Chapter 1: Halloween Party Disasters

September just seemed to fly by. Belle was more of an outcast than ever before, but had made a friend. Polly Capulet, one of the Beast's few friends. From that point on, Belle was a constant sight at his lunch table.

They weren't friends, Belle assured me one day. She had become my library assistant the second week of school, when I realized her knowledge of books was almost as vast as mine. When asked about her relationship with the Beast, Belle just answered: "What relationship?"

"Surely," I asked, "you have a relationship with him? You are friends with Polly, are you not?"

"Yes."

"You sit at his table, do you not?"

"Yes."

"And you can't even call him an 'acquaintance'?"

"No. He wouldn't know my name. He probably doesn't even know I exist at all!"

"Really? I knew he didn't talk much,"

"Talk? He doesn't talk. He'll maybe grunt something to Lance or Chris, and maybe Polly, but he'll never have a full conversation. I sometimes wonder if he knows how."

We finished in silence. Then in walked the one person I never expected to come to the library on his own accord: Gaston. "Hello, Mr. Gregorio. Hi, Belle. Listen, Belle, can I talk to you for a second?" The two went off. A few minutes later, Belle came back and Gaston left in a huff.

"What was that all about?" I inquired.

"Nothing. Gaston just invited me to the Halloween Party."

"And you said?"

"No. I'm going with Polly, Lance and Chris."

"What about...?"

"According to them, he may not show. Are you going?"

"Yes, I'm a chaperone."

The Halloween Party started out smoothly. The kids mingled here or there, the cheerleaders showed off some of their acrobatic skills. They were dressed-up, hoping to win the array of titles planned. The prize was the same: free lunch and a day of no homework. Who could refuse?

Polly entered dressed as a gypsy, while Belle went for the Cleopatra look. Christopher "Chris" Oldenfort was General Washington and Lance Porter was a vampire. To everyone's surprise, the Beast showed up dressed as a real beast. Lance smiled and made a remark about the Beast trying to steal his prize. The Beast gave him a cold look and then sat down.

I saw Belle try to engage the wrestling captain into a conversation, but there was no use. Her conversation starters were meet with a stone cold silence. Finally, Polly pulled the group out onto the dance floor to have "some fun."

Gaston Mark had to enter into the gym in style, of course. He was dressed as Julius Caesar, right down to the sandals. The Bimbettes came dressed in togas, hanging all over Gaston. Lefou came as Marc Antony and Craig came as Brutus. Gaston strutted over to Belle. "Looks like we came to match," he said.

"Well Gaston, it was totally unintentional. If I knew you were coming as Caesar, I probably would've come as something else," came her reply.

"Well, maybe we'll tie for that prize in the Historical figure category. Maybe they'll let us have a dance."

"This isn't the senior prom, Gaston. We are not Prom King and Queen. They are not going to give us a special dance."

Gaston smirked. "We can still have our own dance. Listen, it's a slow song. Come on, you know you want to dance."

"Thanks, but no thanks Gaston."

"No one has ever said no to Gaston," he said, grabbing Belle. Belle freed herself from his grasp and started to walk away.

The Bimbettes, LeFou, and Craig surrounded Belle, like a wolf pack. "You heard Gaston, no one has ever said no to him. Why not reconsider?" Craig said, grabbing Belle's arm.

"Yes. In fact, I think you've reconsidered in Gaston's favor," LeFou said, grabbing the other arm.

"You are odd, Belle," Julie said. "Gaston is throwing himself at you and you are refusing him!"

"Most girls would just die to be in your position!" Janie shrieked.

"Well, I am not most girls," Belle responded, trying to fight the boys' grasps.

"You are right. You are not most girls, which makes you ODD!" Jessie screamed. Gaston started to advance on the beautiful girl, who had already knocked LeFou unconscious and was working on Craig next. Before Gaston could grab Belle, the Beast jumped in and pinned Gaston to the gym floor.

"Stop it! Stop it!" I screeched. I had been tending to the make-out sessions in the hall when a girl going to the bathroom informed me of the events inside.

I dashed inside to find what my fellow chaperones were doing. Nothing. Some were having a drink by the food table, others were chatting, while still others were dancing. It was up to me to stop the madness.

At my voice, the Beast got up, only to be punched by Gaston, who hadn't heard me. "Mr. Marks!" I said. Gaston paled. The wolf pack left Belle, and the Beast walked off. Belle followed behind.

Belle's POV

"Wait!" I called. Would he stop? He did.

"What?" he growled.

"I just- I just" Why was I stuttering? I hardly ever stuttered.

"Spit it out! I have some place to go!"

"I just wanted to say thank you," I finally said.

"What?" he asked, surprised.

"I wanted to say thank you. You know, for helping me with Gaston."

"I wasn't helping you. Somebody just needed to teach that jerk a lesson."

"Oh," I said, disappointed. Why did I care that he didn't help me? I didn't need him after all. A few more minutes and Craig would've been knocked unconscious like LeFou. I might've had a little trouble with Gaston, but still, I could've taken him. I noticed the swelling from Gaston's blow and offered to get him ice.

"I'm just going home, okay?" he snapped, suddenly looking tired.

"Okay. And once again thanks."

"I told you that you don't need to." He turned away, heading to his car. "But you're welcome anyway," he called out as he got in.