Chapter 1 Ever since he helped her save Cinderella Maddie’s stepbrother Holden had been surprisingly less horrible to her than usual Giving a fairy tale back its Happily Ever After turned out to be a big bonding experience for the two stepsiblings who until then had never gotten along No one was happier to see them tolerating each other than their parents Maddie’s dad Greg and her stepmom Carol had only been married a few months and they didn’t like it when their kids fighting intruded on their newlywed bliss Even Maddie had to admit their middle-aged puppy love was a little overboard The two of them kissed like teenagers every chance they got constantly giggling about things only they found funny As nice as it was to see her dad happy Maddie was looking forward to the day when he and Carol would settle in and start acting more like other people’s parents There were times Maddie didn’t even recognize her father anymore He ate sushi now It was Carol’s favorite food He took ballroom dancing lessons Also her idea Strangest of all he was planning to dress up for Halloween for the first time in Maddie’s life He had always been one of those people who just left a bowl of candy on the front stoop with a sign that said Take one If he could have wiped October thirty-first off the calendar he probably would have Then along came Carol She suggested they dress up as some eighties band called the Eurythmics and suddenly her dad couldn’t wait for Halloween Carol had made herself a suit and tie and this bright orange crew cut wig to wear Her dad had a shaggy fake beard and a wig that looked like it was made out of ratty brown poodle fur The two of them were constantly sharing silly looks and singing about sweet dreams being made of these whatever that meant Eighties bands were so weird
Maddie loved Halloween because it was an annual opportunity for her to dress up as a fairy tale princess This year she wanted to go as Belle from Beauty and the Beast Carol loved the idea and offered to help Maddie make the costume Together they went fabric shopping and they picked out a beautiful tan taffeta with some gorgeous yet comfortable shoes to go with it Maddie really enjoyed spending time with Carol who was so positive and upbeat it was hard to imagine how she ever raised such an obnoxious creep as Holden Maddie’s stepbrother had no interest in Halloween but Carol insisted You have to wear a costume to the school party she said What are you going to go as I’ll go as someone who doesn’t care Holden replied rolling his eyes and walking away Carol leaned into Maddie and whispered If you’re Beauty maybe he should be the Beast She didn’t realize Holden overheard her That’s a great idea he called out Oh I’m just teasing honey Carol said No really Holden replied I’d love to go as the Beast Maddie was stunned Holden the guy who couldn’t stand fairy tales was willing to dress as a fairy tale character And to match her costume no less Maybe Holden really had changed from their time in Cinderella’s story Carol squealed with delight Well then let’s get to work on your costume That’s okay Holden said I’d like to make it myself Maddie should have realized at that moment that he was up to something On Halloween night Maddie spent almost an hour getting ready She wanted to look as much like Belle as possible so she used her curling iron to shape her hair into gorgeous flowing waves She danced in front of the mirror wearing the dress she and Carol had made She felt just like Belle almost There was only one thing missing makeup Her father had a rule that she wasn’t allowed to wear it until she was fifteen even for Halloween She was convinced that without it she still looked like a little girl Trying to make the best of it Maddie made a grand entrance into the living room
