Chapter 11: The Halloween Sleepover

One mild third Saturday of Halloween 2022, I met up with my childhood friends Sarah, James, and Henri along with some of my other best friends Alex Russo, Justin Evans, Max Greenwald, Carly Shay, and Spencer Puckett, as well as Carly's stepdad, Freddie Benson, in Fox Chapel for face masks and game day. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. The games included were Charades, Scrabble, Sardines, an obstacle course, corn hole, Saran Wrap Prize Ball, and Murder in the Dark Game. Then, we headed to Pittsburgh's Perfect Parties client Brooke Leesaw's apartment in Penn Hills while jamming out to Kate Bush, Lizzo, NSYNC, and 98 Degrees. The apartment was decorated with Halloween-style decorations and Halloween-themed music was playing. Activities included Pin the Eyes on the Witch, a three-legged monster race, and bobbing for apples. Spooky foods included Scary Pizza Faces, I Scream Sundaes, and Halloween cookies. "Your apartment seems haunted, Brooke," I told her. "Yes, definitely not the apartment that we grew up in," Sarah agreed. "It's definitely my style, however," Henri stated. "I guess if the apartment is haunted, then it must be a really nice place to enjoy your privacy, as well," James stated. "I am just known as a single man having a few notable girfriends, like Sybil, for example, but we didn't last very long." "Oh, we knew that," Sarah agreed. "Not to mention, School Picture Day was a disaster that same year because I wanted to have an awesome girlfriend to impress with my school picture," James continued. "But, I guess on Halloween, it doesn't really matter that much because you are a whole other person." "Wow, I never thought of that before, James," Brooke agreed. "I needed help looking good for my school picture, as well," Sarah agreed. "Benedict was a better boyfriend before we broke up." "What happened to the caramel apples you had for your birthday the other day, Brooke?" Carly asked. "I was hoping that you would bob for those since those were such a great winter treat when I was in middle school." "I think we ate them all, Carly," Spencer stated. "But, we can always make more, right?" Carly asked. "Of course," Mr. Benson agreed. "We can do that on our own." Alex was writing in her brand-new journal. "What are you writing, Alex?" Brooke asked. "Oh, just some more journal entries for Halloween," Alex replied. "I guess all of the Pitt students know that you like to go downtown for Italian food for your birthday based on your trivia game," Brooke replied. "It's better than a birthday party that I went to at the Brackenridge Heights Country Club with generic Italian food," Alex agreed. "She is also writing about how technology like the laptop and the smartphone played a role in our daily routine," Justin pointed out. "It is like everybody uses them nowadays," Max agreed. "Of course, so we can learn new things that we never learned about and rock out to our favorite tunes," Alex agreed. "Do you think that you will do another Jeopardy game based on these entries, Alex?" Brooke asked. "I might be able to," Alex agreed. "No promises." Then, 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," Sarah replied. "Good night, guys!" "Good night!"