PROLOGUE

Elphaba suppressed a laugh as the diamond-covered boy stumbled through the doors to Doctor Dillamond's classroom. Galinda, however, did not make any effort to keep herself from laughing; instead she laughed very loudly. Elphaba could hear the people all around her giggling and whispering, no doubt about the boy.

"I hear he's from the Vinkus!"

"He's a Winkie?""

It's a shame. Without the diamonds he would be very handsome."

"My roommate says he's a prince. That's why he's covered in diamonds!"

"I doubt that's why- it's probably a tribal custom."

"That's even stranger!"

Elphaba rolled her eyes and scowled. 'Poor boy.', she thought. 'He just got here and they're already making fun of him.' As if reading her mind, Galinda turned to her. "They're already teasing. I bet you two will get along just fine! He's shy, you're shy; he's teased and covered in diamonds, you're teased and green!" Elphaba shook her head. "If you say so. I personally think that he might not be shy, just embarrassed. We've only known him for a minute." Galinda smiled knowingly. "Yes, but I see the look in your eyes- and his! You two will be together. I'm sure of it!"

And she was right.