Apple's Angst by Rebecca Eckler

also couldn’t believe how young Fancy Nancy seemed. She had imagined someone more like her mother, but Fancy Nancy looked just a few years older than Apple.
    â€œThat would be fantastic,” said Dr. Berg, excitedly. “Why not? It would be fun. And I’m so proud of Apple and will do anything to help her and her career here at
Angst.”
    â€œGreat. I’ll get my people to call your people, then, and we’ll get it set up,” said Fancy Nancy.
    Hello? Apple thought. What about me? Why don’t you ask
me
if it’s all right to come into my home and do a story? What if I don’t want a story about me in a magazine? And what about saying hi to me? I’m the one you called in to meet with. Me!
    Finally, Fancy Nancy looked at Apple.
    â€œAnd you must be the famous Apple! We are so pleased to have you join the
Angst
family. Why don’t you two follow me? Morgan!” Fancy Nancy hollered, though Morgan was only two feet away.
    â€œYes, Nancy?” Morgan answered, rushing over to her side. Clearly, whenever Nancy said jump, you jumped. Apple was impressed. Fancy Nancy was the only woman she had ever met, aside from her mother,who even came close to having such an effect on people.
    â€œCan you please show Dr. Bee Bee Berg around the office, introduce her to some people, especially Jan and Heather, who I know watch the show religiously, while I take Apple into my office for a little chat?”
    â€œSure, not a problem,” said Morgan.
    It took everything in Apple’s power to try to forget the throbbing pain in her feet. She should have asked Brooklyn for meditating tips. It would have been good to know how to focus on something other than her feet at this moment. Apple needed NOT to focus on her feet right now, or rather the lack of feeling in her feet. She needed to be professional. Or at least fake it. That was what Guy always said—“Fake it until you make it.”
    Her mother reached out and gave Apple’s hand a squeeze before Morgan led her in one direction while Apple followed Fancy Nancy down a long hallway in the opposite direction.
    â€œLove the boots,” Nancy said to Apple, who was trailing behind. Apple hadn’t seen Fancy Nancy look below Apple’s face since they were introduced. How did she notice Apple’s boots when she was walking
in front
of her? It was almost as if she could smell designer shoes if they were in her presence. It somehow made wearing them—and the pain of wearing them—worth it.
    Apple would have to remember to tell Happy that Fancy Nancy had complimented her boots. Happy would love that.
    Apple, walking slowly and unsteadily, followed Fancy Nancy to the end of the hall. Fancy Nancy walked fast, as if she were late for an important meeting. Apple wasnot sure she would have been able to keep up with Fancy Nancy’s energized pace even if she had been wearing flip-flops or was barefoot.
    â€œHave a seat,” Fancy Nancy said when they entered her spacious office, pointing to two black chairs. She sat behind her large oak desk. There was not one stray piece of paper. Apple had never been so relieved to sit down. She could swear she felt wetness on her pinky toe, which could only mean that her feet were blistering and bleeding. Great, thought Apple. How disgusting.
    Apple looked out the window behind Fancy Nancy to the stunning view of the mountains. It was so beautiful. She found it depressing that Fancy Nancy’s couldn’t see the beautiful scenery as she worked. She also wondered how Fancy Nancy remained so pale—almost ghost-like—when 285 days of the year were sunny where they lived. She must pile on the level-50 sunblock every hour. There was something fascinating about seeing someone look so pale and young and yet so stylish at the same time. It was kind of like seeing a vampire. Apple was also amazed to see a treadmill and a spinning bike in her office.
    â€œAs you know,”