everyone else? It sounded like a bad trade, even to her.

And then there was the baby. Galinda must be delusional if she thought that Elphaba's pregnancy would be graciously overlooked by that snobbish crowd of immatures. Or perhaps she hadn't thought of that at all in the heat of the moment. She'd seemed more than confused after all. But it didn't matter. At least she'd promised not to bring any of it up again. Elphaba only hoped she'd keep her word.

She looked back down at the bundle of paper before her. After repeatedly scanning the pages for mistakes and finding none, she finally squared them against the desk. She wanted to leave, but had recently become more self-conscious about drawing too much attention. In spite of knowing that her belly had not yet rounded in the least, she couldn't help but worry that some person at some point would recognise the most inconspicuous of signs and the rumours would begin. Why she even cared, she did not know. Maybe because, in contrast to her vibrant skin, this was a direct consequence of her own stupidity and carelessness, a true, justified reason for embarrassment. That she'd finally come to terms with the inevitable end result and decided to make the best of it didn't change any of that.

The sound of one of the folding chairs snapping back up drew her attention. She craned her neck to see who else had finished their work and vacated their seat. It was Galinda, now making her way down the aisle, test in hand, headed for Doctor Dillamond's lectern. Elphaba pursed her lips, then smirked and began to slowly pack away her own stationary. She made sure to give Galinda plenty of time to leave the room and for the doors to stop swinging before she pushed herself to her feet and delivered her answers as well.

"What took you so long, slowpoke?"

Elphaba whirled around to find Galinda standing behind her, leaning against the wall right beside the door, grinning at her playfully and looking her up and down. She was talking to her, in the middle of the hallway. It was an empty hallway, but she was shocked nonetheless and struggled to form a decent reply.

"I, uh, just kept checking for errors," she sputtered, obviously flustered and annoyed that she couldn't hide it. "I guess you—you felt comfortable answering the questions then?"

"Thanks to your coaching. It was a breeze."

"That's good."

"You're going home now?" asked Galinda, stepping away from the wall and towards Elphaba.

"No. I've got work in an hour. I'll just wait in the library until then."

Galinda cocked her head.

"Are you actually busy though? Or do you think I could persuade you to sit with me somewhere quiet in the botanical garden. Spring has finally started to show itself, and I don't want to squander the entirety of this day indoors."