Good evening everyone, and Merry Christmas! I hope your all enjoying the festive season ^_^ and welcome to this new chapter. I hope you all enjoy it as we return to Belle's perspective, for a rather unanticipated Halloween Celebration...

I'll say no more for now, so...

Please review and Enjoy!

October 31st...Halloween...and the day of Belle's planned party. During the course of the day, she had been busy making arrangements and decorating with the help of a few friends, and some of the workers.

'So any idea what your wearing tonight?' Dale asked as he helped her move some pumpkins outside into the gardens.

'Yes,' she smiled, 'I know what I'm wearing; what are you coming as?'

'Something original,' he grinned, Belle sensing that it would be a typical Halloween costume, Dale making her laugh as he then remarked, 'well at least you know there will be no shortage of ghosts tonight...'

'Or anything else for that matter,' Belle replied lightly, 'but I think that's everything,' she added, going through the front doors into her transformed hallway, which had decorations of amber orange and obsidian running through it. With garlands lining the walls, cobwebs hanging down the staircase and around the chandeliers where the lights were now made dimmer, Belle was happy with the layout for the party. The grand ballroom was also slightly different for the evening with the surround sound speakers being altered for the music. Standing in the doorway, Belle thought fondly of all the dancing lessons she had taken in that very room.

'You know, I don't think anyone would imagine you liking Halloween much,' spoke a voice from behind her, Belle turning to see a couple of guards carrying the some chairs into the room, one of them being Justin.

'I know,' she smiled, 'I adore Christmas, but there's something about Halloween, it's just a time to dress up and enjoy a little time to ourselves in between the start of the new academic year and Christmas.'

'Well I think it'll be a good night,' one of the other guards grinned, Belle offering to help them carry some of the chairs around, though they declined, Belle simply then watching as everything was finished, and in what seemed like a few moments, Belle walked into the now crowded room, filled with over one hundred friends and students dressed in costumes well suited for the occasion. Belle's costume that she had bought for the evening was a halter necked ball gown, the bodice being fitted with a zip being put in discreetly down the side, the skirt being quite voluminous and the colour having a sheen of orange running through it, with a similarly coloured satin mask that hid the upper half of her face, with only her bright amethyst eyes being visible behind it. Hearing many compliments as she passed through the dancers, Belle felt someone take her arm and turned to see Dale who offered her a dance. Unable to resist, Belle was led onto the dance floor, seeing many recognisable faces around her who all offered pleasant gestures or simple smiles before returning the focus to their partners.

'So have you enjoyed the party so far?' Dale asked from behind his make-up that made Belle smile.

'I have...you were right when you said your costume was unique...so why Gomez?'

'Well he is pretty suave, and to be honest a vampire would be a bit cliché,' he grinned, when his expression changed slightly. 'Belle...can I ask you something?'

'Mm...?' she responded glancing to him

'Are you disappointed...that Liam wasn't here tonight?'

Belle had been aware of just how much Dale disliked Liam from the way he often spoke of him, though he would never say anything that denoted it in front of her. But it was true to say that Belle was a little regretful that Liam had been unable to join them that night. After knowing him for a few months, Belle was quite unsure what it was about Liam, but his personality never seemed quite genuine, though with no stray thoughts or apparent change to support the idea, Belle had remained friendly and polite, finding him to be as charming as many did. 'I am in a way...though I'm happy with those who are here, it makes it all worthwhile,' Belle finally responded, Dale smiling at her as they continued to dance.

Though whilst thinking over this Belle noticed that a girl sat on the outskirts of the room; watching the dancers somewhat longingly, Belle feeling some sympathy for her, knowing what was wrong as she looked to one of the boys dancing on the ballroom floor; the song then changed over the speakers...

'Listen do you want to go and get a drink...?' Dale offered softly, bringing her attention back to him.

'Yes I think some fresh air would be nice...' she said admittedly, Dale smiling as he took Belle's arm, the pair beginning to walk outside when the power suddenly cut, the pair turning as the doors slammed shut and screams erupted throughout the house, Belle realising something was wrong.

'Belle, was this planned...or a weird coincidence?'

'No...I didn't plan it,' she replied in concern, Dale going out and around the back of her home at Belle's request to see if the guards working could help her with the electrics. Yet as she went to calm her guests, something made her pause. Feeling like a dark aura was suddenly surrounding her delicate form, Belle shivered slightly, though continued farther inside as she called softly, 'the lights should be back on in a moment...there's nothing to worry about...' she finished carefully, the coldness and sudden thoughts that started flashing through her mind saying otherwise when all at once it was gone as the room re-lit. However she wasn't given a chance to dwell on the reason for the power failure as Dale came back in, her friend's serious expression and tense posture telling her that something was wrong.

'Dale...' she began,

'Liam's here,' he remarked, Belle seeing there was something more than simple distaste in his tone tonight.

'Where is he? I didn't think he'd be able to come.'

'Outside. But I don't want you to go out there,' he stated, Belle starting to move when he took her shoulders and brought her to look into his eyes, Belle then seeing exactly what Dale had seen...

As Dale let his grip loosen, he saw the hurt in Belle's eyes, his expression softening as he drew Belle close against him, offering to have Liam seen out.

'No...' she said quietly, straightening up and trying to smile,

'Belle...'

'It's alright...I'll be fine,' she remarked, her voice still quiet as she went through the ballroom and to the front gardens where the night guards were working, only to see the scene for herself...

~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~

Whilst the evening had been a clear success, Belle didn't feel like it had been such a good Halloween after all, her main thoughts being what she had seen of Liam through Dale that night...Upon the touch from his hands on her shoulders, Belle had been presented with a vision, a memory that was in his most recent thoughts.

Following Dale as he went around the back of the manor, Belle followed silently, her dress shimmering in the evening light as she watched Dale speak to a guard about the power, agreeing to go back once he had told Belle that they were going to attempt to restart it. Yet as she watched him returning the way he came, she paused as he came to a sudden stop. Following his line of view as Dale became very still, Belle saw through his mind Liam...the blonde haired young man whom Belle had become acquainted with, the young man who her parents favoured after he showed considerable romantic interest in Belle was sat in a romantic embrace with another girl.

Ending the vision abruptly Belle looked down at her hands with a wistful expression across her features. Whilst she couldn't deny that it was better she had learnt of a mistake before it had, had a chance to happen, Belle couldn't help but find what she'd discovered, hurtful...But that sometimes came with her ability...Ever since she was a child, Belle knew she had something about her that was different, when she could hear people talking subconsciously...even though they never appeared to breathe a word. It had all started quite innocently really, Belle had always seemed to be more "aware" than others her age, something which grew with her as she got older and into high school. But it was in that first year that she finally began to understand what she could do. After answering a friend without realising they weren't really talking, who suggested it was like Belle had heard her thoughts when she brushed it off that Belle began to realise it may be true...After looking through many books and finding out all she could, Belle gradually discovered that she was clairvoyant...a hearer of the thoughts of others...even to the point that she felt some emotion from it, though she didn't consider herself an empath from the extensive definitions that she had read. She didn't believe her abilities to be quite as an empath's were described. But in learning of what she could do, Belle was very careful in how she handled her ability, the most common problem being in how Belle answered people by their thoughts, just as she had done when she discovered her talent for what it was.

Yet each time that mistake was made, Belle was able to explain herself, without ever arousing suspicion. But over the years Belle found it hard that she'd been unable to tell anyone about her secret, even though she truly wanted to...wishing she could confide in someone...her Father, her Mother, any other close relatives...or friends...like Dale. Though if anything had come from that night it was that any confidence she had built in hoping to trust in someone with her secret was now lost again, in finding out that she had been hurt by someone she thought she could trust, knowing now more than ever that it was sometimes a difficult thing to find in others. However her thoughts were soon distracted by a bark coming from the edge of her bed, Belle glancing over the bottom of the bed with a smile as she patted lightly on her cream coloured duvet, watching a dog jump easily onto the bed and padding over to his mistress. The dog was a pure white Samoyed, though had the blue eyes that reminded many of a Siberian husky, his curled, bushy white tail wagging as Belle ran her hands through his soft fur, the dog tucking its head under her chin making her laugh as he then lay in front of her. 'Well at least I have someone to look after me whilst Mother and Father are away, don't I Chance?' she smiled, Chance looking up at her with his bright blue eyes as he tried to lick her hand.

Chance had been one of Belle's gifts for her birthday when she turned sixteen, and had been a loyal family dog, but he had always been the most faithful towards Belle, their bond being strong from the start. Being nearly three years old though and fully grown, he was also a very strong yet gentle dog, but as some of her guards commented, he made the perfect watch dog...

Lying down after a while under her thick duvet, Belle glanced over to her Halloween dress, wishing that she hadn't seen what she had that evening. Belle couldn't say she knew how exactly she had felt about Liam, but as a tear rolled down her face, she understood something had truly been there...her hand still resting in Chance's fur feeling it's soft warmth as she slowly fell asleep...the dream somehow felt more real now, Belle could hear the voice again, it's soft assurance being something that she found honest...yet she still faltered...looking past the figure that seemed to be shrouded in black, Belle noted the dimness of the fairly sized room, tables being swept aside thought something looked recognisable to her...

Waking up the following morning, Belle felt somewhat weary as she sat up, knowing that she had to get ready, though the dream that ran through her mind distracted her as she got up. Moving around the edge of the bed to find Chance asleep on the end of the duvet, she smiled softly as she took out a midnight blue skirt with white boots and a white satin top. Putting on a silver locket that had been handed down through the family, it shone brightly around her neck. Looking outside into the gardens, Belle didn't stay there that morning, but went straight downstairs for breakfast before going out into the cold November morning. Pulling her long coat farther around her, Belle walked down the marble steps and onto the driveway where her convertible Mercedes sat waiting for her to get behind the wheel.

Opening the door and getting in, Belle put her hands around the wheel as she started up the smooth running engine. Driving out of the gates that morning, Belle found things quiet knowing she was now dreading this coming term for more than one reason. Yet she was grateful that she would be with some friends in Literature studies later that morning, feeling like she would need a distraction for a little while that day. Seeing some of the discarded Halloween decorations that littered the streets, Belle thought back to the party, the strange occurrence that happened before the problems with Liam now coming back to her for the first time. It had felt so unnatural and eerily dark...almost like there was something else there, yet it seemed quite impossible to believe. With all this on her mind as she pulled up in the car park, Belle was only vaguely aware of the students looking over at her car in clear admiration. Belle's car was often the subject to attention from fellow students; it had been that way since she'd first gotten it a year ago, and even now that same first impression was seen in the faces of the many freshmen students.

But going inside that morning Belle wished that she wasn't alone as she was faced with a girl that she had dreaded to see. 'Well Belle I'm surprised you found the energy to come in today after your party last night. Not that I can see the appeal in such a childish event.' Lowering her head slightly, Belle then averted the girl's eyes and went to move around her and the group of friends that stood with her, yet she was soon brought to a stop.

'What's the matter Belle, are we not good enough for you to speak with? Are we not high class enough?' Like Belle this girl was too blonde, though her eyes were a hazel colour, her skin tone a shade deeper, and while she had a self-satisfied expression on her face ever word she spoke had a sharp sting with it.

'Serena...' she began quietly, 'what do you want me to say to you? I don't think it right for me to suggest what you did last night, though I'd prefer it if you kept your personal affairs out of my gardens, and away from my home when you weren't invited into it,' she remarked carefully, Serena's expression turning slightly sour before smoothing over.

'Why would I want to go to your "home," when all you do is show off your Daddy's riches...?'

'Money never came into this conversation...I have a lot more that is important to me than money...as I requested, please don't come to my home again,' she said politely, finding it hard not to show her emotions at the bitter way she was being talked to, when finally, she walked away, listening to nothing else from them.

Ever since she had started at the school, Serena had been notably critical towards those who didn't argue back, using her popularity and friends as back up to her snide comments. Though unlike Belle, most retaliated...yet that wasn't her nature to do so...even though sometimes she wondered whether it would just be easier to say something back...

~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~

Having received a call during her break that morning, Belle had been surprised to hear from her parents, both being worried about what had happened regarding the night before, and assuring her they would be on the next flight home that day. Yet it was only when Dale had arrived for his Physical Education lessons that she was able to talk about it.

'So do your parents know about what Liam did?'

'No, I don't think I want to tell them...their good friends with Liam's family. It's how we met. The fact he attends the same school is purely coincidence. But as well if they hear about this then I know they will try again to convince me that I should have home-tutoring rather than attending high school.'

'Why would they do that?' Dale replied in confusion and surprise,

'I don't know if I'm honest Dale...I just can't understand it,' she replied thoughtfully, Dale still not sounding happy with the thought as they walked across the school grounds. Whilst Belle didn't know exactly why her parents wanted her to leave high-school so soon, she was fully aware something wasn't right, the unexpected phone call only adding to that as a friend came up to them. 'Hi,' she greeted lightly, her soft red hair gleaming in the early morning light, Dale and Belle responding pleasantly, recognising her easily. Yet as she told them about a lecture that was going to be in the main school hall, only Dale went to follow as Belle stayed where she was stood. 'I'll join you both in a moment, I just need to go and collect something from my English room, one of the tutors wanted to speak with me...'

'Okay, did you want us to tell them where you are if anyone asks?'

'Yes, thankyou

'Your Halloween party was very good last night,' the girl then complimented, 'will you be having a party at Christmas again?'

'I should imagine so' Belle smiled,

'That would be wonderful, you threw a lovely Christmas party last year,'

'Thankyou Scarlet...anyway, I'll see you both in a few minutes,' she smiled graciously, both of them leaving Belle to go into the English building alone. Opening the door and walking inside, Belle was surprised to find it seemingly empty, her heels sounding hollow against the floor as she ascended the stairs to the second floor where she found her class empty.

However as she went to the front desk, about to brush her hand across the surface to see if any note had been left for her, she heard a smash outside. Walking from the room and looking around the empty corridor, Belle moved forwards and leaned over the side of the stairway to see at the foot of the stairs, a broken china vase. Hovering a hand over the edge, Belle anxiously felt for any aura's when a dark presence seemed to fill the atmosphere, her eyes widening in fear as every door and window seemed to slam and bolt shut...

So Belle's trapped, but what is she trapped with and who can possibly help her? & just what has been worrying her parents so much? It's all building up and we're only four chapters in lol

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas, Happy Christmas Eve too lol! and I hope that you all get what you wish for :)

Please Review, and once again Merry Christmas!

~x-xMasqueradeAngelx-x