Chapter two has arrived! Please review. :)
Disclaimer: Wicked isn't mine.
"Not about Quadling country, no. All my amusing stories are gems about Master Boq here."
Boq appeared to be wishing to sink into the ground where he sat, the last humiliation far too recent.
"You look worried," Crope pointed out. "Excellent."
"Boq and I grew up together," Elphaba began, "His mother cared for us both. And he was always rather fond of running around naked. I don't know why. There's hardly anything to show off."
"Elphaba!" Nessarose scolded, but Elphaba ignored her.
"I was forced to attend Unionist services every week, since my father was the pastor. The congregation was mainly older women. Not even my mother could be bothered to go," Elphaba explained, "I was usually beyond boredom, but one particular Sunday, Boq spiced up the holy words of the Unnamed God."
Nessarose had her eyes closed, apparently deep in prayer for the lost souls of those around her who found this so amusing.
"Boq's family members were not churchgoers. I doubt Boq had ever been in there before. But right in the middle of my father's impassioned lecture regarding damnation, Boq, age ten, threw open the doors to the chapel and ran down the aisle, stark naked."
"It was a bet..." Boq mumbled ashamedly.
Elphaba chuckled. "Five women fainted, one was on bed-rest for over a week, and my father cut his lecture short. I've seen the man preach through tornadoes."
ShenShen looked concerned. "Did you get punished, Boq?"
Elphaba answered. "My father gave his mother a stern talking to, but it didn't help much. None of us forgot the sight of Boq streaking through the church, arms above his head in reckless abandonment. Frankly, I don't want to forget."
Boq glared at her sourly, fighting a losing battle against the grin that twitched at the corner of his mouth.
"Your turn, Galinda," Elphaba said with a smile.
Galinda didn't open her eyes. "No, no, I have none. I was an extraordinarily ordinary child."
"Oh, Miss Galinda! I'm sure you have some wonderful tale," Boq exclaimed, quickly over his embarrassment with the prospect of learning more about Galinda.
Avaric groaned, "Oh, please, Miss Galinda, distract Boq with a story. I can't bear to see him wishing he was Miss Elphaba any longer." This comment did not get the laughter Avaric expected. Most of the group looked embarrassed, as if Avaric had said something they were also thinking but would never share out loud.
Galinda half-sat up indignantly. "And just what is that supposed to mean, Master Avaric?" she asked shrilly.
Avaric looked around for support but realized he was alone. Awkwardly he said, "Well, you know, you two just spend a lot of time together...And you touch each other a lot. I guess it just seems like maybe you're more than best friends."
Galinda completely sat up now, removing herself from Elphaba and scooting to the edge of the blanket. "How dare you say such a thing, you louse!" She sounded slightly hysterical and was fighting to keep herself under control. "Elphie, tell them it's not true!"
"It's not true," Elphaba said shortly. "Now leave Miss Galinda alone, Avaric, or I'll castrate you in your sleep."
Galinda looked quite happy with this threat, but still very troubled. "I don't feel very well," she announced, "I'm going to my room." And with that, she abandoned the group and walked briskly towards Crage Hall.
"I better go make sure she's okay," Elphaba said, throwing her book into her messenger bag and dashing off after the blonde.
"Now see?" Avaric asked as he settled back into ShenShen's massaging hands. "That's exactly what I'm talking about! They don't appear to be able to cope without each other. Maybe they don't even know it, but there is definitely something there."
No one responded to these words.
"Oh, come on," Avaric groaned. "You won't admit it, but you were thinking it too."
Boq looked down at the watermelon miserably.
