Chapter Two

A/N: Hopefully, some spark may result in more review. And to clear things up for future reading, Lizzie is not meant to be ugly. She just believes she is because she's an angsty little teen.

Anna

"This is Halloween! This is Halloween!"

Smiling up into the night sky, Lizzie absorbed the sounds of the excited townsfolk, crowding around the incandescent fountain to watch for her father. She stood on the stage with Sally, completely still, and proud. The mayor was at her left, tapping his foot nervously. She smiled wider, watching her father rise. She may have been able to be sullen about most things but not Halloween. She wondered how anyone could possibly get bored with this holiday!

Jack's appearance elicited a round of cheering and clapping from all around the square. Lizzie grinned brightly, as her father joined her on the wooden stage, taking the podium.

"Thank you friends!" Jack boomed in his cordial voice that Lizzie always loved. "To all who made this possible…I thank you…"

The crowd's cheering rose to a fever pitch, as the mayor took the microphone. Lizzie rolled her enormous eyes, and looked at her mother.

"Is this truly necessary?"

Sally shot her a firm look. "Yes, dear."

Lizzie groaned, and tried to block out the mayor's long, and pointless speech, and so many outlandish awards. She wanted the festivities to begin, and for the residents to dance, and catch up on their gossip. She wanted to find her best friend Lena, and try to concoct different ways to prank the residents in the square. She sighed. She wanted to get some grade-A cracking in before she was mobbed by suitors.

Lizzie looked out into the crowd. She saw Lena, waving spastically. She smiled in acknowledgement, knowing Lena would understand her limitations.

"And here…we conclude our ceremony."

Lizzie laughed. "See ya!" She bolted from her spot, nearly running into the mayor

"Fair citizens, enjoy the festivi-WHOOOOAAA!"

Lizzie's sudden brush with the mayor made him spin around like a toy top. Lizzie could hear her mother scolding, and her father's snickers.

"Sorry Mr. Mayor!" She called over her shoulder. Diving into the crowd of chatting people, she searched for her friend. When she saw her, she seized her by the wrist, and pulled her away into the outside edges of the square.

Lena was giggling. "Nice exit."

Lizzie scowled. "Thanks." She stopped running, and looked at Lena, her green eyes, twinkling with sadistic pleasure.

"Oh, chill." She said, tossing her long sheet of black hair over her shoulder. "It's just a little joke."

Lizzie couldn't help but smile. She envied Lena. She was as pretty as a picture, with creamy pale skin, bright eyes, and shiny hair. She was also a witch. Lizzie loved potions of all sorts and would have given anything to experiment past her father's tutoring.

Lena did not look anything like the witches of Halloweentown. When the head witch found out she was unable to have children, she cast a spell on a dormouse, running her into a perfect little child.

"No wonder your attention span is close to zero!" Lizzie would tease.

Lizzie looked up, realizing Lena was still chortling about her sarcastic remarks. Jeez. You could keep her entertained for hours if you gave her a retractable pen!

"C'mon Len. Let's go goof on someone before somebody asks me to…"

"Excuse me Miss…"

Lizzie spun around to see someone standing behind her.

But he wasn't just any someone.

He was the single most attractive male she'd ever laid eyes on!

The boy in front of her looked no more than eighteen. He was a tall one, muscular, and lean. His features were taut, and distinct, and hiss smile was mischievous and bright. His eyes were sable and deep. His hair was thick, and dark, the kind Lizzie would want to run her fingers through. Her heart thumped inside her ribcage.

Wait a bloody second! He's a suitor…he's after power…Lizzie thought to herself. Oh, but he's just so damn cute!

Lena giggled insanely, and pirouetted away from the two. Lizzie shot her a terrified glance.

"Don't leave me!" she mouthed. Lena shrieked in pleasure, and ran off. Lizzie muttered under her breath, and turned to face the boy.

"Well do you want to dance, or what?" The boy said, with a laugh.

"Listen bucko. Why don't you go hit on some other royalty, and leave me to my celibate life?"

His dark eyebrows shot up. "Whoa there!" I don't even know you! I just saw you from across the party, and found you…" he took her hand, and kissed it. "Enchanting."

Lizzie shifted. "You don't now who I am?"

"I'm new here. I would like to know who you are. And maybe get an explanation about that royalty drabble." He extended his hand. "I'm Damien. Damien Calloway."

Lizzie shook his hand. It was firm, and warm. "I'm Lizzie. Lizzie Skellignton."

His eyes widened. "Jack's daughter."

Lizzie scowled, and took her hand away from his, planting it firmly on her bony hip.

"I thought you said you were new here!"

"I know who the king is." Damien said patiently. "And, seeing as I did not know you were the king's daughter upon asking you to dance, I am not in for the money, or the fringe."

Lizzie's mouth dropped open. She was thoroughly overjoyed that her jaw was attached to her face, so it would not fall down onto her boot, providing even more embarrassment.

How could he have read her like an open book? Was she that obvious?

Or was there something special about Damien after all?

"Yes." Lizzie said breathlessly. Damien laughed.

"Yes, what?"

"I'd like to dance."