Free Apple's Angst by Rebecca Eckler Page B

the fact Sloan had noticed her made her feel special and got her heart racing.
    â€œI’m going upstairs to soak my feet in a salt bath,” Apple said when they pulled into the driveway. “If I can walk upstairs.”
    â€œOkay, but hurry down,” her mother said, getting out of the car. “I’ve invited some people over for dinner.”
    â€œWho?” asked Apple warily.
    â€œYou’ll see,” her mother answered in a singsong. “Just a little celebratory dinner for my future celebrity daughter.”
    â€œOh, God,” Apple moaned, though she was actually pleased. Apple had to admit that sometimes her mother was very thoughtful.

A pple had just gotten out of the bath when Happy and Brooklyn burst through her bedroom door. Apple wrapped a towel around her body and walked into her room.
    â€œSo how did it go?” Happy screamed. “Did the boots work? They did, right? I knew they would. Did they?”
    â€œYes, Happy! They worked. I start tomorrow,” Apple said.
    â€œTomorrow?” Happy screeched.
    â€œYes, I know. Tomorrow! Can you believe it?”
    â€œWell, that’s kind of quick,” said Happy. “We don’t even have time to go shopping for new outfits. And we don’t have time to go to Gossip for a manicure!”
    Gossip was a spa for teenagers and a regular haunt for Happy, Apple, and Brooklyn, who loved to go there for manicures, facials, and eyebrow waxing. Apple certainly needed a manicure after today. She had bitten off all her nails.
    â€œI know. That’s what I was thinking. But you should see this Fancy Nancy. She’s strict. When I said, ‘Tomorrow?’ she was all like, ‘Is that a problem for you?’ What could I say?” Apple asked her friends.
    â€œWhat else did she say?” Happy demanded.
    â€œOh, let’s see. Oh, yes, my favorite line was something along the lines of ‘If you screw up at this job you’ll probably never get the chance to work in magazines or television again,’” mimicked Apple.
    â€œHarsh,” Brooklyn said. “That doesn’t sound very nice.”
    â€œTell me about it,” moaned Apple.
    â€œTelevision?” Happy asked curiously. “Is
Angst
television really happening? It’s not just a rumor?”
    â€œYup. They’re starting a show called
Angst TV
. I’m going to be on it, apparently. I think I have to read my advice in front of the camera or something. I’m not quite sure. I’ll find out more tomorrow,” Apple said.
    â€œGet out of here! Why don’t I just slit my wrists now? You are so lucky!” screeched Happy, giving Apple a friendly shove, but one strong enough that Apple fell onto her bed. “I knew they were trying to get a show on air, but I didn’t know it was actually happening! I didn’t even know you wanted to work in television. Now you really are going to be a mini Dr. Berg.”
    â€œDon’t say that! Don’t ever say that again! But I know. Doing the advice column was one thing, but I also have to intern there two days a week, answering phones, making coffee. And now I have to worry about looking good on television,” moaned Apple.
    â€œWell, the making-coffee part sounds tedious,” said Happy. “But getting to be on television? I’d fetch a thousand coffees to be on television regularly.”
    â€œIt’s not going to be fun. It’s a job! And one I don’t get paid for!” Apple muttered.
    â€œWell, it’s a start,” said Brooklyn. “Hey, I wipe down the mats at the yoga studio for nothing, just to take free classes there. How do you think I feel wiping up other people’s sweat?” Brooklyn asked.
    Apple and Happy crinkled their noses.
    â€œOh, and the worst? There’s this other intern starting with me, Emme, who is like a model by day and
Angst
intern by night. She literally gave me the dirtiest look I