I do not own As Told By Ginger, okay? Upon rewatching this series with more well…. experienced eyes I found it actually pretty good and reading some things online, a rumored future episode idea was where Courtney found she was in love with Ginger and well that was never made. So, I figured, what else is fanfiction for! Anyway, enough of this A/N, on with the fic!
Miranda stood by Courtney's locker and sighed. Sure, things had gotten better for her as they had gotten older through high school, in fact now they were at the end of their junior year, the bullying by the older classmates had stopped. However, it took some getting used to for her to have her brother in the same school. She worried for him that what happened to her her freshman year would happen to her younger brother Blake. "Are you done yet?" Miranda sighed. "I swear, half your lunch period is just you doing your makeup again."
"I am sorry Miranda, but since Papa went to jail and the Gripling legacy was left as a good name in a legacy of bad debts..." She began when Miranda laughed. Courtney looked at her annoyed.
"Sorry...but really, that whole Titanic Rose line? Your mom has you to wed some rich douchebag like 15 years older than you?" Miranda laughed.
"Do not give Maman any ideas." Courtney sighed. "But frankly, we have come up from the disgrace much better than anyone could have hoped. Maman actually has some financial acumen and was able to get herself a job at a CPA's office."
"Wouldn't think a professional outfit would want the wife of someone who was convicted of insider trading." Miranda said.
"Well Maman is the most trusting person in the world with those she loves." Courtney smiled. "She trusted Papa. She had no knowledge of his business dealings. But she was in charge of figuring the tax deductions for the Gripling household. So, she was able to use her charm and knowledge to get a good job at a CPA firm in their tax department. And I have a good after school job at the Louis Vuitton job at the mall."
"You used to go shopping there all the time. Now you're working there and can't afford any of it?" Miranda asked, trying to keep her snark back. If it was ANYONE else, she would have made fun of them for it but the most trying time for their friendship was when Courtney lost her fortune. Mipsy never spoke to her again, looked at her with disdain. Somehow, she still talked to Miranda but if Courtney was with Miranda, Mipsy would act like she got a call on her phone and walk away. It was in the aftermath that Miranda realized that she cared for Courtney and was there for her when anyone wanted to make fun of her for it. Miranda was the one who stood up for her no matter what. She realized she needed to look after someone helpless and her helpless was Courtney, even if she would never tell Courtney she seemed 'helpless' to her.
"I mean I can save up my money from the job and I do have some of it stashed away in investment accounts so I can have something to help with college. Some things I have learned cannot be seized as evidence." Courtney said shutting her locker. "And for me to save, I have to get brands of makeup that are more economical."
"Oh, hey Courtney!" A voice yelled from behind them. Miranda groaned but Courtney jumped up and blushed.
"Ginger." Courtney said with a giggle and flick of her hair. "Whatever do you want?"
"I just wanted to make sure you were still able to make the prom decoration committee today? We sure could use your stylish eye! And you've helped to bring everything under budget too! I can't thank you so much for your hard work." Ginger said.
"It's the least I can do. I am so glad you find my contributions so helpful." Courtney smiled. She was keeping her composure, but inside she felt her heart flutter. It felt so good for Ginger to compliment her. "But I do hope all this work you have been doing on student council, the upcoming play and your band, I do hope you haven't lost your motivation for your poetry." Miranda rolled her eyes.
"You, you really like my poems?" Ginger blinked taken aback. Since the Griplings had signed a lease to own contract on her old house, they had gotten closer and more friendly with each other, sometimes seeing her more than she did Dodie and Macie, who were busy with their own projects in the band and pep squad. Courtney had taken on roles on the Student Council and French club which often lined up more with Ginger's schedule than did Dodie and Macie's.
"Of course, silly! You're the best writer this school has ever had or will ever have." Courtney said. "You did win the Avalanche Arts Fellowship."
"God, that seems like forever ago." Ginger rolled her eyes. "But see you 9th period in the library. I would say we do it in the gym, but the Dodge Ball Team is practicing there today."
"Understandable." Courtney said.
"I have to get to Lunch, Orion said he's bringing homemade gyros." Ginger smiled.
"Oh you, your man is quite the looker and a cook." Courtney said.
"Yeah..." Ginger blushed. "See you later."
"Geesh, why didn't you just get down on one knee already?" Miranda said. "That display made me sick."
"Excuse me?" Courtney asked, putting her hands on her hips.
Miranda rolled her eyes. "Are you that dense? Do I need to spell it out for you?"
"Spell what out?" Courtney asked as she followed Miranda to the cafeteria.
"You really like Ginger. Like really like." Miranda said, feeling like she was explaining love to a child.
"What's not to?" Courtney said.
"She's too goody goody for me to really like." Miranda said. "I put up with her because you like her and who knows it might work, she gives off that artsy bi vibe."
"Artsy bi vibe?" Courtney asked.
"Listen Courtney, you seem to be in love with Ginger. You were practically flirting with her back there and it's just for the prom committee meeting." Miranda explained. "Now I don't give a flying fuck who you want to fuck, and I will put up with Foutley for you but don't expect me to be best friends with her. I'll just cut back the snide remarks..."
Courtney turned bright red. "Me? In love with Ginger?" She said as she stood back along the lockers. But I don't like her like that do I? Am I? She thought as she shook her head and headed to the cafeteria, grabbed a tray and took a salad for lunch. Sitting across from Miranda, who was eating her salad nonchalantly, reading a magazine, she moved in close to her friend and whispered, not sure she was ready to deal with the feelings herself. "So ummmmmm how would I tell if this was love? I mean I had the biggest crush on Will for the longest time, until I saw what he said when he found Darren left Ginger for that cheerleader."
"Okay so that feeling with Will was a crush, and you found out what he was like, a total jock piece of trash and you hated him easy." Miranda said, surprised that Courtney would be this clueless about love, but then again, she was only well versed in heterosexual relationships and even then, and it was more based on what she read in magazines. "Ginger, it seems different. And you know no one can tell you if you're in love or not. Only you can."
"But...if I am... how do I tell her..." Courtney asked. "And what if she doesn't like me the same?"
"Well, that's something you won't need to worry about with her is that Ginger isn't the type to stop being friends over that kind of thing." Miranda said. "So, no worries there."
"Why are you giving me advice on how to ask Ginger out if you hate her?" Courtney teased as she sipped her milk.
"Because as much as I hate her, I want my only real friend to be happier more." Miranda sighed. "I mean when I was stuck at my dad's military summer camp, she stood up for our safety at that Caprice place. That counselor was such a bitch."
"Yes, she does fight for what is right." Courtney said. "And Camp Caprice is fun. I work with the 4th grade girls each year."
"Looks good on your college resume, I will give you that." Miranda smirked. "Oh, and serve some good food at the prom. If this town will keep it in the freaking gym, then you can at least feed us well."
"Of course, Miranda." Courtney said. "A memorable night needs a memorable spread. And you would be surprised at how well Costco party platters taste for the budget. The Spinach dip and Sourdough platter is sophisticated taste on a budget."
"I'm overjoyed..." Miranda said coldly.
"I'm glad you are!" Courtney said, not noticing Miranda's sarcasm. "And I found a great punch recipe that is sure to please." Courtney took a bite of her salad from her fork and looked over at Ginger and Orion, mind wandering to her in a light pink dress with a tiara on her head, hand in hand with Ginger, in a yellow ball dress and white gloves her curly red hair in an updo looking at her with a smile as LeAnne Rimes "How Do I Live" played in the background. Lost in Ginger's eyes, the lunch bell rang.
"Earth to Courtney, Lunch is over." Miranda said picking up Courtney's tray. "You don't want to be late for Zorski's class. God, I miss the middle school Zorski..."
"To think that is before my AP French class." Courtney huffed.
So how was that? Good? Bad? Short? Long? Let me know in a review. I intend for this to be a two shot, but I haven't figured out how I want to end the chapters. I don't have much else to say here, so remember to read, well you just did, and review. Ciao for now,
Otherrealmwriter
Aka
Realm.