Elphaba had always been alone.

She had never known what it felt like to have a friend in the way other people did, to share moments of laughter, of secrets whispered in the dead of night. Her entire world had been her sister, Nessarose, and even that bond had been fraught with tension, complicated by their circumstances and Elphaba's own sense of alienation. The sorcery that coursed through her veins made her different, and the way people looked at her made her feel as though she were from another world entirely.

Her life was a quiet one, spent between the halls of Shiz University, her studies, and her often solitary walks through the gardens. She was used to silence, to solitude. The only thing that had ever come close to companionship was the feeling of power that surged when she practiced her magic or the rare moments when she and her sister would share a kind word.

Then came Galinda.

The first time Elphaba saw Galinda, she was like a burst of sunshine in the midst of Elphaba’s carefully cultivated shadows. It was impossible to ignore her — so loud, so bubbly, so popular. Everyone seemed to gravitate toward her, to laugh at her jokes, to smile when she walked into a room. Galinda had a way of filling up every corner of space with her presence, a stark contrast to Elphaba’s quiet, reserved nature.

At first, Elphaba didn’t know what to make of Galinda. It wasn’t that she disliked her — far from it. But there was something about the way she moved through the world, the ease with which she connected with others, that made Elphaba uncomfortable. How did Galinda do it? How did she make friends so effortlessly? How did she manage to look so alive in a way that Elphaba couldn’t even fathom?

For someone who had spent most of her life hiding, the world seemed more complex than Elphaba had ever realized. She had never been one to seek out the spotlight, to command attention like Galinda did. But it wasn’t just the way others adored her. It was the way Galinda turned her attention on Elphaba — with no hesitation, no second thoughts. The way she spoke to her as if they had known each other for years, making Elphaba feel like a real person, not just a figure in the background.

"Hey, Elphaba!" Galinda would say, her eyes sparkling. "What are you reading? You always have the most interesting books!"

And Elphaba would blink, caught off guard, unsure of how to respond. She wasn’t used to being noticed like that. But something in the way Galinda looked at her, the genuine interest in her words, made Elphaba feel... seen. She didn’t know how to process that.

The more time they spent together, the more Elphaba found herself drawn to her, her laughter, her warmth. The fact that Galinda wanted to talk to her, wanted to know her, felt foreign and wonderful.

But then came the shift.

It happened one late afternoon in the university’s library. Elphaba had been studying alone, buried in her books as usual, when she heard a familiar voice call out to her. She looked up to see Galinda, leaning casually against the doorway, her usual bright smile on full display. But this time, there was something else in her eyes — a glimmer of something more playful, more mischievous.

“Hey, Elphaba,” Galinda said, stepping closer, her voice light and teasing. “I was thinking... maybe you could help me with a little spell. I’ve been trying to charm a rose, but it’s not quite working. I bet you could do it, though. You’ve got the magic touch.”

Elphaba’s heart skipped a beat. “I-I’m sure you can figure it out,” she stammered, trying to maintain her usual calm. “It’s not that difficult.”

But Galinda wasn’t having it. She sauntered closer, leaning over the table where Elphaba sat, her face just inches away from hers. Elphaba could feel the heat of her breath, the subtle pressure of Galinda's presence. “No, no. I think it would be much better if you helped me, Elphaba. You’re the expert, after all. Besides...” Her lips curled into a teasing smile, her fingers brushing lightly against Elphaba’s hand. “You make everything seem so easy.”

“I’m not... sure I understand,” Elphaba managed, her voice quieter than usual, betraying the turmoil inside her. “What do you mean?”