Chapter Text
Basically abused elphaba x galinda
This takes place like the part right before popular, so basically pushing back and rescheduling popular for later.
Slight mischaracterization
She always knew something was off. The way Elphaba kept to herself yet always offered to help with work wasn’t a tell tale sign; obviously not because younger Galinda never caught it. She just assumed Elphaba was timid. Shy.
Thinking back on it harder, Elphaba was always with Galinda. This sounds like no surprise for childhood friends, but Elphaba was always with her. Week long sleepovers, with excuses like ‘my father’s on a business trip’ or ‘I felt like hanging out’ were common. Galinda arrogantly paid them no mind. It was believable and it benefited her. As a child she loved hanging out with Elphaba, no matter the occasion.
The artichoke colored girl always wore clothing much farther on the modest end of the spectrum, and Galinda never cared to ask why. She was ignorant in so many ways. Elphaba cried out for help desperately and her pleas fell on deaf ears.
They’d fought, which is how this mess started. Galinda was making summer plans, and intended to invite the other’s family to a picnic at a park in Pertha Hills; her hometown. Elphaba mentioned how she doesn’t speak with her dad anymore, a throwaway comment at best. This flipped a switch in Galinda’s mind. She eagerly wanted to find out the reason of Elphaba’s disharmony with her father.
“Oh? Why not?” Galinda inquired curiously.
“I mean, he’s pretty close minded and a stubborn old man but he keeps to himself.” She remarked.
“It’s hard to explain, for lack of better phrasing.”
“I’ve got all day, Elphie.”
“I don’t. I’m busy.” Elphaba countered.
“Can you truly not spare 10 minutes for me? Your best, kindest, most glamorous, amazingest bestest friend?”
“I’ve already spared you time and I believe you’ve spent it carelessly.”
“Elphieeeeeeee pleaseeeeee!”
“I don’t answer to childlike pleading.”
“Wow.” Galinda said, mocking offense before her face twisted in confusion. Elphaba raised an eyebrow.
“If you’ve no communication with your father, and your mother, bless her heart… where do you stay during the summer?” Galinda asked.
Elphaba was stunned. It was a good question, one she didn’t have the heart to answer to. Galinda hadn’t ever questioned Elphaba’s ways before. She honestly should’ve expected such an inquiry but she was now caught off her guard.
“Is Nessarose in the same limbo with your father as you, Elphie?”
Another good question. Galinda was actually smart when she sat back and evaluated things properly. Of course that was seldom seen; still impressive however.
“No, she’s not. She’s quite the daddy’s girl.” Elphaba deflected.
“What’s the difference between you two? What makes her so…” Galinda paused. She was in touchy territory now. She should watch her words.
“Well, I guess I can think of a few things… Either way, you should have a safe place to say when Shiz closes down for the summer. So, spit it out! Where do you reside over the break if not with your family?”
“I’m sure that’s none of your business and all of mine, Galinda.” Elphaba said firmly. Her tone was a hair’s breadth away from something akin to anger.
Elphaba almost never called Galinda by her name like that. She didn’t exactly have a nickname for her, so Galinda was the default, but something about this time was off.
“I’d argue that this involves me if you’ve no safe place to stay. All I ask is to rid me of my worries and reveal to me this one secret of yours!” Galinda demanded.
“I can assure to you I am safe, sheltered, and well fed during the summertime, Galinda.”
“Yeah, real believable. So what, do you couch surf, rent a flat for a little bit?” Galinda began rubbing her chin in thought. “Those are really the only two options for someone of your fancy…” Galinda paused, then raising her eyebrows and covering her mouth. Her expression was a scowl away from mortified at her own words.
“Wait, Elphie, I didn't mean it like that..”
Elphaba stared back at Galinda, eyebrows raised. “Do fix your expression, you’d hate for it to get stuck like that.”
Galinda scowled.
“I’ve heard every one in the book, don’t fret.”
“I’m still waiting on why you’re not with your father and sister during the summer.” Galinda countered demandingly.
“Because I don’t want to and they don’t deserve my presence if they don’t treasure it.” Elphaba responded. She was vocally angry but her body language was eerily calm and distinguished.
Galinda sat and let that one steep. The sleepovers that were constant, the making herself small in Galinda’s parents’ presence.
She lowered her voice, face falling into a fixed position that looked a whole of a lot like concern.
“Is there.. Something I need to know about your father, Elphaba?”
-
Elphaba, now curled up on Galinda's bed, cried gently, almost silently. Galinda was lying right next to her, head nuzzled in the crook of Elphaba’s neck as she rubbed aimless circles on the back of the green girl’s hand. She tentatively consoled Elphaba, her voice no louder than a whisper.
“None of that is something you could’ve fixed. It wasn’t your fault, okay?”
“I just…went along with it and hoped one day he’d love me the way he did Nessarose. I thought if I made myself useful, he’d maybe have a change of heart… possibly even care for me. Tuck me in at night, read me bedtime stories;.. kid things.”
“Elphaba, you do know that’s not.. Normal?”
“Well of course I do now..” She remarked snidely with a small choked chuckle.
Galinda handed Elphaba a tissue and pressed a gentle kiss to her temple.
“Let’s forget the picnic thing, yeah?”
Elphaba sniffled, clearing her throat.
“Yeah."