Chapter Two


Whew. Somehow he had gotten away from Avaric. He was beginning to go off about one of his sensual tangents, and Boq just wanted to get away. He rushed down the marble halls as quickly as possible, hoping that Avaric wouldn't be able to catch up to him. It was almost luck that gave him a chance to get away. Avaric began to talk about the new ladies at the Philosophy Club when someone yelled, "Hey doofus!" and the idiot actually looked. Then Boq ducked down and ran as fast as he could. Thankfully he lost him.

He entered Dr. Dillamond's class, which was nearly full. Their chatters echoed around the room, and his thoughts were nearly drowned out. He must have been a little late, although the final bell hadn't rung yet. Boq scanned for an empty seat. He couldn't find one.

Damn, he thought. A little embarrassed, he started to walk down to Dillamond, a tall, gray Goat wearing a smart powdered yellow suit with square shaped glasses. Although he was an Animal, he was quite intelligent, and Boq admired him much. But, sweet Oz, it was humiliating going up to the teacher in front of a room full of people to say that he couldn't find a seat.

"Oh little munchkin boy! Woo-hoo, over here!"

Boq looked up. His dear Galinda was waving her little hand toward him. He smiled widely. She was wearing an orange dress that went slightly passed her knees, and her hair were in giant curls. She glowed beautifully.

"There's an empty seat next to me good sir! I'd be oh so happy to give it to you," she said with a showy tune.

Boq's heart leaped. He grinned from ear to ear and was just joyous to know that she had noticed him. Finally, he thought desperately, I'll be sitting next to the girl I've dreaming of for years. He raced to the seat, and sat down next to her. She flashed him one of her winning smiles.

"Thank you very much Miss Galinda," Boq stuttered nervously.

"Oh the pleasure is all yours," she said. She looked at him for a moment. This time her eyes sparkled blue. "Oh! How rude of me! I know you. You're Master Bick."

"Actually it's Boq," he said softly.

"Oh it is so nice to meet you," she said sticking her little hand out. His heart melted. Boq took it gently and laid a soft kiss upon her smooth skin. She giggled. "That tickled."

"Umm… Miss Galinda," started Boq, but Dr. Dillamond interrupted.

"Oh you mustn't speak now Master Bark, the Goat is lecturing," she whispered quickly.

He sighed and tried to listen to the lecture. But he couldn't. He couldn't take his eyes off of her. Every time she spoke, it was like music to his ears. Every curve about her was perfectly sculpted into a beautiful masterpiece. Boq couldn't pay attention. Elphaba and Galinda went back and forth, but of who knows what. He kept himself preoccupied by writing Galinda's name a thousand times in his notebook.

"Who wrote this!" boomed Dillamond's voice.

Boq shut his book suddenly. He looked up and heard Elphaba gasp. On the black board were huge red letters that spelt "ANIMALS SHOULD BE SEEN NOT HEARD." He stared, shocked. What kind of maniac would do such a thing? he thought. Dillamond was one of the greatest minds at Shiz. He couldn't believe someone wanted to get rid of him.

"This is unbelievable," he screeched. "This is a violation- a…" he paused and looked up at the class. "I'm sorry class, I need some time to myself." And he left.

Boq didn't understand it much. Sure, he knew about animal rights, and had developed theories of his own. But, he couldn't believe that it would be happening in his own school. He didn't want to believe in it. All he wanted to worry about was how many kids Galinda would want. He wanted ten.

"This is distasteful!" squeaked Galinda standing up. "Sheer immaturity! Utter badness!" She glided from her desk, addressing the whole class at this act of treason. Many were caught up in her speech, admiring her oral (and physical) features. Elphaba slumped her head down in embarrassment. Boq smiled at her, his little buttercup in the spotlight of class.

"Because I am so good…" she continued tartly yet sweetly, "I will show my appreciation for Dr. Dillamond by cleaning off the blackboard myself." She raised her hands toward the board.

Elphaba spoke up. "It's drawn in blood."

"Eek!" Galinda backed away. She stared at the board, and her jaw nearly crashed to the floor. "Haven't you people ever heard of chalk?"

"Miss Galinda will you please take your seat?" Madame Morrible just walked in, her usual glare upon her, her chin held in the air, and her eyes always looking down. Galinda took her seat beside Boq, though somewhat scandalously.

"While Dr. Dillamond attends to other engagements," she said, obviously choosing her words carefully, "you will all be in the library, working silently until the final bell. I would expect no commotion about these circumstances… it will be settled soon. You will be in pairs."

Boq noticed Elphaba and Galinda looked at each other. Galinda made a face, turned to him, and smiled weakly.

"Would… you like to… be my partner?" she choked.

"Sure!" said Boq enthusiastically. Galinda grinned reluctantly.

"Galinda would you like to be my partner?" a few girls asked.

"Sorry girls, I'm taken my Master Beak," she said cutely. Boq's heart flew.

"I hope you can get that stain out," said Galinda, as they walked out of the library when the bell had rung. "It's such a bother to get out ink stains. Of course, my servants take care of them- they do wonders!"

"Oh it's quite all right Miss Galinda," said Boq. He wasn't really upset- how could he be? It wasn't totally her fault. He was bending under the table to retrieve her quill when she accidentally knocked over the bottle of ink. It spilled over to his collar, and now he had this messy black blot near his neck.

"Oh there's that Fiyero boy," said Galinda. She pointed over to a good-looking boy with dirty blonde hair, rugged facial features, and blue diamonds across his neck. "He's so handsome."

Boq made a face out of spite as Galinda wandered over to Fiyero. Boq frowned. She could very well have him if she wanted. He knew that he was no competition, but just once, he'd like to get a chance to sweep her off her feet.

"He's some prince isn't he?"

Boq looked beside him. Elphaba was standing there observing the couple that was engaged in their own conversation.

"He's okay," sputtered Boq.

"He wouldn't be so unattractive if he showed off a little less. He's kind of snooty, if you know what I mean."

Boq was taken back. "You think so?"

Elphaba shrugged. "Doesn't matter what I think. You're the one with the crush." And with that, she left. Boq followed her with his eyes until she disappeared in the crowd. She was definitely an interesting character. His eyes shifted to Galinda as she finished flirting with the blue diamond boy. A few of her friends were standing nearby, and they soon formed a giddy crowd.

"Galinda, are you doing to the ball with him?" asked Pfanee in astonishment.

"Why yes, that doll," she said. "We're a match made in Heaven."

Boq couldn't stand it. He had to take his chance before it was too late.

"Uh… Miss… Miss Galinda?" he approached her apprehensively. She looked at him kind of shocked, then gestured to her friends, "You girls go on, while I take care of this kind sir. Go on." Her friends scattered forth, and she smiled. Boq sighed, relieved that they were alone.

"I…" Boq started, but suddenly felt a frog in his throat. "I couldn't help notice that you're going to the Ozdust dance, and I only hope that…well that you would save once dance for me? I'll be waiting… all night."

"Oh how generous of you," said Galinda slowly. "And I assure you that kind generosity will always be repaid. I would take upon your act, but… but… Oh tragic, I can't keep it any longer!"

"What is it Miss Galinda?" asked Boq, worriedly.

"Oh well," she said kind of sadly. "I just don't know if I could take upon your… offer. You see that tragically beautiful girl over there? She's the pretty one over there at noon… noon, good sir, not 6:45… the one in the chair. Well she is one of my dear, dear friends and it would hurt me so if she didn't have a date for the dance. If only there was someone with such a generous soul, I know that he would forever be in my heart."

"Well maybe I can ask her to the dance," said Boq thoughtfully.

"Oh Bick really? You would do that for me?" She batted her eyelashes.

"I would do anything for you Miss Galinda."

Suddenly, the bell rang for the next period. The tiny blonde waved her little fingers at him, and then blew him a kiss. Boq sighed happily before realizing that he was going to be late for class. He turned around, and saw Nessarose around the corner. He had just remembered that their classes were right next to each other's. Dashing to her, he quickly dusted himself off, trying to look passable for her. Damn ink stain, he thought.

"Good afternoon Miss Nessarose," said Boq kindly.

Nessarose turned her head and looked up. "Good afternoon." She paused, unsure if she recognized him. "Oh… oh, you were with Tibbett and Crope yesterday at lunch… I'm sorry I didn't catch your name."

"Master Boq of Munchkinland," he said, taking her hand.

She chuckled. "I'm pleased to meet you."

"Would you mind if…" Boq suddenly became nervous. Was he doing the right thing?

"Would I mind if…?" repeated Nessarose curiously.

"Would you mind if… I walk you to class?" said Boq. "I mean that is, if I push you to class? No, well, I don't mean it to sound-"

"You walk, I'll roll… walk and roll! Haha, get it?" she laughed. Boq smiled warily and was satisfied to know that Nessarose had a good sense of humor. Still, he couldn't help but feel guilty about asking her out. He didn't like her in that fashion after all, and he was only doing it for his Galinda. His Galinda…

"It's very nice of you to walk me to class with me," she commented.

"Oh I don't mind it at all," he said. "I think you're a girl of class. You seem to have that…essence about you."

She touched her cheeks. "Thank you, but stop. You're making me flush."

He was going to reply "okay" but thought it improper to do so. They talked lightly about things; Nessarose told him things about Elphaba most people falsely believed, and Boq made her laugh with Tibbett and Crope's adventures. When they came within reach of their rooms, Nessarose thanked him for his company.

"Miss Nessarose, I would like to ask you something," he faltered.

"Yes?" she said. Boq kneeled down in front of her, and laid his hand on hers. She stared. "You're not going to propose are you?"

"And why not?" he said good-humoredly. "We've known each other for nearly three minutes." She laughed and that took some pressure off him. He continued. "I was wondering if you would mind accompanying me to the Ozdust dance?"

She looked at him intently, her eyes glistening a nice shadow of green. She smiled, but it slowly faded. "I'm afraid not," she answered.

"What?" Boq was confused.

"I can't go to the dance with you. I'm sorry," she turned her wheelchair to leave, but he stopped her.

"Why not?" he asked.

"I just don't think dances are for me," she said quite boldly.

"After I spent the best three minutes of my life with you?" he said. She stared, and then laughed.

"I don't think it'll work out between us," she said placing her hand on his cheek. "Not under these conditions."

"You're wrong," he said, holding her hand on his face. "I can prove it to you."

She let go of his face. "I don't think so. It was great meeting you, Master Boq. Tell Tibbett and Crope that there is no rhyme for purple. I'd hate to break it to them myself."

Boq panicked. He knew that if he didn't ask her then his Galinda would be frowning all night. And he was getting tired of being kicked to the curb, rejected by all these girls for so long. He didn't have luck with them, but he'd expect this trend to stop by now.

"Wait… Miss Nessarose," said Boq. She turned. "Would you at least keep me company at lunch tomorrow?"

She gave him a look. "Wouldn't your friends miss you?"

"They wouldn't even notice," said Boq truthfully.

She thought for a moment. "Okay. That doesn't sound too bad."

"Thank you," said Boq kissing her hand. She stroked his face. Then she took a tan colored silken scarp from her book bag, and wrapped t around his neckline, covering the hideous stain from the ink. She observed him for a moment, and went to class.