Chapter 19: The Mystery and Magic Night Sleepover
One unseasonably cold third Saturday of March 2023, 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, at Pittsburgh's Perfect Parties client Hannah Carson's house for her Mystery and Magic Night Sleepover that night. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. While jamming out to Kate Bush and Lizzo, we composed a Childhood Chat in which Ashley Cassoin discussed eating chips in preschool in Churchill, Samantha Mifflin discussed watching YouTube videos at nearly 2 years old in Edgewood, Hannah Mifflin discussed talking in silly accents in 1st grade in Forest Hills, Sarah Ching discussed taking quizzes in 6th grade in Monroeville, Grace Luster discussed sleeping with a night light in 3rd grade in Oakmont, Madison Dayley discussed sporting her new nightgown in 6th grade in Penn Hills, Jennifer Preager discussed eating doughnuts for breakfast in 10th grade in Plum, Kayla Jennis discussed arranging her sleeping bag line in 12th grade in Swissvale, and Brooke Leesaw discussed spreading gossip at 23 years old in Wilkinsburg. Then, while jamming out to NSYNC and 98 Degrees, we composed another Childhood Chat in which Jessica Linden discussed eating chips in 4th grade in downtown Pittsburgh, Julia Robison discussed watching YouTube videos in 6th grade in East Liberty, Elizabeth Mosh discussed sporting her new socks in 10th grade in the North Side, Kaitlyn and Colleen Marioni discussed talking in silly accents in 6th grade in Oakland, Rachel Luster discussed taking quizzes in 3rd grade in Shadyside, and Abigail Mifflin discussed sleeping with a night light at 19 years old in the South Side. We also had an icebreaker game for the girls before the sleepover started, and that was navigating your way from the eastern suburbs to the city of Pittsburgh. Kaitlyn C. navigated her way from Churchill to downtown Pittsburgh, Beth H. navigated her way from Edgewood to East Liberty, Colleen C. navigated her way from Forest Hills to Oakland, Hannah C. navigated her way from Monroeville to Shadyside, and Ashley T. navigated her way from Oakmont to the South Side. Then, we got started with our first 2 games, including Blue Clue and Disappearing Objects. "It was a mystery as to why nobody wanted to be with me for my birthday," I stated. "Didn't you guys like me anymore?" "Of course we did," Sarah stated. "We just wanted to surprise you." "Nothing like a little mystery and magic in the air for your birthday, huh?" Henri asked. The next 2 games were Funny Fortunes and Dice Advice. "I really liked the last question in the group," James stated. "Will I go to Carnegie Mellon University for college? That was what I was hoping for at my high school graduation." "How old are you?" Hannah asked. "I am old," James stated. "Just kidding, I am 34 years old." "Sarah and I really enjoyed your high school graduation," I stated. "I graduated from the Pittsburgh Public School District 2 years later, just like you girls are going to do," Sarah stated. Then, we moved on to a craft, which was a do-it-yourself magic wand. "Crafts of all different kinds are fun to do," Spencer stated. "Especially magical crafts," Mr. Benson stated. "I remember making a similar craft to a magic wand the summer before I started high school," Carly stated. Then, for dinner, we ate Mystery Meals consisting of sandwiches and fruit, Question Mark Cupcakes, fortune cookies, a root beer float, and Wizard Sticks made out of pretzels and candy. "Wow, it is cold outside today!" Max stated. "Perfect for snow tubing!" "I have only been 30 years old for about a week, and winter still won't give up," Justin glumly stated. "I remember when we got a lot of snow during my junior year of high school," Alex stated. "I remember cooking my own meals back then, too, whenever I got hungry." "Look, I got a turkey and cheese sandwich and a banana," Hannah happily stated. "I had a banana for lunch today, too, Hannah, along with a crustless miniquiche and potato salad," Alex happily stated. "I was not surprised that we would get the cold weather with a few snowflakes this month," I stated. "After all, it is just winter and spring swapping places due to climate change!" "I can't wait to finally get more typical March weather after this," Alex stated. "Just as long as we never experience the brutally cold winters I experienced up at Edinboro University ever again!" "I know how you feel," Justin stated. "I dealt with the exact same weather at Mercyhurst University." 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!"