Chapter 17: Island Activities
One seasonably hot second Saturday of July 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, along with Carly's stepdad, Freddie Benson, at Pittsburgh's Perfect Parties client Samantha Carson's apartment in Point Breeze. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. "So, what would you like to do at your party?" James asked. "I don't know if I should have a party after all," Samantha stated. "Why not?" Henri asked. "I'm too scared because this is my first slumber party," Samantha stated. "Well, don't forget about the one you threw in downtown Pittsburgh," I reminded Samantha. "Well, this is my first one in which I am in charge of food and activities," Samantha explained. "I love summer parties," James happily stated. "I took a vacation skiing with my high school class and I planned a great house party in honor of my homecoming at the end of the summer." "It was also my first time baby-sitting Angel and Henri, and I thought of activities to do at the same time," Sarah explained. "Planning a party is not all that hard once you practice it," James explained. "So, what would you like to do?" I asked. "Well, I would just like to hand out some leis and sunglasses, make grass skirts for a craft, and then practice the hula game, as well as play flashlight limbo and Tidal Wave, and then make another craft which is island anklets, thanks to Carly, our queen of arts and crafts here," Samantha stated. "What about food?" Henri stated, licking his lips. "I am thinking about chicken salad in a pineapple boat, Floating Island Sundaes, an unusual fruit-tasting tray, Goldfish crackers, and 2 island-themed smoothies, which are the Caribbean Breeze and Strawberry Sunrise," Samantha stated. "See, Samantha?" Sarah asked. "You can do anything if you just put your mind to it!" We shopped at Target as well as Five Below in downtown Pittsburgh rather than East Liberty for everything that Samantha needed for her party, since it was closer to Moon Township, the destination for our spas and makeovers that night. While jamming out to Kate Bush and Lizzo, we composed a Childhood Chat in which Brianna Shokoko discussed having a party with an animal theme at 13 years old in Butler County, Brooke Leesaw discussed singing karaoke at 14 years old in Westmoreland County, and Allison Brawner discussed telling a ghost story at 16 years old in Washington County. Then, while jamming out to NSYNC and 98 Degrees, we composed another Childhood Chat in which Isabella Black discussed sleeping under her new fuzzy blanket in preschool in downtown Pittsburgh, Rachel Luster discussed watching YouTube videos at 3 years old in East Liberty, Samantha Mifflin discussed having a party with a sports theme in preschool in the North Side, Abigail Mifflin discussed taking a group photo in 9th grade in Oakland, Victoria Spurnick discussed making a craft in 11th grade in Shadyside, and Emma Wallace discussed using her new night light at 19 years old in the South Side. "I loved when Samantha said that I was the queen of arts and crafts," Carly happily stated. "Today's craft is planting flowers and putting them in individual flower pots," Spencer reminded Carly. "You are a pretty good gardener, Carly," Mr. Benson stated. "You helped me plant flowers once as a teenager." "Oh yeah," Carly stated. "I do remember it, and I also made this chocolate face mask that I can eat!" "I love doing all these makeovers," Alex happily told Lauren. "Will I like the band program?" Lauren asked. "Of course you will," Justin replied. "It's going to be fun!" "I like the fundraisers best," Max happily stated. "I remember when we did a bowling fundraiser at Zone 28 my senior year of high school." "We will probably have to do a lot of fundraisers the same way," Lauren stated. "I'll tell you what," Alex stated. "Why don't you read about my experience with music and fashion in 2 of my journals?" "Okay," Lauren stated. The food served was hot dogs and hamburgers, Chinese food, trail mix, decorating homemade cupcakes, and mug cake. "You probably notice that I do not eat the food here very often," Alex stated, "because I am on a diet to stay healthy, and I made a hamburger out of black beans instead of ground beef. I am also providing some frosty strawberry yogurt cupcakes to decorate myself." "I am interested in a double pink sparkly pedicure for a massage and Carly wants to have her chocolate face mask," I stated. "What ideas do Alex and Sarah have for makeovers?" "I am interested in doing hair makeovers because I like braiding my hair," Alex stated. "And, I made my own strawberry-flavored lipstick, which is a fun idea for a makeover," Sarah added. "If I would have combed and taken care of my hair, then I could have my hair braided," I stated. Once the activity 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!"