Chapter 10: Friendship Exploitations and Vincent's Pizza Park
The next day, we all met at the Carnegie Library in Squirrel Hill for our discussion group on friendship exploitations. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. Prior to our discussion group, however, we jammed out to our usual music of NSYNC, 98 Degrees, Kate Bush, and Lizzo. "It is important to tell if someone is a good friend or not," I pointed out to everyone. "I know you guys are my best friends because of the way you act and treat me, not just because you are all good-looking," I stated. "I know that this is totally off topic, but can we also discuss what we liked best about Abigail Carson's Camp-In Sleepover last night?" "Let's wait until after the discussion group at the restaurant to talk about that, Angel," Alex reminded me. My other friends shared their thoughts on what a true friend is like and before we knew it, we were headed off to Vincent's Pizza Park in McKeesport. "So, what did everyone like best about Abigail Carson's Camp-In Sleepover last night?" I asked everyone. "I love the arts and crafts designed to look like stuffed animals best," Carly explained. "I just love arts and crafts because they were similar to the sock monkey that I created this past Friday." "Where is your special birthday dessert, Spencer?" Mr. Benson asked. "The restaurant does not allow outside food or beverages, so I will bring it for us to eat after dinner outside the restaurant." "Our wedding cake was a rich marble cake with buttercream frosting," Mr. Benson stated. "I love all of the food served there last night because it is fun to roast hot dogs and marshmallows over the campfire to make s'mores," Justin explained. "I was pretty good at grilling the hot dogs for the picnic, as well," Max stated. "That reminds me," Alex happily stated. "This restaurant is near the new Music Support Group Academy in Turtle Creek where some of our clients will attend school this fall. I did pretty well at that school even with the grueling and tedious SAT tests to help me determine what college I got into." "Look on the bright side, you got to go to Disney World for your band trip a few weeks later, and I believe that the Turtle Creek Music Support Group Academy is traveling to Walt Disney World for their band trip next spring," I pointed out. Then, our pizzas came for everyone to eat. "What was your favorite thing from the sleepover, Sarah?" I asked. "Well, we loved the first activity that we did, which was the nature scavenger hunt," Sarah replied. "Scavenger hunts are one of our favorite things to do." "We already had one in the Strip District last month and we are scheduled to do another scavenger hunt in Washington's Landing," James happily stated. "Both along the Allegheny River but on opposite sides," I pointed out. "Yum, this pizza is delicious!" Sarah exclaimed. "That and the birthday cake were the only things that I liked about Molly's Sweet 16 party back in middle school." "Once we get our bills paid, let's go outside and have cake!" James happily exclaimed. We then went outside to eat cake which were grilled s'more brownies similar to what Spencer brought to the picnic. We all sang "Happy Birthday" to Spencer. "James, can I plan a party after you?" Henri asked. "I would like to do the Completely Creepy Sleepover in honor of handing out candy to trick-or-treaters on Halloween and since I am not afraid of the dark, and then Mr. Benson can do his Abracadabra Magic Party." "Okay, okay, Henri," James stated. "You win. But, let's focus on my birthday party first, which is this Thursday!" Pretty soon, it was time for all of us to go home. "Thanks for a great day, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Good night, guys!" "Good night!"