Chapter Text
Every Munchkin was the same: red curls, freckles, brown eyes and all average height. Not short, not tall, just in between. Every Munchkin was the same except for one. Boq Woodsman had been different the moment he was born. Instead of red curls, he had black curls. Instead of brown eyes, he has green and unfortunately, that was not the only thing about him that was green. He still has freckles like every other Munchkin but his skin was an unnatural green, and that scared people. And yes, he was born green. And because of this, he had always been the victim of bullying. It bothered him a lot as a child, but he grew to just ignore it. Boq stepped off the boat, making sure he had everything with him, and made his way to the grounds of Shiz. He hadn’t even known how he got into Shiz. Well, he applied, but he didn’t think he’d get in. And lucky for him, nobody had noticed he had gone. He didn’t want to deal with his parents berating him about going to Shiz, or his siblings making fun of him for the same reason “Boq!” He was brought out of his thoughts by a familiar voice and he turned to see his childhood friend, Elphaba. She was a beautiful girl, and very bright and was the only one who ever showed him any kindness as a child. She hugged him “I wasn’t expecting to see you here” he hugged back and was about to say something when he heard a dramatic gasp from the crowd
-•
That gasp belonged to a blonde girl, dressed up all in pink. The pink was so bright it hurt his eyes a little “oh you’re… you’re green!” He had to stop himself from rolling his eyes and took off his satchel, handing it to Elphaba before approaching the crowd “lets get this over with” he clapped his hands together, raising a eyebrow at some people avoiding him like the plague. He took a breath, not believing he had to say this “no, I am not sea sick. No, I did not eat grass as a child. And yes… I have always been green” he had lost count by this point of how many times he has had to say that to people. The blonde girl, whose name was Galinda, didn’t know what to say at first but soon managed to say something. She put a hand on her chest, tossing her hair over her shoulder “oh, you poor thing. But don’t you worry because I am to study sorcery here at Shiz, and I am more than happy to help you with your… situation” Boq put his hands behind his back, watching as everyone clapped and gasped with awe at her ‘selflessness’. He found it humorous, to say the least. He didn’t know this girl, she didn’t know him, and she thought that she was so incredible for offering to help someone for something they can’t help. He couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle “you’re offering to help someone you don’t know, with skills that you don’t have?” He gestured around the crowd, some of whom jumped back in fear “Well, I’m sure that everyone is duly impressed” murmurs from the crowd spread, not expecting him to fire back. Elphaba was holding Boq’s satchel, watching the scene but was more focused on Galinda than anyone else “I could care less what others think” Boq kicked his feet slightly “couldn’t. You couldn’t care less about what others think, though…” he let out a low hum in his throat “I doubt that” and with that, he left, leaving Galinda to process what had just happened
-•
Elphaba handed him back his satchel, a hand on his arm “are you ok?” Boq nodded, gulping. He was just sick of everyone pitying him, all because he was different “ah, there you are!” He and Elphaba both turned to the voice of a teacher, Miss Coddle. Nessa had appeared, where from, he didn’t know. He was probably too distracted with the conversation between him and Galinda to even notice her there. Miss Coddle was practically beaming at Nessa, like the mere sight of her presence was enough. She said how tragically beautiful Nessa was and how it was such a honour to meet her and Boq didn’t even need to look at Elphaba to know that saddened her. He knew that out of the daughters, Elphaba was not the favourite. He didn’t know why, he never asked, but he knew that Nessarose was the one Governor Thropp had always treasured. Miss Coddle finally turned to Boq and Elphaba. She tried to hide her shock of seeing Boq, but he saw it anyway, and looked directly at Elphaba “and you must be… the other daughter. Miss…?” “Elphaba” she nodded, a tight but uncomfortable smile on her face “Miss Elphaba. Your father made his concerns to me quite clear, and I must assure you, that you and your sister are in safe hands. In fact…” she put her hands on Nessa’s wheelchair handles, seemingly proudly “I would be honoured to escort you and Miss Nessarose to your dormitory myself” Elphaba, seeing Miss Coddle starting to push Nessa, quickly ran after “oh, Miss Coddle, I don’t think you understand, Nessa doesn’t need your help” Boq knew that Nessa hated anyone touching her chair, especially if it was someone she didn’t know “I can get there myself!” Boq gulped and ran after too, getting blocked by some pupils. He could see Elphaba trying to plead with Miss Coddle and make her understand, but it did nothing. Boq managed to find a way around the crowd “Miss Coddle, listen to her!” But, she didn’t hear him. She was ignoring Elphaba and Nessa’s persistent voice that she didn’t need help. He found a clearing among the students “stop!” Nessa’s chair froze “let her go!”
-•
And suddenly, everything lifted up. Books, benches, everything. He lifted Nessa up in the air, ignoring her screams and the gasps from everyone else. Benches banged into each other, dorm keys flew up into the air and pupils scrambled out of the way. He put Nessa down safely beside Elphaba. And due to this chaos, the walls cracked and broke. He looked at his green hands, which were shaking. He was always emotional and sensitive, it was something he hated about himself and his powers always were connected to his feelings. He looked around at the destruction he had caused and felt instantly dreadful “magic…” he spun so quickly that he was sure his head could snap. It was Madame Morrible, the Madame Morrible, in the flesh. Everyone stopped and paid attention, her voice commanding the area “…is merely the minds attempt to wrap itself around the impossible. Yes, that was me” she was… covering for him? Why? Did she see everything? Oh Oz, he was going to get in trouble wasn’t he? Hell, he almost destroyed the school. The crowds fear melted into awe and surprise, showing how quickly Madame Morrible could switch things around “to prepare you to expect the unexpected here… at Shiz” that earned a clap. He was glad that he was being covered for, but a part of him wished he was recognised as the person who made all of that happen. Before he knew it, she was approaching him “and speaking of the unexpected…who might you be, my dear?” He gulped, his confidence earlier with Galinda fading away in a instant. He wasted it all on that blonde pick me “erm B-Boq Woodsman, ma’am” he hadn’t noticed Galinda running up, tripping over one of the benches that was flying earlier “Madame Morrible-!” She put up a hand, silencing her “you, come with me” Galinda of course thought Madame Morrible meant her and she straightened down her clothes, going up to Madame Morrible. But, Madame Morrible stopped her “not you” she pointed at Boq “you” him? Why? Oh he was definitely in for it now. He looked around the crowd for Elphaba and Nessa, his worry for them overshadowing his fear of being in trouble for a second “I sh-should check on-“ “now” he gulped and quickly scampered after her, almost tripping over his shoes. What a great first day…