confusifying | wicked | book 3/3

Elphie

Before I can register what's just happened, Glinda drops to her feet and cradles my sister in her arms.
"Oh Nessa." She whispers softly, "it's alright, I'm here, I've got you."
Nessas eyes are closed delicately and she looks so peaceful, her face slowly begins to fill with more colour and I watch as Glinda gently strokes my sisters hair.
I make my way to my knees and shakily hold out my hands hoping that my sister will be passed over to me.

"I'll take her, it's okay." I mutter firmly.
Glinda looks down at my sisters dainty little face and sighs.
"It's okay, I've got her." Glinda replies.
Glinda doesn't understand, I need my sister, I need to know that she's okay.
"For Oz's sake Glinda!" I cry "give her to me, it's all I can do for her."
Hurriedly Glinda thrusts my sister into my arms and I hold her unconscious body close to mine.
"Poor soul" Glinda whispers, staring kindly at my sister.

After a short while of contemplation, we placed Nessa in her bed, both of us watching and waiting for her to bat her doll-like eyelids and reassure me and Glinda that she's alright.
Glinda and I watch my sister closely, how we laid her delicately onto her bed, above the blankets, she looks like sleeping beauty from those story books that we used to read.
Just at that moment, the door to Nessas office opens and someone can be heard humming inside.
"Nessarose,"
Glinda looks at me in fear and mouths a word to me.
'Boc'
I nod my head fearfully.
"Nessarose are you here?" Boc calls, I hear his footsteps becomes closer to the open door that we are barley hidden behind.
They get closer and closer until finally they enter the room.
Boc drops the stack of books that he's carrying and they all clatter to the floor, he races over and throws himself beside my sisters bed.
"Is she okay?" Boc cries "tell me what happened.
I look at Glinda for help but she gives me none.
"She felt sick so we put her to bed." I blurt, kinda gives me a cold look for lying and I raise my eyebrows at her.
Again, Glinda mouth a second word to me.
'Panic attack.'
Even if Glinda said it I don't think Boc would have heard her, he's just so entranced with me sister.
As much as I don't want to admit it I think he's one of the few people who understand my constant need for her to be okay.

Boc furrows his brow and puts a hand on my sisters head.
"She's not sleeping," Boc mumbles, a slight annoyance in his voice "she's out cold."
Glinda toddles over on her knees towards Boc and puts an arm around his shoulder.
"Elphaba, why lie? What did you do to her?" Boc cries.
I start to become furious, Glinda gasps at my sudden rage.
"What did I do?" I bellow "why does it always have to be my fault?"
Nessa stirs slightly, a pitiful sigh in her voice.
I immediately stop shouting and almost shove Glinda and Boc out of the way to get to her.
"Ness!" I cry.
She looks about herself slowly, at the walls, at the bed and then at Boc, I see the light fade from her eyes when she sees him.
"I feel well rested now, thank you sister" Nessa replies confidently, though she still sounds out of breath. "Though I dislike sleeping during the day."
Boc gives Glinda a look, he knows she wasn't just sleeping.
"I'm glad you slept well." Boc chirps sweetly, I'm confused on why he's acting with her but I don't protest.

"I think I'd like to get up now." Nessa mentions, before using all of her strength to almost sit herself up, I can see it in her eyes that she perhaps should be having a nap.
Glinda nods hurriedly and dashes off to bring Nessa's chair from one side of the room to the other.
Carefully I place one hand under my sister knees and the other behind her head, she clings to me feebly as I place her down gently in her chair.
Boc watches me, analysing how well I perform this task that I've done hundreds if not thousands of times before.
"How was your class?" Nessa asks Boc eagerly, Boc smiles pleasantly.
"Wonderful," Boc replies "but I'm glad I'm back."
Nessa looks exhausted, she breathes deeply for a few moments until finally turning herself to face Boc.

"I need to tell you something," she says shakily, Boc takes her hands in his and stares lovingly into her eyes.
Glinda holds me tightly.
"Boc, I have to say this now because I'm afraid I'll never say it again." Nessa swallows hard and takes a deep breath "I love you, I love you so much that I panic when I think about it because your just the kindest most selfless person and I can't compete with that. I just don't know how I'd function without you."
Nessa starts to cry and Boc throws himself into her arms.
"Nessarose Melena Thropp," he whispers "your the most beautiful girl in all of Oz and I'd do anything for you."
Nessa continues to sob but she welcomes his embrace.
"I've never felt like this before" Nessa cries "because this is real and it's happening and I'm here, I'm alive!" My sister shakes terribly but I can tell it's out of happiness, I can hear Glinda sniffing beside me and I'm tempted to do the same.
Nessarose looks over the moon and I'm so thrilled for her.
"We have to go back to Munchkin manor!" Nessa exclaims, "you have to go to your house and find yourself some things!"
Boc holds Nessa's sobbing face with his hands.
"Yes," he cries "and I'll love you forever Nessarose!"
Nessa nods merrily, a true smile spreads across her face.
"I won't let you be unhappy Nessarose."