So I've finally gotten around to what I wanted to say about the characters of Figments! Feel free to find our way to my profile and read the prequel to this story Figments It's changed from the script of a play to actual story-mode (shocker, I know). And well….here it is! Enjoy!

She Needed Mental Help

Novel's POV

"Kartik," Gemma said firmly. "Stay away from me."

I had just entered the waiting room of our new therapist and, of course, the first thing I heard was their bickering.

"Why? It's not like Simon's here!" Kartik whined.

"Can we all try to save the arguing for the therapist?" I couldn't believe it. They were arguing already. And what did he mean that Simon wasn't here yet?

"Simon's not here?" I queried. "I'm late, and he's later?"

"Way to state the obvious, Nov. Are you going to tell me what color my shirt is next?"

Ouch. Obviously Gemma was still mad at me. I hadn't tried to steal her fiancé. He had just kissed me. Under her bed. While she was in the room. Hm….maybe I could see why she was mad.

"It is hot outside." Snickers walked in behind me. He had picked me up that morning. "Good morning, everybody."

There was a general disgruntled murmur.

"I can see you're all delightfully happy this morning! Oh, by the way Gemma," Snick added. "Simon's on his way."

"I hope you can control your attraction for Kartik now that your fiancé's on the way, Gemma." I gave her my most innocent look.

"Snick, control your woman, before I have to!" Gemma jumped out of her seat, eyes flashing.

"Bring it." Obviously, we were not morning people.

A voice with a slight accent from the doorway made us all stop. "Well. I can see that I'm going to have my hands full this morning." A gorgeous green-eyed man had just walked into the waiting area. He smoothed his dark brown hair back from his forehead as he surveyed the room. "I take it that you're the first appointment?

I couldn't breathe and, from the looks of it, neither could Gemma. We couldn't take our eyes off of him. Please let that be the therapist, I thought.

It was during this unsightly display of gazing that Simon happened to walk in and notice Gemma staring. I barely noticed Simon though, and I seriously doubt that Gemma did either. Three emotions crossed his face both quickly and clearly: confusion, comprehension, and rage. He was pissed, no doubt about it.

"Gemma? I'm over here." She didn't hear him. He tried again. "Who's this?"

"I am so very sorry," The magnificent specimen said. He sounded very educated. A few more sentences and I would be able to pick up on his accent. "My name is Niccolo."

He was Italian. Oh gosh. He was Italian. If his looks didn't kill me, his accent certainly would. Niccolo. I wanted to tell him my name just to hear him say it. I wondered what his last name was….and just how many people he'd want to invite to our wedding. I was certain that we could make something work. Maybe next Tuesday…

"Yes, we are the first appointment," said Snick, giving the other guys an exasperated look. "Are you the therapist?"

"Me, the therapist?" Niccolo looked positively amused, and proceeded to tug at his blazer, which I couldn't help but notice must have been very expensive. "No, I could never be the therapist! I just work here for my college training! She will be along in just a moment!"

Darn. What girl wouldn't want to lie on a couch in his office?

"Well, if you want to practice with a patient, here's my number." I quickly scribbled it on a piece of paper and handed it to him. No need to cancel the wedding just because he didn't have a degree yet. Snickers looked at me incredulously. Gemma glared daggers at me. Niccolo then smiled.

"Sure, I will. I need the practice!" His smile. Did he have any flaws?

"Tell me something, Niccolo. Are you Italian?" I had to know.

"I'm of Italian descent. Both of my parents are Italian, but I was born here." He smiled at me and then Gemma. "And what about you? Can I practice on you, too?"

Gemma practically melted. "Of course!" She hurriedly grabbed a piece of paper and wrote her number for him. Now it was Simon's turn to glare.

Niccolo strode through us and went behind the receptionist's desk. Deftly, he took of his blazer and hung it over his chair. He then sat. After flipping through the appointment book, he came to that day's date and confirmed that yes, we were here for therapy, and yes, our appointment was at eight this morning. Just five minutes until it started.

"You may as well get settled until the doctor arrives," Niccolo said. He stood and held open the only other door in the room besides the entrance. "Right this way."

We were led into something that very closely resembles a conference room. It had a long, wooden oval table right in the centre, with wooden chairs to match.

"Just take the seats closest to the head of the table, but remember that the head is reserved for the therapist. She will be along in," he checked his watch, "three minutes." With that, he strode out of the room.

We all sat in various chairs around the table, with Simon and Kartik being nearest the head, Gemma next to Simon, me next to Kartik, and Snickers next to me.

"Why am I the furthest away from the therapist?" Snickers complained.

"That's because you have the least problems. You're only here so that I can have some sort of emotional support when these three break down." I rolled my eyes and jabbed a thumb towards Gemma, Kartik, and Simon.

"Hey!" the three exclaimed in unison.

"And the reason that Kartik and Simon are nearest is because they have the most problems," I clarified for Snick.

"At least weren't the ones drooling over the receptionist!" Simon looked repulsed.

"Yeah," added Kartik. He clasped his hands together and pretended to swoon. "Oh Niccolo! Invite us for therapy so that we can seduce you!"

"I don't need to seduce him. I'm too pretty for that. But Novel over there definitely needs seduction."

"Shut up, Gemma! If you're so darned naturally seductive, then why'd your fiancé kiss me under the bed?" It was a low blow, but she was getting on my nerves.

"Nov…." Snick tugged on my sleeve nervously.

"Not now, Snick." I waited for Gemma to make a comeback.

"That's only because you're a tramp and you know it, you little slu…" Gemma cut herself off, mid-insult.

"Well, I can see that this is going to be a fun day," Our therapist said sarcastically from the doorway. "Good morning. I'm Dr. Amber Wilson, and I'm your therapist."

I glared at the guys, as they were all suddenly rendered speechless. Actually, they weren't speechless. They were just too busy looking at the rear end of our therapist. She wasn't that pretty. She was okay. Yet, the guys looked the same way at her as they did at the cookies we baked them. That didn't sit too well with me. I wasn't quite sure this was going to work.

Dr. Wilson sat down in her seat at the head of the table and smiled in a friendly manner. She couldn't be older that twenty three.

I looked at the guys. Dr. Wilson had their undivided attention. Gemma and I exchanged looks.

This was going to be interesting.

Author's Note:16th November, 2009

So how'd you like it? Would you like more? Please tell me! I'm having fun and destressing by playing with the minds of Libba Bray's characters! (And throwing a few other people into the mix…)

I have a whole new arsenal of telepathic goodies to send to my readers…but I still love the classics best! A chocolate chip cookie to everyone who reviews! Lots of love and happy reading!