Chapter Six

Author's Note: Thank you guys so much for those who are reading and reviewing! Your reviews help a lot and constructive criticism will always be welcomed. I'm sorry I haven't updated, some may have the impression that the story ended at the dance. This story is far from over. I love Boq and hope this story will make you appreciate him even more. I have many things in store for him. Thanks again.

Always, Fae

They were supposed to meet in a little Gillikin bistro called GOODNESS STIRS. Galinda persisted upon it. The dance ended innocently well the night before and it looked as if Nessa was happy. But now his deed was done and his focus was upon Miss Galinda. He knew he could win her heart somehow. He just had to. Ten minutes passed as he waited in a small booth at the corner of the bistro, where no one would see them. Fifteen minutes passed. Boq started to feel the pressure. Was she fooling him?

"Terribly sorry," whispered Galinda as she sat across from him out of now where. She was wearing a smart white uniform. "Fashionably late, it's almost a must."

"It's all right," said Boq relieved. "What do you recommend?"

"A new fashion consultant," replied Galinda. "Oh, you mean the food? Don't worry, they know who I am and know exactly what I want. You'll find it rather enjoyable."

Not a second later, two waiters set two dishes in front of them and lifted the covers. It was as if they were serving munchkin children. The food took about half the plate, two skinny strips of bacon, one small egg (sunny side up), a heart shaped toast, and a piece of ham covered in sweet sauce, which could have been devoured in two bites.

"Looks... delicious," remarked Boq.

"It's not much," said Galinda. "But just look at how cutely it's presented! Presentation is everything."

"I guess," muttered Boq. He picked up the egg with his fork and ate it in one bite. That was good for about five seconds. Boq looked at Galinda who was eating her bacon in bits and pieces. She was so cute. She dabbed her mouth with a napkin, then took the cinnamon shaker. She giggled.

"Don't tell anyone this," she said laughing at herself, "but I love cinnamon in everything. On my toast, in my dessert, in my mango juice. It's such a sweet flavor."

Boq's eyes lit up. "Really? So do I!"

She laughed. "We're probably the only ones in Oz who do." Boq smiled as she took a sip of her drink. She looked up and caught his stare.

"What? Is my make-up askew?"

Boq laughed, "No you're. . ." Boq paused, and took a gulp. He swallowed his nerves. "You're. . . you're absolutely beautiful."

"I know," she said and giggled. "And you're so... so... complimentary."

Boq smiled but it wasn't a very enthused smile. Complimentary? Was that the best he could get out of her? They didn't say anything for a while as the devoured what was left of their meal (which wasn't much really). Boq started to get a funny feeling, but it was also an excited feeling. He held every precious moment with her like fragile glass. Seeing her from across the table was a glory in itself. They talked for a bit but the atmosphere didn't get any better. Boq was still quite uneasy around her. A silence broke through, and they didn't speak for a while. However, he loved how he kept catching how she kept catching the stares that she thought he wasn't catching... wait, did that make sense?

"So how was your first class with Madame Morrible?" he asked hoping to keep up a conversation. "The first class for youwas this morning wasn't it?"

"Yes it was," she said cheerfully. "Ooh! Watch me refill your glass." She held up her wand carefully.

"This won't be good for business," said Boq jokingly. She shot him a look ad waved her wand gently. Boq looked at his glass. Nothing happened. He bit his lip and looked at her. She stared at it heedfully, expecting some sort of change.

"Did it work?" she asked hopefully.

"Oh...oh yeah," he said reassuringly. "Look... my glass filled... half a centimeter. Sort of... I think."

"Oh Bick, don't humor me," she said putting her wand down.

"Oh Miss Galinda, it was your first lesson-" Boq stopped in mid-sentence. He looked in his glass and it started to turn green. Clouds of smoke filtered out of it, and left a minty aroma. A bit like sugar canes.

"Haha! You did something!" exclaimed Boq.

"I did, didn't I!" said Galinda happily. "What did I do?"

"I'm not sure," said Boq. "It sure is, um... green. I've never seen anything like it."

She looked at it, satisfied. "Reminds me of Elphie."

"Who?"

"Elphie... oh, Elphaba."

"Oh," Boq smelled the strange drink and felt the whip of mint candy fragrance tickle his nostrils. "Well, bottoms up," he said picking up the glass.

"Ooh! Tell me how it is!"

Boq took a long gulp of the green substance. It slithered down his throat caressing his taste buds. No... more like stabbing his taste buds. Awful, awful stabbing! The poison tasted like cold cement prickling his buds of such horrible sensations. It suddenly began to smell like hot wax. What in Oz did she learn in Morrible's class? thought Boq, gagging. He started to cough in suffocation.

"Are you okay?" asked Galinda but she was a faint voice in his ears. He was too busy choking as Galinda's eyes widened. "Oh mercy!"

Boq shook his head furiously, and caught himself. He returned to his normal state shortly, as people stared intently. He cleared his throat, and the bad taste passed.

"Master Bick?" asked Galinda worried.

He looked up at her dizzily. "Auntie Em, is that you?"

"What?"

"Oh gee... I didn't grow another foot anywhere did I?" said Boq half-serious, half-joking, his head spinning.

"N-no, I don't see any extra nor unusual parts of the anatomy anyplace."

"That... that... was delicious." Boq licked his lips. Yuck.

"Really? Maybe I should try some."

" NO! Don't! It was horrible!"

"Oh Master Bick you mustn't humor me like that!"

"Miss Galinda, I was dying right in front of you, believe me, I wasn't trying to humor you."

Her lips started to tremble as though hurt by his sudden reaction. Boq realized what he had said and felt apologetic. He didn't mean to be cross, he was just trying to joke around. Avaric's sarcasm must have rubbed off on him a bit. He wanted to kill himself. There was no way in Ozma's name was he going to turn into Avaric. Galinda folded her arms and turned away, chin up. She looked really cute that way. Boq started to giggle.

"What is so funny?" she said irritably.

He giggled some more. "Beside the fact that you tried to kill me?"

She cracked a small smile, but kept her chin arched.

"You look so cute that way. I wouldn't care if you stayed angry with me."

She smiled wider, pleased with his answer. She laughed along with him and they forgot the whole incident. Boq looked at her admiringly. He knew that one day she's be a great sorceress. If not... well she'd always smile everyone's problems away. They excused themselves and the waiter bowed in front of Galinda as they left the restaurant. As they walked toward Shiz, Galinda held his hand. She rockedit back and forth quite excitably and Boq couldn't have been happier. Once they approached the pathway to Shiz, Galinda looked at him closely.

"You are quite the person, you know," she said. Well... better than being complimentary, thought Boq. "I had a fantastic time."

"Me too Miss Galinda," he said stroking her hand lightly. She bit her bottom lip ad let go hastily.

"I must be going," she said quickly.

"Wait I'll walk you to class. We have Dillamond together."

"I- I um, have to stop at Morrible's for something."

"Fine. I'll be happy enough to wait."

"No, no... no need to do that now. I'm a big girl... well sort of. I can manage."

He didn't want to leave. For onemorning he got to know the real Galinda- the Galinda behind the prancing princess, the goody-two-shoes. And he found out that she was wonderful, even more than before.

"I love you Miss Galinda," he said softly. She looked at him kind of shocked and concerned at the same time.

"Oh Boq... I can't," she said. She placed her hands on his shoulders and kissed him lovingly. He had longed for this day in his dreams. He kissed her back and they held each other for a beautiful moment. Her lips were soft as he tasted them gently, their lips caressing each other. They pulled away.

"Oh sweet Oz," she whimpered. Boq laid her head on his chest and she whined softly. "What have I done?"

"Galinda..."

"I'm... I'm a lech!"

"What?" Boq looked at her. She was too tiny to be married.

"A lech! A lech! Oh the ungoodness, oh the humanity! Ungodly sin!"

"I wasn't that good of a kisser was I?"

"He mustn't know," said Galinda. "I must go... goodbye Master Boq."

"Galinda don't you think you're overreacting?"

"Good sir if he finds out... I can't believe I cheated on my fiancé." Galinda started biting her perfectly trimmed nails.

"Galinda, it's okay, trust me... fiancé? What?" Boq grabbed her arms as she started to wiggle free. "Galinda... don't leave."

She stopped struggling and took a few deep breaths. "Boq I just want to forget this whole thing happened. This thing between us. I can't do it. I have a fiancé."

"Galinda, quit saying that, you're making me nervous...stop hiding behind your facade, you're a wonderful person...Galinda..."

"No- Boq... it's Miss Galinda." She turned away, but before she left she said one more thing. "You do have a heart of gold."

Boq couldn't understand it. He just couldn't. He didn't know what to do next. But somehow, some way, he just had to have her. He was too close. Their lips touched for a whole moment and he would never forget that. He finally realized how magical love felt and wanted the feeling to last as long as a lifetime. He just had to keep trying with her and with just enough persistence, he knew that she would be his. And they would live happily ever after.

Boq wasn't quite up for class. He decided to hide behind the oak tree and sleep for a while. It had been a forever since his last peaceful sleep. He was so caught up with his emotions and his worries that he didn't have time to have a nice nap. Once the coast was clear, he snuck out to the field, making sure he wasn't to be seen. He quickly walked to the tree, snuggled behind it so he was hidden well enough, and closed his eyes. And for the first time in a long time, he had a peaceful nap.

When he awoke, the area was still deserted. He decided that he should probably get ready to go to his next class, whatever time it was. He looked at the clock in the middle of Shiz's building. Class would be over in ten minutes. He stretched his arms out and yawned. That felt nice. He stood up and started to walk inside. By this time he could care less if he was caught ditching class. He entered the school building and began to admire the vine-draped walls. He never really paid attention to them until now.

"Ow," someone said. Apparently Boq had stepped on someone's foot. He didn't even notice.

"Gee I'm sorry," said Boq and he looked at the person. It was Elphaba, but she looked different. She was... oddly... attractive. Her hair wasn't in that braid. Instead it was long and curled nicely. She had a pink flower in her hair, but she looked sad. Her eyes were a magnificent dark color, but her face was frowing. He smiled, hoping to make her feel better.

"You look... great," he said.

"Uh...um... thanks," she said softly.

"What are you doing out of class?"

"Class let out early," she replied after a short pause.

"Really?" asked Boq suspiciously. Something didn't feel right. "Where's everyone?"

"In class," she answered. She stopped herself. "I mean..."

"What's happened?" He put a hand on her shoulder and she looked at him, taken back. "Are you okay?"

"I have flowers in my hair, what do you suppose?"

Boq looked at her strangely, and was a bithurt by her attitude. "Sorry for caring." He started to head for Dillamond's class. But then she called his name.

"What?" he asked turning around.

She sighed and walked to him. In a hushed whisper she said, "They're all acting... possessed... in there. No, nothing of that sort... I don't know what I did, but they were holding a cub in a cage-"

"Wait, what?" Boq was confused. "Start again."

She inhaled and let it out. "Dillamond was taken away. They dismissed him, hauled him away! And then this other professor comes in with a lion cub in a cage. CAGED. He was frightened and orphaned. Before I knew it, Fiyero and I stole the cub and rescued it."

"You and Fiyero?"

"Yeah... it's a complicated story. I don't even know the whole story."

"Dillamond gone. That's awful. They can't do that."

"Well they did. It's sheer prejudice."

"Gee I'm sorry Elphaba."

She put her head down and told him to forget it. She looked back up at him. "My sister seems to take a great liking of you. A great liking."

"Oh Elphaba..." Boq started. He didn't want her to find out from anyone else that he was breaking up with Nessa... not that they were in a relationship, but Nessa seemed to have thought differently. But he didn't want to see the fire in Elphaba's eyes if he did tell her. "Do you happen to know where she is at the moment?"

"She's in her room... beware of Morrible though. She doesn't allow boys in Nessa's room and their rooms are conjoined. But if anything happens just tell me and I'll talk to her about it."

"Thanks." Before Boq left he turned around and said, "It was nice talking to you."

"Thanks Boq, same here," she said smiling. And it was then that Boq noticed... pink really did go well with green. They waved goodbye, and Boq rushed down the hall until he entered the girls' dorm building. Morrible was seen up ahead, and looked as if she was in a hurry to do something. Her thick elegant robe was dragging dust on the floor, and her shoes made an annoying clicking noise as she swept passed him. He thought it strange that she was such in a hurry... he wondered if it had anything to do with Dillamond's class. He ignored the thought and focused on where he was going because for a minute he had forgotten what he was doing. He stepped in front of Nessa's room and knocked. He took a deep breath and quickly tried to outline how he was going to break it to her.

Nessa opened the door her eyes drawn into a history book on her lap. She looked up and smiled.

"Boq what a wonderful surprise," she said. "Please come in."

Boq allowed himself in and noticed how extravagantly decorated her room was. Everything was of a lilac color and every accessory and knick knack were creatively placed at every corner. There were sparkling drapes over her four poster bed, candle lights were floating in the corner ceiling, lilacs hung everywhere. Boq noticed one particular lilac perched in a small vase in th middle of her desk, the one he gave her on their first date.

"Morrible was worried about how my room was looking, all drab and dreary," exclaimed Nessa. "I didn't have a problem with it, but she told me to add some color, something a bit more fun. Elphaba thinks I went over board."

"How are the candles floating. They're not..?"

"Witchcraft? I don't know if I would label it as that. Morrible taught me a few mind spells... they're just enchanted."

"Mind spells?" Boq was in awe of how they were hovering. He stood there, eyes glazedwith such fascination.

"From her sorcery seminar. Just basics. Not taking the class, but you know..."

"How does that work?"

"It's... strange. It's like praying, silent incantations, but the words are like of old Ozian nature... it's funny, but I'm quite good with it. Since Father's governor of Munchkinland, he feels it important to set an example to everyone, so we're much involved with the temple an the Unnamed God."

Governor? He had almost forgotten that she was the daughter of the Governor's... but it didn't seem to make a difference to him. He continued with the conversation for he thought it strange that her sister would be religious. "Even Elphaba?"

Nessa gave him a funny look, but then smiled. "She doesn't believe in it... but she tells me that she admires Father for his strong beliefs, and that at least he isn't swayed by others, and is always firm about his own perspective."

Boq had expected a response like that. She was such an odd ball from her family, and not only because of her green skin. From an objective point of view she was a rebel. Something suddenly caught his eye and his mouth almost fell open. Near a corner, part of a wall was occupied with paintings, art, obscure designs of a boy who looked oddly familiar... someone he knew... wait...

"Is that... me?" asked Boq hesitantly.

Nessa chuckled. "Yes. They're my drawings. I love art." She wheeled over to the corner, picking up a portrait of what looked realistically like him, but with an unlikely shine tohis hair, and a twinkle in his eye. She pecked a kiss on the picture, and admired it for a minute. Okay, thought Boq, maybe Elphaba isn't the odd ball out.

"Nessa... Listen Nessa, I have something to tell you."

"Yes Boq?" She put the frame back on the wall and wheeled in front of him.

"I don't know how to say this-" Why was this so hard? "-but... I don't... I don't think I can be with you anymore."

Silence. Nessa's face stayed smiling, and it remained that way for a while. Boq felt a bit aflutter.

"What are you talking about?"

"I mean..." he started to stutter. "I mean, I hope we can s-stay friends, I mean... Galinda..."

"Galinda?"

"Yes, Nessa, my love is destined for her, and well it's my fault that I led you on with asking you out to lunch, and to the dance, and, well, I hope you'll still talk-"

"You asked me out for Galinda?"

"Yes... but it's not at all her fault- I... I'm sorry." He was clueless. He didn't know what to say next.

"Boq?" her voice croaked. Tears welled up.

"Nessa, I'm so sorry-"

"Boq?" her voice became fainter.

"Nessa, please-"

"AAAAHHHHH!" Her high pitch scream rang in his ears. Boq backed away to the door hurriedly. He examined Nessa and she was now bowing her head silently. He didn't know what was going on exactly. Suddenly something whizzed passed his ear. A frame nearly hit him. Then every frame frm the wall floated in the air and threw themselves aimlessly at him. They missed him horribly. Her emotion must have been affecting her shot. Boq didn't need to be hit twice, or once for this matter, to know that he wasn't welcomed in here anymore. He left hastily.

Boq ran as fast as he could. But he expected avoidance from Nessa, Elphaba, Galinda, and Tibbett tomorrow. Well... it went better than he had hoped.