~Beauty~

Seconds turned into minutes, minutes turned into hours, hours turned into days, and days turned into two months. The petal's of the rose keep falling. There are hardly any left and still, Gale remains a beast.

We spend most days in the library. We read books and have long discussions about them. We read all the classics, then moved on to the more recent books. Besides that, we talked. Our conversations seemed to flow naturally. We were talking about plenty of things like sports and music.

But we also talked about deeper things like how Gale has no idea where his father went when he left him with Carina. We talked about how he could track him down if he wanted to through the checks he sends Carina but he doesn't. He feels it's time for him to let go of his father and maybe even this whole mansion with it's haunting memories. Maybe move somewhere new and start all over.

I told him about losing my dad, about how he got hit by car while he was out buying birthday gifts for me. I recalled the cracked doll that laid on the street pavement. Gale patiently listened, giving me a comforting squeeze every so often.

I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy his company. I actually looked forward to hanging out with him. Gale's just interesting. He puts up this front but when you get to know him you find he's really thoughtful. He always has an opinion, always has a thought.

He's also funny in kind of a sarcastic sort of way that you only catch if your really listening.

However, I did find myself missing home every now and then.

I day dream about returning and about things going back to normal. But they could never go back to normal and that's because of Gale. I'm not sure if that's necessarily a bad thing since I really do like Gale. I want to go home but at the same time...I don't want to lose Gale.

In the quiet moments of our days we both realized that most of the time we were just trying to distract ourselves from the truth. The curse isn't breaking and it looks like it never will.

Today, I find myself standing in the cramped tiny room where the first rose hovers over the desk. Gale and Carina are at my sides silently observing it. Their eyes are glassy yet fierce. Like maybe if they stare hard enough they'll magically restore the rose to it's former beauty. There's only a handful of petals still attached to the bud and they look one tap away from crumbling off.

"I was really hoping the curse would be broken," Gale says breaking the silence. He stares straight ahead probably imagining what his life could be now if the curse did break.

"Me too," adds Carina with a sad smile.

"Me three," I mumble.

The atmosphere feels heavy. Like something was just lost. I guess something kind of was: Gale's second chance at making things right and having a happy ending.

What's even worse is that we don't understand why. He did the selfless act. He let Tyler Daniels live and led him to the police. Gale has changed yet he's still cursed. It isn't fair.

We were given false hope only to be disappointed all over again.

"You know," Gale starts, turning to me,"I never thought I would break the curse before I met you. You gave me hope and I thank you for that."

I raise my eyebrows at the statement.

Me?

"You helped me realize that it really wasn't my fault that my mother died," he pauses with tears starting to glisten in his eyes.

Words cannot describe how glad I am that Gale finally understands this. Now, maybe having her stay a rose won't hurt as much. He knows there's nothing he could have done to stop this. I place my hand on his shoulder and give it a light squeeze with a smile. "She would be really proud of you," I say meaning every word.

Gale nods and takes a seat on a small dusty couch. His eyebrows pull together and he bites his lip. "I just wish she was here to tell me."

Carina plays with her hands, looking uneasy and almost guilty. "I'm sorry, Gale."

He shakes his head. "It's not your fault. Maybe living the rest my life as a beast doesn't have to be such a bad thing? I can use it to my advantage."

"Yea. You can still go after criminals but this time you can bring them to jail," Carina suggest. She shrugs and looks to Gale for approval. Maybe that wasn't enough to break the curse but it is still a useful way to take advantage of his superhuman powers.

"That's a good idea. I can be like the police but work behind the scenes. Like I've always dreamed."

"And you can make a new rose garden but this one with actual roses. It can be like a memorial for your mother." I throw the idea out there. He did say roses were her favorite flower and from the way Gale talks about her she is someone worth remembering.

"I would like that," Gale says flashing a hopeful smile.

The air feels warm now. Like when you're outside and the sun is shining brightly on your face. How in all the midst of all this disappointment can all this hope endure? Gale has been condemned to an eternity as a beast. Condemned to losing his mother and his chance to make things right forever. But he's making the best out of the situation. He still has hope that things will be alright. He chose hope and happiness.

Carina gives a lopsided smile while tears threaten to spill from her eyes. She wears the expression of a proud mother.

"Aw, bring it in Carina!" Gale opens his arms to the aged cleaning lady and she accepts his embrace. "You too, Belle!"

I walk over and wrap my arm around the two people that have become like my family in these last few months. Who would have thought that my kidnappers would end up being some of the best people I know?

Carina has become the older sister I've never had. She's there to watch chick flicks, paint nails, and give warm hugs when needed. She's certainly wise and kind. I love her.

And Gale. What is Gale to me? He's a friend, right? I care about him. A lot. I care about him enough to go through a life threatening situation to ensure he'd be happy. That's what I did two months ago at the art gallery. People don't do those things for just about anyone. You have to really...love them.

No. No, I can't. That's crazy.

I shove the thought aside.

But knowing these people has cost me my other family and my other home. My mother and Grayson back in the city. I miss them with all my heart. I'm dying to know how they are doing, to see their faces again.

I want them back.

~The Beast~

Belle and I head back into the library in comfortable silence. I feel better after the discussion in the safe room. I may be a beast but that doesn't mean my life has to be over. My mother was right. "You may look like a beast but that doesn't mean you have to be one." Those words echo in my head.

Maybe this isn't the end. Maybe it's a new beginning.

When we reach the library, Belle takes her usual seat on an antique arm chair. She crosses one leg over the other and takes the book she was reading before in her hands. But instead of opening it up she keeps her thumb nestled between the pages she read last and stares into space.

It's very unlike her to waste anytime when it comes to reading. Sometimes she even walks around while reading at the same time. She'll be setting the dinner table and reading Peter Pan. I'm not sure how she does it. I've tried and have knocked into numerous walls. It must be from years of practice but either way it's a trait I find very cute.

"A penny for your thoughts?" I offer, snapping her out of her trance.

She slowly shakes her head and shrugs. "I was just thinking about home, I guess. Wondering how my mother and Grayson are doing..."

"Grayson?" She's never mentioned that name before. Who could he be? A brother? No, Belle's an only child. A cousin?

"Oh... Never mind." She waves her hand and the look on her face makes my heart sink. A boyfriend?

"No, please. Tell me about this 'Grayson' guy," I say leaning back in my seat and crossing my arms. Who could possibly be good enough to deserve Belle?

"He's just a really close friend..." she says shrugging again. "I've known him for the longest time and he's always been there for me."

I straighten up. "And you care about him?"

Belle nods looking half here and half lost in memories. "Of course. He was my life support."

"Oh..." I manage, trying to play it cool. I try to conceal the surprising bit of jealousy I feel.

This guy obviously means a lot to her and I separated them. He makes her happy. I can see it in her face. The way her eyes glazed over and a faint smile rested on her lips. Who am I to take him away from her? To keep her here?

Sadly, I ask,"Were you two...you know...together?"

She chuckles. "No. I use to have a big crush on him in middle school but it went away. I later realized I loved him but wasn't in love with him."

"How do you tell the difference?" I blurt out before thinking. "How do you know if you're in love with someone?"

She stares at me for a long time, giving me a look I can't quite read. "I...I think I'm still trying to figure that out."

"Me too," I admit holding her gaze.

But I do know that if you love someone you set them free. Even if it means you spend the rest of your days as a lonely beast.

Grayson, whoever you are, just know that Belle's coming home.

Author's Note- Thanks for reading this chapter! Remember to vote, comment, and share this story!

So what are you're thoughts on this chapter? The story is nearing it's ending so what are some things you want to happen before then?

Bye for now!