Elphaba sighed and rolled onto her stomach. A new boarding school. That was something she would need to get used to. Never had she imagined that she would be sent out of Munchkinland: to the Vinkus no less! She would be attending Kiamo Ko's most prestigious boarding school riding a full scholarship.

She was shocked after reading the letter, as was her family. Frex looked confused at the thought of such a grand school wanting his oldest daughter, but the thought of sending her away was too good to resist. Elphaba could shame the family no further. He would simply hire someone to tend to the housework and help Nessa. An easy replacement.

Nessarose, Elphaba's tragically beautiful sister, was upset. "Papa," she angled her wheelchair in front of Frex, "why would they want Elphaba? Why was I not invited? It is simply neither fair nor just to send her to such an amazing institution!"

Frex sighed and opened his mouth to speak, but Nessa was not finished. "She can't go. She must take care of me. Who else is there to tend to the house and I when you are away?" Nessa pouted, this time waiting for a response.

Elphaba, wanting to leave the room, cut in, "I'm going to put some tea on, Father." Frex waved his hand in dismissal, and she scurried out of the room, her head held low.

"Nessie," Frex started, "I'm doing this for you. Elphaba is a blemish to our family's name. I promise you, I'll find someone who is much more qualified to help you." He gave her a strained smile, hoping she'd accept his little reasoning. After a few seconds, she nodded and squeezed his hand.

Frex and Nessa continued to chat until Elphaba returned with tea. She poured two cups before bidding Nessa and her Father goodnight. She flopped onto her bed, not at all surprised at what she had overheard. Her father hated her, that she already knew, and Nessa figured that if Elphaba were gone she could live a normal life.

Pulling out the letter, Elphaba read it again:

Dear Miss. Elphaba M. Thropp,

I write this letter to you, and implore you to accept this chance. Here in Kiamo Ko, we have been searching for students thirsting for knowledge. In our search, we sent several tests to public schools in Oz, including Munchkinland. You scored highest, not only in Munchkinland, but most other schools as well.

After farther background checks – for securities reasons, I assure you – we were quite impressed with your studious manner. It is because of this, that we would like to extend a full scholarship to you – under some conditions, which are as follows:

-Maintain at least a 3.5 GPA.

-Take at least one arts class; for example, theater, dance, voice, or visual art.

-Most importantly, agree to tutor a student we assign to you.

You will be given a private suite in a specific dorm building. Attached to this is a list of the offered classes. If you choose to join us, please fill out the class roster, and we will send you a schedule (and other essential papers). I hope to see you at our institution at the start of the school year.

Sincerely,

Headmaster Sontai Morot

Elphaba absentmindedly fingered a corner of the paper. Surely this headmaster knew that she was green. Maybe the people in the Vinkus don't care about physical differences, she thought, but quickly batted away that small hope. Don't wish. Don't start. What is the likeliness of that when even my own family cannot stand the sight of me?

Another think that irritated her: the prospect of having to tutor a student. How can someone at such an elite school do so poorly that they require tutelage?

While she thought it ridiculous, she had to thank whatever idiot was helping her receive admittance. Why, though, was this the most important of the given conditions? She shrugged it off. It was too late to question her decisions now. She had received her schedule, room assignment, and maps only a week after sending in her information.

It was the most beautiful place she had ever seen, granted she'd never ventured far from Munchkinland. It wasn't just the colorful flora, but the people as well. The people's skin varied in (ordinary) colors. It was the tattoos that adorned their skin that caught Elphaba's eyes: spades, clovers, and hearts in all sorts of colors. Elphaba had to keep herself from staring, and part of her wondered, Is this how others feel when they look at me? No, no that's silly. They're beautiful and normal in this culture.

The small carriage her father had spared her stopped just outside the front gates of the school. "Ah, Miss. Elphaba would you like me to help you with your bags?" Boq piped from the driver's seat.

"No thank you, Boq. I only have two small bags. And you know you can just call me Elphaba. We have known each other since we were small," she said, mustering up a small smile.

The smile must have been convincing because Boq hopped down from the driver's perch and reached for Elphaba. He really was a tall munchkin. "I'm going to miss you, Elphaba. I know we weren't really close friends, but you're still good to talk with. I'll miss that."

The smile on her became easier to maintain; though it was still small. "I'll miss you, too, Boq." And she meant it. He was the closest thing to a friend she'd ever had. "Could you do me a favor? Watch after Nessie for me?"

Boq nodded, and patted Elphaba on the back. "Good luck. You deserve this."

And then he was gone. For the first time since she had received the letter, Elphaba realized that she was on her own in a foreign country. No sister to look after or father to please. Elphaba took a deep breath, turned to the school, and marched through the gates determined to map out all her classes before venturing to her dorm.

This was her new life.

Shall I continue, or should I drop it like a hot potato? Let me know in the little review box. Starting rating is T but may be bumped up to M later on.