Disclaimer: The Wicked universe belongs to Gregory Maguire, but any new characters or places are pretty much mine.

Part One: Colarin Academy

Chapter One - Bianca: Ellia Verdi got on the train for Ieldra, the capital city of Fliaan. Looking at her, no one would have seen the excitement she felt. Growing up in maunteries tended to give one a lot of self-control.

She had the compartment to herself for the entire trip. That wasn't surprising, considering. Ellie didn't look like most people. Her skin wasn't white or brown, but jade green. The fact that the only clothes she had were black - thanks to the maunts - didn't help any. She was lonely, but she did as she always did; she pulled a book from her bag and read for the whole trip.

When she got off the train, she got directions to Colarin Academy. She got lost once, but managed to find her new school. She had a map of the campus and, pulling it out, headed for the admissions building.

She walked in the door, noticing the look of shock on the face of the secretary seated at the desk. "Hello," she began. "I'm here to get my room assignment and my roster."

The woman blinked and seemed to take a moment before she said, "Name?"

"Ellia," Ellie replied, forgetting her last name. It wasn't like she'd had it her whole life, after all. She hadn't needed one in the mauntery, and had picked 'Verdi' ouict of a book on a whim.

"Ellia what?"

"Oh! Sorry. Ellia Verdi."

The woman raised an eyebrow. "Right. Well, here you go." She handed Ellie a paper. The girl took it and ran.

It didn't take long to find her dorm building, the Shalas Dormitory. Ellie found her room, 303, and opened the door. A girl looked up from the bed to the right. She was a pale, freckled girl with curly red hair and lively, dancing gray eyes.

"Hi. You're my roommate?" she asked Ellie, who nodded. "Great," the girl continued. "I'm Bianca Rahay, what's your name?"

"Ellia Verdi," Ellie replied.

"Nice to meet you," said Bianca Rahay, holding out her hand. Ellie just stared at her.

"Did I say something wrong?" Bianca asked.

"I'm just wondering why you aren't already at admissions begging for a new roomie."

"Why would I do that?"

"Well..." Ellie gestured to her skin.

"Oh, that. I don't see any problem. I'll only want a new roomie if we don't get on, and if we don't, well, you'll want to switch too, trust me." Ellia raised a thin black brow and Bianca grinned. "If I don't like someone, I make his or her life a living hell," she elaborated.

"I see," Ellie murmured.

"You aren't the talkative type, are you?" Bianca asked.

"I grew up in a mauntery," Ellia replied.

"Oh. Enough said."

"Exactly."

"So... what are you majoring in? I'm taking history."

"Magecraft, actually."

"Really? I'd think a mauntery girl wouldn't be interested in that."

"I'm not a unionist, and I think it's probably because I'm from a mauntery." Bianca laughed.

"My papa says that religion is useless. Mama hates that; she's a devout worshiper of Lurline, but we kids have our own choice in the matter."

"Lurline? I've heard of her, but I don't know much..."

"Neither do I, and I have you talking now. I'm very proud of myself."

Ellie stared at her in confusion and then smiled. "So you do. I wondered why I felt so tired."

"Oh, good, you have a sense of humor." Bianca grinned at her. Ellie just stared at her.

"You're insane."

"Well, yes, but you'll get used to it, I swear."

"I'll have to, won't I?" But Ellie was smiling. This Bianca girl was a bit loopy, but she seemed all right. Ellie had never made friends easily; had never really made friends at all, actually.

Bianca watched her green roomie unpack. Ellia seemed really uncertain of herself, at least as far as social stuff was concerned. But once you got her talking, she was pretty nice. Bianca smiled to herself. It would be nice to finally have a friend who wasn't an empty-headed budding socialite. It really would.

A/N: So, what do you guys think? And just wondering, does anyone know the real reason why Ellia's last name is Verdi? Those of you who take Italian should be able to guess it, and probably the ones who take Spanish as well. R&R!