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
She descended the stairs gracefully while her dad and Carol were watching a cooking show on TV Another thing he never used to do Carol covered her mouth and gasped when she saw her All she could say was Wow Maddie’s dad got choked up I can’t believe that’s my little girl he gushed Maddie had to admit she felt fantastic She rushed up to Carol and gave her a hug Thanks so much for your help Oh honey Carol said You really are a beauty You know what would make me look even more like Belle Maddie said If I could put on some lipstick maybe a little blush She smiled at her dad pleading with her eyes No way he shot back You’re only eleven You’re too young for makeup To Maddie her fifteenth birthday seemed like a hundred years away Sometimes she looked in the mirror and imagined what her face would look like made up if it would make her feel prettier or more grown up Once she downloaded an app that added makeup to her selfies She tried to use it to show her dad how natural she would look with makeup how it wasn’t such a big deal But he refused to even look at the pictures Not until you’re fifteen he insisted Carol knew it was a sore point so she tried to change the subject I wouldn’t be surprised if you win an award at the school party she said Maybe you and Holden will even get Best Duo Well that depends on how hard Holden actually worked on his costume Maddie had no idea what to expect from him He had been so secretive about what he’d been making none of them had even caught a glimpse of it In all likelihood he wasn’t even making a costume at all He probably just picked up a rubber zombie mask at Spooky City and wrote Hello My Name Is Beast on a nametag That would be so like him to do a half-hearted job after she had put so much effort into looking like Belle I just hope he remembered to do it at all Maddie said How could I forget said an eerie voice behind her
Maddie jolted from shock Holden don’t sneak up on AAAH Maddie jolted even more when she turned around and got a look at Holden’s costume She couldn’t remember the last time she had let out a legitimate scream of terror like that but Holden’s costume certainly warranted it He was far beastlier than anyone expected He had fiery red eyes and razor-sharp fangs that dripped fake blood Half his head was covered with fur The other half was a bloody exposed skull All up and down his body were gashes and scars as if he had just come from a vicious fight with another creature even more fearsome than he was It was all so realistic that Maddie had to catch her breath before she could yell at him Holden you almost gave me a heart attack in that outfit Cool Holden said So you like it You don’t look like the Beast Maddie huffed You look terrifying But that’s the point He’s a beast Beasts are scary Except to Belle of course You’re supposed to think this is hot stuff He struck a pose as if he were a model Maddie sighed I thought you wanted to dress up with me to be nice I should’ve known better Holden take that costume off Carol agreed Well so much for beauty only being skin deep Holden shrugged Hey tell me again why Belle fell in love with the Beast Maddie rolled her eyes Because he was a gentleman unlike you A decent person Right Holden said Like most kidnappers He wasn’t a kidnapper He held her in his castle against her will And you believe her love for him was legit I guess you’ve never heard of Stockholm Syndrome That’s where prisoners fall in love with their kidnappers It’s totally messed up but that’s probably the only reason why Belle fell for the Beast I mean what other choice did she have She wasn’t allowed to see any other men It was true love Maddie insisted Right and he loved her for her heart not because she was the prettiest woman in
