Chapter 9: The Star-Studded Sleepover
One seasonably cool second Saturday of February 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, Spencer Puckett, and Carly's stepfather, Freddie Benson, at Pittsburgh's Perfect Parties client Abigail Carson's house in Point Breeze for her Star-Studded Sleepover. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. The room was decorated in a red-carpet style with black, silver, and gold balloons and cutout magazines of famous people around the room. We also heard our favorite music of Kate Bush, Lizzo, NSYNC, and 98 Degrees in the background. Games and activities included the Lead Role icebreaker game, in which Abigail was Candace, Victoria was Andrea, Jessica was Lindsay, Nicole was Julia, and Emma was Drew, a Photograph Relay, a Magazine Scavenger Hunt, a Pajama Fashion Show, a Friendship Star-Walk craft, and a Sleepover Spa. There was a beautiful dazzling dinner table with fancy folded napkins, flowery favors, finger bowls, and place cards with everyone's name on it. The food featured were Simple Starters like cheese and crackers, chips, smoked hot dogs in bacon, and veggie sticks, star sandwiches with fillings like peanut butter and jelly, grilled cheese, turkey and cheese, ham, salami, and cheese, and tuna salad, and pastries like chocolate chip cookies, brownies, Eat n' Park smiley face cookies, and cupcakes for Abigail's birthday, in which we all sang "Happy Birthday" to Abigail. "You girls definitely know how to have fun without getting into trouble, huh?" Sarah asked. "I mention this because I was literally the same age as you girls when Angel and I snuck into a high school birthday party thrown by one of James's friends from high school." "It was a Sweet 16 party," I added. "With attending the Pittsburgh Public School District, you never know what may happen," Abigail stated. "The only good part about the party was the free pizza and cake," Sarah added. "In 2 years, I will be turning 16 years old." "I loved sharing my disposable camera for the Photograph Relay game," James stated. "It is fun to dress up and pretend to be someone else for a night." "Kind of like Halloween, huh?" Henri asked. "Yes, when I helped pass out candy to younger kids, that same year that I decided I was too old for trick-or-treating," James remembered. "I was still in 4th grade at the time," Henri stated. "This is just as beautiful as my mom and stepfather's wedding," Carly stated. "I remember that wedding," Spencer agreed. "Abigail's cupcakes taste just as yummy and delicious as my wedding cake did," Mr. Benson happily stated. "The buttercream frosting is so silky and rich!" "I feel tired after such a fun night, Alex," Abigail stated. "You should check out my history test, though!" "Wow, an A+!" Alex exclaimed. "Good for you!" "I know the feeling of relief after an important test is over, like the SATs in high school," Justin stated. "That was the same year that we went to Walt Disney World for our band trip," Max added. "Were the SATs before or after your trip?" Abigail asked. "Thankfully, they were after our trip," Alex stated. "This reminds me of the theme park of Disney's Hollywood Studios, in which I am wearing the same hairstyle that I did that day." "It's too bad I can't braid my hair anymore," I stated. "Well, if you take better care of it and comb it every day, like Sarah said, then we will see what we can do," Alex told me. Pretty soon, 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!"