I do not own As Told by Ginger, okay? Thanks for all of you who read and liked this fic so far. I don't have much else to say here other than, enough of this A/N, on with the fic!

"Le culot de ce professeur! Que de devoirs! Quelle salope!" Courtney said storming into the library, causing the librarian to look at her sternly, causing Courtney to cover her mouth in embarrassment. "I am so very sorry." She whispered as she headed to the table where Ginger had a notebook open and a few catalogues with party supplies open.

"What caused that outburst?" Ginger asked curiously.

"Oh, I'm just sooooo mad at Miss Zorski. That woman! I swear!" Courtney said. "How did you survive her in your freshman year? Especially when you had your appendix burst that year?"

"I have no idea." Ginger smiled. Courtney felt her heart flutter at that. "But if you ever need any help with her class, I'm here."

"We're reading Pride and Prejudice, and normally I love Jane Austin, but Zorski," Courtney shuddered. "She's making me hate this book!"

"Happened to me with To Kill a Mockingbird, couldn't stand to read it until just recently." Ginger said. "But enough of that, you said you had some ideas for the prom decorations that weren't too expensive."

"Indeed." Courtney shuffled around in her bag. "If we are allowed to order things, this company has party supplies at very reasonable prices." Ginger took the catalog and looked over it. "And we can order online if the school will allow it. It would expedite the materials getting here and make sure that we can get them at a good price in time."

"This isn't bad, and I am sure I can get Mr. Kowalski to approve of it." Ginger smiled as she looked at some of the backdrops. "And some of these scene setters can be reused easily so he won't mind that."

"Do none of the previous classes save their decorations?" Courtney asked surprised. She had become rather thrifty since she had lost her fortune, even to the point where she could create fashionable outfits herself.

"I asked and none of them seemed to." Ginger sighed.

"And Miranda told me to ensure there is good food." Courtney said as she continued. "Which can be done easily with the purchase of a few party trays from Costco. H'our derves often are liked better at things like proms and dances as one can eat a small crudete and be able to go back and enjoy the dancing."

"Of course." Ginger said. "You certainly still have your party planning skills."

"Money doesn't buy the ability to host a great party. Sure, it makes some of the work easier as you can just pay someone to decorate but it's hardly as fulfilling." Courtney laughed. "Off topic but why isn't what's their names…. Podie and Macie helping you?"

"Dodie…." Ginger corrected, although lately she had been feeling a disconnect from Dodie. Ever since the incident with her knowing about Darren and Simone and the injury she faked, even though they were years ago, they slowly were drifting apart. "Like I said, they have their other commitments," Ginger said with a note of disappointment Courtney could hear. "But hey, you've proven to be the best helper I could ever hope for on this thing."

Courtney blushed slightly. "Why thank you ever so much." She spoke. "And music? Maybe your band?"

"Oh. No way." Ginger said. "Orion, well he's opposed to everything prom stands for. He and the band refused to play. Not to mention I would have duties helping set up and tear down and so much that I couldn't do both. So pretty much I have to be there, and I'll be there myself." She sighed.

Courtney frowned. Ginger deserves someone to go with…. even if she will only see it as a fellow prom planner. But hey it is the 21st century after all! You are a Gripling! Griplings have no fear and can handle anything that comes their way. Look how you handled yourself after the scandal! "Well, that must be disappointing. But and if you would believe it or not," She added with a self-deprecating laugh, "No one has asked me."

"That's hard to believe." Ginger blinked with earnest surprise.

"One thing I have learned is how shallow people can be. And it made me think back to what people called me, shallow. If someone only liked my money, they aren't worth having." Courtney said. "And amazingly I thought Miranda would be the worst to me after that, but she actually wasn't. Worst she said was that it took some getting used to, not going with me to the Caribbean over summer vacations with me."

"Honestly I never thought Miranda would be nice to me." Ginger sighed.

"She told me she just puts up with you because of me." Courtney stated plainly.

"Well, that's the best I can ask for out of her." Ginger sighed. She still held some resentment for how Miranda had teased and tormented her, but knew that when she wanted to be, she could actually provide good advice, recalling the time she was trying to win Ian's heart by going to a band competition to find he was with another girl and Miranda advised her to 'accept a challenge she could actually win'. However, she still couldn't befriend Miranda, like she did Courtney.

Just go for it, Courtney! A voice in her head said. "You know Ginger, since we both will have duties to help set up and tear down the prom," She blushed, looking away, hoping Ginger didn't pick up on her awkwardness. "Why not both of us go together. So, you're not spending it all alone…" Ginger paused, looking on at Courtney. "Unless you don't want to…."

"That's not a bad idea. I'd love to." Ginger said. "You're a good friend of mine."

Courtney's heart flipped but she paused. "But what about Dodie and Gracie?"

"Both have dates of their own." Ginger sighed. "Dodie with Chet and Macy with if you would believe it, Hoodsey."

"Hoodsey?" Courtney said, name somewhat familiar with things Blake had a talked about, but it wasn't ringing a bell.

"Dodie's younger brother." Ginger said. "And from what Carl tells me, the fact he gets to go to the junior prom has him really popular with the Freshmen boys."

"Boys," Courtney scoffed.

"Trust me, I am Carl's sister…." Ginger rolled her eyes.

Courtney and Ginger then went on planning the decorations going along with the theme and picking out which foods and drinks they would need to purchase before then. Courtney was keeping her expression as cool and professional as possible but inside she felt over the moon about what Ginger said. Part of her knew that Ginger just meant it as friends and as a fellow prom committee planner, but she was still going with Ginger. The bell rang for dismissal and Ginger sighed. "Well, that's the bell. Thanks for all your help, Courtney, we got so much taken care of."

"Why it was nothing really." Courtney said.

"See you tomorrow." Ginger waved as she headed out the door. Courtney headed to her locker where Miranda was waiting.

"So, how's prom coming and why do you look so happy?" Miranda said as she twirled her keys around her finger. Years of playing the clarinet in band paid off but in order for her to keep her car she needed to stay in band through graduation. The fact her father got her a new Lexus SC 430 did help soften that blow, but it was still annoying she had to still play that thing.

"Well, you will be happy to know the food is going to be excellent and come in under budget." Courtney said.

"And?" Miranda said as she pulled out a lollipop from her purse and began to suck on it.

"You certainly do not appreciate economical planning Miranda." Courtney said.

"I have a feeling that a cost effective prom is not what you are happy about." Miranda smirked. She had known Courtney for years and there were times she was an open book, even if she tried to hide it. She may have been a good actress when she was trying to bust Miranda and Mipsy for sabotaging Ginger and Darren's relationship when they were dating, but other times, well she was hopeless. "You didn't?"

"What? I asked Ginger if she would like me as a companion to the prom and she agreed. In fact, it only makes sense; we are decorating and prepping the gym before it all starts, and her friends have dates of their own." Courtney said. "And her boyfriend will not go to the prom."

"I am going to pretend I didn't hear about her loser friends having dates and I do not." Miranda scowled as they headed to her car. "But you are going to the prom with Ginger?"

"Of course." Courtney said innocently.

"You know there's a chance like we said that she doesn't like you like that?" Miranda warned.

"I am willing to go with her even if it is as friends, it's better than being alone." Courtney smiled.

"That hurts." Miranda said. "I have to try and work over Ian or Darren more…."

"It's the 21st century Miranda," Courtney said as she shut the door to the car and Miranda started it up. "No one should feel obligated to stay home because they don't have a boy to go to prom with."

"No, but losers have boys, and you have an artsy bi chick even if she's at just friends with you." Miranda said. "Forgive me if I'm not a little jealous." She growled. I already have to go by her old house time and time because you moved there.

"Well, who knows you may still have someone you could go with." Courtney smiled.

"Here we are." Miranda said parking in front of the old Foutley home, which was where the Griplings were living now.

"Thank you for the rides every day." Courtney smiled as she headed out and to the house with a smile.

Translation Guide

(obtained via Google Translate)

Le culot de ce professeur! Que de devoirs! Quelle salope! -French The nerve of that teacher! That much homework! What at bitch!

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Otherrealmwriter

Aka

Realm.