Beauty and the Beast

A Modern Day Fairy-Tale

By: Mackenzie W

Author's notes: I don't own the essential story-line of Beauty and the Beast but I do own some of the new characters. This takes place modern day in an American high school. Please don't sue if I seemed to have stolen any ideas. I really didn't mean to and you wouldn't be able to get anything off of me. Unless you want my sister. You can have her.

"A tale as old as time"...sweet words, aren't they? Well they certainly describe the tale I'm going to tell you. My name? Victor Gregorio, I am the local high school librarian around these parts. My story begins a few years ago...

I had been working in Enchanted Falls High School already for about fifteen years. As librarian, I wasn't expected to learn the students' names by heart, but I did. The yearbook staff would come by to ask who so and so was, and I'd oblige. So on that special first day, I certainly was anxious to get to know the freshmen.

I ran into a new senior instead. She had just pulled up in a vintage mustang. She had beautiful short brown hair that came mid- neck. Her brown eyes showed her fear and confusion. I went up to her and introduced myself. She told me her name was Belle Lagrange. Belle, the French word for beauty, suited her.

She told me she had just transferred into the school, since she moved to Enchanted Falls back at the end of July. I offered to show her to the main office, where I had to punch in. As I left for the library, Belle turned around and thanked me.

Even though I am the librarian, I do proctor one study hall, normally a class of seniors first thing every morning. I recognized all the seniors in my class. First there was Gaston Mark. At that point, he was a definite for Prom King. He was the captain of the best high school football team, and the most gorgeous guy in school according to the yearbooks for the past three years.

Gaston's usual crew sat with him. Some were members of the football team and sat at the table next to his. Those privileged to sit at his table were his five most adamant admires. First, "Gaston's Bimbettes," as they were called: Julie Baggs, Janie Olsen, and Jessie Killington. They were all blonde (natural and artificial) and followed Gaston all over the place. They would flirt and swoon in his presence.

Then came LeFou. Just LeFou. No one remembered his first name. Not even I, for we all got used to calling him "LeFou." I believe his name was Richard. Not sure. Anyway, there was also Craig Dickson. Those two were Gaston's "yes" men. Everything Gaston said was true. They would do anything their friend asked.

And a lone figure sat in the back. Ross Angel, the captain of the wrestling team. He was also known as the "Beast" due to his hostile nature and reputation on the mat. He was always an outcast and never did have many friends. And the ones he did have, he was luck enough they stuck around. He had a terrible temper. An excellent student, but would never put in the work needed. He was spoiled. After all, the Angel Corporation basically owned Enchanted Falls.

Since it was the first class of the first day, my seniors had nothing to do. So I gave them all books I thought they would like. To Gaston, I gave Pride and Prejudice, just in spite. He didn't read it. Ross picked out my copy of the Elephant Man. Then, I heard the library door open.

There, standing timidly was Belle, the girl I met earlier. She handed me her late note and took a book from my pile. Beauty and the Beast and Other Fairy Tales. She looked around and noticed the empty seats at Ross' table and sat down. He looked up gave her a look, and then went back to his reading. Gaston abandoned his Bimbettes to catch glances at this new girl. And I knew he had made a pact then and there to make Belle his girlfriend and Prom Queen.

In the back, Belle was deeply into her book, paying no attention to the stares around her. They were either that of infatuation or jealous. She only had one look of indifference, from the "Beast." I chuckled to myself, already knowing it would be an interesting year.

A/N2: Hey, there! I decided that on top of all my work for college, I would revise this! I mean, after all, I did write this as a sophomore/junior in high school. And revision is always a good thing, as my college writing professor said. Mac