Apple's Angst (23 page)

“I think I just need to splash some water on my face or something,” Apple said. “Just order for me. I'll be right back.”

As Apple headed back to the restroom, she heard Happy say, “Oh, I'm not sure Apple really gets the concept of foolie friends either. She's never had one! Her mother is old-fashioned Dr. Bee Bee Berg, after all,
who believes marriage is the be-all and end-all. Even if she did have one, I'm not sure she'd tell me. Apple never likes to talk about sex. When we were seven I used to say the word ‘vagina' to her just to see her blush.” Happy laughed.

Apple walked into the restroom and leaned against a stall door. She still didn't need to go. She just needed to catch her breath. She looked at her watch. A minute and a half had passed. If she didn't go up soon, someone would surely come down to get her.

She opened the restroom door—only to see Zen standing there.

“What are you doing here?” she asked. “You scared me!”

“I had to go to the restroom,” he said, smiling.

“Well, I should really go back up,” she said, trying to walk around him. Her arm brushed his and she couldn't help but look at him. It was always his dimples that killed her. Apple grabbed the back of his head and pulled him in for a kiss. Or was it Zen who pulled
her
in?

It felt so wrong, but so exciting, but still so, so very wrong.

Even when Apple tried to pull away, he kissed her harder. “God, Apple,” he moaned. “What are we doing?”

“I don't know. I do know that we have to stop this right now,” Apple said, pushing him away.

“We do?” Zen said.

“Well, if you haven't forgotten, our friends are upstairs. My boyfriend is upstairs. Happy is upstairs. This didn't happen,” said Apple. “Again. this did not happen.”

“I can't stop thinking about you,” Zen said.

“We can't talk about this now,” Apple said frantically. “I'm going to go up first. Count to sixty and then come up, okay?”

“Okay,” Zen said. “But tell me one thing, Apple.”

“What?”

“Do you still think about me? Like the way you did before Happy and I got together?”

Apple looked at him with newfound confidence. “Of course I do. But I have a boyfriend,” Apple said. “And you and Happy just broke up. Yes, she told me.”

“I made a horrible mistake not paying attention to you,” said Zen. “Is it too late for us?” he asked.

“It's so complicated already,” Apple moaned. “I can't think straight.”

“I know. I know. But a guy can have hope, right?” asked Zen.

“Can I ask you one thing?” Apple asked.

“Sure,” Zen said, showing his dimples.

“Does it look like I've just been kissed by a guy who is not my boyfriend?”

“You look perfect,” Zen said.

Apple raced back up the stairs.

“What took you so long?” Lyon asked.

“My stomach hurts,” Apple said. Then she added, “Where's Zen?”

“He went to the washroom. I'm surprised you didn't run into him,” Lyon responded. Their food had arrived, thank God. Apple didn't know how she was going to make it through this dinner, with Lyon beside her and Zen sitting across from her.

“Anyway, as I was saying, I am fine with being his foolie friend,” Brooklyn was muttering.

“God, are we still on this?” Apple asked.

“Yes. Lyon doesn't quite understand why Brooklyn wouldn't want more from Hopper,” Happy explained. “Anyway, we all know you do, Brooklyn.”

“Fine. I like him. But I'm not getting any more from him than a foolie. And I think I'm okay with that. There are worse guys to have as foolie friends.”

“That's for sure,” Happy said. “Hopper is so hot. He's a jerk, but he's yummy.”

“Amen to that,” Apple said.

“What do you mean by that?” Lyon asked. “I can't believe this is how you girls talk about guys!”

“Lyon, you're just as hot, if not hotter. Don't worry,” Apple said just as Zen sat down at the table. He looked much happier. Even Happy noticed.

“Well, you seem like you're in a much better mood,” she said, somewhat snidely.

“I am,” Zen said, picking up his water glass. “Let's toast to, um, foolie friends!”

“I'll second that!” Happy said. She would never let Zen get the better of her.

“I just think you deserve better, Brooklyn,” Lyon said.

“Maybe. But right now I'm happy. And that's all that matters. So thanks, Zen, for your toast. To foolie friends!” said Brooklyn.

Apple had the strange feeling Zen was toasting her.

T
hey were just about to leave when Apple heard her name being called from the busy bar area at the front of the restaurant.

“Apple! Apple!”

“Who is that?” Happy asked, after taking a glance at the person whose voice was calling out for Apple. “She's disgusting pretty,” Happy added.

Apple extended her neck, trying to look around her friends.

“Oh, my God. That's Emme! The girl I work with at
Angst!”
Apple said, looking over Happy's shoulder and waving at Emme.

“The bitch?” Happy asked. “That's Emme?”

“Well, she's acting a bit better lately. She was actually nice to me the other day. It's like she was a new person,” Apple said.

“Be careful of her,” Happy told Apple. “You're so naive sometimes, Apple. You know the saying—‘Keep
your friends close and your enemies closer.'” Happy asked.

“What are you saying? That's she's suddenly being nice to me because she sees me as her competition?” Apple asked.

“Yup,” responded Happy.

“I don't know. Maybe she was just shy at first. You don't know her. I barely know her,” said Apple.

“Just watch your back, that's all I'm saying,” Happy advised.

Emme waved Apple over. Happy, Brooklyn, Zen, and Lyon followed.

Emme gave Apple a kiss on both cheeks, just as Fancy Nancy had done with Celia. This two-sided cheek kiss obviously was contagious.

“Emme,” Apple began, making the introductions. “These are my best friends, Happy and Brooklyn. And you remember Zen from when he picked me up.”

“Of course,” Emme said, also giving Zen a two-pecked cheek kiss. Zen look awkward, as if he wasn't used to such sophistication. Happy either didn't care that a beautiful girl was being friendly, even flirty, with Zen or was too busy checking out the rest of the guys at the bar and didn't notice. She wasn't even doing a very good job of hiding the fact she was looking around.

“And this,” said Apple, pulling Lyon close, “is my boyfriend, Lyon.”

“It's nice to meet you,” Emme said politely, giving him a peck on the cheek. When Lyon turned away momentarily, Emme gave Apple the thumbs-up sign and whispered, “He's cute!”

“Come join us,” Emme said. “I have a table over there with a couple friends. We're drinking sangria. The food tastes like crap, but they make one killer sangria.”

“I'm in,” Happy said. Apple could tell that Happy was “in” because she wanted to check out Emme, to see what she was really like, and also because she was always ready for an adventure.

“Me too,” said Brooklyn. She had been checking her phone constantly all night. They all knew she was hoping for a foolie call or text from Hopper. Hanging out would be a good distraction.

“I don't know,” said Lyon. “I have to get up early tomorrow.”

“Me too,” said Zen.

“Oh, don't be such downers! I want to get to know you, since I'm working so closely with your girlfriend,” Emme said, giving Lyon a soft punch on the arm while winking at Zen. “We just finished our first issue. We need to celebrate, right, Apple?”

“You know what? We
should
celebrate!” Apple said. It hadn't hit her that they should be celebrating. Why not?

They all scrunched around a table. The waiter didn't even pause when Emme ordered another round of sangria.

Apple and her friends glanced furtively at each other. The waiter didn't even bat an eyelash when they ordered or ask for ID. It made Apple feel very grown-up. And adventurous.

“We are so breaking
so
many rules,” said Apple to the table after taking her first sip. Emme was right. The sangria tasted delicious.

“What do you mean?” asked Lyon.

“You want to explain, Emme, or do you want me to?” Apple asked.

“I'll explain,” said Emme, who was clearly already a little tipsy—in a good way. “Well, at
Angst
, we are supposed to represent the magazine at all times—24/7, we are supposed to be on our best behavior. We are not supposed to drink, party, or be seen with no underpants. It's like we're in a nunnery. Except we get to dress great! We so should not be drinking underage here, that's for sure!”

Lyon grabbed Apple's hand. His expression was disapproving. Apple pretended not to notice.

The waiter arrived back at the table and filled up everyone's glasses.

“Cheers to being bad,” Emme said, raising her glass.

Apple took another small sip. What were the chances that Fancy Nancy or Michael or Celia or any of the employees at
Angst
would be at Eleven tonight? They worked seemingly nonstop. And the crowd was so young.

“And here's to foolies!” Brooklyn said.

“Hear! Hear!” shouted Emme. “I have two.”

“Okay, so apparently everyone knows what a foolie is,” Lyon laughed. “And what do you mean you have
two?”

“I think every girl should have a friend with benefits,” Emme said. “I have one who goes to my school and another who lives down the street.”

“Doesn't that get confusing?” Lyon asked.

“No, not really. It's surprisingly easy,” Emme answered nonchalantly.

“Do they know about each other?” Brooklyn asked.

“No. Not because I think they'd care. Why is it okay for men to fool around, but when it comes to girls, people have a problem with it? People think that you're a slut—or that the guys are just using you and you're letting yourself be used—when really you're using them,” Emme said. She sounded so sure of herself, which made her seem more sophisticated.

“Yes! Exactly,” said Brooklyn. “That's what I've been trying to explain!”

Apple leaned over to Happy and whispered in her ear, “See? Emme's not so bad, right?”

“I'm just looking out for you. But you're right. She seems fun,” Happy agreed.

It was after midnight when Lyon finally said, “I think we should get you home. I think you've had enough to drink, Apple.”

“Ah, poo you,” said Happy. “I want Apple to stay. It's Friday night! We're having fun.”

“I'll stay with you,” Emme said.

“Brooklyn? You in?” Happy asked. Brooklyn was busy texting.

“Wait … Nope going to catch a ride with Lyon, if that's okay. I need him to drop me off somewhere,” Brooklyn said, beaming, waving her BlackBerry. Obviously, Hopper had texted her.

“Foolie friend!” Emme, Apple, and Happy screeched in unison.

“Okay, it's
definitely
time to get you home,” Lyon said to Apple, grabbing her arm. “You're drunk.”

“I am not!” Apple heard herself say in an overly loud voice. She laughed. “Am I screaming?”

“You barely ate anything at dinner,” said Lyon.

“Well, I am watching what I eat,” she heard herself say.

“You should see the models. They're so skinny,” said Emme, nodding. Lyon shot Emme a look.

“Well, I'm out of here too,” said Zen. Happy didn't even look at him as he left. He didn't look at Happy or Apple.

“Are you coming, Apple?” Lyon pressed, still holding on to her.

“You know, you go. I'm going to stay,” Apple said, shaking off his arm.

“Yay!” Happy squealed. “I like the new Apple! She's fun!”

“I don't,” Lyon said under his breath but just loud enough for Apple to hear. Apple shot him a look.

“I'll call you tomorrow,” Lyon said to Apple, kissing her on the cheek like she was his great-aunt or grandmother. “But I really think you should call it a night soon. Be safe?”

“I will, party pooper,” Apple said, and went back to talking to her girlfriends. She hadn't had this much fun in a long time. She deserved it. And really, she hadn't celebrated her gig at
Angst
. The party meant for her the day she got the job had turned into a party for her aunt's engagement. Plus she would do anything to forget Zen's and Lyon's disapproving stares. Right now, drinking and laughing with her new colleague and her oldest friend in the world was exactly what Apple wanted to be doing.