Chapter Three


"You what?"

Boq fixed his dark gray porkpie hat upon his head, and straightened out his shirt. He was also wearing a dress coat, hoping that it would enthuse her enough to say yes to him. As a final touch, he tied the scarf into a nice ribbon around his neck. He looked presentable enough.

"I can't believe you," said Avaric.

"If you're going to keep acting like this, I'm going to throw you out of my room," said Boq.

"It's my room too," said Avaric.

"That gives you no right to be here!"

Avaric moaned. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

"Two days ago you said she wasn't bad looking," pointed out Boq.

"She's not," he whined. "But she'll bring her."

Boq looked at him and approached him. "You're not invited... and I don't think she is either." He walked passed him to get some money out of his drawers

"Ohh, so it's a date," mocked Avaric.

"No... no..." said Boq. He slipped the coins in his pocket. "It's a lunch date... very different from a dinner date..."

"Knock, knock," said Tibbett walking in. Crope wasn't with him. He hopped on Boq's bed. "Crope got detention... for something he didn't do!"

"And you didn't?" asked Boq.

"I know, someone should complain... especially because it was for something I did. Ah well, the tables will turn eventually," said Tibbett. "Anyway, what's going on? I've never seen you so fancied up."

"He's going on a lunch date," said Avaric, "which is apparently very different from a dinner date."

"Of course it is," said Tibbett. "Dinner dates are sexy and lunch dates are not."

Boq took one more look at himself in the mirror and fixed his cuffs near his wrist. I guess this will have to do, thought Boq. He looked decent, but he was no Fiyero. But he did admit... with the silken scarf, he looked quite posh.

"Hey Boq, can we drop in?" asked Tibbett.

Boq turned to them quickly. "Do not drop in."

"Whoa Boq, I was just asking..."

"I didn't mean to be harsh," said Boq in sorrow. "I just don't want to mess this up. Let me do this right."

"That's some task," said Tibbett.

"I know, that's why I don't want any interruptions."

"Okay Boq, if it means that much to you, we don't drop in."

"Thanks. Wish me luck," said Boq leaving the dorm.

"You won't need it."

"You look very handsome," complimented Nessarose as they strolled down the small uptown just out of Shiz.

"It's the scarf isn't it?" he said.

She laughed. "No... it's you." Boq smiled and turned to a small restaurant called A SHORT WAY FROM HOME. He opened the door and bells rung from above.

"This is our stop," said Boq pushing the door open for her. She entered and he followed behind her. The owner recognized Boq, and gave him a wink. He then led Nessarose and Boq to their reserved seats, passing them two cute menus. They sat in a table for two cozily placed near a window looking over the lovely streets. Once they got comfortable, Nessa asked if he came here often.

"When I get the chance," he replied. "It reminds me of home. They serve the best food here, all Munchkinland recipes. And it feels as if mom made them."

"Hmm... It has a friendly atmosphere here," she said.

"Well we are nothing but humble Munchkins," said Boq grinning. She took a sip of honey flavored tea, and the glass twinkled in her eyes. Boq looked at her for a moment. He liked the way her eyes looked when she smiled. She caught his stare, and looked down bashfully. He brought his face to the right, being bashful himself, and saw a cart full of violets outside the huge glassed window. They reminded him of Galinda. His sweet Galinda. He pushed himself away from the table, leaned toward Nessarose from across, and rubbed her cheek with his thumb.

"I... I'll be right back," he said less reassuringly than she would hope. He walked passed her and headed to the exit. He looked over his shoulder and saw her back towards him, her milk chocolate hair hanging from her wheelchair. For a split second, he felt remorse for leaving her.

As he walked along the sidewalk, he made sure to hide himself behind his hat so she wouldn't see him through the window. He tipped his hat to the side and almost lost track of where he was heading to until a cloaked woman crouched up beside him. She hid behind her cloak and he saw nothing but her long crooked nose and desperate, red eyes.

"Sir, have a violet to bring a smile upon someone's face," she croaked.

"Umm..." Boq stepped back a bit. She was creepy.

"I assure you, this violet, bloomed to its fullest, will have any lovely lady yearn for you."

"I'm not sure about that," said Boq, "but I was going to buy one from you anyway." He took out a silver coin and paid the strange lady. She gave him a violet rich in color, but the tint slowly fading to a pure white at the tips. The stem was not too long, and the petals curled slightly. Boq thought it would match her perfectly for today she was wearing a lilac colored sun dress that blended with her cream colored skin nicely. He thanked her for the flower and headed back to the little boutique. He stopped for a minute before returning to their table, fixed up his hat again, and tugged on his coat. Here goes nothing, he thought.

He approached from behind and presented the flower above and over her head, and in front of her eyes. "A rose never lasts as sweet as a violet."

She accepted the flower and smiled. "Yes it does."

"Work with me here," he said laughing, and taking his seat. She returned her gratitude by humoring him. "You should be in my poetry class."

"Hmm... I don't think I would be able to stand any more of Tibbett and Crope. Especially if they're trying to find a rhyme for tart."

"They're really funny," she said.

"They are. They always make me laugh. You can't have one without the other though... they're like mangos and cinnamon."

Nessarose pulled a face with her tongue sticking out as to have gagged. Boq smiled. He thought it was cute. Moments later, the waiter came into the scene.

"Are you ready to order?" he asked.

"Yes..." Boq looked at Nessarose, waiting for a signal.

"I'll have whatever you're having," she said sweetly.

"We'll each have the Swan's Special with a glass of sweet mango water."

"No cinnamon in mine, please," said Nessa jokingly. The waiter looked at her awkwardly, but Boq laughed. Then the waiter asked if there would be anything else, and Boq said that it would be all. Nessa unfolded her napkin and blanketed her lap with it. Boq noticed that she started to avoid eye contact.

"Is something the matter?" he asked.

She looked up hesitantly. She bit her lip. "Are we really having swan?" Boq laughed and replied, "That's just the name. Its really baked chicken slathered with thick, white sauce and seasonings... why are you a vegetarian?"

She shook her head slowly. "Not really. My sister, however, she's a different story. She hates the fact the Animals are beings demoralized into nothing but second rate creatures, and more and more are being turned into animals."

"She was probably upset about the Dillamond thing yesterday. I don't blame her. That whole episode could turn any straight-minded person off of eating meat. Ha... what she would say if she saw us having real swan."

"She doesn't know I'm here," she said quietly. Boq looked at her.

"Should I be afraid?" he asked.

"Don't be. It would have been a nut house if I had told her about this date."

"It's not a real date," he reminded.

"Oh of course not, I wouldn't think of it," she agreed.

Boq fiddled with his fork. "So will you go to the dance with me?"

Her eyes twinkled. "No. I'm afraid not." Strike two. He had one more chance. The odd silence was broken when the food arrived. The aroma smelt delightful. Boq sliced the tender white meat lathered in a river of sauce, and savored its soft, warm-flavor. He then took a sip of his mango drink, and checked on Nessa.

"It's so delicious," she said licking her lips.

"I'm glad you like it. Try the mango drink.. you like it? Good. Here, have some cinnamon..."

"No Boq, don't!" she protested laughing. It was too late. Boq playfully grabbed the cinnamon shaker and started for her glass. She tried to stop him by holding his wrists, but it was too much fun.

"Boq is this anyway to behave in a restaurant?" Suddenly, her drink toppled over. It poured on her dress and she let out a small shriek. Boq quickly reacted.

"Gee, I'm sorry Nessa, I didn't mean to-"

"It's all right," she said. She removed the napkin off her lap, which thankfully soaked all the juice off the waist of her dress. However, spots of spilt juice left a stain on the fabric of her bosom.

"Here," said Boq handing her his napkin. She took it and dabbed the spots on her dress. Then she started to laugh. Thank Lurline, she had a good sense of humor. He stood up and slipped off his coat. Gently, he placed it over her shoulders, trying not to get anything caught in the wheelchair. She slid her arms through, and wrapped herself in it.

"It's warm," she said softly. Boq took his seat.

"I'm really sorry about that," he said.

"Don't worry about it," she said. To Boq's relief, they continued their lunch quite peacefully, despite their little accident. After a while, Nessarose brought up an uncomfortable topic.

"So why did you want to ask me to the dance?" she asked.

Boq looked down, not knowing if he should tell her the truth. He had lied enough to her and was sick of deceiving her with lies. She was so sweet to him, and he just wanted to be friends. But, then again, he also wanted Galinda.

"Actually," he said carefully, "Miss Galinda brought me to you. She thought we would be the cutest couple at the dance." Not her exact words, but close enough.

"Sounds like Galinda," she beamed. "She's so good."

A tapping came nearby. Boq looked out the window. Nothing. Suddenly, Boq's jaw dropped. Tibbett and Crope's face were pressed upon the glass in a distorted way, their skin imprinting gross and corpulent marks.

"Oh no," he breathed. "Excuse me for one minute." He rushed outside, hoping that the two dumbbells wouldn't be distracting enough to get Nessa's attention. He stomped over to them and pulled them both away by their collars.

"I told you not to drop in," said Boq.

"Avaric said it was okay!" said Tibbett struggling through his grip.

"You were there when I said it!" exclaimed Boq.

"Boq, you can't expect me to remember these things!"

"You were the one who promised!"

"I don't remember!"

Boq let them go and tried to track his calmness. "Would you guys just please leave before she notices anything?"

"You didn't tell us it was with Nessarose."

"Yeah, why weren't we invited to your date?" asked Crope.

"It's a lunch date," told Tibbett.

"Oh, well that's different...so un-sexy."

"Come on, let us drop in," pleaded Tibbett. "It'll be great. We won't do anything to embarrass you. She loves us!"

Boq groaned and gave in. "Fine, but behave, will ya?" He ushered the two in and they walked in as if they were high fashioned, wealthy classed, summerhouse-owning businessmen. Boq rolled his eyes and pushed them along.

"Look who decided to drop by," said Boq insincerely.

"Tibbett! Crope! So nice to see you," said Nessarose gleefully.

"It's grand to see you," said Crope leaning down to kiss her on the hand. Tibbett and Boq grabbed two other chairs, but before placing them beside their table, Tibbett whispered, "You lent her your coat? Sounds like a dinner date in disguise." Boq didn't respond and soon they took their seats.

"So is everything going along well so far?" asked Tibbett.

"Mm-hm. The food's superb, the service is great, and Boq's been just marvelous company."

"That's nice...," said Crope.

"So when are you going to have S-E-X with him?" asked Tibbett.

Boq choked on his food. He gawked at him.

"Yes do tell," said Crope.

"S-sex?" she stuttered.

"Oh you mustn't utter the word, Boq prefers it spelt," said Crope.

"This isn't happening," said Boq putting his hand on his forehead.

"Boq?" said Nessa nervously. You're making her uneasy, you idiots, he thought angrily. He stood up immediately and started to push Nessa toward the exit.

"Hey what are you doing?" called Crope. "Bring her back!"

"Goodbye you guys," Boq said.

"Give her back," said Tibbett. "It's not fair, you can simply wheel her away! You're not giving her the upper hand! She has a mind too you know!"

"Yeah, what if she doesn't like being pushed around by the likes of you?"

"Actually, it isn't so bad being pushed around," said Nessa in a low enough voice so only Boq would hear. He smiled. He liked the fact that she would come up with the wheelchair jokes before anyone else, and that she enjoyed them too. They strode far enough from the restaurant so only the whispers of the wind were heard. They stopped before crossing the pathway to Shiz. Boq kneeled beside her.

"So will you go to the dance with me?"

She looked at him unwillingly, then smiled. "Yes." Boq sighed, then beamed. "But I must warn you, Boq... I can get a bit...obsessive."

Boq thought of Galinda. "So can I."