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“I can’t believe you would neglect to tell me when your birthday is, Elphie.” Galinda huffed, placing her hands angrily on her hips to help her appear more menacing.
Elphaba couldn’t hold back her laughter at the ineffective display of intimidation.
“I had to find out through Fiyero.” She glared, standing firm in her position, waiting for Elphaba to back down. She didn’t.
“I just don’t see why it’s important.” She shrugged nonchalantly.
“You infuriate me, Elphaba Thropp. Of course it’s important.” She argued. “If you weren’t born, then we couldn’t be friends and honestly the world would just be so much worse off without you.”
“You’re overreacting.” She finally approached the blonde and nudged her shoulder. “Come on, let’s get to class.”
Galinda let out another undignified huff.
“Fine, but I’m throwing you a birthday party.”
“You really don’t have to do that.” Elphaba said tensely. “In fact, I demand outright that you don’t.”
“Nonsense. I’ll convince you to change your mind by the end of this evening.”
Thankfully for Galinda, she only shared her first class of the day with Elphaba. For the rest of the day, she was free to plan and begin to gather some essentials – the rest of her classes could wait until tomorrow.
She tapped her pen against the pink notebook as she ran through the preparations in her head. Ink scratched against the lined paper hurriedly as she decided on an order in which to proceed.
Firstly, she decided she would head down to the school kitchens and sweet talk Oatsie the cook into letting her use the kitchen later that day. She wanted to bake Elphaba a lemon drizzle cake for them to enjoy. She had noticed Elphaba’s gleeful eyes one lunch break when she had seen the aforementioned cake on the dessert menu. Buying one wasn’t enough, Elphaba deserved only the best, so the blonde was eager to make it herself. It also wouldn’t hurt if Elphaba was impressed by her skills.
With her plans already in motion, Galinda hurried off with barely a second thought, just stopping by their suite to pick up her jacket to ward off the winter chill. Despite the March sun shining, the wind was still bitterly cold.
Galinda made quick work of the walk into town, opting to travel along the canal path, enjoying the chatter of birds busy beginning to build their nests in the trees. Spring was coming and Galinda tilted her face into the sun to soak up some of its rays.
The water trickled to the side of her, coursing gently through the excavated prism. It was peaceful, the daffodil lined pathway quiet, what with most students tucked away in their morning classes. The air smelt clement and of freshly cut grass.
Galinda didn’t spend long in the city, choosing to hurry back before lunch break so that Elphaba wouldn’t assume she’d been anywhere other than in class. She knew she’d be even more grouchy if she knew the blonde had skipped class to indulge in her birthday arrangements.
Upon her return to Shiz, she first headed to the kitchens to deliver the ingredients for the cake, thanking Oatsie enthusiastically for clearing her a small space to work. She knew Momsie’s recipe by heart and she confidently measured out the butter and sugar, throwing them into a large mixing bowl.
She grimaced as her upper arm burned with the motion of the combining the mixture into a smooth cream. Once she was satisfied with the texture, she weighed out the flour and cracked the eggs into the bowl. She grated some of the lemon rind on top to add the lemon flavour to the sponge.
Galinda sloppily poured the pale mixture into a loaf tin that Oatsie had provided, cursing as some of it splashed over the sides and onto her blouse in her enthusiasm. Once it was in the oven, she squeezed the juice from the lemon and dissolved the sugar within it.
The sponge cooked quickly and rose beautifully, poking high above the top of the loaf tin. Before it cooled, she pricked it regimentally all over with a fork and poured the drizzle over the top, allowing it to sink in.
It smelt delicious and she knew if nothing else, Elphie would be pleased with the cake.
She dropped both the cake, and the modest amount of shopping bags back in the suite and tucked them far into the bottom of her trunk, nestled away from prying eyes.
“Perfect.” She spoke aloud to no-one but herself. She let out a satisfied hum, turning on her heel to head towards the lunch hall to meet Elphaba.
It was touch and go, but Galinda managed to contain her excitement during their brief lunchtime meeting, sticking to safe subjects and asking Elphaba about her classes for the day.
“You’re fidgety today.” Elphaba nodded towards her bouncing leg.
“Not to worry, Elphie, I can blame it wholly on the pastry I picked up for breakfast. Maybe a little too much sugar too early in the day.”
“Hmm, if you say so.” Elphaba hummed, suspicion written clearly across her features.
When the lunch bell sounded and afternoon classes commenced, Galinda made a dash for the suite, eager to put her plans into action. Elphaba only had two this afternoon and was due to finish around 3pm, so she didn’t have long to work.
She locked the door behind her to make sure no-one could interrupt and retrieved the cake from the bottom of the trunk, setting it carefully upon her dresser to keep it safe.
From the bags, she pulled out a green gingham picnic blanket and spread it carefully across the suite floor. Whilst her walk earlier was pleasant and warm, it wasn’t mild enough to sit outdoors for an extended period of time.
She drew the suite curtains, leaving only a slither of daylight coming through and sang as she turned on the batteries of the series of faux candles that she’d placed around the room, scattering every clear surface. It was coming together now.
Galinda stepped back to admire her handywork. A large ‘happy birthday’ banner spanned the length of the room, tacked in each corner with a drawing pin from the ceiling. A few pink balloons drifted about on the floor in the gentle breeze of the slightly ajar windows.
She had set up two pink paper plates, with matching flower napkins and had placed them either side of the blanket. The lemon drizzle cake was the centre piece; dotted with striped birthday candles and sat atop a dense white plate she had borrowed from the kitchens.
Galinda couldn’t hold back her smile. It was perfect, Elphie was going to love it.
Although, as it turned out, she needed some convincing.
The door handle rattled to signal her return.
“Galinda, why is the door locked?” A disgruntled voice questioned from behind the heavy wooden door.
She scurried across the room, taking the time to straighten out her fresh skirt and blouse having changed after covering herself in batter earlier in the day.
“Coming!” She trilled excitedly.
She unwedged the lock and swung the door open.
“Surprise!” She beamed, gesturing towards her hard work.
“Galinda.” Elphaba sighed. Her face dropped. “What is this?”
“You can’t not acknowledge your birthday.” Galinda was truly disgruntled now.
“I can, I’ve had a lot of practice.”
“Well, it changes this year. Honestly Elphie, stop being miserable and aloof for one day and just enjoy it. I’ve gone to all the trouble now, so let’s not let it go to waste.”
“Just not sure I see the point.” Elphaba hummed, eyes travelling across the room and taking it all in.
“What’s that?” She asked, finally curious, eyes fixed in the centre of the picnic blanket.
“Lemon drizzle.” Galinda replied smugly.
“Really?” Elphaba’s expression softened, and she moved towards the cake. “Where did you get it from?” She asked, lifting the strap of her bag over her head to place it on her bed on the way past. Her jacket followed after being shrugged from her shoulders.
“I made it.” Galinda replied proudly.
“What? Galinda, you really didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to.” She assured her.
She went to settle upon the blanket, but Galinda caught her before she could.
“Pyjamas, Elphie.” She tutted. “This is not to be enjoyed in our outside clothes. Comfy clothes only.” Galinda passed Elphaba a gift bag, tied with a purple satin bow. “Here, open it.”
Elphaba hesitantly took the bag, and gently pulled at the ribbon to loosen the bow. She peered inside. “Oh. You didn’t have to get me a gift.”
“They’re matching! Let me go and put mine on – you get changed here Elphie, shout me when you’re done.” Galinda hurried into the bathroom with a bag containing her own pyjamas.
“Oh, Oz.” Elphaba grumbled as she pulled on the green striped trousers.
“Are you ready?” Galinda called from the bathroom and Elphaba hurried to throw on the matching shirt.
“Yes.” She admitted just as Galinda burst through the door. “Oz, Galinda, it’s a good job I was ready!”
Elphaba settled down onto the gingham blanket, Galinda threw a cushion towards her.
“Adds to the comfy vibe, Elphie.” Elphaba rolled her eyes at her, but she had to admit that it was sweet the amount of effort Galinda had gone to for her.
“And lastly…” Galinda felt around under her bed with her hand. “Aha!”
She pulled out a bottle of white wine.
“I don’t have any glasses though, so we’ll have to drink it from the bottle.” She said, shrugging.
“Fine by me.” Elphaba smiled. Galinda high-fived herself internally, Elphaba was softening up.
Galinda popped the cork and took a large swig, coughing a little as she handed it over to Elphaba. “Cheers!” She shouted, louder than was necessary in the intimate space of the suite.
Elphaba took a mouthful of wine from the bottle and then placed it down next to the cake.
“Ready for the cake?” Galinda asked excitedly, eager to tuck in and share her creation with Elphaba.
“Yes, let’s do it.”
Galinda pulled a lighter from the pocket of her pyjama shorts, the pink striped version of Elphaba’s own green ones. Elphaba’s eyes widened.
“Are you sure you should do that in here?”
“Yes, Elphie. It will be fine, you worry too much! These are fine.” She motioned to other candles placed around the room, faux flames flickering in the dusk of the approaching evening.
“But they’re not rea-”
Elphaba braced herself as Galinda lit the series of candles on top of the cake.
She slowly prised open her eyes. Galinda was holding the cake out in front of her. Elphaba looked exquisite, the light of the candles reflecting in her eyes.
“Elphie, you look beautiful.” She couldn’t help her honesty. It was true.
The moment felt heavy.
“Make a wish.” Galinda whispered, leaning closer.
Elphaba blew out the candles.
The fire alarm started blaring.
Elphaba stared at Galinda with shocked, wide eyes.
“Oh shit.” Galinda laughed.
The sprinklers then started up, drenching them both in a spray of water, effectively ruining the cake, their picnic and the mood.
Galinda shielded the cake with her body, leaning over it on all fours. She screamed “I’ll save you cake!”
Elphaba couldn’t contain her laughter. She grabbed the bottle of wine, taking another large sip as the water continued to rain down on them.
Eventually, it came to a stop, as did the girls laughter.
“Happy Birthday, Elphie. I think I managed to save the majority of the cake.” She chuckled, reaching for the knife and slicing a piece for Elphaba. She handed it to her friend, laid on top of the pink paper plate, flower napkin tucked under the side.
Galinda waited with bated breath as Elphaba took her first bite.
“Oh, Oz, it’s good.” She spoke around the crumbs and Galinda whooped.
“That recipe has not failed me yet.” She held up her arms as if pumping her biceps.
“You are so silly.” Elphaba said fondly.
Galinda laid down onto the soggy blanket and rested her head in Elphaba’s lap.
“Thank you, though. For making an effort. No-ones ever done that for me before.” She whispered.
“Anytime. Remember, you deserve only the best.”
Elphaba’s hand reached down to stroke a damp curl from Galinda’s forehead.
There was that tension again. The air felt thick and heavy when Galinda inhaled. Elphaba’s eyes met her own, she’d put her cake to the side, her other hand brushed tentatively at Galinda’s jaw.
Galinda gulped. Was she going to kiss her? She wanted her to kiss her.
She waited as patiently as she could, but as Elphaba’s face tipped down towards her own, she surged upwards, wrapping her arms around her neck and pulled Elphaba into a firm kiss. Galinda could feel her damp hair dripping onto her face as their lips moved together.
It was over almost as quickly as it happened, but it left them both breathless.
“Oh.” Elphaba sighed.
“Happy Birthday, Elphie.” Galinda smiled, smugly.