I'm so glad to be getting this chapter over with. Hey, ladivina, your suggestion about the meal incident was just what I needed! Thank you so much. My original plot for the scenes before the tavern just seemed so unnecessary-my sister pointed that out- so I decided not to, but I told her, "If I don't use that, I don't know what I'm gonna use!" I kept asking her if she had suggestions, I prayed for ideas, I brainstormed all day for the right atmosphere scene to put both Gaston and Lissa in a bad mood, and it wasn't until late that ladivina PM'd me with the meal time suggestion. It was perfect! So the credit for that scene goes to you, ladivina.

I certainly hope that you all can endure and read this fanfic to the ending! I cannot wait to post the next chapter because that is when things are going to head in a different direction. But if you guys don't finish reading the story, you're going to miss something important near the end! Thank you to everyone who has left reviews and followed this story, and favorited. My sister was the one who originally imagined the idea of Gaston being a big brother.

Lyn Harkeran, it's true that I do not like the character of Gaston and he is still my new biggest imaginary arch nemesis. But you know, I have had a lot of fun writing about him in here! Writing this story is I think God's way of helping me explore him as a person, instead of only 'that pompous old jerk'. I feel like writing this story has been a good experience, helping me to touch on Gaston in a healthy way for me. But I cannot write him out of the Gaston we all know. But, you never know how things might turn out in the end of this story!

Child of Dreams, the scene with Agathe, I wrote that especially for you.

Okay, I am writing according to the movie storyline, so this chapter is Gaston's song! I've put in the lyrics, only they're not used as song lyrics. I tried to intertwine the event in here without making them sing it. Hope it suffices. The scene with Lissa sliding on the counter was more of something I imagine from an animated perspective, but hope it's not too irrelevant. Lissa might sound like a spoilsport during the song scene, but if you've become close to a narcissist, you know what that feels like!

If you've had experience with a narcissist (per say, living with them) then you know what one of the 'bad days' is like!

Reviews are welcome. I'm really excited to start posting the chapters that follow this one, even though they are on the dramatic side, because they are the ones I've been working on so much.

Gaston had definitely waken up on the wrong side of the bed the next morning! In all honestly, last night he was not as calm as he had let on. On the ride home, after Lissa had fallen asleep on his shoulder, he'd started thinking about Belle again and how he wanted her to do that instead of his sister. That and more. His thoughts on the matter had swirled in his mind into sleep and when he'd waken this morning. He wanted Belle to gush over him with kisses, smoochy flattery, and worship the ground he walked on like most everyone else in the village did. He wanted her to pamper him with caresses and tell him he was the most amazing, fascinating, handsome, powerful man in the world. But she would not and she had never. Gaston could not understand why!

He started recounting all the times before that he had tried to ask her out, get her to notice what an irresistible man among men he was, but she never gave him what he wanted to hear. What was that girl's problem? Was she blind? Was she stupid? Was she so isolated in her bookworm lifestyle that she couldn't see beyond the pages? "Who does she think she is? It's time Belle got her nose out those books and started paying attention to more important things like me!" Gaston huffed, staring up at his beautiful portrait above the mantle.

"Speaking of Belle," Lissa's voice interrupted his thoughts as she approached, "I have a question for you."

"Ask away." Gaston shrugged, rolling his eyes. Just then, Lefou opened the front door.

"Morning!" He greeted, but the two Legume siblings didn't even notice him. "Oh, I see. You're in the middle of something. If you don't mind, I'll just let myself in."

Belle was not a gossip, but yesterday she did tell Lissa about Gaston's ungentlemanly behavior after the situation at the fountain. Lissa had been flabbergasted. She'd known that her brother had to be the biggest flirt in France, and that he could be pushy, but grabbing Belle's skirt? Lissa cleared her throat. "What did you say to Belle yesterday?" She asked Gaston. "I understand that you 'proposed' to her again?" She wanted to see whether or not it had penetrated yet into his thick brain how foolish and boorish his approach had been.

"Yes." Gaston nodded.

"Okay, guys. I'm in!" Lefou announced, making is way to the breakfast table.

"But, how exactly did you do it?" Lissa asked.

"Nothing but tell her like it is." Gaston shook his head. "The silly, gorgeous thing has had her head stuck in those books too long."

"Well, uh...I think I'll just help myself." Lefou said.

"Ahem. Belle told me you hinted something about children?" Lissa prodded.

"Oh." Gaston grunted. "I guess it was a little sudden for her. I merely suggested that the only children she should concern herself with are her own."

"Oh!" Lissa's jaw dropped and she rolled her eyes, cringing. She covered her face with her hands and let out a heavy sigh. She slowly slid her hands down so they showed only her eyes. She stared up at Gaston in disbelief. He just stared at her casually. She finally dropped her hands to her side. "And she only closed the door in your face?" Lissa could not help blurting out the question. Lefou nearly choked on the food he'd been nibbling on. Gaston frowned at her, pursed his lips, and grabbing his coat, he roughly shoved his hat on and barged out the door.

"Uh...are you sure that was the smartest thing to say?" Lefou asked nervously. Lissa looked at him with furrowed brows.

"No," She admitted. "But what else could I say? Do you think that was the smartest thing for him to say to Belle?"

"I...wouldn't know." Lefou stated. "I haven't had much luck with girls."

Really? Lissa thought. "I don't see why." She remarked. Lefou stared at her curiously.

"What do you mean?" He asked, very interested. He was never going to be the super model and hero that Gaston was, and someone actually thought he was worth knowing?

"I think you're a good friend." Lissa told him with a smile. "A little appeasing and very talkative, but pleasant to be around. At least you act like you, and don't make yourself out to be something else."

"And girls like that?" Lefou raised his eyebrows.

"Well, I do." Lissa replied, grinning. "Believe me, after living with Gaston all my life, I find it quite refreshing."

"Well...thank you." Lefou cleared his throat, blushing. No girl had ever paid him a compliment like that. Actually, no one in general had ever done that for him, at least not with sincere acceptance. Most of his life, people had brushed him aside because they didn't want him around with his over bubbly personality. He'd matured a lot from that since childhood, but he still had that knack for making his peers wish he was somewhere else. "I, uh...I should probably go, and see if I can cool him off." He headed for the door.

"What was I supposed to do?" Lissa asked, lifting her arms in exasperation. "I had to say something! Our mother would never let him speak that way to a lady. I know that if a guy talked that way to me, I'd be just as offended as Belle!"

"I guess it just isn't easy being the most neatest guy in town." Lefou sighed. "I suppose if your head swells up too much, you can get a hazard of tripping over your own feet."

"If you had that problem, I believe that you at least would have the sense to be more careful next time!"

"Well, I'd hope so." Lefou agreed. "Hey, thanks for the breakfast. I better go find him before he breaks a window!"

"Yes!" Lissa nodded. "Honest, I wasn't trying to hurt his feelings, I was just trying to make him think about his actions."

"Aw, don't worry about it." Lefou smiled. "He'll be all right." And with that, he left.

Gaston was not all right. It wasn't so much what Lissa had said to him that was heating his temper, though her question hadn't helped much, as much as it was the fact that Belle had again refused his advances. The first person he ran into that was 'in his way' with his chip on the shoulder, was Agathe. She eyed him warily but bravely held up her tin cup asking for coins. Gaston scowled. "Out of my way, you ugly old thing!" He growled and flung the cup out of her hand onto the ground and stomped away. Turning to look back at her, she gazed at him without cowering. She didn't even look sad, just a very pensive gaze. For some weird reason, it made Gaston feel almost as if she could see right through him! He didn't like that feeling. He kicked his boot into a dirty puddle, sending mud flying all over Agathe. Gaston huffed, feeling better, and marched away. Lissa had suggested once to Gaston about hiring Agathe as their washerwoman, then she could earn a living and Lissa could have the extra help. But Gaston had rejected the idea, saying that if Agathe really needed it, he would, such as if she had children to provide for, but she was a spinster, therefore she would have to fend for herself. And he'd been very successful in making that point clear.

He'd been thinking about Belle's rejection to his marriage proposal all night and all morning. It drove him nuts, being turned down by the prize girl in the whole village who should've been flocking to his beautiful feet. Belle didn't know what she was missing! She had to be out of her mind not marry Gaston. No, she had to be out of her mind not to even want to marry Gaston!

Lefou found Gaston. "Hi." Lefou smiled. "You know, a hungry stomach can make a fellow grouchy. Did you eat anything this morning?"

"I'm not hungry." Gaston said flatly. "I'm gonna go hunting. You wanna come?"

"Sure!" Lefou agreed eagerly. "I'll go get my gear and meet you at the stables, after I let Lissa know."

While the guys were out in the country, Lissa visited Belle's. She invited her over for lunch. Belle was very reluctant. "Don't worry, Belle." Lissa smiled. "The fellows are out hunting and won't be back till evening. It'll be just the two of us, I promise!" Belle eyed her uneasily.

"You sure?" Belle gulped.

"Yes. Don't you trust me?" Lissa teased.

"I trust you!" Belle retorted, It's Mr. Dreamy Puss I don't trust!

"Then come on."

"All right, thank you." Belle smiled gratefully. "But I can't stay all day. Papa will be returning home soon and I want to have everything ready for him." Lissa nodded.

"Wow! You didn't miss a shot, Gaston!" Lefou cheered. "You're the greatest hunter in the whole world."

"I know." Gaston said cockily.

"No beast alive stands a chance against you...or any girl for that matter." Lefou said. He knew that Belle had done a good job of blocking off Gaston's advances, but he was trying to cheer up his friend whose morning hadn't started happily.

"It's true, Lefou." Gaston smiled back, feeling better. The hunting today had already been generous to him, and he'd found himself some scurvy foxes whose coats were going to make some ladies in Paris very happy, plus he'd found some nice, fat quail.

"Looks like you got your spark back." Lefou said.

"Ah, yes. You know, all this hunting gives me an appetite. What do you say we head back for lunch?" Gaston suggested.

"Sounds good to me!" Lefou exclaimed. He didn't have to be told twice.

Lissa and Belle were enjoying their meal and conversation together, thankful that Gaston wasn't around to bother them. But their little paradise was interrupted too soon when Gaston opened the front door and happily stepped inside with Lefou, startling the girls. Gaston and his pal stopped and stared. They hadn't been expecting company! Belle was horrified. She looked at Lissa hard with a look that said, You promised they wouldn't be here! Lissa could only gape.

"Belle!" Gaston smiled. He had not expected this, but he wasn't going to pass up this rare opportunity. Belle braced herself and pasted a very, very weak smile. She wished she was at home!

"Gaston? Lefou? I thought you were out hunting!" Lissa spoke up.

"We got some nice game." Lefou replied. "And we decided to eat lunch in comfort." Belle squeezed her eyes shut tight. Oh, how she wished he had NOT used that phrase 'in comfort'! She clenched her fingers to the bottom of her chair.

"Uh...I guess I'd better get some extra plates." Lissa gulped, the room suddenly feeling very small. She slowly backed up into the kitchen, watching Belle as she did.

No! Don't leave me here with him! Belle's face flared.

"Why, Belle. This is a surprise!" Gaston smiled widely and took his seat at the table. Belle could not have been in a worse spot: she hadn't known that she'd been sitting right next to his usual spot! "And may I say, what a lovely surprise." Gaston grinned, scooting as close to her as possible. Belle felt smothered. She wanted to run away.

Lissa grabbed the extra utensils as quickly as possible and hurried back to the table. She groaned when she saw Belle's predicament. How had this happened, and so abruptly? She loudly clanged the dishes on the table. "Ahem! Would you like lemonade or water with your food?" She asked trying to get Gaston's attention, but he paid her no mind. He was staring at Belle and was leaning in close to her, much too close for Belle's taste.

"Uh...lemonade sounds good." Lefou spoke up. Lissa glanced at him then looked back at her brother. He had his arm extended around Belle's chair, close to her shoulders.

"Hey, you!" Lissa spoke loudly close to him, trying to divert his attention but it was not working at all. "You said you came for lunch, not to pass into a trance!" Will you snap out of it? She thought impatiently. "I thought you were hungry."

"How can I think about food? My eyes are feasting rapturously right now." Gaston said smoothly, gazing dreamily at Belle. He actually tried to kiss her cheek. That was it! Belle couldn't stand it anymore!

"Ohh!" She cringed loudly, shoving Gaston's arm away and quickly backed her chair away, jumping out of it as if someone had thrown a snake on the table right in front of her. "Lissa, I am sorry, but I've suddenly lost my appetite and I really feel like I'm going to become ill!" Belle exclaimed, backing away as fast as she could to the door. Gaston rose to stop her. "Thank you for the offer, Lissa, but I honestly feel that I'd prefer to eat alone today, in the safety of my own home!" Gaston almost reached her when Belle threw the door open and bolted out of it then slammed it behind her. She ran home as fast as she could, her face still flushed from Gaston's flirting.

The room was silent. Gaston sighed heavily then turned with a puffed out lip. Lissa shook her head pitifully. Lefou cleared his throat. "Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm famished." He sat down and started helping himself.

"I'm not finished yet." Gaston said with determination and rushed out of the house.

"Oh no!" Lissa exclaimed. "Gaston, please leave her in peace! Please!"

"Just simmer down." Lefou told her. "If Belle bites his head off, remember it was his choice to let her."

"Well, that was a disaster." Lissa sighed heavily. "Naturally, today of all days, he would decide to come home early!"

"Just eat." Lefou encouraged. Lissa sat down with a huff and roughly gnawed on a chunk of bread. She was so flustered that she didn't realize she'd crunched down hard on her finger with her teeth until it was too late!

"Oow!" She yelped, wagging her finger. "Oh, oh, oh," she groaned, "...can things possibly get any worse?" Lefou just smiled.

Gaston hurried to Belle's house and knocked endlessly on her door but she didn't answer. "I know you're in there, Belle. You can't hide from a great hunter like me. Now why don't you come back and join me for lunch?" He spoke. Belle didn't yell back at him or anything. It was silent. Gaston sighed. Man, he'd been so close this time! And Belle had blundered it again. Only this time it didn't inspire Gaston to more passion. This time, it made him angry. He scuffed his boots in the dirt as he departed.

Belle was hiding down in the cellar and didn't dare to open the doors until she was sure Gaston would not return. She finally peeked out and climbed back to earth. "Is he gone?" She asked the chickens. "Ugh! I have never felt so offended in my life!" She wasn't hungry anymore so she decided to gather vegetables in the garden. She stuck to that task for about half an hour until she heard a familiar whinny and saw Philippe frantically scurry into his paddock. His reigns were torn, he was dirty, and worst of all, there was no sign of Maurice!

Lefou finished his midday meal and said he'd be at the tavern the rest of the day. Lissa wanted to run and check on Belle to see how she was doing, but Gaston might follow and only cause more problems. Lissa felt bad for her friend. Belle had trusted her, and Lissa had failed her confidence. "Well, that will teach me a lesson not to invite her over here again!" Liss a scolded herself. "From now on, we'll stick to Belle's home. I should've known better. I'm sorry, Belle. I had no idea. I hope you can forgive me." Gaston did not return for lunch. He paced around the entire village in a ticked mood. As he neared the fountain where many of the ladies were washing their clothes, he picked up some pebbles and tossed them into the water.

Lissa was vigorously writing in her diary in the living room when Gaston returned. He stomped through the house and Lissa bit her lip. He did not look happy. She heard dishes clanging and floorboards being trampled inside the kitchen. Gaston went to his room and slammed the door. Lissa finished her writing with a quick note: "I'd better end here. The storm just blew in!" She snapped her diary shut and safely hid it in her room. She decided it would be safer to go spend some time with her horse.

Lissa finally decided to see if it was safe to enter the house again when she heard Gaston's pistol go off! "Gaston!" Lissa gasped. He hadn't shot himself over Belle...had he? Worried, she ran as fast as she could and burst through the front door. Gaston was sitting at the dining table, taking pot shots on the wall opposite him. Lissa slightly sighed in relief. At least he hadn't killed himself, but he was in a dangerous frame of mind right now. Lissa slowly came inside and closed the door. Gaston reloaded his pistol and shot into the wall again. "Aren't...aren't you kind of wasting those bullets?" Lissa asked timidly. Gaston was not one to waste his bullets, he was always very careful to preserve them. He always wanted them on hand should he need them, and being the sharp shooter that he was, he was always determined to have enough. Gaston scrunched up his nose in disgust and fired another shot. It shattered a porcelain flower vase in the corner. Lissa was silent.

Gaston looked at his gun with disdain and tossed it to the floor. He rose from his chair and endlessly paced the floor, looking as if he'd eaten a too sour green apple. "That was the most humiliating afternoon of my life." Gaston snarled at his sister.

Was it my fault you decided to act like a big ignoramus? Lissa thought but she bit her tongue. The last thing she wanted to do was fuel Gaston's temper! Even his boasting all day was better to endure than when he was feeling heated!

"I have never felt so despised and rejected." Gaston said in a tone of dejection mingled with resentment. "Nobody cares about me. Is it too much to ask that someone as beautiful as me deserves the most beautiful girl in town who doesn't know enough to appreciate me?" Lissa gritted her teeth. She couldn't stand when Gaston acted like this, seeking pity but twisting it with accusations and ego-pumping. "Why didn't you tell me she was coming over?" Gaston asked her angrily. "Why did you let her get away? Why didn't you stop her?" Lissa stared at him dumbfounded.

Hey, you were the one who scared her off! She thought. You were bothering her. A gentleman doesn't force. I wouldn't hold her here for all the money in the world. That poor girl has had enough of your rude shenanigans, and shouldn't be forced to undergo more. Why are you such a hard head? Gaston, what is your problem? I would gladly encourage you to win Belle's heart, if only you'd act like a person instead of a hyperactive blockhead. When are you going to get it? I don't blame Belle one bit for not wanting to marry you!

"I thought you liked me," Gaston whined. "I thought you were a sweet sister. Why don't you try to cheer me up? What's the matter with you? Why are you just standing there like a dumb fence post? Say something! Do you have any idea how painful it is to be unappreciated and when you're feeling blue no one steps in to get you back on your feet?" Lissa didn't know what to say. She knew that being rejected by one's crush could not be fun at all, but Gaston was acting ridiculous and going way off topic. He slumped down in his chair at the dining table.

"I...I don't know exactly what you're talking about." Lissa said softly. Gaston moaned with a pitiful look on his face.

"No one knows what it's like to be the golden person in town and feel like trampled dirt." He groaned. "You have no idea who demeaning it feels. No one understands my pain. Why are you staring at me like that?" His voice went from sad to furious. "I'm not a freak!"

I didn't say you were! But, don't make me go there...Lissa squeezed her eyes shut. It wasn't her fault that Belle had refused to marry him! And she really wished that Gaston would stop treating her as if it was. He pounded his fist on the table, and thwacked the dishes onto the floor. Lissa jumped back and braced herself against the wall. He was really mad today!

Gaston glanced over to her. Even though he didn't care, seeing her afraid to go near him right now made him look bad. He already felt rotten, the last thing he wanted was something to try to make him feel like a loser, worse than he already did. He softened his face and approached her. Lissa just watched and waited. "I guess I can't have everything, all at once." Gaston smiled, touching her shoulder. "Listen to me carry on."

"Why don't you just go to the tavern?" Lissa suggested lightly. She wanted him out of the house so she could have some peace. His grouchy mood this time was over a major life decision, and she could already imagine how tonight was going to go. She didn't feel like dealing with it. "Maybe you'll feel better."

"Let's both go." Gaston agreed. "I could really use a drink, and you've been working too hard." Not that he cared whether she worked too hard or not, but he was trying to make himself look good. Surprising even herself, Lissa smiled and gladly agreed to go. Normally on one of his 'bad days', Lissa liked Gaston to be out of the house so she could have some peace and write, but this time maybe a little socialization would take her mind off the current storm she saw brewing on Gaston's face. And at the tavern someone else could take on the impossible task of trying to cheer him up. On bad days like this, she just couldn't do it, especially when he started having a fit and being manipulative.

However, Gaston's attitude didn't change after they reached his favorite hangout. Lissa was glad to be away from him a bit and talk with a few people. She contented herself playing a solo game of darts, it gave her a chance to be able to stick pins in something. With that mean scowl on his face, and the way she saw him clenching and unclenching his fists, she wanted to give Gaston as much space as possible and at home she would've felt trapped with a dark cloud hanging over them. She was glad that Lefou kept hanging around his hero and did his best to cheer him up. At least for now that burden was temporarily off her shoulders! When she'd first seen Lefou as they entered the tavern, Lissa gave him the 'your turn' look and he knew that Gaston was sulking. He could see that Lissa looked nervous and flustered, which meant that she had no idea today how to lighten Gaston's mood and needed help. While Lefou did what he could to lift Gaston's spirits, Lissa gave him a wide berth, finding it wise to keep her distance.

"Rejected, dismissed, publicly humiliated," Gaston muttered endlessly as he sat in his 'throne' at the tavern. He slouched back with his leg crossed over his knee, and kept twisting his hunting knife around over and over again. "Just picture it, Lefou. A rustic hunting lodge, my latest kill roasting on the fire, while adorable little children run around us, playing around on the floor with the dogs, while my love rubs my tired feet!" He closed his eyes for a moment. "But what does Belle say? She says, "I will never marry you, Gaston." He growled and threw a stick into the fireplace.

"There are other girls." Lefou pointed out. Gaston glowered at the triplets even though they batted their eyes at him. He didn't want those kind of girls, he wanted Belle the prettiest girl of all, who hated his guts.

"A great hunter doesn't waste his time on rabbits." Gaston snarled, tossing another twig into the flames.

"Ohh," Lissa shuddered. "I'm so glad we didn't stay home tonight!" She gulped. If he showed in front of everyone else right now how ticked off he was, how would he have acted at home, alone with his sister, the only person to vent at? Lissa didn't even want to think about it! She actually backed away a little further as she watched her brother's countenance grow darker and darker.

"Nobody says no to Gaston. It's more than I can bear!" He growled loudly where everybody could hear and slung his hunting knife into the wall above their heads! Lissa froze, not sure whether to go home or what. In all honesty, she was too scared to move. She'd seen Gaston fling dishes and shoot his gun when he was angry, but his behavior right now just made her more and more uneasy.

"Gosh, it disturbs me to see you looking so down in the dumps, Gaston." Lefou sighed calmly. Gaston sat there pouting miserably. Lissa just watched and pffted with her lips. It wasn't the first time Belle had rejected Lissa's brother's marriage proposal, but Gaston seemed especially stewed about it this time. She was just thankful that they were around people and not at home tonight, where she felt so unappreciated, and especially with Gaston's peeved mood tonight, she would not have liked to deal with that alone!

Gaston glanced over at her. "Ahh, Lissa," he grinned and sighed theatrically, "my little garden blossom, my heart is filled with sorrow. Come soothe me." Lissa refused to move. What kind of talk was that? "Please," Gaston put on his best pitiful face.

Why should I? Lissa pursed her lips. She had grown to despise that cute little 'pet' name that Gaston called her because he only said it in front of other people, and it always meant that he wanted something out of her, with an audience so she couldn't refuse him. And, he always used it after he acted harshly with her. It was always said out of conceit, not true affection.

"Come on, Lissa. Be a sport." Lefou said. "Is that the kind way to treat a brother when he's been rejected?" Lefou asked. "I thought sisters were for making a guy feel better." Lissa rolled her eyes.

Gggrr! Thanks a lot, Lefou. Lissa cringed indignantly. "Fine." She muttered and walked over to Gaston's 'throne'. "What do you want?" She asked in an unfriendly voice.

"My shoulders hurt." Gaston whined. "And no one has that magical touch like you do." He gave her a crooked smile.

Ha! Lissa huffed silently and begrudgingly shifted behind his chair. Since he couldn't see her from behind, before she even touched him, she granted herself a moment of personal sweet imagination, forming her hands like claws and looking as if she was going to wring his neck! She silently bared her teeth and posed as if she was about to take a piece out of him. Frowning, she started massaging his shoulders, whether she wanted to or not. But she granted herself to give it a little extra roughness than usual. Gaston raised his head in delight but still wore a mopey face.

"Aww, Gaston. You've got to pull yourself together." Lefou rambled on, trying to cheer his friend up. "Every guy here would like to be exactly like you! There's no man in town as admired as you. You're everyone's favorite guy!"

Ohhh, Lissa grimaced. Why?

"It's not very hard to see why everyone's awed and inspired by you." Lefou continued, rising to his feet and mingling among the villagers in the tavern. One would think it was Gaston's birthday, or he was off his feet, for one by one the people started encircling his chair and showering him with compliments. "No one's neck is as thick as yours, Gaston!" Lefou announced.

Stiff would be more fitting!

"No one's as slick as you." Someone else said.

No one's as mean, that's for sure, Lissa thought with disgust.

"There's no one as tall as you!" Lefou continued.

I was going to say vain!

"There's no one in town half as manly." Lefou smiled widely.

Deadly, you mean, Lissa corrected him in her mind.

"He's so perfect." Laurrette said dreamily.

Pesky.

"A pure paragon." Her sisters added.

A pure parasite, Lissa groaned in thought. The compliments only continued to pour in.

"Don't believe me? You can ask Tom, Dick, or Stanley..." Lefou said, trying to prod them to give praise too.

I could care less what they think! Lissa cringed. Her disdain for those three stooges hadn't changed since childhood, and neither had their disdainful behavior.

Gaston smirked so haughtily that Lissa wondered how she wasn't lighting up like a fire cracker. She suddenly felt overly warm and way out of place. Gaston smiled at her with such conceit she couldn't stand it. She dug her fingernails hard into his shoulders, but being such a rugged specimen purely made up of bristle that Gaston was, her efforts weren't sharp enough to pinch! She sighed and moved away. Gaston slouched in his chair, his face totally smug. He didn't even thank her for soothing his poor, aching shoulders. Lissa stood on the other side of the fireplace with her arms crossed. That's right, just hang onto his arm and sit pretty. She thought to herself. Is that all I'm good for anymore? Lissa softly ran her hand through Gaston's slick black hair, then she happily gave his pony tail a pretty sharp tug. Gaston scowled, jerking his head up and glanced back at her. Lissa just innocently threw her hands up and smiled sheepishly, shrugging.

"So, tell me, everyone: who's much more than the sum of his parts like Gaston?" Lefou announced.

Lissa grimaced. Don't overdo it! PLEASE!

"As a specimen, yes, I'm intimidating." Gaston said happily, resting his head on his arms.

"Ohhh! I CANNOT take this much ego!" Lissa whispered, and covered her face.

"Thank you, Lefou. I need encouragement." He stood up and puffed out his chest.

"Well, there's no one as easy to bolster as you." Lefou smiled.

Sure, sure, sure...sure he is, Lissa rolled her eyes. Unless you don't bolster him first thing in the morning.

"Who douses lights like Gaston?" Dick asked.

I'll say! Lissa agreed with that one.

"No one fights like Gaston, or matches wits like Gaston!"

Gaston started showing off again with punching and bragging about his amazing hunting techniques. Lefou pretended to be the prey. "When I hunt I sneak up with my quiver, and the beasts of the field say a prayer." Gaston said sneakily. "First I carefully aim for the liver...and then?" There was a drum-roll of hands and feet. "I shoot from behind!"

"Is that fair?" Lefou asked.

"I don't care!" Gaston shook his head smiling, and aiming directly upwards blew a hole in the ceiling with his gun.

Those poor beasts! Lissa thought. She could easily sympathize with them, especially tonight. Then Gaston gave one long spit, hitting the inside of the spittoon head on. "Gross." Lissa muttered. She'd seen him do it before. His aim was impressive, but it was a nasty habit.

"Ten points for Gaston!" The people shouted.

"Who breaks doors like Gaston...who cracks legs like Gaston...in a fist fight no one knocks teeth like Gaston!"

"You'd think he was a Greek god or something, the way they're carrying on." Lissa hung her head. She wouldn't mind using this time to adore her brother like everybody else did, if he was truly on the inside what everyone said he was; and also if it wasn't for the way he was soaking up every single moment of attention they were giving. He was practically 'drooling' over it, reminding Lissa of a dog waiting for his coveted soup bone! "They have no idea," She sadly whispered to herself, "what he's really like. I never thought I would be feeling this way about him."

"No one plots like Gaston...takes cheap shots like Gaston...plans to persecute harmless crackpots like Gaston!"

Gaston was boasting about how he could eat five dozen eggs a day which accounted for his brute strength. Lissa let out a laugh at that: she'd lived with him, she knew otherwise! What she couldn't imagine was what brought him on to make up that story. Now that was laughable. Oh, please! Can't you just see Mother or me having to cook five dozen eggs every morning? She thought humorously to herself. We'd make the egg woman the richest lady in town! I'd have to stay up all night to prepare that kind of breakfast on time! Those silly thoughts actually brought a real smile to her face. How did eggs get into this conversation anyway?

Lefou put Gaston's uniform on him and it only seemed to increase his self-absorbed delight. "Well, at least he's happy," Lissa sighed as she stood in the corner drinking her sarsaparilla, "for now, that is!" The musicians started playing Gaston's favorite song and everybody got up and danced. Lissa would've liked to join in the merriment, if only...

She was seriously considering leaving the tavern when she felt a hand on her shoulder. There he was with his long arms outstretched. "Come, Lissa." Gaston put on his biggest smile. "Come dance with me!"

Do I have to? Lissa thought. "No thank you, Gaston." She shook her head. "I don't really feel like it."

"Oh. Are you ill?" He asked in surprise, not diminished.

Not in the way you're thinking. I wish I was, Lissa thought. "I'd just rather not."

"Oh, come now." Gaston wasn't about to take no for an answer. "They're playing my song, Lissa. It's my time right now, and the night is still young. Come on. Come dance with me."

"I..." Lissa tried to say. If only she could come up with a good but truthful excuse not to, but her mind was empty of ideas. Gaston grabbed her hand and leaned close to her face. That grip meant that she couldn't get away and that one way or another, he would get his way!

"Our good friends are trying to give me encouragement. Are you going to wound me in front of everybody? You wouldn't do something like that to your own brother, would you?" He asked slowly, looking into her eyes, cupping her chin. "Not when he's been hurt enough already today." Lissa sighed heavily.

"All right." She agreed, whether she wanted to or not. What choice do I have? Gaston took off and tugged her away where her feet barely touched the ground. He effortlessly whisked her up onto the table where several people were dancing then hopped on after her. Lissa had been lingering in the corner away from everybody, where she was sure she wouldn't be missed or noticed, plus it had given her some private space. But no, not even Gaston could fully enjoy his worshipers unless he knew that every single person in the room was bowing at his feet, and that's exactly what Lissa refused to do...of her own free will, that is. She put on a pasted smile while Gaston showed off his smooth dance moves, his red coat shining brightly under the lanterns, and then his swift swordsmanship. Being forgotten, Lissa slipped down into the crowd and leaned against the wall. Everybody oohed and ahhed over Gaston. Everyone that is...except his own sister. She wanted to, but couldn't bring herself to truly enjoy it. All because of what a rotten, boastful jerk he was when he didn't think anyone would consider it a flaw. Right now the whole night, the excitement, everything, it was all about him! It was always all about him! He made it that way and relished in rubbing it in all the time, and that's what Lissa couldn't stand and why she had no desire to celebrate him like everybody else was.

Gaston was still showing off his amazing swordsmanship. Several of the guys poured their mugs of beer onto the counter where Gaston had shot a hole in the roof. Then Tom, Dick, and Stanley grabbed Lissa, tossed her up there and gave her a push! Lissa was sliding-more like skiing-on the slippery surface toward the end of the counter. They may have been having a good time but Lissa didn't like it at all! She was scared: she couldn't stop and she was going to fall. She didn't see Gaston leap down from the table opposite them and proudly stand there waiting. Lissa wildly flailed her arms and screeched. "Someone get me down!" Lefou actually slowed down in the excitement and watched, a little worried. Lissa fell forward and for a few terrifying seconds was in midair, expecting a hard crash to the floor. But then, she felt two very strong arms grab her waist and swiftly whisk her from hitting the floor, twirling her around and set her on the floor on her own two feet. Lissa looked up at Gaston, actually grateful for his 'rescue'. "T-thanks." She stammered and backed away. She needed to sit down. Lefou sighed in relief.

"Ten points for Gaston!" The crowd cheered again and he gave a haughty bow. The triplets squealed, wishing they had been in Lissa's shoes, anything to for the thrill of Gaston sweeping them off their feet. "No one's as quick as Gaston!" Stanley shouted.

"Who has brains or entertains like Gaston?!" Lefou shouted.

"No one can make up these endless refrains, like me." Gaston said proudly. "I use antlers in all of my decorating."

"That's a preference, Gaston." Lissa snickered. "Not a virtue." But as usual, he ignored her.

"Who's a super success? Who's a man among men?!" Lefou cheered, along with everyone else.

Who's a super big mess? "I don't believe it. That's it." Lissa shook her head and walked to the back door. She opened it and soaked in the night air. It was refreshing, compared to that crowded, stuffy, noisy tavern. She just let the breeze kiss her face. She could hear the whole town inside yelling, "Gaston! Say it again! Gaston! Gaston! There's only one guy in town who's got all of it down! And what is his name? Say it again! Who's a man among men? Gaston! Gaston! Gaston!" Lissa leaned against the doorway and closed her eyes. "I do not believe this." She sighed. "Yeah, you people inflate his hot air head all you want. Have fun. But I am not going to be the one to do it!"Once the noise died down, she reentered the building.

"Ah, Lefou. You're the best!" Gaston smiled with satisfaction. Even though he was lounging in his chair, he still puffed out his chest. Lefou grinned. Lissa saw the exchange and blew out a breath.

"Well, maybe I'll get some sleep tonight." She thought. Gaston was happy and seemed to have forgotten all about being rejected by Belle. "Yeah, Lefou is good at bolstering. Even if Gaston's the last person who needs it!" She'd seen that Lefou had had to slip coins into the people's hands to get them to cheer up Gaston. That made Lissa very cross. She found the whole concept repulsive and appalling. Lefou rose from his seat to get Gaston the best beer in the house. He noticed Lissa as he passed by.

"Hey." He smiled. "You can relax tonight, I guarantee it."

"Thank you...I guess. But did you really have to pay them to say those things?" She asked seriously.

Lefou fidgeted uncomfortably. "Well, yes...I did." He bit his lip. "But please don't tell Gaston!"

"I wouldn't dream of it." Lissa said, wide-eyed. "But, Lefou, that was bribery! You know what that means?"

"It means I have to ask them all for my money back?"

"Noo." Lissa shook her head. "It means that my brother does not have it all down as everybody said, and that apparently he isn't truly everyone's favorite guy as you said."

"As long as Gaston doesn't know, does it really matter?"

"It matters to me." Lissa said unhappily. "Because it was false admiration. And," She leaned closer to his ear, "Please keep this between you and me alone, but I can personally attest that my brother does not have it all! He may be a town hero, but that doesn't mean he acts like one to everybody!"

"I think I see what you mean." Lefou nodded.

"But please don't tell anyone else I said that." Lissa begged.

"I won't. Your secret's safe with me." Lefou crossed his heart.

"Thank you!" Lissa exclaimed. Lefou may be a bumbling sidekick, but he'd had his share of being used more as Gaston's convenience than a friend. Lissa knew she could trust him to keep her secret. "If Gaston knew, he'd bite my head off!"

"Yeah," Lefou agreed.

"Well, anyway. Thank you for keeping him in a good mood. I didn't know what to do, and I was afraid." Lissa said.

"Aw, that's okay. It's not hard to do." Lefou replied.

"Not for you." Lissa said.

"That's true." Lefou nodded.

"There was just no way I could bolster him tonight!" Lissa shook her head.

"Aw, that's alright." Lefou smiled.

"Between you and me, he's a hoodlum." Lissa said lowly.

"Oh, I know. But, what can you do with him? What can you do about it?" Lefou shrugged.

"Please," Lissa grunted. "That's the story of my life!"

"Excuse me." Lefou snickered and went to get Gaston his beer. Lissa took a seat within eyesight of her brother but still stayed away from him. If he was in this good a mood, he was going to start bragging again any moment and she didn't want to hear it.

"If a man doesn't come along to marry me, I'm gonna have to buy a new pair of ears before I turn old and gray!" Lissa told herself, completely unaware that Lefou was nearby. He snorted in laughter as he passed her on his way to Gaston.

"There you go, big guy." Lefou said as he handed Gaston the steaming, overflowing, foaming mug.

"Thank you." Gaston breathed and gripped the mug. "To me," He held his head high, "and our glorious future with my beautiful Belle!" He exclaimed dramatically, then wolfed down a huge gulp of booze. From across the room, Lissa rolled her eyes to the ceiling, shaking her head.

"You're such an idiot." She whispered, but she knew better than to say it out loud.

"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6

"Let another man praise you and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips." Proverbs 27:2

"Do not be wise in your own eyes;" Proverbs 3:7

"For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7