Chapter 7: The Three Rivers Arts Festival
One hot first Saturday of June 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 Three Rivers Arts Festival in downtown Pittsburgh. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. To make things more merry and happy, the Sobert sisters were visiting us from Rochester, New York along with Abigail Mifflin. We jammed out to Kate Bush, Lizzo, NSYNC, and 98 Degrees prior to the festival. "So, Abigail, how do you feel about graduating from Chatham University?" I asked. "It feels great," Abigail happily replied. "I heard that Jill is going to attend Chatham University in the fall. It still feels weird to not be a school student anymore." "Hi, Casey," Sarah P. greeted. "Sarah, I haven't seen you in a while," Casey happily greeted. "What's going on?" "Well, more and more of our clients are getting out of school," Sarah P. explained. "It is kind of a good thing because school can have its fair share of woes." "Like when I got asked out to the dance and Sarah didn't," James stated. "I was at Boy Scouts this year, so I did not remember that incident," Henri happily stated. "I felt rejection, as well, when I was in middle and high school," Casey stated. "Not everybody liked me." "Is that Nathan I see at one of the booths?" Sarah P. asked. "He was here 6 years ago in 2017, and I felt terrible because he cheated off of my history exam back in 8th grade and then blamed me for cheating." "Oh dear," Casey replied. "As an honors student, I always felt pressure when I was accused of something that I didn't do." "He got punished by getting detention," Sarah P. continued to explain. "The other Sarah, I am happy to see you," Carly happily stated. "Have you read my blog?" "Yes, I like all of the crafts that you have done," Sarah S. happily remarked. "I recently decorated a pillowcase on our beach trip to East Liberty," Carly enthusiastically remarked. "I also like to cook, and I am making some fabulous dishes to bring to our picnic tomorrow. I first cooked macaroni and cheese in middle school." "I will bring homemade s'more brownies," Spencer happily stated. "I will bring homemade apple cinnamon blondies," Mr. Benson happily stated. "There will also be another dessert at the picnic, but it is going to be a surprise," Carly stated. "Hello, Emma," Alex happily greeted. "Good to see you here in Pittsburgh!" "What did you think about my journal entry with your name in it?" Alex happily asked. "It was awesome," Emma stated. "I have more journal entries to share at the picnic tomorrow, and the weather is supposed to be absolutely beautiful," Alex continued. "I wasn't kidding around when I say that spring and summer is my favorite time of year, especially during my junior year of high school. I plan to order fried chicken from Quik-it Chicken in the North Side." "Or if people don't want fried chicken, then Max and I plan to grill hamburgers and hot dogs," Justin offered. "I am lucky to be grilling the hot dogs since they are easier to cook than hamburgers," Max stated. "These will be pre-made and cooked hamburger patties," Justin stated. "I know how much I hate handling raw meat." "Can you girls come to our picnic tomorrow?" Alex asked. "It is at Prospect Shelter in Schenley Park." "Unfortunately, we can't come because we have to go back to Rochester," Emma explained. "That's okay," I stated. "Maybe, we can have another picnic the next time we get together!" We then listened to a performance at the Dollar Bank Main Stage by Galactic and Anjelika Joseph. Then, it was time for all of us to head home. "Thanks for a great day, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Good night, guys!" "Good night!"