Thank you for your reviews :) Here's a bit of angsty-ish Bessa for you!

The bell on the door of the Calpern Café tinkled as Boq stepped inside. He swept off his favorite red cap to shake off the rain water.

Avaric had mentioned to him that Elphaba and Galinda were planning on meeting with him and Fiyero for dinner. But as he looked around, he realized he was much too early. There was only one person in the café.

He took a few steps sideways to peer at the girl who sat in front of the fire. He didn't recognize her from the back.

Maybe it's a new girl that I might actually have a chance with, Boq thought. Absentmindedly, he ran a hand through his hair and stepped in front of her, his grin broad.

That was a mistake.

"Miss Nessarose?"

Nessa looked up from the book she was reading.

"Master Boq?"

"Why are you here?" Boq asked, confused.

"I'm here every Saturday at this time. You of all people should know that," Nessa replied, her tone a bit accusatory. She sat up a bit straighter. "And I was also invited to dinner with my sister, Miss Galinda, and Masters Fiyero and Avaric.

"You were?" Boq queried.

"You weren't?" Nessa asked with a smirk.

"Don't give me that look, Miss Nessarose," Boq said with a sneer.

"Pardon me?" Nessa snapped the book shut. Her eyebrows rose high as a look of indignation crossed her face.

"Don't give me that look, Miss Nessarose."

"You do understand what 'pardon me' means, Master Boq?" Nessa asked.

"Of course I do."

"No, I don't think you do. You were the one who broke up with me, Master Boq."

"So? That was weeks ago. We only went out once. You still can't be upset over that," Boq said, rolling his eyes.

Nessa exhaled through her nose and moved herself into her chair, which had been lurking in the shadows next to the armchair she had been sitting in.

"Where are you going?" Boq demanded, as Nessa pushed herself past him. She stopped and turned herself to face him.

"I am returning home. You can take my place tonight at dinner. I don't want to be there if you are there," Nessa spat.

"You can't leave."

"Why not?"

Boq looked into her deep brown eyes, which were locked on his.

"Because they'll ask questions," he mutttered. By they, he meant Galinda.

"Good. Then you can explain why I left to them," Nessa said, turning towards the door.

She reached for her rain jacket from the nearby coat rack, but jerked it too hard. It fell right in front of her chair. Boq watched with a little pleasure and a lot of guilt as she struggled to get it. Eventually she did, and pulled it on.

With one final murderous look back at him, she left without another word.

-An hour or so later-

"Biq! What a nice suprise!" Galinda said happily as she and the rest of the group entered from the rain. "Oh, you must join us for dinner!"

Boq beamed. Fiyero shook out a large black umbrella he must have been holding over Galinda and Elphaba's heads, as he himself was soaked. Avaric skinned off his own jacket and hung it up.

"Have you seen my sister?" Elphaba asked, looking around.

"Uh... No. Haven't seen her at all."

"Hmm. Not like her to miss out on plans without telling us," Elphaba's brow furrowed. "I should go check on her to see if she's okay."

Elphaba thrust her arm back into the sleeve of the jacket she had been in the process of taking off and turned for the door.

"Elphie, I'm sure she's fine," Galinda said.

"I know. I just want to check. You guys order without me. I'll be back in a few," Elphaba yanked open the door. Lightning flashed in the distance.

"No need to go check on me, Elphaba," Nessa said.

"I didn't see you there," Elphaba said as Nessa pushed herself from the back room. "Well, that's good. I'd rather not go back out there right now."

"I-I thought you left," Boq stammered. Elphaba looked at him.

"I thought you said you didn't see her?"

"I-I..."

"He did, but only momentarily," Nessa interrupted. "It was earlier in passing. He assumed I was leaving, as I forgot a book back in my room."

Elphaba nodded.

-Later-

"Galinda, I said no," Elphaba sighed, exasperated.

"But Elphieee. You would look so good in one of my pink dresses!" Galinda whined.

"Ugh," Elphaba moaned, though she was smiling.

The boys and Nessa all laughed, though Boq somehow didn't feel that he was enjoying Galinda as much. He kept feeling drawn to Nessa.

"Fine," Elphaba announced, breaking Boq from his thoughts. "You can paint my nails."

"Yay!" Galinda squealed.

"You coming Nessa?" Elphaba offered as she and Galinda stood up and pulled on their coats.

"Sure. I'll meet you there?" Nessa asked with a smile though she could feel Boq staring at her.

"Alright. Please don't take too long" Elphaba said as Galinda grabbed her green hand and pulled her out the door.

Fiyero and Avaric both said their goodbyes and followed the girls out the door.

Nessa hung back a second, fiddling with the latches on her jacket.

"Why didn't tell Elphaba the truth?"

"You were right. It was one date, and I guess it didn't really even count as a date. It's just..." Nessa's hands dropped to her lap. "I asked you to tell me truth, and you lied, but it was the kind of lie that made me think that maybe there was a chance that it was the truth. So, when you go on dates with other girls, promise me you will be honest with them. And, frankly, Elphaba would have killed you and I don't think you did enough to deserve that."

She turned towards the door and exited into the night.

-A couple of weeks later-

Nessa sat at a table in the library. Elphaba sat across from her. Every few seconds, pages turned.

From around the corner, Boq appeared holding flowers and a card.

Elphaba was the first to see him. Seeing the Munchkin stiffen and glance towards Nessa, Elphaba wordlessly gathered her books and disappeared around the corner.

"Elphaba where are-" Nessa stopped as Boq took Elphaba's vacated seat. She stiffened in her chair.

"You said you didn't think the first time we went out was a real date. I didn't like that. I want to give you a real first date. A proper first date."

Nessa narrowed her eyes.

"Why?"

"I just said. Because I-"

"No. You are in love with Miss Galinda. Why do you want to go out with me?"

"I want you to give me a chance. Before you hate me. Give me a real chance. No dancing. No Galinda. Just dinner with me. At The Glass Room. Paid for by me," Boq said, his words oddly scattered.

Nessa flipped another page.

"Give me time to consider it."

"Please?"

"Time, Master Boq. Time."