I'm Not Wicked

Part Eight

Eleanor went quiet, staring down at her shoes and biting the inside of her cheek, upset she let her anger blind her from the situation at hand-like always.

"Gabby, calm down," Dorian cut in, noticing as Eleanor balled her own unsightly hands into fists at her sides.

"Never mind," Ben said quickly, turning back to Eleanor as Gabriela slowly and reluctantly sat back down, "Eleanor, please, just apologize to Madam Morrible."

"I'm not apologizing. I stand by what I said." Eleanor answered, still staring at her shoes, beginning to fiddle with her ring.

"Madam Morrible?" Ben asked expectedly, making Dorian furrow his eyebrows.

"Yes, your Highness?" Madam Morrible cooed, briefly looking over to Eleanor, a smirk stuck on her pale face at the witches discomfort.

Gabriela glared at the former headmistress, hatred burning in her eyes, no trace of fear in her features.

"It takes two to make an argument, as a teacher, I expect you to apologize to Eleanor, even if she's reluctant to apologize to you. Set a good example." Ben stated in his most authoritative voice, "You are a role model, as Fairy Godmother said."

Fairy Godmother and Dorian gaped at him as Gabriela smiled at the gesture. Eleanor looked up at Ben, surprised to see him looking back at her, giving her a smile and nod as they locked eyes.

"Your Highness, surely you can't be serious?" Madam Morrible sputtered, trying to keep composure.

Ben didn't answer, simply straightening his posture and tilting his head towards Eleanor, waiting for Madam Morrible's apology.

The foul old woman looked back to Eleanor, annoyance stretching across her features at the small smile on her face.

"My dear, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have stooped to petty squabbles." Madam Morrible said finally, her acting thoroughly convincing if you didn't know her; that is to say, it convinced Fairy Godmother and Dorian, though Ben looked even more unsure of the situation.

Finally, Dorian allowed Eleanor to stand up, her and Gabriela quickly scurrying out of the room. But before they could get a save distance away to talk about the meeting, Madam Morrible caught up and grabbed Eleanor's arm, spinning her around.

"Just as stubborn as your mother, I see," she said through clenched teeth, just loud enough for Eleanor and Gabriela to hear.

Eleanor yanked her arm away, "Thank you," she said with a smirk.

"And just as cocky as your father," Madam Morrible spat, grabbing Eleanor's chin, her nails digging into her green skin as she turned her face up towards hers.

Eleanor's world went out of focus, a ringing in her ears as she heard echoed voices, like some sort of déjà vu from a past event she wasn't a part of...

Good luck, Elphaba, you're gonna need it...

Boq made these years ago, something made specifically to hold you...

The story of your "death", will be her reality...

"Ellie!" Gabriela yelled worriedly, holding her arms to keep her from falling.

Eleanor regained her balance, seeing Madam Morrible was examining her with unsettling interest.

"Come on, Ellie," Gabriela urged, putting Eleanor's arm over her shoulders and leading her back to their dorm.

"I wish to relay a message, though from what I've heard, dear Mr. Edwin has already hinted at it." Madam Morrible called, making Eleanor freeze in her tracks, forcing Gabriela to stop with her.

"What are you talking about?" Eleanor snapped in annoyance, her head foggy as she and Gabriela turned hesitantly back towards the woman.

Madam Morrible smiled, "I have eyes on you, my dear. And I now your weakness; I put it there myself."

Eleanor knew this already, but hearing the words out loud made her flinch.

"Haven't you wrecked enough lives?" Gabriela swore angrily, gripping Eleanor tightly, surprising the green girl with her tone.

"It seems you take after your mother, as well," Madam Morrible mocked, her chin held high.

Eleanor still felt unsteady, trying to stay present in the conversation.

She didn't remember what happened, but suddenly she was on the floor, Gabriela bent in front of her, Laney and Jay behind her.

"What happened?" Eleanor mumbled in confusion, reaching up to check if she still had her glasses; everything was fuzzy.

Jay gently picked Eleanor up, holding her tightly as he glared at Madam Morrible.

"I can walk," Eleanor grumbled quietly, barely conscious.

"No, you can't," Jay stated, his older brother-ish instincts on high.

"Take her back to the dorms, please, I'll be there in a minute." Gabriela said quickly, eyeing Madam Morrible.

"Gabriela, I have something important," Laney whispered urgently, her eyes darting between Gabriela and Madam Morrible.

"It can wait, just go," Gabriela told her; Jay didn't need to be told twice.

Once they were a good distance away, Gabriela rounded on Madam Morrible, "What did you do to her?" She interrogated.

"What makes you think I've done something, dear?" Madam Morrible asked.

"Eleanor is not unstable," Gabriela half-yelled, unable to hold the thought any longer.

Madam Morrible laughed, making Gabriela clench her fists once again, "Are you trying to convince me or yourself?"

Gabriela looked ready to punch Madam Morrible, but the foul women continued talking.

"Face it, my dear; Dorian stays weary of her, but you're all to desperate to believe her. I mean, sweet Oz, she nearly killed you and yet you refuse to believe she's no good!" Madam Morrible mussed, starring after Jay and Laney, taking note of Jay's protectiveness over Eleanor.

"That was an accident!" Gabriela wailed in exasperation, her clean nails digging into her palms.

"Just like the accident with that Charming boy?" Madam Morrible questioned with a smile.

Gabriela wanted to say something in return, but her anger was starting to cloud her judgement, and she feared she'd say something Madam Morrible didn't need to know. So, without another word, Gabriela stormed off.

"Madam Morrible," Dorian called, catching up with the women, "I'm sorry about Eleanor. She's stubborn, but I promise you, she means no harm."

"Don't be so sure, my dear," Madam Morrible warned theatrically.

Dorian stood his ground, "With all do respect, Gabriela trusts her whole heartedly, and so does Ben; they're my best friends, and I'll stand by them." He said sternly.

Dorian didn't like Eleanor by any stretch of the imagination, and Eleanor felt the same of him, but he refused to belief Eleanor would hurt anyone. At least not on purpose. He may have said some things when she'd hurt Gabriela, but he saw how upset Eleanor was about it; looking back, he wished he hadn't yelled at her over it.

Madam Morrible stared down at Dorian, examining him. It was a good thing she'd left him out of her plans; he was loyal to that blonde girlfriend of his and his dimwitted best friend. Fortunately, just like his mother, he was a simple little farm boy-if needed, he could be tricked into doing her bidding.