By the time Elphaba awoke the sun was already high above the university. She still felt exhausted, the emotional stress draining her. She rolled over to look at the bright pink bed. The sheets were tidy and tucked in and the pillows arranged in size order. Galinda wasn't there. On further inspection, Elphaba found that the blonde was nowhere to be found. Thank Oz, she thought. The thought of even seeing the blonde after last night was unbearable. She was so unbelievably confused. Surely Galinda played some sort of trick on Elphaba. Someone with Galinda's reputation and personality couldn't possibly have had those experiences, could they? Elphaba remembered the way the blonde has looked at her. Her blue eyes had been hollow with fright. It was a way that no one wanted to be looked at like, particularly someone such as Galinda. She resembled too much of a frightened child, seeking comfort.
The girl reluctantly pulled herself out of bed and padded slowly to her wardrobe. Within 10 she was dressed and about to walk out the door. She turned on her heel and strode towards the window, opening the curtains. Their room overlooked a large stretch of grass of the Shiz grounds. The green girl noticed a small group of people sat on a small checked picnic blanket. The group consisted of two boys and three girls. One lad was smaller than any of the group and the other was well built with short black hair. The three girls were Galinda and her ridiculous excuses for friends. Shenshen and Pfannee were their names? The group seemed to have a slight awkward air about them. The two girls and two lads were chatting hastily but the blonde was sat peculiarly quietly. She seemed to talk whenever needed but was otherwise rather uncertain.
Elphaba retreated back to her bed, grabbing the book that lay on her dresser and began to read quietly. She would rather stay inside and away from Galinda.
Galinda was sat quietly with the others. The noise of chatter surrounded her but she was only partly listening. She was still uneasily thinking about the previous night. It played on the blonde's mind furiously and she had tried stringently all morning and afternoon to erase it from her head. It was the fact that the green girl had even cared about Galinda enough to stay with her that baffled the blonde. And what was that other feeling she'd felt muddled with all the others she had last night. It was behind the reassurance when Elphaba was there. It was when she was next to her, when she'd wrapped her arms around her. Oh Sweet Oz she'd hugged her as well! Galinda, you foolish, foolish girl. Bar the feelings of security, relief and ease the girl had when she had her arms across her back, she was still shocked with herself that she had even laid a hand on the green girl. More than once. The blonde was so befuddled. There was still that small something she was missing. That small feeling she'd had. Surely it was only because of the situation.
That was it. She couldn't take it anymore. She had to speak with her. She had to do it now.
"I think I'm going to retire back to my dorm for the night." The blonde said, rising.
"But Miss. Galinda, it's only the seventeenth hour. It's still rather early." The smallest boy responded, genuinely worried.
"Boq, how many times must I tell you to call me Galinda! Besides, that blasted storm kept me awake last night."
"Well Shenshen and I are going to the Oz Dust. That new Fiyero boy is holding a party and he wanted me to make sure you came along. And besides, I think Avaric is coming along, aren't you?" Pfannee said, turning her head to the black haired lad who nodded in reply, "So you're free to join us if you're not so dead-beat."
"I shall do my best. Farewell." The blonde said as she turned and walked quickly towards her room.
There was a small knock at the door as Galinda walked in. Elphaba didn't bother to lower her book but asked who it was.
"Uh, it's me…" Galinda replied, partially nervous.
A flood of slight anxiety fled over Elphaba, who proceeded to say, "Why are you knocking, it is meant to be your room, I hope you realise."
"Well, I just wanted to make sure you were here."
"Where else could I possibly be?"
"The Library, with Dr. Dillamond, outside?" Galinda retorted quickly, shutting the door behind her.
It clicked shut and Elphaba closed her book and placed it on her lap, "I could easily consign to those places if you wish me to." She replied rather bluntly, readjusting her glasses, but her stomach was slowly beginning to swirl uneasily.
"Uh, no, that's fine…" Galinda said, followed by a long silence as she awkwardly sat on her bed, ankles crossed, hands placed lightly in her lap. Elphaba returned to reading before she was interrupted again.
"Elphaba…"
"Yes?" she replied, attempting to sound annoyed.
Galinda paused. She had no idea how to word this to the green girl without being bothersome or irritating to Elphaba. "I just wanted to say that last night I acted rashly and completely inappropriately and I know you don't like being touched so the entire experience was most likely entirely displeasing and uncomfortable for yourself, as was it for me, and I'm utterly sorry for everything that was said and done." Galinda had said quickly. Maybe too quickly.
Elphaba just stared at the blonde, slightly dumbfounded. "Excuse me?"
"Oh Oz… Well, what I was ultimately trying to say was, 'I'm sorry'."
Another awkward silence followed.
Galinda had been sat there for a small while and Elphaba grew engrossed into her book.
"How's your hand?" the blue eyed girl asked suddenly.
"Oh, it's fine." Elphaba said, waving the statement away without a care, still keeping her eyes on her reading material.
Another pause until Galinda spoke, "Can I see?"
"Yes" she replied absent minded, concentrating too hard on her reading. Realising what she'd said, Elphaba attempted to redeem herself with a quick 'No' but Galinda was sat beside her on the hard mattress with her hand, in hand.
"This looks sore. Are you sure you're okay?" the blonde said, sounding a little too concerned for Elphaba.
Pulling her hand away she snapped "Yes, I'm fine. Besides, why do you care?"
Galinda didn't answer because, quite frankly, she didn't know. She was sat on the bed quietly, her head spinning with too many questions. Whispering quietly to herself she stammered "I… I don't know…"
She looked at Elphaba, properly. Her eyes were a deep and beautiful mahogany and full of concentration and the darted from side to side as she read. She had broad cheek bones that Galinda was sure would create a beautiful smile if Elphaba ever did (or had).
Elphaba didn't notice Galinda's rich blue eyes stare at her for a good few minutes, and didn't become aware of her rise from the bed to get ready for the party.