Chapter 3: The Squirt Gun Battle in South Park Township
One hot last Saturday of July 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 South Park for a squirt gun battle and swim in the wave pool. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. While jamming out to Kate Bush and NSYNC, we composed a Childhood Chat in which Brooke Leesaw discussed doing different activities during the spring and summer of 2012 at 14 years old in the eastern suburbs, Isabella Black discussed doing different activities during the spring and summer of 2017 at 9 and 10 years old in the northern suburbs, Kaitlyn and Colleen Marioni discussed doing different activities during the spring and summer of 2018 at 12 years old in the western suburbs, Rachel Luster discussed doing different activities during the spring and summer of 2020 at 9 and 10 years old in the city of Pittsburgh, and Samantha Mifflin discussed doing different activities in the spring and summer of 2021 at 11 years old in the southern suburbs. "Squirt gun battles are awesome," James stated. "Uh-huh," Henri agreed. "Definitely better than juggling balls in the air like I did back in high school," James happily stated. "I wanted to ask you guys... did you have fun yesterday in Monroeville?" I asked Sarah. "It was awesome, Angel," Sarah happily stated. "What did you guys do?" "Basically practice for this," Sarah replied. "Our own outdoor water games and a homemade soap craft, and even making homemade trail mix." "Oh boy," I stated. "You guys are definitely prepared for this." "Now, I have my own homemade bar of soap to stay clean with," Carly happily stated. "What got you so interested in crafts, Carly?" Spencer asked. "Yeah, what got you interested?" Mr. Benson asked. "It started during a science assignment collecting leaves in high school," Carly explained. "I loved creating a collage so much that I decided to pursue arts and crafts of my own." "That's awesome," Sarah replied. "The homemade trail mix can go with the hamburgers, hot dogs, Chinese take-out, homemade cupcakes, and mug cake," I happily stated. "I am sorry that Alex and I did not come with you guys because we were busy at Kennywood Park yesterday." "It's fine, Angel," Sarah stated. "Everyone has different interests." "So, you're not mad at us for wandering off and not staying with the group?" I asked. "Of course not," Sarah replied. "Enjoy your summer the way you want it to!" I then met up with Alex, Justin, and Max at the wave pool while composing another Childhood Chat in which Lauren Bennett discussed going to bed early at a year old in Churchill, Nicole Ellis discussed watching a movie marathon in 5th grade in Edgewood, Emily Grey discussed sleeping under her fuzzy blanket at 4 years old in Forest Hills, Sarah Ching discussed watching YouTube videos in 6th grade in Monroeville, Emma Wallace discussed eating chocolate in 10th grade in Oakmont, Grace Luster discussed taking a selfie in 4th grade in Penn Hills, Sophia Cleng discussed listening to music in 6th grade in Plum, Allison Brawner discussed telling a ghost story her freshman year at Carnegie Mellon University in Swissvale, and Julia Robison discussed using her new stuffed animal in 12th grade in Wilkinsburg. "It's sad that summer is almost over," Alex sadly stated. "I know because I love the wave pool as much as you guys do," Justin stated. "Same here," Max stated. Once the group came back together, I happily saw one of our clients, Samantha Mifflin. "I am surprised to see you here as I saw you at last month's activity in the southern suburbs," I stated. "So, did you attend the April bonfire and the May bowling event?" "Yes, I did," Samantha replied. "I remember because there were a lot of young people in middle school at Mount Lebanon Lanes," I remembered. "As for the other locations and activities, did Brooke, Isabella, Kaitlyn and Colleen, and Rachel attend these activities so far this year? I am sure that they probably did as these activities are so popular, and unfortunately, we just have one more month of these activities before they wrap up for the year!" Once the sun set and the park was closing, it was time for all of us to go home. "Thanks for a great day, guys!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Good night, guys!" "Good night!"