Meanwhile, Bellamy was helping the household staff get the ballroom ready for an impromptu dance party. The marble floor was covered in a thin layer of dust and cobwebs hung in the corners of the spacious room. The maids and butlers immediately set to work sweeping and dusting until the white and gold marble floor gleamed.

Jett informed Bellamy that he planned to play the piano, and so he helped the butler to uncover the piano and dust it until it shone a glossy black. After that Jett shooed Bellamy off and told him to get ready for his dance with Abigail.

Bellamy made his way to his room where he perused the selection of designer suits that Abigail had provided him with. After a moment’s consideration he decided on wearing a slick, gray-blue Armani suit with a pair of shinny Ferragamos. He reluctantly added a gold Rolex to his wrist. He still wasn’t used to wearing such fancy, expensive things, but thought that Abigail would probably appreciate the effort to look nice.

After Bellamy was finished getting ready, he exited his bedroom, and began to make his way down the corridor, heading for the grand staircase. Just as he reached the top of the stairs, Abigail emerged from her room. When she spotted Bellamy this cute, shy look formed on her face.

“Whoa,” Bellamy breathed softly as he took in Abigail’s startling appearance. His mother was a miracle worker. Abigail looked almost…human. She was wearing a blue and silver gown that had one point had probably been two separate dresses. It fit her perfectly and since it was long-sleeved and high-necked the dress covered up all of the yeti’s white fur.

The skin of Abigail’s face was still blue, and she still had a ‘monkey face’ with her little button nose, but Bellamy couldn’t help thinking she looked extremely cute. Her silvery eyes had been lined in black and looked really wide, giving Abigail a bit of a puppy dog look. Her long white hair had been tamed and meticulously styled by his mother into an elaborate updo with half of her hair up and the other half cascading down around her shoulders.

Feeling a little tongue-tied and not sure what he should say, Bellamy approached Abigail offered her his hand, and smiled timidly. A magenta hue rose to Abigail’s cheeks as she silently took Bellamy’s hand, and smiled back at him.

In a gentlemanly fashion, Bellamy guided Abigail down the stairs and into the foyer. They then headed for the ballroom. Two jade butlers opened the gilded double doors that led to the ballroom as they approached.

Upon entering the ballroom, Abigail sucked in a breath at the sight of the previously dusty ballroom once again clean and sparkling in all its former glory. Abigail’s silver gaze was drawn upwards to the massive, golden chandelier hanging overhead. The gold velvet curtains that covered the tall, latticed windows had been drawn back to reveal a nice glimpse of the starry night sky outside. The marble floor was so clean that Abigail could see her and Bellamy’s reflection on it as they crossed the floor.

Seated at the now uncovered piano was Jett who was currently playing a traditional waltz. This unexpected sight caused Abigail’s silver eyes to widen. “It’s been so long since this room looked like this.” She turned to Bellamy. “Before…I used to throw these lavish, extravagant parties. I spared no expense in order to have the best food, drinks and live entertainment. Only the most beautiful people were allowed to attend. It’s ironic since now I am most likely one of the most ugly people on Earth.”

Letting his instincts guide him, Bellamy reached out and cupped her face tenderly. “You’re not ugly. I think you look really cute tonight, monkey face.”

Abigail frowned. “You’re just saying that because you’re my friend.”

“You’re right. I am your friend,” Bellamy agreed smoothly. “But you remind me of a cute, fluffy bunny.” His serious tone had taken on a teasing note.

Abigail let out an incredulous laugh. “A bunny? You can’t be serious.”

There was a merry twinkle in Bellamy’s blue eyes that was slightly obscured by the round glasses on his face. “Abigail, I wanted to thank you for letting me rescue my mother.”

A flash of surprise crossed Abigail’s face. “I should be thanking you for coming back.”

“Hey, a promise is a promise.” A grin spread over Bellamy’s face. “And we still haven’t found an alternative way to break the curse. But we will.”

“Do you know how to waltz?” Abigail nodded her head in the direction of the piano and Jett.

Bellamy nodded. “Yep. But only because my mother taught me.” The bookworm whisked Abigail out onto the dance floor and they began to waltz. Abigail’s movements were surprisingly graceful for a yeti.

“You and your mother…are very close,” Abigail observed.

“Well, when two people go through a lot together they inevitably become close.” Bellamy lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “I feel bad that I used to secretly blame her for my curse though. Sometimes I even hated her for it. But now, I know my mother is a victim in all of this. Just like you, Abigail.” There was suddenly a sharp gleam in Bellamy’s eyes. “You’re both Agathon’s victims. He’s the evil one here. The villain in this twisted tale.”

A conflicted look fell over Abigail’s face as she thought of the sorcerer Agathon. “Perhaps…but I accept that I was at fault too. I was vain and superficial and uncaring, and I paid the price.”

Bellamy snorted. “What teenager isn’t a little selfish? You didn’t deserve this, Abigail.” His eyes blazed with righteous anger.

It was strange seeing someone grow angry for her sake. It made butterflies flutter in Abigail’s stomach. “Thank you for…feeling that way.”

Bellamy arched an eyebrow at her. “So were all your parties ‘classy’ like this? Everyone did ballroom dances?”

Abigail giggled. “No! It’s 2018! What do you think?” She turned to Jett. “Jett, hit it!”

Jett stood up from the piano stool, made his way over to the entertainment center, popped in a CD and pressed play. A pop dance song started playing. Jett pushed some other buttons on a console and a glittering disco ball lowered from the ceiling and colored lights began to zigzag across the marble dance floor.

Bellamy’s jaw gaped open in surprise as the classy ballroom was suddenly transformed into a modern discotheque. “Whoo,” he let out an appreciative whistle. “Nice.”

Abigail grinned wolfishly. “Now, let’s really dance!”

“Sure,” Bellamy easily agreed.

The yeti and the bookworm began to dance to the pumping, upbeat song, swaying their bodies from side to side, and occasionally throwing their hands up into the air.

As Abigail blushed and giggled and smiled at Bellamy shyly, the bookworm’s heart skipped a beat. Too cute.

Oh man…what did I just think? Bellamy thought to himself uneasily. I can’t be falling for yeti girl, can I? Talk about Stockholm Syndrome. But what about Abigail? How does she feel about me?

If we end up falling for each other…we might be able to break the curse that way, but..

I doubt she’ll fall in love with a nerd like me. I’m…boring. Dull.

And if she sees me without my glasses…then she’ll just end up like my father Raul.

Besides we’ve become friends and have decided to try and find an alternate way to break the curse. Together.

Bellamy returned his attention to Abigail, grinned, and spun her like a top. For now, he just wanted to enjoy this moment, and decided he’d worry about the curse later.