Elphaba felt her roomies arms slip gently around her neck and actively resisted the urge to pull away. She felt Glinda's lips softly brush her forehead. She wondered if these were usual acts of comforting-it was helping to calm her inner turmoil a bit. She heard her friend's soft sweet voice asking her what really happened. She wouldn't-no, she couldn't tell Glinda the truth-she was afraid that if she did her delicate roomie would come unglued. "It doesn't matter" She said with as much conviction as she could muster, "And there is nothing you can do anyway" "Elphie, It does matter, it matters very much…" Elphaba cut her off by pulling away slightly
"But." She began, but was interrupted when Glinda took her gently by the shoulders. "No buts" she said firmly.
"Elphaba Thropp, look at me" Elphaba gazed into her roommate's face and saw care, concern and expressions she couldn't place- but mainly she saw determination. "Elphie, listen to me. You have been there for me. You've held me when I was frightened, and hurt, you dried my tears, even when it caused you pain, You gave me your strength whenever I needed it-and I know it was difficult for you." Glinda's eyes filled with tears, but she held them at bay and continued, looking deep into her roomies dark eyes, where tears were also forming. She dried her friend's eyes and gently kissed her cheek. " I know that something or…" she swallowed hard "…someone hurt you. I can't change that- I can't fix it. But I will not let you deal with it alone. I'm not a shrinking violet. I can handle whatever it is. I love you Elphie, let me be there for you, like you are for me. Take some of my strength to help you bear whatever it is. I love you, please let me help." Elphaba listened to her friends sweet, unusually strong voice, she had never heard her speak with such gentle force and resolution before, and she was beginning to feel that maybe she had underestimated her normally flighty friend. Then she felt the tears that were in her eyes being dried and a kiss on her check. And she heard" I love you Elphie". At that moment against her instincts and against her will Elphaba melted into her roommates chest, her body shaking.
Glinda was surprised, and a little frightened when Elphaba collapsed onto her chest. "Stay strong" she told herself "Elphie needs you now. Do not fall apart!" She gathered the shaking green girl into her arms and held her as tightly as she dared, not knowing the true extent of her injuries. Glinda kissed the top of her friend's head and stroked her soft raven hair rocking her gently. "It's ok Elphie-I'm here, you're safe now" she whispered. She continued to hold Elphaba 'til her shaking subsided. After awhile, when Elphie had settled down a little, she released herself from her roomies embrace and looked deep into those blue eyes filled with what she guessed was love. Glinda smiled at her "It's ok Elphie, you can tell me." "I was attacked" croaked Elphaba. "Oh Elphie" Glinda cried softly. She figured that was a possibility and struggled to keep the fear out of her eyes. She stroked her friends bruised cheek gently and waited for her to continue- She was afraid that if she pushed anymore Elphaba would shut down completely.
Suddenly Elphie turned away from Glinda, unable to face her, not wanting to look her in the eye. Glinda laid a hand gently on her shoulder and wrapped another around her friends trembling waist. "I'm here" she said gently "It's going to be ok" she felt Elphie take a deep breath and tense slightly- "I was raped" she said almost inaudibly. Glinda closed her eyes and tightened her grip on Elphie's waist. She stroked her hair and waited. Elphaba, feeling safe and protected for the first time in her memory, and knowing intellectually that she needed to get this out and deal with it, settled back into Glinda's arms and told her everything, in a soft, resigned tone. Glinda listened to her roommate recount the horror she experienced only hours ago. She closed her eyes and willed herself to stay in control. When Elphie's voice cracked with emotion, or she suddenly tensed up, Glinda crooned lovingly in her ear "It's over-It's ok, no one can hurt you now". When her breathing became labored and Glinda knew she was fighting back tears she gently rubbed her back, arm or shoulder, trying to pass on the strength to get through it. All the while she kept a gentle grip on Elphie's waist. At one point she felt long fingers intertwine with her own, and she gave them a little squeeze. Glinda knew she was in uncharted territory, she was as unused to providing comfort as Elphaba was to receiving it. But she had received it enough to know how important it was, and she was determined not to let her friend down, whatever that took.