While Glinda was soaking, Elphaba wondered over to the window and looked out at the courtyard. The rain had slowed some, but people were still out running to get in out of it. " I wonder what really would happen to me if I got completely soaked" She thought, but was interrupted from that dark train of thought by a knock at the door.
"Message for Miss Glinda" Elphie recognized the voice of the dorm porter and opened the door.
"Good afternoon Miss Elphaba, I have a special delivery letter for Miss Glinda, from her parents."
"Thank you, Master Norven. I'll see she gets it." She said taking the letter.
"Enjoy the rest of your day, Miss Elphaba" the porter, said tipping his hat.
"I shall, and you as well" Elphaba replied closing the door
"Ugh, politneness" She thought putting the letter on Glinda's bed.
Elphie heard low rumbles of thunder in the distance and went over to the bathroom door to listen for signs of distress from her thunderstorm frightened roomie. Hearing nothing but light sighs and splashes she settled in her chair at the table and continued studying. Within 15 minutes, the storm grew louder. Elphie got up grabbed Glinda's robe, which she had left on the bed and knocked on the bathroom door.
"Glinda, is everything ok?" she said opening the door and peeking in.
Glinda was in the process of getting out of the tub and wrapping a towel around herself when a loud clap of thunder rattled the windows. Elphie raced to gather the scared girl in an embrace wrapping the robe around her in the process.
"All's fine now you are safe," She said leading Glinda to her bed and helping her get her arms into her robe.
She sat on the bed holding her friend for a short time while the worst of the storm passed. After a few minutes with only low thunder rumbles, Elphie released the crying girl.
"I think the worst is over now, my sweet. Are you ok?"
"Thank you for coming to rescue me" Glinda said sniffling
"I wouldn't go so far as to say rescue, but your welcome. Besides, if you had panicked and drowned- it would have been very difficult for me to fish you out of the tub."
Glinda smiled
"Feeling safer?"
"Yes, much- Remember when you asked how I put up with you? Well I wonder how you put up with me?"
Not really wanting to ponder that thought Elphie quickly changed the subject.
"A letter from your parents came while you were tubbing." She got up and looked around for the letter on the bed.
"Oops, I think you're sitting on it"
Glinda reached under her leg and pulled out a scented envelope addressed in her mother's hand. Elphie sat back down near her friend, conscious of the fact thunder was still rumbling a little outside. Glinda perked up immediately.
"Oh, what a lovely surprise, I wonder what Momsie and Popsicle have to say?"
She moved a little closer to Elphie and started to read.
"My dearest Galindadoodle,"
Glinda looked up at Elphaba, who was stifling a chuckle.
"I would send you to your own bed, but unfortunately, I haven't the courage to do so right now. That being said. No comments, of any sort, from you!"
Elphie covered her mouth and nodded, straining to maintain control.
"My dearest Galindadoodle,"
Your father and I are delighted to hear that you and your roommate are getting along so well. Cherish this time my dear, friendships such as these are precious indeed.
I sent this letter special delivery, because I wanted to make sure you have plenty of time to plan on coming home over your spring recess. Your Aunt and Uncle are coming up from the Emerald City and the are looking forward to seeing you.
Also, Please invite Miss Elphaba to join you, We are really looking forward to meeting your new best friend. Please do not let her turn you down, as we are looking forward to the pleasure of both of your companies. If necessary, I shall issue a formal invitation directly to her.
Please let us know soon and we will send two first class train tickets.
All of my love,
Momsie"
Glinda looked absolutely delighted all thoughts of the storm gone. Elphaba on the other hand, looked stunned.
"What an absolutely lovely plan for spring recess." Glinda bubbled.
"Glinda, I can't…I have to….No. I'm not going to Gillkin with you for spring recess."
Glinda looked heartbroken "But Elphie, why not? we'll have such fun."
Elphaba was up and pacing now. "Glinda, I'm barely learning how to cope with you, There's no way I could handle your family- I wouldn't fit in there anyway."
"Elphie, what in Oz are you talking about, you'll fit in fine" Glinda said looking on the verge of tears.
"I'm sure your parents are expecting your roommate to be, well, like you; A popular, sophisticated, beautiful, city girl, not a mean, green, gangly, sarcastic country girl. So No- I don't have the strength for it."
"Elphie don't be absurd, I told them all about you a long time ago. They know all of that stuff- and they also know how you have been there for me and helped me and…."
A flash of lightning and a rumble of thunder interrupted her and she jumped and yelped. Elphie went back over to Glinda's bed and put her arms around her trembling friend, stroking her hair until she calmed.
"This discussion will not be called on account of thunder" she said "I'm not sure how I feel about being the subject of an obviously ongoing discussion."
Glinda looked devastated "This is all wrong," she sobbed pulling away from Elphie, but staying close.
"Oh Elphie, Please don't be angry… Oh this is all wrong" She buried her head in her pillow and sobbed harder.
"Glinda, I'm not angry- really I'm not- just confused"
More thunder rumbles sent Glinda back into Elphie's arms, still crying. She held the overly distraught girl tightly as she processed her own thoughts and feelings. When Glinda's crying subsided, Elphie gently pushed her away.
"Are you crying because you think I'm angry with you or because we are in the middle of a thunderstorm?" She asked wiping tears from Glinda's eyes, ignoring the sting on her skin.
"Both, I guess" she sniffled quickly wiping her own tears and rubbing Elphie's red marked hand.
"Glinda, I'm not angry with you. I'm not angry- how could I be?"
Glinda looked into her roomies dark eyes.
"See, no anger in there. Confusion yes, anger- no. Glinda I panicked at the thought of trying to function in the world that you have described to me, I shouldn't have answered you until we talked about it. I'm sorry"
Glinda sighed, "No I'm sorry- I was not right for me to automatically think you would find a trip to a strange place, full of strange people to be exciting. I'll decline Momsie's invitation."
"Really Glinda, don't go barreling off the other end- Just let me think about it. We have two weeks until spring recess. Allowing me a few days to gather up the courage to accept what we both know I will eventually agree to anyway, will not hurt anything. Just give me a little time, please"
"Elphie, I'm so sorry, I'm not pushing you intentionally, I'm just so happy we're friends and I want to show you off."
Elphaba groaned "I'd quit while you are ahead if I were you."
Glinda shut her mouth dramatically and tried not to bounce up and down on her bed.
Over the next two days, Elphaba seemed to get moodier. She went to her classes and studied on her bed. Every so often she would strike up a conversation with Glinda and always met her for lunch. When Glinda would try to ask her what was wrong she was usually rebuffed. Then on fourth class day, while they were at dinner, Glinda could take it no longer.
"Elphie, please talk to me, you've been sulking for two days now- What's the matter?"
"I'm not sulking, and I just have a lot on my mind is all- I'm trying to catch up, but have trouble concentrating. I've experienced more emotional ups and downs in this past week than I have in the last 18 years."
Glinda started to get up to go and sit by her friend, but was stopped.
"Glinda I'm sorry, please don't. I've also been coddled and snuggled and hugged and that is also a new occurrence for me"
"Elphie, you are still trying to come to terms with what happened to you- a little hugging is par for the course."
"Not for me it's not- I'm not saying it makes me uncomfortable. Actually, Sometimes I finding myself needing the comfort of one of your rather enthusiastic hugs- and I think that is what makes me uncomfortable- I mean- I don't know- Can we please just drop this and I promise to try not to sulk."
"Elphie, Be how ever you need to be, I'll do whatever you need. I love you. I want to help.
"Elphie sighed "I know you will, I know you do, and you already are."
She got up and took her friend by the hand. "Let's just go home"
As they were getting ready for bed and the next day's classes Glinda ventured a conversation
"You get to take the bandage of your side tomorrow. Isn't that exciting?"
"Well I wouldn't jump to exciting, but I am glad- it's getting itchy."
She saw her friends I Give Up face and softened a bit.
"But you know, if the bruises on my thighs are any indication, that gel is really working"
Oh Elphie that's wonderful." Glinda said clapping, throwing her arms around her green friend's neck. When she realized what she had done, she pulled away quickly, looking completely mortified.
Oh Elphie, I'm sorry, I didn't mean too…"
Elphaba took her distressed friend into her arms. "It's ok- I think a can tolerate a good night hug"
Her words covered the fact that more affection was the last thing she wanted or at least, thought she wanted.
"I can't go on like this" she thought, "I can't."