Concert
Elphaba knew something was afoot the moment she saw Galinda waiting for her outside the library. It wasn’t the mere presence of the girl that tipped her off, but rather the giddy mischievous look that Galinda got in her eye when she was planning something. Elphaba approached her with caution, narrowing her eyes as she studied the perky picture of pink perfection that had stolen her heart.
“Hi Elphie!” Galinda beamed at her, planting a quick kiss on her cheek.
“Hello Galinda…” Elphaba said slowly, her obvious suspicion barely masking the affection in her voice. “Would you like to tell me what’s going on?”
Galinda’s dimpled smile somehow grew wider as her sparkling brown eyes traced the contours of Elphaba’s face. “I don’t know what you mean,” Galinda said with a practiced innocence. “Is something happening?”
Elphaba chuckled softly, moving in closer to Galinda as she prepared to play along. “Oh, something is definitely happening,” Elphaba said teasingly. “I’d venture a guess, but based on your incessant bouncing, I’m quite certain you’ll combust if you don’t tell me yourself in the next ten seconds.”
Galinda huffed dramatically, knowing she’d been beat at her own game. “Alright, you win. I’ve never been good at waiting—but, of course, you know that.”
Elphaba looked at her confusedly for a moment, but then a deep green blush settled into her cheeks as she glared at Galinda, who batted her lashes flirtatiously.
Elphaba cleared her throat and willed her face to return to its natural color. “Well, are you going to tell me or are we going to stand out here all day?”
Galinda grabbed Elphaba’s hands and shook them excitedly as she finally came clean. “We’re going out tonight. I can’t tell you where we’re going just yet, but you’re going to love it. I just know it.”
Elphaba couldn’t help but laugh at Galinda’s enthusiasm, though the idea of last minute plans did summon a hint of unease. Elphaba had grown accustomed to a structured routine during the week. After long days of classes and studying in the library, she would usually return to her dorm and have some quiet time to decompress. That way, by the time she joined Galinda for dinner, she would be in a more relaxed headspace and able to enjoy the rest of the evening with her.
Galinda noticed the flicker of hesitation that crossed Elphaba’s face. Her smile dropped for a moment as her voice softened. “Oh, we don’t have to go if you don’t want to, Elphie. I know this is last minute.”
Elphaba shook her head, leveled by the sheer love and understanding she saw in Galinda’s eyes. “Honestly, I’m a bit apprehensive. But, I have to admit… I’m also incredibly intrigued. I want to see what had you positively bursting at the seams. So, let’s go for it.”
“Are you sure?” Galinda asked.
“I’m sure,” Elphaba said with a small smile.
“Alright, but there’s really no pressure. If you want to leave and come back to our room at any time, you just tell me, okay?” Galinda dipped her head, offering Elphaba a reassuring look. Elphaba nodded, feeling more at ease with the situation.
“Now, you need to change out of those clothes. I picked the perfect outfit for you, come on!” Galinda grabbed Elphaba’s hand and led her toward their dorm.
Galinda practically skipped back to Crage Hall. She couldn’t wait to show Elphaba what she had planned, having put quite a bit of thought into it. Galinda understood that her reserved green girl had her limits, and always took care to plan outings that would not overwhelm her. Tonight’s activity was a bit different, but Galinda hoped that Elphaba would be able to adjust and have fun.
Elphaba smiled as she observed herself in the mirror. Galinda had laid out a pair of black slacks and a cozy navy blue sweater. She loved that Galinda had picked something simple and comfortable. Galinda somehow always managed to make Elphaba feel beautiful in a way that transcended vanity—her inner beauty seemed to grow more visible with every layer of comfort and care that Galinda offered so effortlessly.
“Just one more thing,” Galinda said, as she came up behind Elphaba, admiring her reflection. Galinda tenderly put a simple silver necklace around Elphaba’s neck. Elphaba looked down to see a small pink gem that rested right over her heart. “Perfect,” the blonde whispered, wrapping her arms around Elphaba’s waist and kissing her shoulder sweetly.
“Pink?” Elphaba scrunched her face in mock disgust. Galinda giggled and swatted her arm playfully. “Yes, Elphie. Pink. It’s important.”
“Important? I can’t imagine why.” Elphaba fingered the necklace, enjoying her part in the teasing banter she knew Galinda loved.
“It’s important because there was a time when I’d wear that very same necklace every day. It was the first thing I ever picked out for myself—the first thing that really spoke to me and made me feel like I could be anything I wanted to be. So, in a way, I think of it as an extension of myself… which is kind of how I’ve come to think of you.” Galinda paused, realizing she was becoming more vulnerable than she had intended. “You don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to. I just liked the idea of an old piece of myself resting on the heart of my new, most valuable piece.”
Elphaba turned to face Galinda, mildly stunned at her candor. “Well, I’m definitely going to wear it now. Oz, Galinda… that was—that was nice.” Elphaba shut her eyes and shook her head, embarrassed by her lack of eloquence. Galinda reached up to stroke her cheek and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. Elphaba relaxed immediately, soothed by Galinda’s wordless reassurance.
“Ready to go?” Galinda asked.
“Yes.” Elphaba smiled.
oOo
“Keep your eyes closed, Elphie! I mean it!” Galinda guided Elphaba down a small street, pausing several times to make sure her eyes were still closed. “Okay, we’re here! How are you feeling? Are you excited? Are you happy?”
“Galinda, I can’t see,” Elphaba laughed.
“Oh, right. Open your eyes… now!” Galinda held her arms out to the side, wiggling her fingers as she gestured to a tall ornate building.
Elphaba opened her eyes, blinking as her vision adjusted. “I—Galinda, where are we?”
“Oz, Elphaba. What am I going to do with you? It’s a concert hall!” Galinda practically squealed.
Elphaba looked at her inquisitively.
Galinda bounced closer to Elphaba, grasping her hands and squeezing them tightly, as though she was attempting to physically transfer her excitement. “I noticed there’s one specific record you love to play when you come back from class, and I‘ve seen how it completely disarms you and relaxes you. Anyways, the group that made that record is performing here tonight! I thought you might want to hear some of your favorites played by a live orchestra!”
Elphaba was speechless. Galinda had often gone out of her way to do little things for her, but this was… everything. “Galinda, I don’t know what to say. Thank you. Truly. I’ve never seen live music before. This is… this is unbelievably kind of you.”
The blonde’s eyes twinkled, completely captivated by Elphaba’s subtle wonder and amazement.
Galinda led Elphaba in through the double doors, handing in their tickets and grabbing two programs. The hall was small but open, the lack of traditional seating allowing patrons to wander about and admire the extravagant architecture. The ceiling loomed overhead, painted meticulously to resemble the night sky. Elphaba was enamored with the splendor of it all.
“Happy?” Galinda inquired, though she already knew the answer. Elphaba turned to look at her and nodded, an element of childlike fascination emanating from her bright green eyes.
Galinda knew her sweet girlfriend couldn’t always find the words to express what she was feeling, but that had never stopped her from feeling Elphaba’s emotions like they were her own. She felt connected to her, always attuned to the highs and lows of Elphaba’s heart and mind.
“Come on, the show’s starting soon. I thought we could stand in the back, away from the crowd.”
Elphaba looked at her appreciatively and allowed herself to be led toward the back of the hall.
Within a few minutes, the lights dimmed and the musicians appeared on the stage, beginning to tune their instruments. Other attendees who had been milling about began to shuffle in toward the stage. The hall was crowded, but it was manageably sparse in the back where Elphaba and Galinda stood.
The smartly dressed conductor made his way onto the stage to thunderous applause, taking a quick bow and thanking everyone for their support and attendance. With a few taps of his baton, the musicians straightened and raised their instruments, and the music began.
The sound was soft but all-encompassing, filling every available space with rich warm melodies. Elphaba had never heard anything like it. She recognized the song immediately, but being present as a multitude of instruments contributed to the familiar tune allowed it to access her in a brand new way. Every note seemed to dance across her skin, sending vibrations down her spine and to the tips of her fingers. She could swear that her heart slowed to thrum along with the music. Was this what it felt like to be whole?
Elphaba was completely immersed, mesmerized by the sights and sounds before her. But Galinda found her gaze drifting, transfixed by an entirely different source of beauty. Elphaba. Galinda couldn’t take her eyes off of her. She looked so blissful and uninhibited, and it made Galinda’s heart sing more loudly than any instrument before her. Galinda watched in adoration as her love’s lithe green fingers tapped gentle rhythms into the air. She longed for their fingers to be intertwined, but she suppressed the urge, wanting Elphaba to be free to express herself. This is exactly what Galinda had wanted for Elphaba—a moment where she could feel thoroughly enveloped in something that relaxed her and brought her joy. She didn’t have enough of those moments, and Galinda felt so lucky that she was able to give this one to her.
As the music played on, patrons near the front began to dance, prompting the bulk of the crowd to push toward the back of the hall. Elphaba, still mesmerized, didn’t notice the change until several people brushed closely past her. She flinched slightly, startled by the sudden contact, but tried to regain her focus. She shut her eyes for a moment, attempting to block out the increasing density of the crowd. She tried to isolate the music, but felt the presence of more bodies closing in. Her heartbeat picked up, no longer obeying the gentle rhythm set forth by the conductor. It was too much.
Galinda quickly noticed Elphaba’s subtle signs of distress—she shifted back and forth on her feet, her fingers now tapped more harshly with an unsteady rhythm, and she began to shut her eyes incrementally as though she was trying to retreat into a safe corner of her mind. Galinda gently wrapped her fingers around Elphaba’s wrist. “Elphie, are you okay?” she whispered. Elphaba looked at her and Galinda’s heart clenched at the panic etched onto her face. “We can leave. Do you want to leave? It’s okay, Elphaba.” Galinda smiled at her reassuringly, though her eyes betrayed her concern. Elphaba’s eyes flickered back to the stage briefly, before she looked back to Galinda and nodded.
Galinda wasted no time and wrapped an arm around Elphaba, guiding her through the crowd and protecting her from the press of bodies. She led them out into the lobby and stopped for a moment, observing Elphaba to make sure she was okay. Elphaba’s hands were shaking and she was struggling to catch her breath. She was panicking.
“Okay,” Galinda said as she looked around, making a plan. “It’s okay, Elphie. I’m going to find a safe place for us to sit and relax for a moment, alright?”
Elphaba nodded and forced a smile, the crease in her brow conveying her true state of distress.
Galinda spotted a staircase off to the side, and remembered the upper level that would sometimes be open for the bigger shows. Tonight, a golden tasseled rope blocked the entryway. An usher stood nearby and Galinda knew it was time to work some of her magic. She steered Elphaba toward the staircase and stopped a few feet before. “Wait here for just a clock-tick, Elphie. I’ll be fast, I promise.”
Elphaba watched as Galinda strode confidently up to the usher, leaning in slightly to whisper something in the young woman’s ear. Within seconds, the rope had been moved aside and Galinda was leading Elphaba up the stairs.
The stairs led to a small balcony that hung above the main section of the hall. Several benches lined the back wall, and Galinda swiftly escorted Elphaba toward the nearest one.
“Sit down, my love. Catch your breath.”
Elphaba sat down and pressed a hand to her chest, the panic catching up with her now that they were alone. “Galinda—I can’t—” Elphaba’s words caught in her throat as she struggled to calm herself.
Galinda knelt down in front of her, and placed her hands on Elphaba’s trembling knees. “It’s okay. Try to take a deep breath. It’s just you and me.”
Elphaba tried to fill her lungs, but she couldn’t get enough air. Her heart felt like it was exploding out of her chest, and she just couldn’t focus.
Galinda saw Elphaba’s panic growing and quickly changed tactics. “Elphaba, listen to me. Listen to the sound of my voice. I want you to close your eyes. Can you do that for me?”
Elphaba nodded rapidly and shut her eyes, her whole body shaking.
“Good, Elphie. That’s good,” Galinda said soothingly. “Now, I want you to shift your focus from the sound of my voice to the music, okay? Do you hear it? I think this is the third song on your record. Do you recognize it?”
Elphaba nodded again, more slowly this time.
“Focus on the instruments. Try to hear each one individually. What do you hear?”
Elphaba listened quietly for a minute, her brow releasing some of the tension as her brain worked to isolate each unique sound. “I hear… drums, piano, a violin, a French horn… maybe a cello, a trumpet, a harp…”
Galinda smiled as she saw Elphaba’s shoulders drop slightly. It was working. “That’s amazing, Elphie. I can’t believe you can hear all of that. Now, I want you to focus on the rhythm. Tap your feet. Let yourself be part of the music.”
Elphaba caught the rhythm quickly, partially because she could feel Galinda’s fingers tapping the beat gently on her knees. Elphaba began to move her feet, her boots rising and falling with every cadent repetition. Slowly, she began to return to that new place she had discovered—the one where she felt free and whole.
Elphaba was so lost in the music that she didn’t realize she had started breathing deeply again. Her heart had calmed and once again thrummed in time with the melodious landscape. Her hand no longer clutched at her chest, but had instinctively found the pink gem that rested over her heart. When the song came to an end, Elphaba opened her eyes to find Galinda smiling softly at her.
“There we go,” Galinda said, looking up at Elphaba with an adoring reverence. She pushed herself up and moved to sit next to Elphaba.
“I’m sorry,” Elphaba said suddenly. Galinda frowned as Elphaba continued. “You planned this whole evening, and I’ve ruined everything. I’m so sorry.”
“No, Elphaba,” Galinda said almost immediately. “There is absolutely nothing to be sorry for. You haven’t ruined anything. I am so happy to be here with you.” Galinda paused as she took Elphaba’s hand. “I know you get overwhelmed sometimes. That’s okay. We don’t have to push through things that make you uncomfortable. We can always step away, just like this.”
Elphaba leaned her head back against the wall. “You make it sound so simple.”
Galinda smiled. “It is simple. I love you.”
Elphaba smiled back and nudged her playfully, returning the affection in her own way.
“Now,” Galinda said resolutely, “I want you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the rest of this concert.”
Elphaba laughed and relaxed into the wall once more, shutting her eyes and allowing the music to take her away. Galinda gently released Elphaba’s hand, giving her the freedom to feel the music completely. Sure enough, Elphaba’s fingers began to tap lightly at the air again, and Galinda settled back to enjoy the show.