I don't own As Told By Ginger okay? I am so glad to see that many of you like it. I don't have much else to say, so enough of the A/N, on with the fic!

Courtney sighed as she headed into the house. It was surreal for her. Ever since the loss of the Gripling fortune and Blake and Carl's amazing real estate negotation skills, it seemed surreal that she was living in the same house as Ginger did before her mother got remarried. In fact, she ended up taking Ginger's old room. But it wasn't like Courtney was seeking it, it just happened that her mother wanted the private bath and Blake was going to throughly examine Carl's old room for anything of his that he could use. In fact, Blake was severly disappointed that the doghouse was torn down before they moved in. Courtney sighed hoping that Blake wouldn't turn into Carl, despite them having similar interests. She knew too well Ginger's frustration with it. But even when misfortune befell the Griplings, Blake still retained his dignity, something that Courtney admired and used to help motivate her.

So if what Miranda said is true, which I am forced to admit she has a point about, it's funny, I am sleeping where she did... Courtney thought with a slight laugh.

"Dearest, are you hungry?" Courtney's mother knocked on the door. "I have found this most delicious Neptune salad recipie.

"What's in it?" Courtney yelled.

"Tuna, crabmeat, mayonaise and some seasonings. I have made them into little finger sandwiches without the crust and toasted bread." Her mother said. "And I made sure it's the best within our budget." Claire explained.

"Seriously Mumsy?" Courtney asked as she opened the door, taking one of the sandwitches with caution knowing of her allergy to sub par shellfish that would likely be the ones that her mother would have gotten.

"I have done my best to note which brands have the best quality and value, knowing your allergy my darling. I do have the antihistamines ready. Although your doctor says you are getting to the age that you may possibly grow out of it." Claire suggested.

Courtney smiled knowing her mother was trying her best to make the nicest stuff she could with their now modest budget and sometimes, she did pull it off. Other times, Courtney and Blake had smiled and nodded at their mother to keep her happy, knowing Claire would be the most shook up about all this. She took a bite and swallowed tenatively. So far, upon first bite nothing felt abnormal but she took the antihistimes from her mother just in case. "This is actually pretty good." Courtney said.

"Oh I wanted to hear that from you so much! But if you have any reactions let me know! I am working on dinner, a delectable slow roasted chicken and homemade mashed potatoes and gravy."

"Mumsy, you have developed quite the culinary touch." Courtney said, reassuring her mother.

"I only want what is best for my children in this trying time." Clarie smiled.

"And you are doing that. Kiss kiss." She said hugging her mother. "But I have homework and you know how evil Zorski is."

"That woman should not teach." Claire said shaking her head. "I will let you do your homework in peace."

Courtney sat down and tried to focus on the copy of Walden right in front of her. Zorski had wanted them to read. "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." She read. "And Zorski wants 500 words on the first three chapters? While we are working on Pride and Predjudice too? No wonder Ginger got addicted to those Mocho Loco Frothenators!" She placed some green tea into her blooming tea pot and heated the water knowing she would need something to help her nerves while she did this. Part of her wanted to just call up Ginger and ask what she did, but feared Ginger would just think she was trying to cheat off her work, which was farther from the truth. "Although she would likely have read it..." Courtney blushed, looking at the phone, contemplating if she would call her. As she picked up the reciever, a knock was heard at the door.

"Courtney! Dinner is ready, Mother has asked me to get you!" Blake said.

"Ugh! Fine!" She said as she placed the phone down and headed to the door. "I need a good reason to get away from that witch Zorski's unreasonable amount of homework anyway."

"Dinner is served." Claire said as Courtney and Blake sat at the table and began to eat. It had been tradition that Claire had inisisted on, that they keep even though they could hardly speak with their father. Preston was in jail, and would not be out for another year, then he would be on probation for 18 months after. Courtney was glad that he would be out of jail in time for her graduation but worried how he would handle the change.

"Thank you so much Mumsy." Courtney said.

"Yes, thank you Mother." Blake said.

"How was your day?" Claired asked at her kids

"Well I must say, I have had a wonderful day. I got my science test back and I passed with flying colors." Blake smriked. Courtney rolled her eyes. She was slightly envious of him too. He didn't get hased as much as she did when she was a Freshman. Then again being close to Carl Foutley had it's perks.

"Wonderful." Claire smiled. "And you?"

Courtney smiled. "Well, I met with Ginger today planning the prom. I have figured out the best way to get the food and decrations and we will be going together."

Blake started laughing. Claire looked at him annoyed. She could tell that Courtney was very happy and was supecting of her true feelings for a long time. However, it was for Courtney to say it, not to pressure her into something she wasn't ready for.

"Well isn't that precious. I am so proud of you working on the prom and I am so happy it is going so well for you." Claire said.

"I really must speak with Ginger about how she should dress and how she should do her hair. It does look really good in an updo." Courtney said.

Meanwhile Ginger was writing in her journal and eating some pretzel chips and hummus and began working on her English assignment. Luckily it was a free from writing one, so she was in her element. It was a break from the work she had planning the prom. She needed to write out what was needed and how much for approval. She was good at writing and making arguments, so that she was able to keep the music program going and to make sure Dodie got a good try out on the Pep squad, although she never understood why Dodie liked it so much. As she kept working, Carl burst into the room.

"Hey sis! I have a favor to ask of you!" Carl said.

"I cannot get you a break from Zorski." Ginger sighed. "If I couldn't with a ruptured appendix and being an Avalanche Arts fellowship winner for myself, I can't for you, sorry."

"No, it is a tough test of my resilience, but I am working to keep my cool with the evil Zorski. I do attempt to make her annoyed by writing papers disagreeing with her statements but in such a way that if she were to try anything that it would look bad on her." Carl said. "She's made Higsby cry a few times."

"I can relate." Ginger said. "And Courtney came to our prom planning meeting yelling in French."

"Anyway," Carl went on. "I know that you are on the prom planning committee, something I had learned from ol' Blakey boy when he told me what his sister said about it as well. And I am here with some things to request of you."

"What? You're not going?" Ginger asked.

"Of course not." Carl said, "Even when I am in my junior and senior years, I do not plan to attend, these functions are not my style, too stiff. But Macie is going."

"Yes..." Ginger said cautiously.

"With Hoodsy." Carl said.

"I'm aware." Ginger said. "And what does this have to do with me?" she said, eyeing her brother skeptically.

"I am also aware that a Courtney Gripling will be accompanying you since Orion does not share your desire to attend."

"Well yeah..." Ginger asked. "Can you get to the point?"

"Hoodsy has a few things to ask of you and wrote them on the list. They are things he says would make the night with him and Macie just perfect." Carl said as he placed the list filled with Hoodsy's handwriting on it.

Ginger looked over it. Some of it wasn't bad and focused on things that Macie liked food and drink wise, things that Ginger was thinking of herself. Others seemed just too much of something to ask. "25 or 6 to 4 by Chicago playing? Can't guarantee but I could have the DJ have a suggestion box."

"I guess that can be arranged." Carl smiled.

"And Courtney thinks your hair would look great in an updo. Personally, I never saw you as having an interest in her like that, but who am I to judge? It is your life to live, and I swear Courtney has had a crush on you since ummmmmmm when did you get arrested because Miranda told you to steal a sign from the bank for her birthday party?" Carl asked.

"7th grade..." Ginger said. "And we're going as friends because we're both working together to get the prom set up."

"I stand by what I said. You may see it as friendship, but Courtney likely sees it as much more than that. Let her down gently. I think karma has handled any well...snobbish behavior she did when you were younger." Carl explained.

"How do you know all this?" Ginger asked.

"Blake." Carl said. "We have a good coms line set up. While he may not have the capital for business ventures as in our youth, he still possesses skills and connections that are invaluable to my ventures."

"Whatever, get out." Ginger said as she threw a pillow at him and looked over the list, figuring what could be done with what they had planned, rolling her eyes at how her brother was. No matter what, good or bad, he always had some rather unorthodox ways of getting things he wanted or needed.

So how was that? Good? Bad? Short? Long? Let me know in a review. I know it took a little to get this updated but hey, life can be well, hectic. The 25 or 6 to 4 reference is from King of the Hill episode Luanne Gets Lucky. So that's what I came up with at random. Anyway, remember to read, well you just did and review. Ciao for now,

Otherrealmwriter

Aka

Realm.