Chapter 1: Dear Old Shiz
A green face appeared at the window of the Thropps' carriage methodically absorbing her surroundings as they journeyed down the gravel dirt roads. The scenery had changed little over the past few days, but the odd building was now beginning to dot the skyline.
Finally, their destination was approaching, the promise of an end to the tedious travelling a welcomed blessing. The green spectator was thankful as she shifted on her seat attempting to re-circulate the blood to her backside, which had slowly numbed over the past few hours since breakfast.
She switched her gaze to her travel companions still energized about the unknown prospects that lay just over the hills. Smiling at her sister who sat opposite, her excitement was flattened somewhat when her gesture was not reciprocated. Instead, her sister insisted on moaning to their father about the journey's excessive length, glumness at leaving home evident in her whine.
Shrugging her shoulders, she concluded her own company, as usual, was preferable and returned her attention to the passing landscape. Since early childhood she had mastered the skill of providing her entertainment, and such abilities were perfect for long trips.
The bumpiness they had endured for hours ceased as the gravel tracks gave way to concrete roads. At least the remainder of the journey would be made in relative comfort. Green eyes grew wide with disbelief as more buildings spiked in the distance, their delicate and detailed architecture already visible. Some difference from the tiny buildings of Munchkinland!
It was not long before the carriage was turning off the main road. "Sweet Oz!" she whispered as the large iron gates loomed ahead of them, the unmistakable 'SU' announcing they had arrived. After several days travel, the Thropps' carriage was welcomed through the gates and into the grounds of Oz's infamous Shiz University.
The carriage jerked to a stop. "We have arrived sir," Halek announced, jumping down from the driving seat and opening the door for his travellers. Elphaba leapt from her seat and out of the confined space, knowing her duty was to unload and prepare Nessarose's wheelchair.
Frex meanwhile took his time exiting, and then stood back to watch Halek and Elphaba lower his youngest daughter to her awaiting wheelchair. "Elphaba," Nessarose commanded, shifting in her chair. "You best not do anything to embarrass me while we're here! Do you hear?"
"Yes Nessa, of course Nessa," she replied humbly, fluffing the cushions so they provided sufficient comfort.
"Oh stop fussing over her Elphaba," Frex demanded, instructing her to help with the luggage removal, while he promptly lavished undue attention on his most cherished daughter. Sighing quietly, Elphaba joined Halek. A group of young men dressed in senior Shiz uniforms, no doubt hired by her father, approached, picked out the luggage emblazoned with 'NT' and disappeared into the dormitories.
A single not-so-large suitcase now remained on the ground – it was hers. "Nessa needs the help, I don't," she reminded herself taking the case by its twice-repaired handle. "Good luck Miss Elphaba," Halek smiled; too many times in his years of loyal service to the Thropps had he seen this young green girl ignored and undervalued.
She smiled and made her way towards the courtyard, her eyes flicking from building to building, noting the historical Ozian periods that influenced their current appearance. She felt like a child in a sweet shop with so many wonderful things to behold. Life was going to be good here.
Bringing her gaze back to eye level, she noticed that she now stood at the top of the main terrace. The grounds of Shiz University were littered with smartly clad youngsters in crisp new uniforms, all eager and excited as they stood on the sacred soil that would be their home for the next few years.
A group of three nervous looking pupils were heading her way - the perfect opportunity to make a good first impression. An energized smile on her face, she stepped towards them, her hand extended, but before she could announce herself, they backed away. When a second attempt failed with a young Gillikinese man, reality began to sink in.
Why did she ever think those at Shiz would be above judging her by her skin? Perhaps life was not about to be as blissful as she once imagined.
It was not long before the whispers and the pointing started, the main comments being led and encouraged by the young woman who obviously thought herself above the rules. She sat proud on top of her luggage dressed solely in her white 'summer uniform', visibly flouting the Shiz rules for wearing 'winter dress uniform' on the first day of attendance.
Everyone was staring again, her leafy appearance attention catching. 'And so it begins again,' Elphaba thought sadly. If she were to tolerate the next few years at this establishment with these gawpers as classmates, she concluded a direct approach was the only way to proceed.
"Okay, let's get this over with," she announced, placing her suitcase on the ground and hushing the gathered crowd. "No, I'm not seasick. Yes, I've always been green. And no, I didn't chew grass as a child!" She entered into a staring match with those closest to her, but backed down when she heard her father's voice bark "Elphaba!"
A few students gasping audibly as he grabbed her green hand and yanked her to one side, although it was not the violent way this father treated his daughter, but the fact he had the nerve to touch the green oddity. "Stop making a spectacle of yourself!" he reprimanded. "I'm only sending you here for one reason…"
Oh yes! How ever could she forget? "Yes, I know, to look after Nessarose," she concluded, adding silently, "because of course I couldn't possibly succeed here or actually want to be something other than Nessa's slave!" As soon as the thought past, she berated herself. She had no right to resent the life sentence of care that had been bestowed upon her. By accepting your responsibilities, you also accepted the consequences.
She watched as he relinquished the gift-wrapped box he had clung to throughout their trip. He retrieved his parting gift, declaring them 'befitting for the future governor of Munchkinland'. They were shoes, jewelled shoes at that.
Elphaba felt a satisfying laugh settle in her chest at the irony of his gift. After all, it was not as though Nessarose could parade around Shiz showing off her latest asset – unlike some people. The spoilt brat in white had a crowd gathered again, basking in the compliments and praise that were being showered on her. Oh the shallowness!
"Take care of your sister," Frex ordered, snapping back her attention. He cast a disapproving glance over her choice of uniform, still unable to explain or understand her preferences. If only her wardrobe were as colourful as her opinions, she might just elevator herself to some sort of social standing. "Just… try not to talk so much."
His snarled reminder were his last words to her as he kissed Nessarose goodbye for the final time and boarded the carriage. There was no 'I'll miss you Elphaba', 'take care', 'I love you'. No parting gift for her. Not even so much as a courteous 'goodbye'. Absolutely nothing. But maybe, just maybe he would…
No. With one commanding flick of the whip, Halek had the horses breaking into a trot and her father departing from Shiz. "Elphaba?"
She pushed aside the tiniest feelings of hurt that settled and turned to her sister, her smiled forced, but her tone light. "Well, what could he have gotten me? I clash with everything remember!"