After two hours of posing for the photographer—shots of Apple and her mother; Apple, her mother, and Crazy Aunt Hazel; Apple and her father; and a couple of solo shots of Apple and then of Dr. Berg—they were finished.
“I can’t believe I’m going to be in Angst magazine,” her aunt kept repeating. “I can’t wait for all my ex-boyfriends to see me! And see what they’ve missed out on!”
“Well, that’s a lot of men,” Apple joked.
Apple’s father had even been game for the photos, which was odd, considering he loved his privacy. “I’ll do anything for my daughter,” he laughed, shaking the photographer’s hand while apologizing for not knowing how to pose. Her mother, aside from occasionally bossing the photographer around, seemed to enjoy herself. She, of course, was an expert in getting her photo taken, and told the photographer her good angles and refused to pose showing her “bad side.”
After, Apple went upstairs and looked at her BlackBerry. She had missed twelve calls. There were some from Happy, Zen, Brooklyn, and Emme. She couldn’t stand to smile for one more second, let alone talk to anyone, tonight. She shut off her BlackBerry and passed out, but not before washing all the makeup off her face. If there was one thing Apple was going to make sure of, it was that she wasn’t going to get pimples. Now that she had to worry about being on television, there was no way she was going to look like anything other than … well, a person worthy of being featured in a magazine and on television.
Apple had no idea what Emme said to the doorman at the club, but they were whisked inside immediately, with the rest of the partiers, into a private room separated by a velvet rope.
Emme began to introduce her friends to Apple. Apple was trying hard to remember the names of the three new faces in front of her.
“How was the behind-the-scenes shoot?” Emme asked once they all were seated. She wasn’t sure if Emme was making fun of her or not. They hadn’t had time to talk today at work about anything but work. They had taken inventory all day of designer clothes that had been sent in and had to be sent back. Emme would call out the designer names, and Apple would log them into the computer.
“I think it went okay. I barely remember doing it,” responded Apple.
“At least you were so great on Angst TV reading out your advice. You really are a natural. Like mother, like daughter, huh?” Emme said, giving her a friendly shove.
“Thanks!” Apple said, still pleased with herself.
“How is your boyfriend?” Emme asked.
Apple couldn’t believe it, but she found herself wanting to open up to Emme. Maybe it was because she didn’t know Emme all that well, so she figured she would be more objective and less judgmental than her best friends, who had known her forever. Or maybe she had learned what happened if you keep secrets too long. Last time, when she had kept her Zen Crush to herself, the whole world had ending up knowing. Apple felt she was going to burst with everything that had gone on her personal life in the last little while.
“I don’t know. Things are a little strained. I’m not sure what’s going on. He seems mad at me. But, in his defense, I haven’t been spending much time with him. It’s not because I don’t want to. I literally don’t have the time,” explained Apple.
“Well, didn’t Nancy tell you that your social life would suffer?” Emme asked. “She told me that.”
“Yes, she did. But I had no idea to what extent!” Apple said.
“Well, why don’t you ask him to come out? It’s still early. He can meet us here,” suggested Emme.
Why hadn’t Apple thought of that? The idea of inviting Lyon out with her and Emme hadn’t even crossed her mind, even though she and Lyon had spent nearly every Saturday night together since they met. But Apple knew that Lyon didn’t really seem to like Emme. He had told her in passing a few days earlier that he was worried Emme would be a “bad influence” on her. Apple had laughed that notion off. How old did Lyon think she was? She didn’t need to be told whom she could be friendly with.
“I don’t know if this is his scene,” Apple responded, looking around. She wasn’t sure it was her scene either, but she was enjoying herself. The club was pulsating with loud music, people were out on the dance floor, and everyone seemed to be in a good mood. Apple wanted to be around people who were in a good mood, letting loose, enjoying life. She didn’t want the strain of being around Lyon, and that’s what being around him had started to become. They always seemed to be were on the verge of being in a fight these days.
“I think if you really wanted to see him, you’d make the time to see him,” Emme said, with a lilt in her voice. “There is something more to this story, isn’t there? Something you’re not telling me.”
Emme was right. If Apple did really want to see Lyon, she’d make the time for him, wouldn’t she?
“Well, there is something else,” Apple admitted. “I haven’t told anyone, so you have to promise not to say anything!”
“I promise,” said Emme, looking Apple straight in the eyes.
Apple told Emme all about kissing Zen. She couldn’t believe she told her, but the secret had been haunting her. She supposed she could have told Crazy Aunt Hazel, but Hazel was too busy in wedding mode and wasn’t exactly thrilled that Apple hadn’t been at her beck and call, helping her with the planning and dishing out advice on what kind of napkins should be on the tables. She already knew what her mother’s reaction would be if she told her. Dr. Berg would be like, “Didn’t you learn your lesson already?” or “Once a cheater, always a cheater. You don’t want to be that person!”
“I’m the most horrible person,” Apple moaned. “After I tried to steal him away from Happy, who is my best friend in the entire world, and she forgave me, I still kissed him! I’m not that person. I swear I’m not!” Apple said.
“Well, didn’t you say they were having problems anyway?” Emme said. If she was shocked at hearing Apple’s admission, she wasn’t showing any sign of it. “Didn’t you say Happy wanted you and Zen to get together?”
“Yeah, so?” asked Apple
“Well, it takes two to tango. You may have kissed him, but he kissed you too. You’re not entirely to blame.”
“You think?” asked Apple.
“Yes, and no offense, but between me and you, Lyon seemed a little clingy that night we met,” said Emme. “He seemed a little overbearing for a boyfriend. But that’s just my opinion.”
“You know what? He has been!” Apple said.
“Who needs that?” groaned Emme. “Trust me, they get worse! Once a jealous guy, always a jealous guy.”
Emme seemed so sure of herself that Apple found herself believing what she said to be true. Lyon was being clingy! He was always acting jealous! Where once Lyon had simply seemed supportive, now Apple was seeing him in a new light.
“It’s our little secret. Just forget about it. Let’s have fun!” Emme said, looking around the club, bobbing her head to the beat of the music.
“Okay,” said Apple. Was Apple being ridiculous? Emme didn’t seem fazed by her cheating on her boyfriend at all. In fact, it seemed to please her, as if Apple had made her proud.
“But maybe I should text Happy and Brooklyn,” Apple said. “It feels like I haven’t seen them forever either. I want to make time for them.”
Apple texted Happy and Brooklyn. Instantly, she got responses. They both wanted to come and meet Apple and Emme and Emme’s friends. Apple texted the address.
“Put that thing down and let’s dance,” said Emme. “Happy doesn’t even like Zen anymore, so just forget about it. He was just a foolie! I know you’re still thinking about it. Come on! Let’s dance!”
“Are you serious?” asked Apple, tensing up.
“Yes! Come on. You have to loosen up a bit. Live life!” said Emme.
“But I’m such a bad dancer! I have no rhythm,” moaned Apple.
“Who cares? Just have a drink! Don’t look, but someone is taking a photo of you with her cell phone,” Emme said, trying to l
ook nonchalant.
“What?” Apple asked. “Where?”
“Oh, my God,” Emme said, grabbing Apple’s arm before she could get an explanation. “You’ll never guess who’s here!”
“Who?” Apple asked, turning her head to where Emme was looking.
“Sloan Starr! Oh, my God, this night is going to be so good!” she screeched.
“Sloan Starr is here?” Apple asked. She didn’t even try to pretend she wasn’t excited to hear the news.
“Yup. Over there! With his entourage,” Emme said.
Apple glanced to a table, where Sloan Starr sat surrounded by a gaggle of other people.
“You know, I met him. Well, very briefly. He complimented me on my hair after my first meeting with Fancy Nancy,” Apple said to Emme. “Well, he complimented me on my hair when it was curly.” For a moment, Apple was nostalgic for her curls. Ever since she had gotten her hair straightened and it was always neat, everything else in her life seemed to have gotten messed up.
“You should totally go over and say hi,” Emme suggested.
“Are you insane? He’ll never remember me,” Apple responded.
“Who cares? You’ll remind him. It’s your job now to interact with celebrities. You work at Angst magazine. Think of it as part of your duty. It’s your job,” Emme pressed.
Apple took another sip of her sugary drink and contemplated Emme’s words.
“You know what?” Apple said, standing up. “I’m going to do it. Why not?” The liquid courage was setting in.
Emme held up her hand for a high-five and grinned.
Apple straightened her dress and asked Emme if she had lipstick on her teeth.
“You look gorgeous,” Emme said. “Go forth and be brave!”
Apple walked over to where Sloan Starr was sitting, crammed into a booth with about eight others. She almost turned around when she was a couple of feet away. But Emme was right, and she couldn’t turn back now. She did work at Angst magazine and she supposed it was part of her job to make nice to celebrities.
“Hey, remember me?” Apple asked loudly and boldly, extracting her inner Happy, bending down and looking at Sloan Starr directly. “My hair is different. I work at Angst magazine. We met a couple weeks ago. You were walking out and I was in the reception area.”
Sloan looked at her and Apple felt her heart sink. She was mortified. He didn’t seem to remember her at all.
“Angst magazine? I was in the waiting room?” Apple repeated. “I used to have very curly hair.”
“Right! Hair Girl!” he said, slapping his hands on the table. “The one with the gorgeous curls.”
“Right!” Apple said and laughed with relief. She hadn’t exactly made a fool of herself. “Well, it’s different now. Obviously.”
“I like it,” said Sloan. “I’m really digging it. It’s hot! Why don’t you sit down? Join us!”
Sloan patted a spot next to him, and immediately the guy sitting next to him got up and left, making room for Apple. She sat down.
“Hi,” said Apple. She didn’t have anything else prepared to say.
“Hi,” Sloan said. “Again.”
They stared at each other. Apple’s confidence was beginning to wane. She needed to think of something to say other than hi.
She looked over at Emme, who was beaming at her. Apple waved her over. Emme jumped up. When she got to the table, Apple introduced her to Sloan Starr. Immediately, Emme made herself comfortable.
“So how did you end up at Angst? You want to be a tabloid reporter or something?” Sloan asked Apple.
“Right. Don’t you know who she is?” Emme asked, laughing. Obviously, Emme had been listening in on their conversation. Apple knew what Emme was about to say, but for some reason she didn’t care. Apple was thrilled to be surrounded by new people, and amazed at how confident she had been to stride up to Sloan. Now he was talking to her! Every girl in her right mind would want to be in Apple’s position.
“She’s the daughter of Dr. Bee Bee Berg! You know, the Queen of Hearts,” Emme said, giggling. “You’re in the presence of … well, the Princess of Hearts.”
“No kidding,” said Sloan, looking at Apple with even more appraisal. “Dr. Bee Bee Berg has, like, a huge following!”
For once, Apple was completely proud to be her mother’s daughter. Who knew her mother’s name would impress cute, young celebrities like Sloan Starr?
“Do you have a boyfriend, Princess of Hearts?” Sloan asked.
“Do you have a girlfriend?” Apple shot back. She couldn’t believe how easy it was to flirt with him.
“She does have a boyfriend, but there’s trouble in paradise,” Emme said to Sloan, “so you might have a shot.”
Apple wasn’t sure if she should be mortified or grateful that Emme had shared this news with Sloan.
“We should hang sometime.” Sloan grinned at Apple. “In fact, I’m coming by Angst next week as a guest on Angst TV. They begged me to come. You should come watch. That will make it more interesting for me, if there’s a beautiful girl hanging around.”
“If they’ll let me hang out,” Apple said. “I mean, I will be there. I have a one-minute spot on the show each week, but I’m not sure if they’ll let me stick around to watch people’s interviews.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make it happen,” Sloan said. “So you’re a TV star too?”
“Well, not like you. I mean, you get to meet and interview all the really cool people. And all my friends watch your show. I have no idea if anyone will even watch Angst TV, let alone the one minute I’m on it.”
Sloan nodded. “You think I’ll ever meet your mom?” he asked.
“What?” Apple said, laughing.
“She’s just so … she’s so entertaining. Well, not her so much. But her guests? Who really has that much shit going on in their lives that they’re willing to share? It’s like watching a train wreck. You can’t turn away.”
“I know exactly what you mean,” said Apple.
Sometime later in the night, Emme whispered in her ear, “See? I bet you’ve forgotten all about Zen and Lyon! Who are they, anyway, but just guys you’ve grown up with and go to school with?”
Apple found herself entranced with Sloan. He was gorgeous, charming, funny, and extremely confident in himself. Being around such confident people made Apple more confident too. Maybe confidence was contagious. She couldn’t remember laughing so hard in a long time. And she had forgotten all about Zen and Lyon. Emme was right.
Emme took out her camera phone and started taking pictures of her friends. Apple wasn’t sure, but it seemed like Emme was also taking photos of her talking to Sloan. Apple hoped she was. She’d get Emme to e-mail them to her so she could forward them to her friends. This was a night worth remembering.
Two hours later, sweat pouring from her face, Apple was both exhausted and exhilarated. She hadn’t realized how late it now was. Though technically she didn’t have a curfew, she knew if her parents heard her walk in at this hour, they would be far from thrilled. She had danced with Sloan, talked animatedly with his friends, and drunk too much. She hailed a cab and thought about how much fun she’d had. She wanted to leave on a high note. She had offered to leave money on the table for their drinks, but Sloan had explained that it was taken care of, that he had some sort of arrangement with the club. Apple didn’t question it. Emme’s friends were fantastic. Sloan’s friends were fantastic. It wasn’t until she got home, letting herself in quietly as a mouse, and had shut her bedroom door that she realized Brooklyn and Happy hadn’t shown up. What had happened to them? Apple found out soon enough, after grabbing her BlackBerry from her bag.
“We’re outside! Can’t get in. List!” was Happy’s first text.
Happy’s second: “Come get us!”
Her third: “Where are you?”
Finally, her fourth: “It’s been thirty minutes. The doorman doesn’t believe we’re with you.”
The fifth: “We’ve left.”
Apple felt horrible, but there was no point in apologizing at this hour, especially by text or e-mail. It would be easier to explain in person. Her friends would understand. If Happy had been in the presence of Sloan Starr, surely she would have forgotten to check her texts as well.
Monday morning, Apple walked into Cactus High. She had spent almost all day in bed on Sunday, recovering from her Saturday night, and she felt energized, like she had drunk ten cups of coffee. She hadn’t done any homework in days and the assignments were piling up, but she brushed the thought away. She hadn’t spoken with her friends the day before, as she’d spent most of her time sleeping and, when she was awake, organizing her clothes. Apple rushed to the Spiral Staircase, where Brooklyn and Happy had already gathered. Her aunt had been furious with Apple in the morning because Apple was running late. She couldn’t decide what to wear and her aunt had huffed, “My God, you are driving me crazy. I want the old Apple back. The one who wore jeans and a tank top and didn’t give a rat’s ass about looking stylish. That Apple was so much easier. AND SHE DIDN’T KEEP PEOPLE WAITING!”
Apple had apologized to her aunt, and now she had to apologize to her friends for the mix-up on Saturday night.
“I’m so sorry,” she said to Happy and Brooklyn immediately, when she reached them.
Brooklyn gave her a half-hearted smile.
“What happened to you?” Happy asked. “We texted you, like, a billion times.”
“I know. I’m so sorry. I didn’t get them until I got home. I was dancing, so I didn’t get your messages,” explained Apple.
“You were dancing?” Brooklyn asked. “I can’t believe it!”
“I was,” Apple said and she felt a smile creep on her face. Just thinking about how much fun she had had Saturday night made her gleeful.
“Please don’t be pissed off. Honestly, it was just a mix-up. I should have checked for messages, but I totally forgot. You’re not going to believe who I was hanging out with! Once you hear, you’re not going to be as pissed off, I promise,” Apple said, eager to spill the news about Sloan Starr.
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