Kristin strode through the entrance to the rehearsal area, shaking. She didn't know what was wrong with her, she couldn't control her limbs and her brain moved from one topic to the next at the speed of light. What is this? What's wrong? I mean- I've been in love before-Stop that. She corrected herself. You are not in love, you're just…really happy Idina is your friend, that's all. Yes…happy that you're friends, she reassured herself. While she was arguing with herself inside her head, she had subconsciously made her way over to the piano. Stephan had told them the day before that they would be working on the song where Elphaba learned to fly. They had already picked out a name for it, Defying Gravity, because it was such a significant part of the play. Kristin calmed herself, breathing deeply in through the nose and out the mouth. She would need to be as focused as possible today.
Kristin placed herself in front of Stephan and right next to Idina. She realized a second too late that this might not be that good of an idea.
"Hello," Idina said sweetly, reaching her hand out to hold Kristin's.
Kristin looked at the hand in dismay and slipped her fingers out of it, awkwardly muttering a "Hi," in reply and turning her head so as not to catch Idina's eye.
Idina cleared her throat and pulled her hand up to her chin to prop her head on it. "So, Defying Gravity, how are we going to approach this?" she started.
"I was thinking we could make it a little timid and scared in the beginning, but slowly have it become more certain and when Glinda almost gets arrested, that's when Elphaba fully accepts herself and her wickedness." He showed them his notes and sat back his chair, looking pleased with himself.
"Yeah, sounds good, let's get started," Idina said, excited.
They started working on the song, and with every new piece played, Kristin inched further and further away from Idina. She wanted to clear her mind and think about what happened last night. She had already spent the whole night trying to deduce where the idea of her loving Idina came from, but she couldn't get a grip on it. She didn't know what to do. She couldn't love Idina, could she? She strayed over to the wall and slumped down with her head in her hands and sat like that for a minute or two.
Stephan called her over, "Kristin, you can come back over now, we need you for this part," while Idina looked over at her, slightly bewildered.
Kristin extended her arm and propped herself up, her high-heels sliding on the waxed, tile floor. She finally managed to stand up, holding the wall for support, and pace over to the center of the room.
Once there, Stephan started explaining what he needed her to do. His words faded out in Kristin's mind as she noticed Idina staring intently at her, her eyes seeming to ask, what's wrong? Kristin returned the look with one that retorted, nothing, why do you ask? But she couldn't hold out for very long and had to look away.
"So, do you understand?" Stephan inquired. Her head jerked up and he mistook that for a nod and started to play the chords. Luckily, she had heard most of what he said before her mind wandered into the land of Idina, so she started singing just fine.
She started off angrily, that was easy enough. "Elphie - why couldn't you have stayed calm for once, instead of flying off the handle! I hope you're happy! I hope you're happy now, I hope you're happy how you hurt your cause forever I hope you think you're clever!"
Idina took a step towards her, stomping her foot on the ground for emphasis. "I hope you're happy I hope you're happy, too I hope you're proud how you would grovel in submission to feed your own ambition"
Their voices merged together in perfect harmony as they sang the rest of the song; Idina's voice strong and beautiful as she sang her solos while Kristin occasionally added her high, sweet voice to the melody.
Idina picked up the broom and motioned with her head for Kristin to step closer. "Glinda - come with me. Think of what we could do: together. ...Unlimited, together we're unlimited, together we'll be the greatest team there's ever been, Glinda - dreams, the way we planned 'em-"
Kristin took a step toward Idina and placed her hand on the broom. "If we work in tandem:" She glanced up at Idina, wondering what she was thinking.
Idina slid her hand down to meet Kristin's and together they sang, "There's no fight we cannot win. Just you and I defying gravity, with you and I defying gravity-"Idina cut off and looked at her.
"They'll never bring us down. Well? Are you coming?"
"Oh, Elphie, you're trembling," Kristin made to retrieve a cloak, but her hands shook too violently to pick it up.
Idina looked to Stephan, who looked equally as puzzled as her, and ran over to Kristin. She looked in Kristin's eyes, which were misting up, and dragged her into the janitor's closet, shutting the door and flicking the lights on.
They stood facing each other with their backs against the wall; it was the only way to secure some personal space in the cramped closet.
"Kristin…what's wrong?"
Kristin inhaled deeply, blinking away the tears and putting on a fake smile. "Oh, it's nothing…I'm just a little sick. I think I have a cold…" her hand twitched, as if searching for a firmer lie to grasp on to.
Idina saw right through her, "No, what's really wrong?" Idina stepped an inch closer to her, closing that coveted personal bubble that Kristin cherished so much at the present moment.
Kristin pressed herself up flatter against the wall and looked down. She brought her hands up to her chest and fiddled with them as she said, "It's…um…it's just that...um…I…I…think I might love you."
The next thing Idina did was incredibly unexpected. She grabbed Kristin's face and pulled her in for a kiss, moving her hands down her neck and to her upper back. It lasted more than a moment. Kristin relaxed and gave in to the kiss, letting her hands explore Idina's hair as her lips touched hers.
Idina released her, dropping her hands to Kristin's waist and letting them rest there. She pondered Kristin's statement for a moment. "I know," she decided to respond.
"…What?"
"I know," Idina said again, "I know you love me, and I love you too. And I always will."
"A-always?"
"Always."
Her thoughts flashed to Taye. What would he say? She didn't care. When she hugged him last night, there was something missing. She forgave him, but it still didn't feel right. She was choosing to be with Kristin, and Taye would have to deal with that, like it or not.
Idina took Kristin's cheek and kissed her again, softer this time. After a moment they pulled apart and sat down inside the tiny closet, not wanting to step out of this moment yet.
Kristin pulled her knees up to her chest and replayed that word in her head.
Always.