Rifiuto: Non Miriena

Thanks to lizziemagic and KarmelKisses2 for reviewing 15.

August, Day Seven

The next morning, Boq slipped into the Wilted Rose, and searched for Nessa. Finally spotting her, he hurried to her table, and settled across from her.

"Hey, how are you?"

She smiled at him.

"I'm good. I've been helping Fabala pack for her trip. She's so excited." Nessa said, rolling her eyes. "She said she's going to stop by and see Mom while she's there."

"And that's a problem because?" Boq asked, looking into her eyes.

"It's not. It's just..." Nessa trailed off, staring into her coffee. "Mama... left when I was three. She... she promised to come back for us, but..."

"She never returned." She nodded, tears slowly sliding down her cheeks.

"Yeah. She... she sent us cards and gifts on our birthdays and holidays, but never came in person. The only time she came in person, was to Fabala's last dance recital in high school. She'd kept in touch with Fabala because of their shared love of dance, and so Fabala saw her alot more than I did. I've never forgiven her. I don't think I ever will."

They sat in silence for several minutes, before Nessa asked, "So how's the internship going?"

Boq took a sip of his coffee, before replying, "It's going good. I file papers, grade assignments, sit in on classes, the usual. And you? How are your classes?"

"They're okay. I still haven't decided on what I'm going to major in."

He chuckled softly.

"Don't worry, you don't have to declare a major until your second year. You've got time." Nessa shrugged.

"I don't think I'll ever be able to declare a major. I can't stand or walk, let alone dance. I can't sing. I'm no good at the arts at all. Fabala's the one with the artistic brain, not me. I'm no good at math or science, so those careers are out."

"I had trouble declaring mine. It takes a while, but you have to work at it. Try a few different things before you decide to major in something. You'll find it when you're ready."

"You think?" He nodded, as he got up. They left the cafe, returning to Shiz as the wind followed at their backs.

Laughter caught their attention, and they looked up to see Elphaba and her friends hurrying down the street. The gaggle of dancers were following behind an older woman, most likely the dance instructor. Suddenly, she turned and said something to them, and the chit-chat and happy chatter died down to silence, but immediately started up again five minutes later. Dressed in sapphire blue track suits, they carried dance bags and joked with each other as they headed back to Shiz.

Nessa caught sight of her older sister among them, her harlequin skin for once, blending in with the pale creams and whites of the other girls, due to the sapphire wrapped around her body. She had linked arms with a redhead, and the two girls were laughing and joking with their friends, as they snapped photographs on their phones or texted friends. At one point, Elphaba looked behind her, and, catching sight of her baby sister, gave her a small, yet loving smile.

Then, she pulled away from her friends, promising to catch up, and hurried back to the two.

"Hey guys."

"Hey Fabala."

"Hey Elphie, what are you doing out here?" Boq asked, wrapping his childhood friend in a hug. She hugged her sister, before pulling her long raven hair back in a high ponytail.

"We just got done with a competition."

"I thought-"

"We do. We have the intercity finals next week, but this week was the preliminary finals, to see which of the schools would go on to the intercity- us or Mchaven Pointe." Elphaba said, rolling her eyes at the mention of Shiz's small-city rival. Mchaven Pointe was a college town twenty miles north of Shiz. "We won. We're going to the finals next week."

"Congrats!"

"Kudos."

"Thanks. It was... kind of a given that we'd go, but... as usual, Mchaven had to wage war to make sure." She shook her head at the simple fact. "So what about you?"

"Nessa's just having problems declaring a major."

She turned to her sister.

"Why would you declare a major now? You have a whole year before you declare a major."

Nessa shrugged. "You declared a major your first year."

"But Ness, I know what I want to do. And besides, you're not me. Take your time."

"But... I'm not good at anything."

"Nessie, try a few things out. Take a few classes. You'll find something. It'll take time. Trust me."

"Fabala!"

She looked up, waving to Milla, who motioned her to hurry up, otherwise their coach would get wise.

"Look Nessie, I've got to go. But, we're doing an encore performance tonight at seven out on the quad. It's open to all the students. Come?" Nessa winced, unsure. "Please Nessie, for me."

"I don't know, Fabala-"

"Please, Nessie. Mama won't be there, you won't have to see her, I promise. And I want you there. Please, Nessie. Come for me?" After hearing that Melena wouldn't be there, she brightened, and after several moments of silent debate, she said,

"You promise Mama won't be there?"

"I promise."

"Okay. I'll come. For you, Fabala." The smile that lit her sister's pretty face warmed her heart, and she wrapped her sister in a hug.

"I'll bring her, Elphie."

"Thanks Boq." Elphaba straightened, and hurried to catch up to her friends. "I'll see you tonight! And thank you, Nessie!"

"You're welcome!"

Once Elphaba was gone, they continued on.

"I think it's wonderful what you're doing, Nessa."

She sighed.

"I know. The important thing is that it makes Fabala happy when I'm there. She's never excluded me from anything. She's always made sure I had a special seat at her recitals and performances and... she tries so hard to make sure I fit in... too hard..."

"She loves you, Nessa."

The young girl nodded.

"Yeah. She does."