It's Jimmy's idea to get everyone to dress up in Disney costumes on Lisa's birthday, which falls on the same day as Halloween- the day of the year they always have huge parties. The assume it's Lisa's birthday because they get hold of the birth certificate by sneaking into Brian's dad's house. Though it would've been easier to just walk through the front door- it had been Brian's idea to be ninjas and go in through the front fucking window.

"She's been glued to Cinderella for a week- we have to dress up like Disney characters!" Jimmy had said, and reluctantly, they'd all agreed to find costumes for her birthday party. Brian had found her the cutest little Cinderella outfit- seeing as she was the birthday girl and wanted to be dressed up like her favourite character.
He'd somehow found a beast from 'Beauty And The Beast' outfit, and had made Jimmy promise NOT to dress up as little orphan Annie.

The party is less for Lisa, more for the guys and girls they knew to let off some steam. There would just happen to be a child there for about an hour, and if no one spiked their drinks- it would all be fine.

Finally changed, he takes one last look at himself in the mirror, smooths down the jacket and smiles. He looks good for once- and he wonders if here, he'll find his Beauty. Otherwise- he's just a beast with nowhere else to go.
He goes downstairs (the party's at his place) to find Snow White (Lizzy) in a conversation with Prince Charming (Zacky), whilst she pours dip into bowls.

"Looking good Brian! Man, you clean up good when you want to" Zacky announces, and Brian laughs, stealing one of the chips before his sister can slap his hand away.
"Did Jimmy get into that Peter Pan outfit OK? He's the only person I know who can pull off green tights" Lizzy asks and Brian nods, remembering the flurry of green as Jimmy shuttled from one room to another. He knows that Matt is dressing up as Eric from The Little Mermaid and Johnny is going as Aladdin- but he can't wait to see his little sister.

"PRESENTING, HER MAJESTY, THE BIRTHDAY GIRL HERSELF- CINDERELLA!" Jimmy's booming voice comes echoing out through the hallway and the three of them walk into the hall to find Jimmy helping Lisa down the stairs, holding her hands tightly as she steps in front of him. She looks beautiful, a little tiara on top of her flyaway hair and that poofy blue skirt fanning out across her little legs.

She stares up at the three figures in awe, smiling. Zacky, who proves to be the best uncle in all situation, gets down on one knee and hands her a little birthday cupcake he obviously swiped from the kitchen with a candle on it, burning brightly.
"Hey princess- will you make a wish?" he asks and she hides behind Jimmy's green legs, suddenly shy. He grins at Brian and he kneels down beside her, holding her waist gently and pointing at the cupcake.

"Make a wish, baby" he says, and she blows out the candle, her eyes screwed tightly shut. She throws herself at Brian, who picks her up and carries her into the kitchen.
"What did you wish for, baby?"
"I wish that you never go away..." she smiles and hugs him tightly.

I never will, Brian thinks to himself. I'll always be here.

***

The parties in full swing at around eleven, and Lisa's fast asleep upstairs, in the soundproof room that they've locked and barricaded so no one can get in there. And even then someone goes up every half an hour to check that she's OK.

Lizzy and Zacky are slow dancing to 'Say Goodbye' by Bullet For My Valentine, and Brian wanders over to the drinks table, looking to refill his Jack. He's allowed to get drunk tonight- he deserves some time off. He wants to find his Beauty- but so far, no-one's turned out in that kind of attire. There's a lot of slutty outfits from the women that are there, but they all look the same.
He reaches out for the whiskey, when his hand touches someone elses. The arm is bare, but when he looks up, he sees the yellow dress- and a Beauty is standing in front of him.

She has big brown eyes, and a long waterfall of black hair that almost shadows her face whenever she looks down. He doesn't know her, at least by sight anyway, but he's captivated. She's...beautiful.
"Oh, sorry..." she says shyly, and turns to walk away, but Brian grabs her arm and pulls her back. He wants to talk to her.
"It's OK"
She was his Beauty...maybe.

"This is gonna sound really weird, but I love this song. Do you want to dance with me?" he asks, feeling like a total ass and wondering when she'll walk away. But she nods shyly and he leads her onto the dancefloor. He puts his hands on her waist and she puts her hands on his shoulder and slowly they start to sway together.
"So, I've been wondering all night- who's idea was it to have a Disney themed Halloween party?" she asks and he smiles, wondering where Jimmy's gotten to.

"Jimmy's. It's my little sisters 3rd birthday today, and she loves Cinderella, so he said we should all dress up" Brian replies, wondering when he can get this girls name.
"Ah, Jimmy. The man's insane" she smiles.
"How do you know him?"
"We're tutors. He teaches me drums and I teach him how to cook something other than pizza. He's friends with my brothers" she replies and Brian smiles.

The song's almost over, and as the instruments start to fade out he goes out on a whim that's probably fuelled by the amount of whiskey he's drunken tonight, he tips up the girl's face and kisses her softly. She doesn't push him away, but he pulls away when he feels her kiss back, smiling.

"I'm Brian, by the way"
"Lacey. Lacey Sanders"