Chapter 4: What to do in a Crisis
The next day was Easter Sunday. I ate waffles for breakfast with Sarah, James, and Henri at their apartment in Oakland. "Mmm, something smells yummy!" I exclaimed. "It is an Easter bunny cake that I am baking," Sarah stated. "By the way, happy Easter, guys!" "Happy Easter, Angel!" Sarah wished back. She got her bunny cake out of the oven. "Mmm, that looks yummy," I remarked. Some of my other best friends Alex Russo, Justin Evans, and Max Greenwald met us at the apartment. "Hi, Sarah!" Alex greeted. "Happy Easter!" "Happy Easter to you, too, Alex!" Sarah replied. "I need help with the perfect hairstyle, as I am having a hair crisis," Alex explained. "I also need help picking out a dress to wear for Easter dinner at River's Casino in Pittsburgh," Sarah stated. Alex and I followed Sarah into her bedroom, while Justin and Max helped James and Henri with Easter baskets. Sarah and I both worked on Alex's hair, while Sarah picked out her black party dress with a silver stripe on it. "This is the hairstyle I wore for my birthday one year," Sarah told Alex. "I will let you borrow my hair clips from that occasion." "Thanks, Sarah," Alex replied. "That's very nice of you." "Sometimes, I get into a crisis about what to wear for Easter, too," I told my female friends. "Like how Mom thinks the dresses I wear are too short." "My mom thinks that way, too," Alex agreed. "Luckily, I am not wearing too short of a dress today." "You have a beautiful spring-like dress on, just like Carly wore yesterday," Sarah noticed. "I notice fashion like that, too, Sarah," I agreed with her. "Sometimes, though, a crisis can be much more serious than choosing what to wear for a special holiday, as a crisis is defined as a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger." "I would seek natural supports when the crisis is not life threatening, dangerous, or when the intensity is too much for a friend or family member to handle," Sarah suggested. "I would also seek clinical supports at UPMC Hospital, where I used to do volunteer work," Alex suggested. "I was in a crisis on my 15th birthday when James and Henri showed me embarrassing photos from my childhood, but Angel helped me out and was a good friend," Sarah explained. She then got out her black high heels to wear with her dress. "Wow, those look like really high heels you have, Sarah," Alex noticed. "My shoes don't have that high of a heel." "Those are Sarah's dress-up shoes," I explained to Alex. "And, she never felt dissatisfied wearing them, particularly on her birthday!" "I also had a crisis at my graduation from MSG Academy about what to wear for the ceremony, but Angel helped me out with that," Alex added. "Yes, I did, Alex," I replied, "and I was so proud of you for graduating." "Is that Easter bunny cake I smell?" Alex asked. "Yes, it is, Alex," Sarah replied. "I baked my favorite lemon squares for Easter dinner," Alex stated. Sarah, Alex, and I joined James, Henri, Justin, and Max back in the kitchen for Easter basket exchanges, and James decided to take more headshots, since it was another warm day outside. Justin assisted James in taking the pictures of me, Sarah, and Alex. "What are your plans for Easter, Sarah?" I asked. "I am going out for Easter dinner with James and Henri at River's Casino where their special is Italian food like chicken picatta, eggplant parmesan, stuffed shells, green beans almandine, fruit salad, salad, and dinner rolls," Sarah replied. "My mom and stepdad are ordering food from Boston Market- spiral cut ham, sweet potato casserole, corn, corn bread, and apple pie," Alex replied. "Justin and Max are going to join me!" "I am just going to have Easter dinner with my best friend, Erica Homeson and her family, as it is also baby Chloe's birthday today," I told my friends. I caught a bus to head back to my mom's apartment. "Happy Easter, guys!" I wished again. "Same to you, Angel," Sarah replied. "Bye, guys!" "Bye!"