Chapter 4: The Carnegie Museum and Dinner
The next day, I went with my mentor, Jenna to meet some of my other best friends Alex Russo, Justin Evans, Max Greenwald, and Carly Shay, as well as Carly's parents, Sam and Freddie. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Alex greeted back. "You're just in time for all of the fun," Carly told us. First, we looked around at all of the art exhibits and paintings. We learned about some of the different jazz artists and paintings. "The last time that I remember learning about all of these artists was back in middle school," Carly remembered. "Now, it seems like Alex knows a lot more about the history of jazz music that I do," Carly stated. "Well, you have not been in honors band and jazz band, like I was, Carly," Alex pointed out. Alex breathed a sigh of relief. "I finally feel like the good girl again," Alex stated. "You have always been a good girl, Alex," Justin told Alex. "Sometimes, you are just a little too hard on yourself," Max pointed out. "I am not hard on myself," Alex disagreed. "I just take schoolwork very seriously and am still frustrated that I cannot get a job." "You still can't find a job, Alex?" I asked. "Angel, how many times have I told you that I am trying everything I can to find work?" Alex asked. "I would just like you more if you stop pretending to be better than your other friends," I told Alex. "Angel, let Alex deal with her own problems," Jenna told me. "Thank goodness that you are not here to look after me while everybody else is at the Carnegie Library having a meeting with each other," I stated. "Mom, Freddie, can we look at some more of the exhibits in the Natural History?" Carly asked. "Sure, we can look at the dinosaurs," Mrs. Shay agreed. "And, all different kinds of other animals," Mr. Benson added. We then looked at all the dinosaurs and all the different birds. "Where's Jenna?" Alex asked. "She is just next door checking on her sister and her neighbors," I explained. "If only you guys would have a job at Pittsburgh's Perfect Parties, then you guys would make a lot of money and become rich." "Aren't you guys in charge of slumber parties now?" Carly asked. "As a matter of fact, I brought my fuzzy blanket with me in case I get cold inside the museum!" She took it out and bundled it around her shoulders. "I would like to take some group photos of me beside the lion and the bear," I stated. "I could take a couple pictures of you, if you want," Mrs. Shay offered. "Sure," I agreed. Mrs. Shay then snapped some pictures of me next to the bear and the lion. "You look like quite an animal standing next to those animals, Angel," Mr. Benson told me. "That was just an inside joke that you made up," I stated. Just then, we heard voices behind us. It was our friends Alex, Justin, and Max. "Truth or dare, Max," Justin prompted. "Dare," Max replied. "I dare you to take notes on everything that you learned at this museum," Justin instructed. "No way," Max stated. "I wouldn't have time." Max paused for a moment. "I would dare you to wear your slippers everywhere in town for a day," Max stated. "No way," Justin stated. "It is improper." "Those boys can just be crazy sometimes," Alex admitted. "I would like to retrieve that fuzzy blanket back from Carly. She must have snuck back in there and stole it." "Come on guys, let's go to dinner and meet Jenna and Jill!" I told my friends. We then walked down Forbes Avenue to Noodles and Company. "Why do you like pasta so much, Jill?" Jenna asked. "They are just the most popular food in the world next to pizza here," Jill explained. We ordered our meals. After Jenna, Jill, and I ordered our pasta bowls, everyone else ordered their food. Carly ordered Wisconsin Macaroni and Cheese, Mrs. Shay ordered Penne Rosa, Mr. Benson ordered Steak Stroganoff, Alex ordered a Chicken Caesar Salad, Justin ordered Cauliflower Rigatoni in Light Cream Onion Sauce, and Max ordered the Grilled Orange Chicken Lo Mein. "The lo mein special reminds me of something that I ate at a Chinese restaurant in Natrona Heights during high school," Max stated. "I still forget the name of the Chinese restaurant. It has been a while." "Why didn't you order any noodles, Alex?" Justin asked. "I am trying to stay away from carbs if I can," Alex explained. "You could have ordered the zoodles, if you wanted," Justin pointed out. "They can be a lot healthier." Carly and I, as well as Mrs. Shay, also ordered dessert with our meals. "That macaroni and cheese was so yummy," Carly admitted. "Even though it is a lot of food, it still can give me cravings for types of junk food, such as potato chips." "Maybe, because of the mac and cheese-flavored potato chips sold in stores," Alex explained. "Speaking of which, can I have my fuzzy blanket back?" Carly then reached in a bag and gave the blanket back to Alex. "Thank you, Carly," Alex thanked. "Now, it will be nice for me to sleep with tonight." "Sam, truth or dare," Mr. Benson instructed. "Dare," Mrs. Shay replied. "I dare you to watch a whole entire movie marathon with me when we get home," Mr. Benson instructed. "Now, that I can do," Mrs. Benson agreed. "I'll bring the bag of chips down with me," Carly added. "What do you want to do when we get home, Justin?" Max asked. "Would you like to play Apples to Apples with me?" "Okay," Justin replied. "And then, we can watch a funny movie on TV together afterwards." "I will just be curling up in my bed with my fuzzy blanket, because I am tired," Alex stated, yawning. After we paid our checks for dinner, Jenna and Jill drove me back to their apartment in Point Breeze. "Thanks for a great day, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Alex replied. "Bye, guys!" "Bye!"