Apple's Angst by Rebecca Eckler Page A

Fancy Nancy started, “we saw you on that very touching show a while back. Ever since, everyone at
Angst
has been pretty obsessed with you. The way you admitted what you had done to your best friend, all for a guy! The way you cried! It was so
deliciously
evil. I mean, of course, we’ve all
been
there. But it takes a special someone to go on
television
and own up to that. It takes someone with courage. Even I wouldn’t have done
that
. You’re one brave girl!”
    â€œThanks,” Apple said. “I think,” she added.
    â€œI don’t mean that in a bad way. Truth be told, we also just never knew that Dr. Bee Bee Berg had a daughter who fitted right into our target demographic. And you were so well spoken, so real, that we all think you will fit in quite nicely here. We’d been talking for ages about having a teenage advice columnist, but we had forgotten about it until we saw you on the show and thought, ‘Bingo. That’s her!’ You have that
real
quality, and if I can be truthful, it doesn’t hurt that your mother is so well known. We love celebrities around here. We live, eat, and breathe celebrities and their lifestyles.”
    â€œThank you, I think,” Apple said again, hating herself for sounding so unsure. All she had said so far was “Thank you. I think.”
    Fancy Nancy probably thought she was a moron and was regretting even offering her the gig, Apple thought, her confidence waning. She had the urge to tell her, “It’s okay. You can change your mind. You don’t have to have me here,” though the thought of breaking that news to Happy and her mother was distressing.
    She glanced out the glass door into the hallway. Everyone moved with purpose. Surprisingly, Apple suddenly could imagine working here. As Brooklyn would say, the place had a good vibe. It was electrifying.
    â€œThings are getting very exciting here at
Angst,”
Fancy Nancy continued. “We’re branching out, too. We’ve just got word that we’re starting a television show—once a week, but hopefully they’ll pick it up at least a couple more days. It will be called
Angst TV
and will be aired on a cable network and as a podcast.”
    â€œWow. That’s great!” Apple said. “I had no idea.”
    â€œYou had
no idea
that we were working on
Angst
TV,” pressed Fancy Nancy, with a hint of annoyance. Apple picked up on the change in Fancy Nancy’s tone immediately and realized she had misspoken.
    â€œOh, sure. I mean I’ve read that it was in the works, but I had no idea that it was actually happening. That’s awesome,” Apple said. She was sure her voice sounded meek.
    â€œIt
is
great. We’ve been working on it for a long time. We’re hoping the readers who love
Angst
will also watch
Angst TV
and download the podcast from our website. We’re going to be bringing the print magazine live on television, with fashion tips from famous designers and interviews with celebrities we feature that week in our magazine. We’re also hoping that viewers who happen upon
Angst TV
will start reading the magazine. You must be comfortable on television, since you grew up around it, right, Apple?” Fancy Nancy asked, looking Apple directly in the eyes.
    Apple didn’t want to disappoint Fancy Nancy and tell her that she rarely even watched her mother’s show, except when Happy and Brooklyn forced her to. But Apple was loyal to her mother. She would never admit that she didn’t particularly care for the guests on her show, or for the idea of the show, to anyone except her very best friends.
    â€œOf course. I’ve watched every episode,” Apple found herself saying. “I’m very comfortable in front of a camera. I’ve grown up in the television world, as you said.”
    Apple couldn’t believe how easily the lie slid out of her mouth. Why was she lying? She didn’t have to lie