Page 225 of Naughty Nelle

“Sometimes, I want to strangle Sasperilla.” I don’t dare tell her about my pixie juice fantasy.

“Many patients have said they’ve wanted to kill me.” So, I’m not alone. “But there’s a big difference between thinking evil and doing evil.”

I listen intently.

“Everyone has evil thoughts. Even I do.”

“Like what?” I ask, intrigued.

“I’d love to put my show-off sister Tink to shame once and for all and…Enough about me! We’re here to talk about you.”

She pauses reflectively. “Jane, do you think you’ve changed?”

I’d better be careful how I answer her questions. The last thing I want to do is blow my chance of getting out of here. I nod. “Yes, I feel like I’ve turned a corner.”

“No, Jane, you haven’t turned a corner.”

Oh no! I’ve blown it.

“You’ve become a whole new person. Someone who has shown compassion and kindness; someone who has demonstrated the meaning of friendship; someone who has felt both joy and sadness; someone who has even saved a life.”

Yes, hers! My skin tingles. I have done all these things!

Shrink smiles at me warmly. “Jane, you are ready.”

The chime sounds.

“Time’s up for today, Jane. I’ll see you here tomorrow. It’ll be our last session together.”

Shrink zooms out of her office, covering me, as usual, in a pouf of fairy dust. But today, it feels magical. I can’t believe it! I’m going home! To my castle! At last!

On my way to group after lunch, Hook grabs me in the corridor and pins me against the wall. After I’ve rejected him a gazillion times—even a few hours ago—why won’t he give up? At least, I won’t have to put up with him much longer. I’m going home in less than twenty-four hours.

“Come on, Jane. You know you want me,” he says, pressing his chest hard against mine.

“Hook, the only thing I want is to go to group. Don’t make me late for my last session.”

He flicks his tongue at me.

I’ve had it. With all I’ve got, I kick him in the shin.

Wincing, he backs away.

“Why did you do that?” he asks, massaging the dent I’ve left on his shiny black boot.

“I hate you.”

“You love me.” He winces again.

Suffer, swineface!I march down the hall to group with Hook hobbling behind me. I’m going to share again today. It’s time to tell everyone what a pompous asshole he is. They deserve to know.

When I get to group, the door’s closed. Damn! They’ve started without me.

Tentatively, I open the door.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” Everyone’s there singing on top of their lungs. My fellow inmates, Grimm, Shrink, and the Badass Fairies. Even Gulliver and the two hair fairies. I never thought I’d ever be happy to see them again.

I feel bad I was so mean to Hook. He was just trying to bide time so I wouldn’t blow my surprise party.

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