Not Completely, Altogether Here
Chapter 7 –Truth
Elphaba hasn't stopped sulking since our encounter with Morrible earlier. I've been trying over and over to tell her how amazing what she did truly was and how being in the seminar is such a privilege. But a giant green wall is meeting all my encouragement and excitement firing mouthy cannons at me such as…
"How can it be a privilege if I'm sharing a class with Pfannee?"
Elphaba makes good points. Sometimes too many for her own good. "Pfannee bought her way in Elphie. That girl can't evaporate a teardrop. You on the other hand, you're incredible!"
"I don't want to be incredible, Galinda. Being incredible won't help me help the Animals!"
"But it could! Just think of all the things you could do to help them now! You can build them shelters, give them food and water-"
"You don't get it, Galinda," Elphaba says shaking her head. "I don't want to build them shelters and give them food and water. The point is that they shouldn't need shelters. They should be free!"
I sit down on Elphaba's bed, realizing exactly what she means. What she wants to accomplish is the one thing magic can't help with.
Politics.
Elphaba groans as she lets her body fall face down onto the bed beside me. When she speaks her voice is muffled by the sheets. "I was so close, Galinda. So close to uncovering what Dillamond was searching for." She sighs before rolling onto her back and staring up at the ceiling. "I just feel like there's something missing and I can't find it. I just need more time to find it. But now with this Morrible thing…."
"You're afraid you won't have time to research anymore." I say for her.
She nods. "I have a whole year of sorcery to learn in a few weeks over winter break. If I don't make an effort Morrible will surely kick me out of Crage Hall. She never endorsed my research you know. Was always putting it down whenever she was in the lab to talk with the professors."
"Why didn't you tell me?" I ask, lying beside her. Elphaba turns to look at me.
"You love sorcery, Galinda. I didn't want to ruin it for you."
I can't help the grin that spreads across my face. "No amount of Horrible Morrible will ever ruin magic for me, Elphie. Next time she's being a cow and you want to complain, feel free to rant."
"Seeing as she's going to be my professor soon all you may be hearing from me is ranting."
"I'll invest in ear plugs if you get too tiring."
Elphaba snorts. "Some friend you're turning out to be."
"You love me for it anyway." I reply, smiling wryly. Elphaba's eyes have lost their mirth. She's looking at me unsteadily. "Elphie, is everything all right?" I ask, worried.
She doesn't get the time to answer though as someone has begun pounding incessantly on our door.
"Elphaba! I know you're in there!"
It's Nessarose. Wonderful.
This time it's me that's groaning and rolling face first into the pillows. Elphaba sighs as she picks herself off the bed. I hear her walk over and open the door. Her sister immediately rolls into the room and launches into a very long-winded speech. I tune out most of it but can't help but sit up upon mention of Elphaba's father.
"…will be furious when he hears you're in the Sorcery Seminar, Elphaba!" Nessa shouts. Elphaba is standing against her desk, cornered by her sister yet still holding her ground, arms crossed defiantly.
"Then he'll be furious. It's either enrolling in the Seminar or forfeit my studies at Shiz entirely. Morrible didn't give me a choice Nessa!"
"There's always a choice! You should have forfeited!"
Elphaba's eyes narrow dangerously. "I worked too hard for too long to give this up. You know how much being here means to me. If I have to learn magic in order to stay then so be it. I will learn magic."
"Father will have you taken from here the minute he hears about this!"
"And just who is going to tell him? The less he knows the better! It's not like he's ever cared anyway!"
Nessa doesn't seem to have a retort ready. How could she? Elphaba is speaking a sad truth. One I see everyday whenever I show her the slightest bit of affection and find it returned so hesitantly.
I see Elphaba swallow, turning her head to the side. "Just go home for break, Nessa. I'm going to stay here. I need to study."
Nessa nods, still looking a bit shaken by their argument. She begins to roll towards the door but stops just a little before. She looks to the floor and she says, "I won't tell father, Elphaba."
Elphaba doesn't say anything as Nessa leaves the room. We both stay still for minutes afterward. I'm too afraid to move, too afraid to break this silence that has fallen over the dorm. Elphaba's eyes haven't left the door. I see something akin to regret in her gaze.
"Did you," I begin to say quietly. "Did you want to go home? It's all right if you did…."
"This is my home." Elphaba says simply.
We spend the rest of the night in silence. Elphaba barely reading from her sorcery texts while I sit, watching her from the bed. It doesn't pass my notice that Elphaba's attention was someplace else.
I'm too afraid to question exactly where that place may be.
Winter Break starts uneventfully with the mass exodus of the student body. I sit watching all the giddy students filling into carriages from the window in the study nook at the library. Elphaba is studying at her table behind me, sorcery books replacing all her old texts. She looks so miserable. There must be something I could do to lift her spirits in time for the holidays.
And that's when I am struck with brilliance.
I have to get Elphaba the best Lurlinemas present ever! That will surely boost her spirits and provide an excellent way for me to show her just how much I truly value our friendship.
But what do you get a girl who would care less about trends, has read every book possibly ever printed in Oz, and clashes with everything?
I decide to do the dumbest thing I've probably ever done in a long time.
I open my mouth and ask, "Elphie, what do you want for Lurlinemas?"
Elphaba stops reading her sorcery text. "Is it acceptable not to want anything?"
"No! Everyone wants something, Elphie. Oz, even Lurline wants!"
"Well, what does Lurline want?"
"Peace of course."
"That would be nice, Galinda."
"I can't get you peace, Elphie. That's a bit unattainable."
Elphaba smirks. "Surely you can find some tape to cover your mouth with somewhere, Galinda."
I answer by throwing a few pencils at her head.
With Elphie proving to be of no help I decide to take matters into my own hands. The next day I wander in to town in search of the perfect gift. It only takes me a few minutes to quickly realize just how ridiculous this plan was. What could I possibly get Elphaba with no money to speak of? And stealing was out of the question! Not to mention I'd have to carry whatever back to Shiz and with my newfound perchance for dropping things after only a few moments of having them in my grasp I was a huge candidate for Lurlinemas failure.
Elphaba is already depressed and she doesn't need me depressing up her first Lurlinemas either.
I decide to head back to our dorm. Maybe I could throw up a few decorations and make our room more festive? The inviting décor might inspire the perfect gift.
But it seemed my entire plot to make this the best Lurlinemas was against me. Elphie was already back in the room surrounded by a mountain of books. Her glasses were askew on her nose as she jotted down some notes furiously.
"Hi Elphie," I greet her; careful to step over the work she has spread out on the floor.
Elphaba grunts a greeting I can't quite make out.
Then it hits me! I can help Elphie! I've already taken the Sorcery seminar; I know all the theories and all the spells! That can be my Lurlinemas gift to her!
I can be brilliant when I want to be.
"Elphie, you look a little… stressed." So far so good, Elphaba looks slightly intrigued. "Maybe I can help? I already know the material."
Elphaba pushes her glasses back up her nose as she looks over in my direction."I have a system worked out here Galinda. I think this will just be faster. Thanks for the offer though."
"But I know all the course work; I practically have half those books memorized! I could help you in class!"
"I can't use you as a crutch, Galinda, this is something I have to do on my own. I can't be distracted right now."
Knowing when I'm not wanted I leave in a huff making sure to make as much noise as humanly possible.
My plans to give Elphie the perfect Lurlinemas have officially been ruined. She doesn't even care about the stupid holiday anyway. I decide to go spend my evening sulking by the Suicide Canal. I become even more depressed when I see people are merrily ice-skating across its frozen surface.
Am I the only soul having such a crap holiday?
Laughter floats from the canal below.
I take it as a sign in the affirmative.
Sitting down in a patch of fresh snow I let myself wallow. I remember I used to wallow a lot before Elphie and I became friends. I still can't believe she kicked me out of the room. All I wanted to do was help and this is the thanks I get? Sitting here in this pile of slush? I check my coat for stains but the fabric is still dry. Of course it is.
I sigh and slump back into the snow.
I hope Momsie and Popsicle haven't forgotten me. I hope they think of me as they eat Lurlinemas dinner tonight. I hope Popsicle gets the new set of charcoal pencils he wanted and that Momsie gets the new coat she's probably been dropping hints about. I smile thinking about my parents and the Lurlinemas' we shared. Of how they always told me it was a time to celebrate with your loved ones.
And how I would always tell them it was more about the gorgeous presents.
I gasp, sitting up in the snow. I don't need to give Elphaba presents and decorations to show her Lurlinemas.
Feeling renewed I pick myself up from the snowy floor and dash back to our dorm. The sun sets just as I enter Crage Hall. I hadn't realized I'd been gone so long and I hope Elphaba doesn't decline my offer to go to dinner. I plant the best irresistible smile I can muster on my face, straighten my coat and open our dorm door.
"Elphie, would you-" I begin to say but suddenly find my jaw hanging open loosely as I look around the room.
The empty space is gone. Pink floods my vision. My furniture is back! The antique finish of my four-poster bed gleams back at me. The pink sheets freshly pressed. Next to Elphaba's desk, my vanity. The wardrobe is lying open, my dresses packed inside; shoe rack gleaming from the door. I stumble a little as I take a step forward. I bump into my nightstand sending a picture frame falling to the floor. I quickly reach out, catching it before it can crash to the floor. Turning the frame over in my hands I am rendered speechless. Inside the simple black frame is the drawing of the bird my father gave me. I touch the glass gently, tears clouding my vision.
"Do you like it?" I hear Elphaba ask softly from beside me. I sniffle, turning towards her.
"Oh, Elphie," I squeak throwing my arms around her lanky frame pulling her close to me. I rest my head against her chest and mumble into her dress. "But I didn't get you anything!"
"You don't need to. You're the only friend I've ever had, Galinda. This is just my way of saying thank you. Happy Lurlinemas." She says, hugging me tightly.
As we pull back I can't help but smile up at her. "Happy Lurlinemas to you too Elphie. Thank you so, so much!"
I'm hugging her again before she can protest. Elphaba laughs and I feel it reverberate through me. I will never get sick of hearing her laugh or feeling this warm. This alive.
Best Lurlinemas ever.
Eventually we let go and I spend a good portion of the evening bouncing on my bed. Elphaba sits by the fire, practicing simple spells with my old wand.
"Wherever did you find all my stuff?" I ask, genuinely curious as I lie back on my mattress. Ooooo still so soft.
"When we first moved in your stuff was still here-ow!" She hisses bringing a finger to her mouth. I giggle. Wands can be a bit finicky sometimes. "Anyway, Nessa hated it of course so Morrible had it sent down to some storage lockers below Crage Hall. So I found the locker, magicked it open and then magicked your stuff back in here too."
I'm staring in awe at Elphaba. What's she's done in a few hours is more than any student has ever accomplished.
She gives me a small frown. "Sorry it's not everything though. I started getting really dizzy after a couple minutes."
"Elphie the level of control and power it must have taken… I'm speechless."
Elphaba grins. "Maybe I'll figure this sorcery thing out after all huh?"
I slip from my bed and to the floor beside Elphaba. I wrap my arms around her shoulders, hugging her from behind.
"You're amazing, Elphaba Thropp." I whisper before pressing a kiss to her covered shoulder. I feel her shake briefly. "Cold?"
She's quick to shake her head. "No, no I'm good."
"Great, because I'm not moving." I say laying my head between her shoulder blades. Her heart pounds loudly against my ear. I feel so relaxed and snuggle further against her.
"If by tomorrow you bore of using me as a pillow do you think we could take a trip down to Science labs?"
I smile. "I think that can be arranged."
We make our way to the Science labs after Elphaba has eaten dinner the next night. It's a bit weird seeing the dining hall so empty. Only a handful of students are staying behind for the holidays. Once inside the Science Wing I follow Elphaba down the stairs into the basement level. Apparently since she's started seminar she's no longer allowed workspace in the Science department. Elphaba seems a bit saddened having to go down and clean out her old work area. I don't blame her for asking me to tag along.
"Oz, it's freezing." Elphaba says as she stuffs her hands into her pockets. I want nothing more than to put my arms around her to help warm her lanky frame. But that's impossible. I settle for holding her hand instead. She seems to appreciate my small gesture, giving me a tiny smile in response. We finally reach her lab and Elphaba easily opens the door, allowing me to pass through first.
"Thank you," I say once inside. Elphaba lets the door fall closed as she turns to strike a match and light the lamp sitting on the counter. The sun has nearly set outside and the small windows along the far wall do little to light the space. "How come the Science Wing hasn't been retrofitted for electrics yet?"
Elphaba has already begun organizing her stuff by the row of lockers. She doesn't look up as she answers me. "The regents are wary of giving the sciences too much funding. Especially after what happened to Dr. Dillamond. Could you grab that notebook by the microscopes?"
I pick the notebook up and bring it over to her. I'm having the oddest sense of déjà vu right now. This room feels familiar. Holding this journal feels familiar. I shake the feeling off. "I remember him. He could never get my name right. Always called me Glinda."
Elphaba finally looks up at me as I hold out her notebook. She makes no move to grab it, instead staring at my neck, thoughtful. "But what happened to him, Galinda? All that the newspapers said is that there was an accident. I don't believe it after reading his journals in the library. He was always very thorough. And he'd never be around anything explosive anyway! All data collecting, no chemicals. It doesn't add up."
Something weird happens at that moment. Almost as if my body detaches from myself. Elphaba is still ranting in the background as I watch myself step over to the row of lockers behind her. One is dented just a fraction in the middle. The other me's motions are automatic. A glove is pulled off mechanically. Bare fingers slide across the old metal. And all of the sudden I am thrown across the room into my other body and then together into the locker door.
My vision swims instantly against the pain. I can hear Elphaba calling me in the background, worried. I shake my head to clear my thoughts. Elphaba is approaching me.
Another jolt sends me into the locker again. My eyes screw shut and I bite back a yelp at the pain. Since when does anything ever hurt me? Opening my eyes I can see Elphaba has been replaced with Morrible, advancing quickly, wand raised high. I can hear myself screaming. My vision was quickly blurring as my eyes dart from Morrible then down to Dillamonds blood soaked body.
My heart is pounding painfully in my chest; there's a thick layer of sweat coating my brow. I'm sucking in air so fast I'm feeling lightheaded trying to fill my lungs. And Morrible grows closer still. I wish more than anything to be someplace else, anywhere in Oz! My mind whirls and I can feel myself leaving the lab.
I'm back in Pfannee's room.
I remember this night.
The place where it all started.
Dead because of a stupid, stupid game.
"Truth or dare, Galinda?" Pfannee asked grinning wryly at me. I was a bit unsettled by her expression. She obviously had something diabolical planned for me up her lacy sleeve. And who wears such dainty lingerie to a sleepover anyway? I looked over to Shenshen who was dressed, if possible, in even less. Milla and I seemed to be the only ones in decent sleeping attire. Milla gave me a sympathetic smile. "And please don't bore us with more truths."
I narrowed my eyes at Pfannee. "My truths were not boring. You just weren't asking the right questions."
Pfannee narrowed her eyes as well. "Whatever, Galinda. You just can't admit that your life has been particularly un-scandalacious."
I clenched my fists. I'd show her. "Dare." I hissed.
A chorus of surprised gasps rang into the room. Shenshen giggled silently. Milla clutched the front of her robe tighter. Pfannee grinned even more cynically.
"I dare you," Pfannee said tapping her chin with fake thoughtfulness. She lowered her eyes, locking them with mine. "To go steal Dillamonds lab coat and bring it back here."
"Yeah! So we can draw silly pictures all over it! Like Goaticorns!" Shenshen erupted into laughter.
Pfannee sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose between her fingers. "Shenshen what did I dare you to do about oohhhh, 5 minutes ago?"
"Oh!" Shenshen was practically bouncing in her seat on the bed. "You dared me to be completely and absolutely..." Her face fell suddenly. "Silent... for the remainder of the game." Shenshen's face drained of color. "Please don't count that! I swear I'll be quiet for the rest of the game, don't make me wear-"
"Shenshen!" Pfannee interrupted with a growl. "Shut up."
Shenshen squeaked, nodding meekly as she hugged a pillow to her chest.
I turned back to Pfannee. "You want me to steal Dillamonds lab coat so you can draw stupid pictures all over it? Is that supposed to be your idea of a good dare?"
Pfannee leveled a bored gaze at me. "Are you opting out of the dare, Galinda? Because if you are I think you are well aware of the consequences."
I gulped. No way in the deepest depths of Quadling Country would I ever be caught dead walking around campus with the hideouscious black hat my Auntie from Emerald City had sent me as an early birthday gift. I may love the woman but Oz her fashion sense is pure torture. I shook my head quickly.
"I thought so," Pfannee smirked. She reached behind her and grabbed my coat from the chair. Oz, did I love that coat. Momsie had bought it for me for Lurlinemas a few months back. Now I could walk around Crage Hall in my nightdress yet still look, for all intents and purposes, like a proper young lady. "Put it on and go grab us that Goat coat!"
Shenshen couldn't hold back her giggles. Pfannee gave her a look and she instantly quieted.
"See you soon, Galinda!" Milla said from her spot next to Shenshen as I slipped my coat on, fastened my shoes and left the room.
I should have turned back. I should have never snuck past the night porter and into the Science labs behind Crage Hall. I should have ignored the cries for help when I first heard them. I shouldn't have been there. I felt myself spinning and held my head to try and make it stop.
Morrible cackles, forcing my attention back up to her face.
"P-pl-p-please!" I stutter, slipping to the ground. I slam my eyes shut wishing frantically to be back in Pfannee's dorm, back in the stupid game of Truth or Dare. Back in the warm with tea and laughter and girlish silliness. Not here, not on this floor, not with dead Dr. Dillamond a foot away and murderous Morrible a few paces more. I couldn't tear my eyes from the lifeless body in front of me. From the ever-growing pool of blood that was moving steadily toward my legs. Morrible takes no care, stepping through the blood and flourishing her wand towards me. My body bolts upright again, bones cracking.
"PLEASE! STOP!" I scream, tears running tracks down my face.
Morrible stops inches from me. Nearly nose to nose. "I've stopped." She grins, tilting her head to the side and piercing me with a dark stare. Her irises have gone completely black and I feel the pain in my limbs recede and fill instead with a chill. From the corner of my eye I can see her wand moving in slow tight circles by her side. "Feel that, Miss Galinda?" Morrible asks quietly. I don't like the way she trills my name. Making it a song all her own. One I never want to hear repeated ever again.
I nod as my teeth involuntarily began chattering. I try moving a finger and find I have lost all sensation. Aside from the cold I can feel nothing. Panic settles in me as I try to think of a spell, any spell to stop the cold. I try opening my mouth to speak.
"Ah, ah, ah Miss Galinda." Morrible tuts, her wand coming to a point on my nose. "Can't have you messing up my night with silly incantations..." She reaches into my coat pocket and withdraws a small black journal. Dillamond's research journal! My heart races as she holds it up in the moonlight. "Or equally silly acts of heroism."
Morrible slips the book into the folds of her overtly embellished nightgown. She looks to me one last time, frowns over dramatically and whispers, "Such a pity you were, Miss Galinda."
And with one flick of her wand I felt no more.
