Page 186 of Naughty Nelle

Fairweather announces that today’s theme is jewelry. The only piece of jewelry I want to make is a lucky charm—the key to Faraway’s front gate to free myself from this prison. Instead, I opt to make a paper chain necklace. When it comes to art, I have little talent.

At a long metal table, Elzmerelda works as far away as possible from her sister. “What are you making?” I ask.

“Jewelry for feet—shoes!” she says proudly.

I examine her project. She’s constructed a pair of high-heeled shoes out of papier-mâché, painted them gold, and encrusted them with multi-color sequins. You know what, she’s actually talented.

At the back of the room, What’s-His-Name sits at a spinning wheel. He’s making something out of straw.

He limps over to me, holding his creation. “F-for you,” he stutters.

It’s a delicate golden bracelet with my name woven into it. “QUEEN.” Nice! Finally, someone respects me around this joint.

“Wonderful!” says Fairweather. “This is the first time he’s connected with someone at Faraway.”

I take the bracelet from him and slip it over my hand. It falls apart. What’s-His-Name looks crestfallen.

“It’s the thought that counts,” Fairweather tells him. “Next time, think of incorporating your name.”

Sasperilla saunters over to her sister. “Watch’ya making?” she asks nosily.

Elzmerelda ignores her.

Sasperilla snatches the shoes and tosses them onto the floor. “Let me be the first to try them on.”

“No!” cries Elzmerelda. But it’s too late. Sasperilla squeezes her long, bony feet into the sparkly shoes and completely destroys them. They’re nothing but a bunch of cardboard scraps.

Elzmerelda bursts into tears. “I worked so hard on them!”

“Such a pity!” tisks Sasperilla. “Because they went so nicely with what I’m wearing.”

I want to strangle the skinny bitch with the chain I’ve made. Too bad it’s only made of paper.

Elzmerelda will not get out of bed for dinner. She’s bundled under her covers, still sobbing.

“Come on, Elz, you’ve got to eat something.” It’s the first time I’ve called her Elz for short.

“I’m not hungry,” she sniffles.

There’s a loud knock at the door. It swings open. Winifred.

“I brought you something,” she says, plopping down on Elz’s bed. She digs into a pocket and plucks out a huge bar of chocolate.

Elz sits up as Winifred brushes away her tears. “Winnie, they’ll punish you if they catch you with that.”

“Let them.” The chubster shrugs. “They can take everything else away from me, but they can’t take away my chocolate. I have a secret stash in my room, so eat your heart out.”

Elz breaks off a chunk and savors it. “I feel so much better. You’re the best, Winnie!”

Winnie devours a large piece as well and sighs. There’s still a small piece left.

“You know, you’re going to get pimples from eating so much chocolate,” I tell them.

“That is such an old wives’ tale,” laughs Winnie.

I have to admit she does have gorgeous skin if you don’t count the freckles. Maybe she’s right.

“Have a piece,” she offers.

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