Chapter 1: The Concepts of Friendship
One mild second Saturday of May 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 the mini movie theater on the corners of Saltsburg and New Texas Roads in Plum. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. "I can't wait to see our movie from last summer in Sharpsburg," I happily stated. Not to mention, we had some vistors from Rochester, New York, who were the Sobert sisters, as Casey attended Hannah's high school academic honors banquet at Harmar House, Emma attended Samantha's middle school academic honors banquet at Harmar House, and Sarah attended Samantha's performance of "Like a Saviour" by Ellie Goulding which was part of the talent show performance in Imperial. We also jammed out to Kate Bush, Lizzo, NSYNC, and 98 Degrees prior to watching the movie. "This is a good movie because it reminds me of the time we first met each other in Natrona Heights at our parents' wedding at the Presbyterian Church," Sarah stated. "That was a memorable kick-off to our friendship," James happily stated. "But, you have always been my older brother since I was born," Henri pointed out. "Although, I am known as the little guy adopted from France." "Also, congrats to Hannah and Samantha for getting honored for good grades," Sarah happily congratulated. "It seems like only yesterday James and I were getting honored at our own honors banquet in high school." "That's awesome, Sarah," Casey remarked. "I was getting honored in high school, as well, just prior to meeting up with Angel." "Sarah S., you met up with Angel just a few months before me," Carly remarked. "It is crazy how I am the youngest member in the group and everyone is turning 30." "Actually, I am a year younger than you, Carly," Sarah S. reminded Carly. "But, our birthdays are all in the month of April." "I turn 30 in June, just 4 days before James," Spencer pointed out. "I remember happily moving into the house in Natrona Heights as a young man ready to marry your mother," Mr. Benson happily remembered. "I thought that Samantha sang beautifully, as her voice was more mature-sounding as the youngest of the 3 Mifflin daughters," Carly happily remarked. "Emma, tomorrow is your 30th birthday, right?" Alex asked. "Yes, that's right, Alex," Emma replied. "I recently had my usual 30th birthday by celebrating in downtown Pittsburgh, as well," Alex explained. "On the days around my birthday, I have been writing numerous journal entries about fashion." "Our main passion, though, is music," Justin pointed out. "One of our football games was really memorable when we were in the band," Max pointed out. "Remember the Bratz dolls with a passion for fashion?" Emma asked. "I guess that we have a passion for fashion, too, Emma," Alex stated. As we watched the movie, we remembered just how important it is to make and have friends. "I am not in the movie because I was not a regular that day, so I just worked behind the scenes," Alex stated. "Same with 4 out of our 5 spring and summer activities where I was not a regular, but I decided to join in so I did not miss out on all the fun. We could do these activities on Sundays, but the trouble is that I have so many of my own activities planned that I would prefer them to be on Saturdays." "Oh, okay," Emma stated. "But, I am working on being more flexible according to one of my journal entries," Alex stated. Once the movie was over, it was time for all of us to leave. "Thanks for a great day, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Bye, guys!" "Bye!"