Title: Thoughts of Thinking

Author: Angel Leviathan

Disclaimer: Wicked, characters, concept, etc, aren’t mine.

Notes: Bookverse.

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“I can’t do this.”

She ignored the voice, and the phrase, she was so used to hearing. If there was something Galinda of the Arduennas was good at doing, it was complaining, generally at her own lack of ability, so Elphaba didn’t so much as twitch as she continued reading her book. She already had her essay written and handed in. It wasn’t her fault the blonde ‘upper class’ girl hadn’t realised how close the deadline was and decided to get her backside in gear. She supposed she should comment, but then, that was exactly what her roommate wanted her to do. She wanted attention and sympathy, something she would have got at home or if she were with Pfannee and Shenshen. Not from Elphaba Thropp.

“I can’t do this.”

The book was fascinating. Really, it was. It would have been even more fascinating had she not had to re-read the last paragraph five times thanks to her being constantly interrupted.

“I really can’t do this!” Galinda shoved away the sheaf of paper she was attempting to turn into a well-written (who was she kidding?) essay and buried her face into the duvet of her bed. She was perched on the floor, kneeling at the end of her bed, trying to write on the inadequate surface. She had, of course, ignored the perfectly adequate desk provided for her.

“Then you obviously aren’t trying hard enough,” Elphaba finally deigned to comment on her situation. She didn’t look up from her book.

The Gilikinese girl froze and slowly looked up from the duvet, “What do you mean I’m not trying? I’ve been trying for the past two and a half hours!”

“Yes, I did notice…” was the droll reply, “You certainly were very trying. Or are, should I say.”

“If you can’t say something constructive then-“

“Don’t say anything at all? I suggest you follow your own advice, Miss Galinda.”

Galinda blushed, almost embarrassed, quite nearly hurt by her awkward roommate’s remarks, “Is it my fault I wasn’t adequately prepared to write this paper?”

“Frankly, yes. You can hardly blame the teaching staff. If you had taken the time to do the readings and thought of doing some of your own research, then you wouldn’t be in this situation. The staff aren’t here to spoon-feed you knowledge to just spit back at them,” Elphaba turned the page of her book and continued reading.

She jumped to her feet, suddenly furious, “Miss Elphaba, you make it sound like I’ve made no effort at all!”

“You haven’t made any effort whatsoever. You’ve complained and bemoaned the fact that you’re ill-prepared and not thought for a second that you could maybe scrape a grade together by going to the library and doing some research, however last minute it is. Nobody is going to do it for you, not even your dear Ama.”

“I don’t expect anyone to do it for me!”

“Funny, I could have sworn what I’ve heard for the past few hours were pleas for help,” Elphaba looked up, one eyebrow arched.

“Help, yes, not a request for someone to write my paper for me!” Galinda was positively fuming, red in the face.

“Considering I’m the only one present, I assume it’s my assistance you’re requesting?”

“Your help? Please! I can do without the assistance of somebody who clearly thinks I’m stupid.”

“And I can do without the temper tantrums of a young woman who should have grown out of them by now. So shut up and get on with your damnable essay or ask for help if you need it. You have a brain in there, Miss Galinda, underneath all that make-up and finery, it’s about time you put it to use. Or does all that glittery and perfume prevent said brain from functioning?” the dark eyed girl closed her book, “Think, Galinda. Despite your attitude matching that of those brats who bought their way into Shiz, I would like to think that you are here thanks to your own merits and not your parents’ money.”

She paused, mouth half-open, a sharp retort dying on her lips. She was so taken aback that that she almost neglected to notice the lack of honorific attached to her designation, “…You think I’m clever?”

“Clever might be pushing it, but I know you’re capable of thinking, even if you choose not to,” Elphaba settled herself again, not breaking eye-contact with her roommate, as if she were challenging her. She sighed a moment later, knowing the girl was too stubborn to admit any kind of defeat willingly, and reclaimed her book.

She just about managed to keep herself from smiling when Galinda flounced over to the rickety desk and later flounced out to the library in much the same manner.

Fin