Chapter 1: Overcoming Negative Thoughts

One mild second Saturday of September 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 Pittsburgh's Perfect Parties office in Monroeville for a discussion on overcoming negative thoughts. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. While jamming out to Kate Bush and Lizzo, we composed a Childhood Chat in which Samantha Mifflin discussed eating popcorn at a year old in McCandless, Lauren Bennett discussed doing a secret handshake at 4 years old in Hampton Township, Sarah Ching discussed having a pillow fight in 4th grade in the western suburbs, Jennifer Preager discussed staying comfy in 7th grade in Westmoreland County, Kayla Jennis discussed taking quizzes in 9th grade in the southern suburbs, Brooke Leesaw discussed doing makeovers at 20 years old in Ross Township, and Jessica Linden discussed dancing to music in 12th grade in the northern suburbs. "I am very sorry that you broke your ankle, Angel," Sarah told me. "Thanks, Sarah," I replied. "But, don't worry. It will be better again before you know it!" "I am so happy to have you guys as my own personal support team," I stated. "The day we met at Natrona Heights Presbyterian Church during your parents' wedding was one of the best days of my life." "You were not the only one getting into a mishap this week," James stated. "I got into another car accident on the way to Sandcastle, but at least my car is as good as new," James happily stated. "But, I do need a break from driving for a while." "It is pretty hard to drive a car, huh?" Henri asked. "I also wanted to point out that a couple of disasters happened over the break, too, like the Rustic Ridge Explosion in Plum as well as the Harmar House burning down," James stated. "That's terrible," Sarah replied. "Now, where are the school's honors banquets going to be held at?" "We had our honors banquet at the Presbyterian Church," James stated. "I don't see why the high school kids couldn't get honored at the Presbyterian Church in Squirrel Hill." "The last autism banquet we had was at Harmar House," I remembered, "and that was to honor our clients transferring to a different school." "Let's turn these negatives into positives," Sarah suggested. "I think Angel and her friends will heal up very soon from their injuries as long as they follow the doctor's orders, and James will be more relaxed without driving a car for a little while." "There are also lots of other places to hold banquets and other events," Henri stated. "And, the people living in Rustic Ridge will work out their housing situation in no time," James happily stated. Then, while jamming out to NSYNC and 98 Degrees, we composed another Childhood Chat in which Julia Robison discussed eating popcorn in 2nd grade in Bloomfield, Ashley Cassoin discussed doing a secret handshake in 1st grade in Highland Park, Isabella Black discussed making YouTube videos in 2nd grade in Lawrenceville, Natalie Bay discussed eating gummies in 11th grade in Morningside, Rachel Luster discussed having a pillow fight in 1st grade in Point Breeze, Abigail Mifflin discussed sporting her new slippers at the end of 11th grade in Regent Square, Victoria Spurnick discussed taking quizzes at 19 years old in Squirrel Hill, and Hannah Mifflin discussed dancing to music at 16 years old in Stanton Heights. "I enjoyed my first meeting with you when we first met, as well," Carly stated. "But, I have never broken a bone before, at least not as long as we knew each other." "Most of the time, Carly is pretty healthy," Mr. Benson stated. "One time, I broke my arm, but it wasn't all that serious," Spencer stated. "In a few weeks, the cast will be off your arm before you know it," I happily encouraged. "I don't like wearing a boot for 4 to 6 weeks, but I can make the most of it," Alex stated. "I just can't exercise or do any of the things that I normally like to do." "I see myself as a natural leader," Justin happily stated. "That is one positive thing about all of us," Max happily stated. "We are good role models for people to look up to." "I am excited for the Music Support Group Academy Varsity Marching Band to go to Disney World in the spring," Alex stated. "I am sure that they will love it there." "You guys had to do fundraisers for the trip, but it took patience and perseverance," I pointed out. "It will also take patience and perseverance for our ankles to heal, but we will get through them together." Then, we saw a few videos on overcoming negative thoughts and did our own affirmation art activities, replacing positive thoughts with negative ones. Then, 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!"