Chapter 2: What Makes Us Happy
The next day, I met up with some of my other best friends Alex Russo, Justin Evans, Max Greenwald, and Carly Shay, along with Carly's old friend, Spencer and stepdad, Freddie, at Justin and Max's house in Squirrel Hill for a discussion group on what makes us happy. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Alex greeted back. "Thanks for taking me to Kennywood yesterday, Alex," Carly thanked. "It sure was a lot of fun!" "Oh, you're welcome, Carly," Alex replied. "It almost always gives me joy when I get to go to a fun place like Kennywood. Not to mention, I heard a different NSYNC song entitled 'Bye, Bye, Bye'." "Not the one that you usually listen to, huh, Carly?" Spencer asked. "Nope, a completely different song," Carly pointed out. "That 'Tearin' Up My Heart' song sure is a bop now, is it?" Mr. Benson asked. "I know what you're talking about, Freddie," Mr. Benson's sweetheart, Harper asked. "Who doesn't love NSYNC?" Milificent asked. "It sure is a good band." "There was lots of good music that brought me joy and happiness back in middle school," Carly explained. "And, I know about a place that we could go after our discussion group that brings me joy and happiness!" "What is that, Carly?" I asked. "Eat n' Park, of course," Carly replied. "What I ended up writing about for my creative writing assignment." "I am a generally happy person, and am sorry that Angel thinks that I am a pessimist," Alex stated. "I don't think that you're a pessimist, Alex," I stated. "Then why did you yell at me and not want to be friends anymore?" Alex asked. "Because I was getting frustrated with you, Alex, even though I know that you were just looking out for me like you always do," I explained. "Everybody knows that this one really awesome song by 98 Degrees is my guilty pleasure," Alex pointed out. "And in case you don't know what song I am talking about, the song is entitled 'Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)' and in my opinion, it's the best song they ever performed." "Playing and listening to good music is one of our favorite pastime that makes us happy," Max explained. "The best band concert that we ever performed was our junior year at Christmastime," Justin told us. "Do you know what it was like when we were thinking of our new dance anthem at Kennywood?" I asked everyone. "No, what?" I asked. "When we were walking around the park and waiting in line, it was like the drum cadence, then when we got onto the rides, it was like the roll-off, and then when we were riding our rides, it was like us listening to or playing the song," I explained to everyone. "Wow, Angel!" Alex exclaimed. "I never thought of that." "Well, it's true," I stated. "As I was stating earlier, we all have a different fun activity for us to do at home tonight. Justin and Max will make their own finger sandwiches at home, Harper and Milificent will have their own pudding Taste Test, Spencer and Freddie will be making their own Brains with Jell-O and food coloring, I will be playing Bounce n' Glow, while Carly will be playing Round Robin, and Alex will be making an Acceptance Speech," I pointed out. "But not after we eat dinner at Eat n' Park!" Alex and I both ordered chicken tenders, Justin ordered a cheeseburger, Max ordered a grilled cheese sandwich, Carly ordered spaghetti and meat sauce, Spencer ordered Kraft macaroni and cheese, and Freddie ordered a piece of stuffed crust pizza. We all got smiley cookies to eat with our meals. After dinner and our activities, it was time for all of us to go to bed. "Thanks for a great day, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Alex replied. "Good night, guys!" "Good night!"