Chapter 5: Shopping at Monroeville Mall
The next day, I met up with Sarah, James, and Henri, as well as some of my other best friends Alex Russo, Justin Evans, and Max Greenwald at Monroeville Mall for our spring shopping trip. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. "Is there anything you would like to look at in particular, Max?" Henri asked. "I would like to go to Go! Toys and Games first." "Okay, Henri," Max agreed. "Well, maybe that is where we should all meet up." "First, I want to go look at Dick's Sporting Goods for some new summer hobbies," James decided. "Is that okay, Justin?" "Sure, James," Justin agreed. "So, we will meet up at Go! Toys and Games before we go eat dinner at the food court," Alex decided. "Sounds good," Sarah agreed. "I totally agree with that," I agreed. "Is there anything in particular that you want to buy, Alex?" Sarah asked. "I am glad that you asked me, Sarah," Alex replied. "I need a new dress and shoes for my birthday dinner in 2 weeks." "Oh, right, I forgot that your birthday is coming up soon," Sarah stated. "I enjoyed going out to the Grand Concourse in Station Square with you for my birthday one year, Sarah," I told my best friend. "Yes, that was a good time, all right!" Sarah agreed. "I tried chicken parmesan for the first time and shared a birthday sundae with you." "Why don't you tell me a little more about this restaurant in the Strip District that we are going to, Alex?" Sarah asked. "Well, is is an Italian restaurant called Osteria 2350 and they serve lots of good Italian food, just like Lidia's and Buca di Beppo, Sarah," Alex explained. "Remember how we were talking about our favorite Pittsburgh outings last week?" I asked. "Yes, what about it?" Alex asked. "Well, I knew that you guys wouldn't all forget about Kennywood, especially when we all went there one last time before I went away to Edinboro University, and we were also roommates at the Renaissance hotel in downtown Pittsburgh," I explained. "I am glad to have you, Sarah, and Carly as my roommates, Alex." "We are glad to have you as a roommate too, Angel," Sarah remarked. "Just as long as you don't annoy me about things like 'Dick' Lachey or anything like that," Alex told me. "You know that I think Nick and Drew Lachey are hot?" I asked. "Well, you talk about them almost every time you see us," Alex explained. "Don't get me wrong! We love listening to 98 Degrees in the car with you, but PLEASE stop the dirty jokes!" "I also have a crush on Carlos Santana, Sarah," I told Sarah. "But, he's 73 years old now, Angel," Sarah explained. "How in the world can you have a crush on him?" "I just love his music, that's all," I explained. We looked and looked at almost every store in the mall for a new outfit for Alex, but we did not have any luck. We ended up meeting the boys at the food court, instead, where Sarah, James, Henri, and I got Vickey's Soul Grill and Desserts to eat while Alex, Justin, and Max got Flamers to eat. "It's okay if I don't have a new outfit for my birthday celebration in 2 weeks," Alex explained. "I have so many pretty dresses, skirts, heels, and sandals that I can easily make an outfit out of one." "Either way, it will still be so much fun!" I exclaimed. After our shopping trip was over, we headed back to our condominium in Squirrel Hill. "Thanks for a good day, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Good night, guys!" "Good night!"