As Told by Ginger copyright Viacom

Chapter 1: A Mystery on their Hands

Written: 12 Dec 2004

Posted: 12 Dec 2004

Revised: 14 Dec 2004

It was mystery meat night in the cafeteria. A trio of girls had other plans.

Ginger Foutley entered into the peaceful lunchroom with her two friends, Macie Lightfoot and Dodie Bishop. For some reason that Ginger was sure was a good one they were bringing lunches made for them by Dodie. But as a result, they didn't need to wait in line like they usually did. She found what the reason she saw the menu by the door. Another reason to bring a lunch from home.

But before they could get to their table, they were stopped by Courtney Gripling, the most popular girl in school, and her best friend, Miranda Kilgilian. "Girls, I need a moment to speak alone with Ginger," Courtney said. Miranda was smirking at them.

"Er, about what, Courtney," Ginger asked.

"It's just something between us two," Courtney said. "Not even Miranda will be with us." Miranda looked positively shocked. Apparently not even her was expecting that.

Ginger paused. "But I thought that she was your right-hand woman, Courtney."

"Have you lost your mind, Courtney?" Miranda said.

"No, I haven't, Miranda." Courtney looked very cross at Miranda. "Now go off with Ginger's friends so that we can be alone."

"Fine. See you later then." Miranda grabbed Dodie and Macie's elbows and half-dragged them away. "Let's just the two lovebirds alone."

"We are not lovebirds," Courtney snapped. Apparently sarcasm is lost on some people. After their respective friends had left, Courtney pulled Ginger to the side of the lunchroom. "I don't think I entirely trust Miranda anymore. She's been acting a little… odd."

"Odd? In what way?"

"Well, for one thing, she has been spying on my house every night for the past two weeks."

"But doesn't she already do that?"

"No, of course not." Courtney placed her hands on her hips. "If you aren't to take this seriously, I'll just keep it to myself."

Ginger blushed. "Sorry," she said. And wondered where he had such a patently ridiculous idea.

"That's better." Courtney sounded slightly mollified. "Now I want you to do a favor for me."

"What is it, Courtney?"

"Keep an eye on Miranda. But don't let her know that you're keeping an eye on her."

"But, Courtney…"

Courtney cut her off by holding her hands in her own. "Please do this, Ginger." She looked into Ginger's eyes. "For me."

Ginger couldn't help herself. She nodded.

"Thank you, Ginger. You'll never regret this."

Five short minutes later and Ginger was already regretting it. No soon than she had sat down with her friends was when Miranda decided to disappear. Ginger would have got up and looked for her, but Courtney had admonished to not to let know, so she sat still. She sighed.

"What seems to be the matter, Ginger," Dodie asked with concern.

"It's Courtney. She's going through a few personal things."

"What sort of things?"

"Dodie, I just told it was personal."

"Oh, right. Sorry."

"That's alright, Dode, you have a right to ask." Yeah, right, she thought to herself.

Dodie ate the rest of her baked zita in silence. Macie discussed with Ginger about the new Little Seal Girl movie that was coming out in the summer. But Ginger didn't feel right with Dodie not joining the discussion. But she didn't want to be bothered.

But Macie didn't seem to notice. "Don't you have anything to say, Dodie?"

She opened her mouth, but whatever it was she was going to say was lost when somebody said the words that always caused Ginger's heart to skip. "Food fight!"

"Here we go again," she muttered.

"Don't their mothers teach them manners?" Macie thought for a second. "Or their fathers, as the case may be."

"In today's world, Macie," Dodie snorted. "You must be joking."

"Dodie, things can't be that bad."

Macie's words were proven false when Ginger was hit on the back of the head by some kind of creamy object. She put her hand there and examined the goo that she found there. Lemon marguine pie. Now she knew why they didn't serve it in the cafeteria. So it wouldn't serve as weapons in food fights, such as the one that was happening now.

But for some reason it was allowed to be in kids' lunches brought from home. Go figure. "You were saying, Macie?"

"Never mind." Macie ducked her head so that she was less of a target. Ginger sighed for the second time that hour.

"Ginger, grab a cupcake and join the fun," a boy with blond hair and freckles told her.

"I am going to eat this," she coolly replied. "And I'm not joining any food fights." She scratched an inch on her right arm that came from nowhere.

The boy shrugged. "Your loss." He then proceed to toss an apple at Ginger's cheek.

It was the last thing that Ginger remembered.

- -

"How could you do that to Ginger, Pedro Sanchez?" Dodie was clutching his collar and yelling into his face.

"But I didn't hit her that hard, Dodie." Pedro tried to escape, but Dodie's grip was far too strong for him to break free. "I swear."

"He's right, Dodie," Macie said. "He only tossed the apple at Ginger. It couldn't possibly have enough energy to do Ginger any real harm."

"See? See? So why don't you-"

Dodie slammed against the line of lockers behind. "I'm asking the questions here, punk. Now I'm going to ask you this very… care… fully. And speak truthfully. I would know. Did you put any foreign substance into the apple or do you have any knowledge of anyone of putting a foreign substance into the apple."

"No. I swear on my mother's dear, departed ghost."

"Don't do that," Macie gasped. "I'm not that she would appreciate it if you used her for a bible."

They stared at her with mouths hanging open. Had she really just say that? Dodie turned back to Pedro. "Okay, I guess you can go now. But I will be keeping my eye on you."

Pedro nodded as Dodie let go of his collar. When he was free, he hurried off toward his class. Then she heard a slow clap behind her. Surprised, Dodie turned around. Across the hall in front of an opened locker stood Miranda, clapping her hands with a slow rhythm. "I hate to admit it, Bishop. That was the way to get answers out of the students. Not bad. Not bad at all."

"Oh, I'm sure that you could've done a lot better."

"Of course I could have done better," Miranda replied. "But just because I had a lot more practice."

"Of course," Dodie laughed nervously. "But I don't see what you could want from us."

Miranda grinned. It wasn't a particularly inviting one, but it was the best that she seemed capable of. "I want you to help me find who had done this."

"But I thought that you hated Ginger," Macie said.

"This is true," Miranda said. Then her voice turned cold and hateful. "But the same thing happened to Courtney as well. I want the one responsible to pay," she growled.

Dodie was impressed. She didn't usually see Miranda this emotional. "But shouldn't we leave this to the school."

"But you were just accosting a student over this very issue. Weren't you, Dodie?"

"Well, yeah, but…"

"But nothing. You're already in this. And up to your necks." Miranda smiled evilly. "Plus if you don't help, I'll report to the principal what you were just doing."

"But won't Pedro just report to him about that anyway?"

"Pedro? Not a chance." Miranda thrusted her hand toward Dodie. "So is it a deal or not?"

Reluctantly Dodie nodded and shook the offered hand.

"You too, Lightfoot?"

"I'm innocent, I tell ya. Innocent," Macie shook her head.

"Hmmph. I wouldn't count on."

"What do you mean," Dodie asked.

"Nobody's innocent."

"I suppose that's true," Dodie said quietly.

"I'm still not joining your little scheme," said Macie.

"Your loss." Suddenly Miranda doubled over with eyes widened with surprise. Dodie had just pounded her fist into Miranda's gut. "Wow. I didn't know you had it in you."

"I'm sor-"

Miranda cut off Dodie with two fingers to the mouth. "No, don't apologize. It'll ruin the effect," she managed to say.

"Effect? I just slugged you. Why would you be worried about effect?"

"Relax, Bishop." Miranda was starting to stand back. "You're perfect for the job."

"What job?"

"You'll see." Miranda almost standing perfectly straight; although she did hold her left arm to her belly. "You can leave us now, Lightfoot." Macie stood still. "Unless you want to join us."

Macie looked to Dodie. "It's alright," she replied.

Macie left, absolutely bewildered. Just who was this Miranda Kilgallen anyway?

- - -

When Ginger woke up her nose was threatening to separate itself from her forehead. She looked through half-opened eyes up at the nurse. "What happened?"

"A kid hit you with an apple."

"I don't care about that, Nurse Pumpkin. Why was I out?"

"It was the hit to the noggin, Dear."

"You mean the one to my cheek," Ginger asked with astonishment. "That wasn't nearly hard enough."

The nurse shrugged. "I don't see what else could have caused to faint like that."

Ginger saw Courtney in another bed in the nurse's office. "Ohmygosh, what happened to Courtney, Nurse Pumpkin?"

"The same thing as you. A hit to the noggin."