Chapter Three
A LITTLE HOPEACIOUS

𓃹

A sharp knock echoed through Drusilla's dorm, but before she could even move, the door swung open with a flourish.

Drusilla quickly tugged at her robe, pulling it tighter around herself, a desperate attempt to shield the rather revealing nightgown she was still wearing. Her eyes narrowed in irritation as Galinda entered the room with an air of practiced ease, effortlessly carrying an oversized, bright pink suitcase. The suitcase itself seemed to glow, almost as though it had been designed specifically to grab attention. Drusilla cursed under her breath, crossing her legs as her expression quickly transformed into a dramatic glare.

"You know," Drusilla said, her tone dripping with sarcasm, "people usually knock and wait for an answer before they just waltz in." Her cheeks flushed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure, folding her arms over her chest in a defensive gesture.

Galinda barely spared her a glance. Instead, she looked around the room with that ever-present air of importance. "Well, you have a private suite," she said casually, as if that somehow made everything excusable. Her eyes lingered on the soft blues and purples that filled the room-two of Drusilla's favorite colors, which, of course, Galinda immediately noted and mentally filed away for later. "Very... personal. I like it."

"I'm aware," Drusilla replied sharply, furrowing her brow. "Mother and father requested-"

Before she could finish explaining, Galinda let out a dramatic gasp that nearly made Drusilla jump out of her skin. It was so over-the-top, it could've been mistaken for an act. Galinda dropped her suitcase with a soft thud, placing both hands over her chest as though Drusilla had just committed a criminal offense. "What in Oz are you doing?"

Drusilla, now thoroughly confused, followed Galinda's gaze to her desk. All that sat there were a few textbooks and notebooks-nothing out of the ordinary. She cocked an eyebrow. "Studying?."

Galinda's eyes widened, her face twisted in genuine disbelief. "It's your first day here!" she exclaimed, nearly gasping. "And you're already... studying? I can't even process this."

"Yes, and?" Drusilla shot back, crossing her arms in a challenge.

Galinda took a few steps forward, her expression now one of complete bafflement. "You haven't even attended any classes yet! And you're... studying?" Her voice rose in pitch, as if the very idea of academic responsibility was an alien concept to her.

"And...?" Drusilla's voice faltered, a slight squeak betraying her usual composure as Galinda leaned in ever so slightly closer to her. Her face flushed a deeper shade of red, a wave of discomfort flooding over her.

"Oh, Oz, you're hopeless!" Galinda dramatically flopped her hand across her forehead, tilting her head back in a performance so exaggerated, it bordered on the ridiculous. Her whole body sagged as if the weight of Drusilla's existence was just too much to bear. But then, as if a lightbulb had gone off above her head, she straightened, her eyes sparkling with a new idea. "Lucky for you, I'm very hopeful. You just need a little Hopeacious."

"Hopeacious?" Drusilla couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, looking at her as though Galinda had just made up a word in a fit of hyperactive nonsense.

"Exactly," Galinda said with a grin that was both impossibly wide and completely sincere. Without waiting for a response, she moved around Drusilla to stand behind her.

Drusilla, confused but unwilling to admit she was a little curious, turned toward the mirror sitting atop her desk. She was trying to figure out just what Hopeacious even meant. She didn't have to wait long for an answer. Galinda closed her eyes dramatically, bringing her hands up above Drusilla's head. For a moment, Drusilla thought she was going to cast an actual spell, but instead, Galinda began swirling her hands through the air in a series of theatrical, almost ceremonial motions.

It was absurd. Galinda looked so serious, so utterly intent on her ritual, that Drusilla felt the corner of her lips twitch. Galinda's hands moved in exaggerated loops, her fingers fluttering around as if she was conjuring some invisible force. She was moving so dramatically, so intentionally, that Drusilla could barely contain herself. She had to bite down on her lips to keep from bursting into laughter.

"You see," Galinda continued with great focus, her voice lower now, more serious, "Hopeacious isn't just about looking pretty or acting like a fairy tale princess. It's about believing that anything is possible. It's about dreaming bigger than you ever thought possible."

Drusilla stared at her reflection in the mirror, struggling to keep a straight face. She was half-amused, half-confused, and totally unsure how to respond to this whirlwind of energy in front of her. Hopeacious? Was this how Galinda believed people changed? With random hand gestures and motivational speeches?

"You know," Drusilla began, her voice steady despite the amused glint in her eye, "you really are something else."

Galinda's grin spread even wider. "That's the spirit!" she exclaimed, her hands falling dramatically to her sides as she turned Drusilla to face her. "I knew you had it in you."

Drusilla could only shake her head, but deep down, she couldn't deny the absurd charm that Galinda carried with her. Despite her theatrics, her bright energy was infectious. Drusilla found herself almost... enjoying this odd interaction more than she cared to admit.

"Now onto step two!" Galinda squealed, her voice practically sparkling with excitement as she skipped over to her suitcase, the movement almost too graceful to be real.

Drusilla was still trying to process everything, spinning around to face her. "Step two of what?"

Her robe, which had slipped a little too far, trailed behind her as she moved. Galinda's gaze fell to the fabric, and in the briefest moment, Drusilla saw a flicker of something-maybe surprise or curiosity-pass across Galinda's features before she cleared her throat. The tension in the air suddenly thickened. Galinda swallowed, visibly flustered for the first time since entering the room, her cheeks turning a delicate shade of pink.

Drusilla, too, felt a slight heat rise in her own face, her fingers tightening around the fabric of her robe in an instinctive effort to pull it tighter. But before she could even fully comprehend what was happening, Galinda's voice rang out again, steady and carefree, as if she hadn't just seen Drusilla in a way she hadn't quite intended.

"Well, obviously, step two of getting you ready for tonight," Galinda announced with a wave of her hand, the suitcase now open and transformed into a full-blown dressing station.

The colors and luxuries spilling out were enough to make Drusilla's head spin, but it was Galinda's energy that caught her attention the most. The way her eyes sparkled, her lips curved upward into that near-perfect smile-it all seemed to be so perfectly calculated, and yet so effortless.

"Tonight?" Drusilla echoed, her heart rate picking up slightly. "What's tonight?"

"The Ozdust Ballroom, of course!" Galinda beamed, like the idea of it was so intrinsic to her that no one could possibly question it. "Every single person worth knowing will be there, and tonight, Drusilla, you are going to be the one... well, second, person everyone notices."

Her eyes twinkled, and for a moment, Drusilla couldn't quite pull her gaze away from them.

Drusilla wasn't sure how to react to the sudden intensity of the situation. She wasn't ready for this. Her heart was still beating erratically from the way Galinda had looked at her, and now, Galinda was talking about dressing her up, turning her into someone else-someone who would be the center of attention.

Drusilla wanted to protest, but the words caught in her throat as she stared at the overflowing suitcase.

"No, no," Drusilla said, her voice uncertain as she leaned back. "I'm not going to the Ozdust Ballroom."

"Nonsense!" Galinda laughed, the sound bright and insistent. She wasn't giving Drusilla a chance to retreat, stepping forward with that natural confidence that made her so magnetic. Galinda's presence alone felt like it was taking up all the space in the room, her breath so close that Drusilla could almost feel it. "Of course, you need to go. You have no idea what you're missing."

"I've attended more parties than I can count," Drusilla scoffed, crossing her arms in defiance. "I think I know exactly what I'm missing." She raised her chin slightly, as if to emphasize the fact. She was a princess, after all. Parties had been part of her life since before she could even walk-endless gatherings full of pomp and pretense, which was precisely why she had no desire to attend another.

Galinda, however, was not so easily deterred. She leaned over Drusilla's shoulder, her delicate hands resting lightly on her shoulders, the warmth seeping through the thin fabric of the robe. Her presence was close-too close. Drusilla could feel Galinda's breath against her ear, sending an uninvited shiver down her spine.

With a playful glint in her eye, Galinda tilted her head closer and whispered, her voice low and teasing. "But none of those parties had me, now did they?" she said, punctuating her words with a gentle tap on the tip of Drusilla's nose.

Drusilla froze, her carefully composed retort vanishing into thin air.

The casual confidence in Galinda's tone, the touch of her finger-it all left her feeling distinctly off-balance. For a moment, she simply stared at the blonde, caught between irritation and something she couldn't quite name. And Galinda, ever the performer, just smiled knowingly, as if she'd won some secret victory.

"Now, we're going to doll you up, and you're going to come with us to the Ozdust Ballroom," Galinda announced with a decisive nod, striding over to her suitcase with a flourish, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. The sound made Drusilla cringe inwardly-those ridiculous shoes were impossible to ignore.

Against Drusilla's better judgment, her gaze drifted down Galinda's legs, pausing momentarily on the glittering heels that added a few extra inches to the blonde's already towering confidence. With a faint scoff, Drusilla shook her head and turned back to the mirror, determined not to let Galinda's energy ruffle her composure.

And so, for the next hour, she sat in reluctant silence as Galinda worked her magic-primping, preening, and perfecting. Drusilla barely moved, allowing herself to be transformed under the expert hands of her exuberant roommate. But inwardly, she wondered how she'd allowed herself to be roped into this whirlwind of blushes, brushes, and sparkles in the first place.

A quarter to midnight, Drusilla finally stepped out of her room, her heart pounding as she descended the path toward the docks.

She'd lingered as long as she could, pretending to study, but the truth was she was stalling-dreading what lay ahead. She tugged at the hem of the blue dress Galinda had forced upon her, the silky fabric whispering against her skin. The heels clicked faintly on the stone path, a sound she already despised, and the makeup on her face felt too bold, too loud, like a flashing sign announcing her presence.

When she reached the docks, the sight before her gave her pause. Fiyero and Galinda stood close together, the moonlight casting them in a golden glow. Fiyero was leaning toward her, tucking a flower into her hair with a soft smile that Drusilla didn't recognize. Galinda laughed, a bright, melodic sound, tilting her head in a way that made the flower seem perfectly placed.

Drusilla's chest tightened, a strange ache settling just beneath her ribs. She swallowed hard, willing the feeling to dissolve.

It was nothing. It had to be.

"Drusilla!" Galinda's voice broke through her thoughts, her tone bright and excited. She glanced over Fiyero's shoulder, her eyes lighting up as they landed on Drusilla. "Oh, you're finally here!"

Fiyero turned as well, his expression instantly shifting into a teasing grin. "Well, well," he drawled. "She lives."

Drusilla rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. "If you're going to start with your nonsense, I can just leave."

"You'd never," Fiyero retorted easily, his smirk widening. "Galinda would drag you back here in those ridiculous shoes if she had to."

"Ridiculous?" Galinda gasped, her hands flying to her hips. "I'll have you know these shoes are perfectly coordinated with her dress. But of course, what would you know about fashion?"

Drusilla's lips twitched despite herself, and Galinda wasted no time in closing the distance between them. "Let me see," she said, grabbing Drusilla's hands and spinning her in a slow circle. "Oh, it's even better than I remember. Doesn't she look wonderful?"

Fiyero arched an eyebrow. "She looks like she was forced into it."

"Which she was," Drusilla muttered, earning a scandalized gasp from Galinda.

"You wound me," Galinda declared dramatically, placing a hand over her chest. "Do you know how much effort I put into this? I mean, honestly, you'd think someone would be a little more grateful!"

"I'm here, aren't I?" Drusilla shot back, but her tone lacked its usual bite.

"Barely," Fiyero quipped, earning a glare from his sister.

Before they could continue, the sound of footsteps drew their attention. Nessa and Boq appeared from the shadows, their voices soft as they approached. Boq was carrying a lantern, the light flickering across their faces as they drew closer.

"Sorry we're late," Nessa said with a small smile, her gaze sweeping over the group. "Are we ready to go?"

"Finally," Fiyero muttered, stepping toward the boat and extending his helping hand to assist Nessa into the boat.

Galinda, ever the picture of grace, lifted her chin and allowed Boq to assist her, though she barely seemed to need it. "Come on, Drusilla," she called over her shoulder, her tone teasing. "Don't keep us waiting."

Drusilla hesitated, her gaze flickering between the boat and the path behind her. But when Galinda extended her hand, her smile warm and inviting, Drusilla sighed and stepped forward. The blonde grabbed her hand, steadying her as she climbed into the boat.

As they settled into their seats, the gentle rocking of the waves beneath them, Drusilla felt the tension in her chest begin to ease. The night air was cool against her skin, the laughter of her companions filling the quiet spaces.

Galinda leaned close, her shoulder brushing Drusilla's as she whispered, "See? This isn't so bad."

Drusilla glanced at her, noting the mischievous sparkle in her eyes. "You say that now," she replied, her tone dry.

Galinda just grinned, her fingers briefly squeezing Drusilla's before letting go. "Stick with me, darling, and I'll make sure you have the time of your life."

And for the first time that night, Drusilla found herself hoping Galinda was right.

MY GIRLS ARE SO IN LOVE!

galinda is such an oblivious flirt, poor drusilla. SHE'S GOING THROUGH A CRISIS 😭 please tell me if you think anything is moving TOO fast. i want to pace everything but it's more difficult within a movie since the story is more compacted and short BUTTTT I ALREADY ADORE THESE TWO! and i can't wait to show more of their complicated relationship with Fiyero!

anyway, i hope you enjoyed!' 🫶🫶