Wonderful | wicked | book 2/3

Nessa

I met with the rest of the staff, they all looked so uncomfortable around me.
I felt so out of place.
I was a horrendous dictator, no wonder they don't like me.
Though Dr Dillamond assures me that they will warm up to me, I highly doubt it.
I don't know what I'm doing really.
We're alone in his office now, just waiting awkwardly for a problem to arise and my 'leadership skills' be put to the test.
I've been given a magic bell that Glinda made.
I have one and Elphie has the other, if I ring mine hers rings too.
That's how Elphie knows that I need her even though she's back at home.
Dr Dillamond is sat comfortably in his desk chair, that he pulled over into the corner of the room, to make room for my chair to sit behind the desk.
That's where I am now.

After a while of saying nothing, Dr Dillamond finally breaks the silence.
"Feeling nervous, Nessarose?" He asks a genuine concern in his voice.
"To be quite honest Sir, yes" I mumble, ashamed of my uncertainty.
"I'm sure you will do fine" he says taking out a pair of glasses from his jacket picked and pressing them onto his face.
"I'm glad we came to visit" I say abruptly "I know it's made Elphaba very happy"
Dr Dillamond smiles, I'm doing this for her, that's all I keep telling myself.
This job is really meant for Elphaba.
I stare ominously at the door, pleading silently that no one comes in.
"Professor if it isn't too much trouble, would you mind standing beside me, I don't want to be the first thing someone sees when they come in" I say, blushing deeply.
Dr Dillamond staggers over to me and places his hands on top of his desk to steady himself.
I awkwardly click a pen that was placed beside me.
The noise is irritating yet addictive.

There's a sudden knock on the door and it slides open slowly.
A short ginger haired student steps in.
She's got glasses and freckles, she tugs
nervously at the bottom of her skirt.
"Sorry to interrupt" she squeaks, "but I have a problem,"
I listen intently and hope that I don't look scary to thing young girl.
Dr Dillamond pats me reassuringly on the shoulder.
"I'm not entirely sure what lesson I have next," the girl says, she stops tugging at her skirt and starts to smooth it out instead.
"And what my dear is you name?" Dr Dillamons asks,
"Bootle" she girl mutters "Amanda Bootle."
Dr Dillamond opens a draw under the desk, he pulls out a large book and begins to scan the contents.
He then points out a line for me.
"Botany," I say blankly, trying desperately to remember what that is the study off.
"Oh of course, silly me" the Amanda says shaking her head amusingly "Miss Pliggins will be wondering where I am,"
Dr Dillamond coughs slightly,
"You best run along then, Miss Bootle" He says firmly, the girl smiles and turns to leave.
"Thank you ever so much," she says closing the door behind her.

Dr Dillamond chuckles all of a sudden and goes to sit back down in his chair, once sat down he breaths heavily for a moment before closing his eyes and leaning back.
"If you choose to take on the position you will see a lot of her," He smiles cheerfully.
I don't understand,
"Is she particularly troublesome?"
"Oh dear me no," Dr Dillamond says "she just always seems to forget when she has Botany."
That's odd, perhaps she doesn't want to go.
"I know her teacher has tried plenty of things to try and get her to remember but nothing had worked" Dr Dillamond sighs "still I know that she's top of her class"
That's it.
I can't make a big impact but perhaps I can help Amanda remember her lesson, maybe I could be cut out for this.
"I know I'm going to sound terribly silly, but what is Botany?" I ask, feeling stupid just questioning it.
"Why its the study of plants," Dr Dillamond says gently, he stands up suddenly and makes his way slowly over to the door "I have to go and take some medicine now, think you will be alright on your own?"
I'm not sure, but I have to do this.
For Elphaba, so she doesn't have to worry about me.
I took her whole childhood and I can't give that back so the next best thing I can do is try to be independent now.
"Medicine?" I question "are you sick?"
Dr dillamond shakes his head.
"No, I just can't get around like I used to..." his voice falls flat, his eyes outline my chair.
I can tell he regrets saying that though I completely understand.
"I'll be okay, just make sure you relax a
bit before you come back" I say smiling.

It's so silent in here now, I peer down at the open book that Dr Dillamond left on the desk.
I place my hand inside, so I can return to the page, and close the book.
It's a dark red and has fancy gold lettering on the front.
Student index.
I reopen the page and stare at Amanda's timetable, tomorrow at 11:30 she has a free period.
I guess I shall have to speak with her then.
I'm unsure how this is going to work,
Do I ring the bell and Elphie comes and puts me to bed?
Then what In the morning?
Do I go home and just simply return tomorrow.
It's all very confusing.
But I'm determined to do it, not just for Elphaba anymore but for me as well.

I'm not sure what's going to come of this, but I only hope for good things.
There's no point in worrying about things that haven't happened yet.
Don't know why I say this, all I do is worry.
Though I suppose now would be a good time to stop.