Page 229 of Naughty Nelle

“Has my castle been cleaned up for my return?”

“Ah, yes, I almost forgot to tell you. You’ll be boarding at a prince’s castle. You’ll be the personal assistant to his PIW.”

My heart tumbles like it’s fallen down a wishing well. How could she do this to me? I was so looking forward to going home.

“What’s a PIW?” The words fly out of my mouth like angry bees. I’m back to despising her.

“A Princess-in-Waiting. This job, if you wish to call it that, will test all the interpersonal skills you’ve learned here and help you discover the true meaning of beauty. If you succeed and hence fully recover from your addiction, you’ll be free to return to your castle. And resume your life.”

I am disappointed, resentful, and anxious. Almost sick. “And what if I fail?”

“I’m afraid you won’t be able to remain in Lalaland nor will you have another chance.”

The hair on the back of my neck bristles. I have to stay hopeful and focused. I must!

“Jane, we have time for one last question. Make it a good one.”

I swallow hard, pushing the anger and pain down my throat. There is something I’ve been thinking about since I’ve been here. “Are people born evil or do they become evil?”

Shrink flutters up and down like a yo-yo. “That is a good question, Jane. One I’ve wrestled with myself. We could talk about it for hours. All I will say now is that people are like apples.”

Apples? My stomach churns. Why couldn’t she say watermelons, or bananas, or some other fruit when there are so many to choose from? I bet she’s trying to prove that she still knows how to get to me. How cruel! Especially on my last day here.

I resist the urge to swat her as she continues. “All of us start off as blossoms, then mature into beautiful fruit. A few of us remain perfect while most others get blemishes. Those that stray too far from the tree often get stepped on or infested by a worm. They can grow rotten to the core.”

Like Sasperilla. As much as it unnerves me, I have to admit her apple theory makes sense.

“I almost forgot,” she adds as if an afterthought, “people, like apples, can be poisoned by the human hand.”

Her words sting me like a hornet. I want to hurt this insipid insect of a woman just like she’s hurt me.

“And I almost forgot,” I blurt out, “you should lose the glasses and wear your hair down. You’d look a lot prettier.”

For a split-second, she’s speechless. That’s a first. Then she thanks me for the beauty advice. “And by the way, I never thanked you for saving my life.”

Shrink smiles at me warmly. My anger melts away. I smile back. I’m actually going to miss her. I slip the mirrored locket over my head. It lies on my chest, close to my heart. Another round of tears is on its way.

I’m saved by the chime. It’s the last time I’ll ever hear it.

“Jane, it’s time for you to re-enter the world of fairy tales and find that light.”

A coach to take me back must be waiting for me. I rise from the chaise.

Before I can take a step, Shrink spins around my body like a tornado. Her tiny figure becomes a blur as her sparkling fairy dust envelops me.

My feet are no longer on ground. It’s as if my body is leaving me. I’m being transported to another world!

Shrink’s fairy dust was magical after all.

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