Chapter 1
"Hurry up Elphaba!" Fiyero called up the stairs. "We don't want to be late!" "I'm coming!" Elphaba adjusted her hat, and then left the bathroom. She went downstairs where her friends and sister were waiting. Her father came down directly behind her. "I'm glad you're not hiding tonight, Elphie!" Glinda said. Glinda was Fiyero's girlfriend, and Elphaba's best friend. Her short, curly, blonde hair bounced against her shoulders as she talked. Her dress was short, sleeve-less, frilly, and pink, and her pink high-heels made her look taller than she was. A pink rose was tucked into her mass of curls. Her blue eyes were bright, and, as usual, Elphaba noticed that she was wearing blush and pink lipstick. Elphaba drew herself up to her full height. Her emerald green eyes were fierce. "I'm not hiding anymore. People can accept me for who I am, or not. Either way, it's not my problem." Elphaba was wearing a long, navy blue dress, and brown lace-up boots. The dress was sleeveless. She was wearing a tall, black witch hat that Glinda had given her. Her long, curly, black hair was pulled back into a long braid. Her skin was green. That was why everyone hated her. Her father put his right hand on her left shoulder. "Come on guys. We'll be late. We better go." The six of them left the house, and started walking towards the Opera House. People in the street looked at Elphaba, but she ignored them and kept walking. Elphaba's father, The Wizard, was on her right, Fiyero and Glinda were behind them, and then came Boq, who was pushing Nessa (because Nessa was in a wheelchair). The Paris air was warm on this particular night, and the skies were clear. The group had come to Paris on vacation, and had decided to spend one night at the Opera. When they got to the Opera House, they all went up the ramp and through the front doors. The foyer was crowded. People turned and stared at Elphaba. She ignored the stares, and the group made their way to the elevator. They went up to the next floor, and made their way to box five. The box keeper and a young ballerina were waiting for them. The woman was tall, about The Wizard's height. She was wearing a long, black dress. Her brown eyes were severe, but also had a softness to them that comes when a woman becomes a mother. Her honey-colored hair was pulled back into a tight bun. The girl next to her came up to the woman's shoulders. She was slender and had brown eyes. She was wearing a white, gauze tutu, and white ballet slippers. Her honey-colored hair was pulled back into a long ponytail. The woman stepped forward and said, "Good evening ladies and gentlemen. My name is Antoinette Giry. And this is my daughter, Meg." The woman spoke with a thick, French accent. Beside her, the girl curtsied. The Wizard said, "Good evening to you both! I'm The Wizard, this is my daughter, Elphaba, her best friend, Glinda, Glinda's boyfriend, Fiyero, Elphaba's sister, Nessa, and Nessa's boyfriend, Boq." They all waved in turn as The Wizard introduced them. Meg looked at Nessa, and then at Boq. Nessa had long, curly, brown hair, and pale skin. Her eyes were light blue, and looked bright, but also had a sad look to them. Her dress was a light pink. Meg felt sympathy for Nessa. She couldn't imagine not having the freedom of her legs! Then Meg looked at Boq. He seemed to be about her height. He had short, brown hair and green eyes. He was wearing a white tuxedo shirt, a brown evening jacket, nice, brown slacks, brown dress shoes, and a green and pink striped tie. Nessa was wearing pink sandals. "If you all will follow me." Madame Giry said. She and Meg turned and led the way into box five. The Wizard, Boq, and Nessa sat in the seats in the back of the box (although Nessa sat in her wheelchair), and Elphaba, Fiyero, and Glinda sat in the front. Elphaba sat in the armchair on the far right, Glinda sat on her left, and Fiyero sat on her left. Once the group was seated, Madame Giry and Meg turned to leave. Suddenly Glinda said, "Meg?" Meg turned. "Yes?" "Who's that guy in box three?" Meg went over to Glinda and looked over at box three. "Oh," she said. "That's Raoul de Chagny. The Vicomte." Glinda nodded, and Meg flashed her a sly smile. Then Meg gave Boq a warm smile, and she and Madame Giry left the box. Outside, Meg turned to her mother and said, "I think Glinda finds Raoul attractive. And Boq's pretty cute!" Madame Giry smiled and shook her head. "You better get going Meg! The show's about to start!" Meg nodded, kissed her mother, and ran downstairs. Back inside box five, Glinda laid her head on Fiyero's right shoulder, and he put his arm around her. Five minutes later, the curtain opened, and the show started. A girl of about eighteen came out onto the stage and began to sing. "Think of me. Think of me fondly when we've said good-bye. Remember me once in a while. Please promise me you'll try…" The girl's name was Christine Daae. And she had a beautiful voice. She had white skin, blue eyes, rosy cheeks, and long, brown hair. Christine's hair was pulled back into a long braid, and she had white flowers tucker into her braid. She was wearing a long, white dress with short, puffy sleeves that cam down to the top of her arm, leaving her bare shoulders exposed. Elphaba saw her glance at Raoul a few times, and Raoul was gazing at Christine intently. Fiyero was watching Christine, like everyone but Elphaba and Glinda. Glinda was gazing at Raoul. He had white skin, blue eyes, and short, brown hair. He was wearing a white shirt with a lace collar, a blue evening jacket, and black dress shoes. Elphaba gazed at Fiyero. She had been in love with him for a few months, but she had never admitted it to anyone. He was very attractive. He had brown eyes and short, brown hair. He was her height, and was light on his feet. Tonight he was wearing a short-sleeved, white shirt, a red, button-up, sleeve-less vest, long, white pants, and brown boots. Not wanting anyone to catch her looking at Fiyero, Elphaba turned her attention back to Christine. After the show, all of them (except for Nessa) stood up and applauded. Then they left the box and went back down to the foyer. While no one was looking, Elphaba slipped away and made her way to Christine's dressing-room. Elphaba kind of had a thing for singing, and she wanted to see if the diva could give her some tips. On her way, she passed Raoul, who was going in the direction that she's came. Elphaba reached Christine's dressing-room, and noticed that the door was ajar, and the room was dark. Elphaba gently pushed the door open. She noticed instantly that the mirror on the wall opposite her was also ajar. Weak, gold light was coming into the room. Elphaba pulled open the mirror, and saw a stone passage lit by torches in sconces on the walls. Elphaba cautiously entered the passage, determined to know where it led.