Chapter 11: Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse
One pleasant third Saturday of June 2023, I met up with my childhood friends Sarah, James, and Henri along with some of my other friends Alex Russo, Justin Evans, Max Greenwald, Carly Shay, and Spencer Puckett, as well as Carly's stepdad, Freddie Benson, at the Loew's Waterfront Theater to catch the latest Spider-Man movie. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. Prior to the movie, though, we composed a few Childhood Chats. While jamming out to Kate Bush and Lizzo, we composed a Childhood Chat in which Kaitlyn and Colleen Marioni discussed doing a secret handshake in preschool in Bloomfield, Samantha Mifflin discussed having a party with an animal theme at 2 years old in Highland Park, Abigail Mifflin discussed taking a group photo in 6th grade in Lawrenceville, Lauren Bennett discussed using her new wheelie bag in kindergarten in Morningside, Nicole Ellis discussed sporting new socks in 9th grade in Point Breeze, Victoria Spurnick discussed making a craft at the end of 10th grade in Regent Square, Emily Grey discussed talking in silly accents at 10 years old in Squirrel Hill, and Sarah Ching discussed doing manicures prior to 11th grade in Stanton Heights. "It's weird how I just turned 35 on Thursday, and I do not look or feel 35," James stated. "Most 35-year-old men are married and have kids, but the trouble is that Sybil did not want to be my permanent girlfriend and I was trying too hard for my school picture by feeling sick." "It's okay, James," Sarah pointed out. "I do not look or feel 33, either, and I tried to impress my boyfriend, Benedict on that exact same day." "I do not look or feel 29, either," Henri stated. "It is good to know that I am not alone in needing plastic surgery to look older," I stated. "You do not need plastic surgery, Angel," Sarah told me. "You are beautiful just the way you are, and it is okay to look young. I am fine with looking a bit young in my face." "You guys remind me of my older sister and how my family never ages," I pointed out to my friends. "Oh, okay," Sarah remarked. Then, while jamming out to NSYNC and 98 Degrees, we composed another Childhood Chat in which Sophia Cleng discussed doing different activities in the spring and summer of 2012 at 5 years old in the eastern suburbs, Julia Robison discussed doing different activities in the spring and summer of 2014 at 11 years old in the western suburbs, Ashley Cassoin discussed doing different activities in the spring and summer of 2018 at 12 years old in the city of Pittsburgh, Elizabeth Mosh discussed doing different activities in the spring and summer of 2020 at 19 years old in the northern suburbs, and Rachel Luster discussed doing different activities in the spring and summer of 2021 at 11 years old in the southern suburbs. "Is that the same girl who had experience with a toy kitchen at only 5 years old?" Carly asked. "Yes, it is, Carly," Spencer stated. "When I approached my teenage years, I learned how to cook so many meals for myself during the cold winter months," Carly stated. "Yes, I remember that, Carly," Mr. Benson stated. "I am pretty sure that Sophia did some of the same during the pandemic," Carly stated. "Sophia also told me that she had a sweet 16 party at the Oakmont Country Club at the end of last summer for her 25th birthday," Alex pointed out. "Which we remember attending our senior year of high school," Justin pointed out. "We were the oldest in the school at the time," Max pointed out. "It was nice to see Sophia and her friends at swimming in Monroeville yesterday," I happily stated. "Except she went to the beach at 5 years old, which is also on Route 48 by the miniature gold course." "So, they will be entering 11th grade in the fall," Alex pointed out. "I know them from a few of the slumber parties that I helped out with in Oakmont, only Isabella was hosting them," I stated. "I hope to see Elizabeth at the Sewickley activity on Friday since she knows a lot about the northern suburbs due to growing up in them, and I also hope to see Rachel at the Upper St. Clair activity the next Friday since she really enjoyed most of the activities, and she was living the care-free summer life of a tween at the time," I continued. "You just might, Angel," Alex told me. Before we knew it, it was time for the movie to start, in which we enjoyed the animation, action, adventure, and suspense. Once the movie was over, 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!"