Chapter 17: Mystery and Magic Night Activities
One cold second 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 in Point Breeze. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. "I am planning to decorate my room like a secret sleepover den with a tangled web with yarn at the end of the favor, mystery meals, question mark cupcakes, fortune cookies, foaming magic brew, and wizard sticks to eat and make magic wands for a craft, as well as play games like Blue Clue, Disappearing Objects, Funny Fortunes, and Dice Advice," Hannah told us. While jamming out to Kate Bush and Lizzo, we composed a 5 to 5 Childhood Chat in which Kayla Jennis discussed doing different activities in the spring and summer of 2012 at 10 years old in the eastern suburbs, Brooke Leesaw discussed doing different activities in the spring and summer of 2013 at 15 years old in the city of Pittsburgh, Jessica Linden discussed doing different activities in the spring and summer of 2014 at 13 years old in the western suburbs, Sophia Cleng discussed doing different activities in the spring and summer of 2017 at 10 and 11 years old in the southern suburbs, and Julia Robison discussed doing different activities in the spring and summer of 2020 at 17 years old in the northern suburbs. "What are these activities like?" Hannah asked. "I really want to try them, but I am kind of nervous about it." "Oh, they are a lot of fun, all right!" I stated. "What if these activities are not my thing?" Hannah asked. "I would much rather stay home with my sister and play games." "That's not a big problem, though," Henri agreed. "I liked when Sarah baby-sat me and Angel for the first time when James was away on his ski trip." "Oh yeah, with card games and snacks," Sarah stated. "And then, I threw a family-friendly house party when I came back home from my ski trip at the end of the summer," James remembered. "Come on, Hannah," I convinced her. "You don't know what you're missing. If you try something new, you just might like it." While listening to NSYNC and 98 Degrees, we composed another Childhood Chat in which Elizabeth Mosh discussed using a secret handshake at 11 years old in Westmoreland County, Isabella Black discussed telling the truth at 6 years old in the western suburbs, Rachel Luster discussed eating gummies at 5 years old in Ross Township, Taylor Paulson discussed having a pillow fight at 16 years old in McCandless, Abigail Mifflin discussed watching a funny movie at 16 years old in the southern suburbs, Hannah Mifflin discussed coloring at 12 years old in Hampton Township, and Brianna Shokoko discussed sporting her new pajama set at 22 years old in the northern suburbs. "The first time I tried doing a secret handshake at the dollar store was in middle school when I was looking for necessities," Carly stated. "You were just practicing proper manners, then," Spencer pointed out. "We were very proud of you for that," Mr. Benson pointed out. "I liked watching a funny movie during the fall of my senior year of high school, as well," Alex stated. "Yes, being a senior totally has its privileges," Max agreed. "I had such a wonderful birthday week this week," Justin happily stated. "Thanks, everyone!" "You're welcome, Justin," James stated. "Bathing suits versus pajama sets for an event," James stated. "I have an idea," I told everyone. "Why don't we each write a short story for Hannah in order to convince her to come to these activities?" "That's a great idea, Angel," Sarah happliy stated. "I can come, right, even though I am not scheduled for work on Saturdays?" Alex asked. "Of course," I replied. "The more the merrier!" Then, we went to Target to help Hannah shop for everything that she needed for her Mystery and Magic Night prior to heading home for the evening. "Thanks for a great day, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Good night, guys!" "Good night!"