Chapter 17: Alphabet Antics Activities
One rainy second Saturday of March 2024, 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, Mr. Benson, at Pittsburgh's Perfect Parties client Hannah Carson's apartment in Point Breeze. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. We jammed out to Kate Bush, Lizzo, NSYNC, and 98 Degrees prior to our shift starting. "Next weekend's alphabet sleepover is going to be a lot of fun," Hannah told us. "I plan to do an alphabet scavenger hunt and animal charades outside, and then inside, I want to play Letters In the Air, Alphabet Bingo, and Letters and Numbers." "Anything else?" James asked. "Some other activities will include Dreaming of Letters with pillowcases, Body Language, Pudding Pictures, and Pretzel Letters," Hannah continued. "What about food?" Henri asked, licking his lips. "Alphabet soup for dinner and alphacakes for breakfast," Hannah replied. "You really know how to plan a party, Hannah," Sarah remarked. "When I was your age, Sarah baby-sat Angel and me for the first time," Henri stated. "We played card games and ate snacks in bags." "That is pretty much what it is like when Abigail baby-sits me and Samantha sometimes," Hannah stated. "That was when I was away on my summer ski trip," James continued. "When I came back, I planned an end-of-summer house party that everyone was invited to." "I would love to go to a party like that," Hannah stated. "You seem like you are really excited about next week's spelling bee," Carly stated. "Yes, and the weather is getting warmer, too," Hannah replied. "Are you looking forward to spring and summer activities?" Carly asked. "I was looking forward to doing a few outdoor activities in middle school, and I liked doing these activities ever since I moved into the condo 3 years ago." "I liked being James's birthday bestie," Spencer stated. "I also liked being Henri's birthday bestie," Mr. Benson stated. "A birthday bestie is when your best friend has a birthday in the same month as you," I explained. "My birthday is tomorrow, as a matter of fact," Justin stated. "I will be turning 31 years old." "We are also looking forward to our orientation at Music Support Group Academy Turtle Creek's campus," Alex stated. "I feel like I am being replaced by that Giada chick," Max stated, "just because I do not consider myself as much of a leader as Alex and Justin!" "If I get the job, then it would turn out to be the best birthday present for me ever," Justin stated. "I liked doing the bowling at Zone 28 fundraiser best my senior year," Alex stated. "Lauren and Emily liked bowling at Greater Valley Lanes and the Shelly Pie fundraiser for their trip to Disney World," I stated. "It was originally supposed to be Lokay Lanes, but it was booked." "Wildlife Lanes would have been a second choice for a bowling alley if Zone 28 was ever booked." "We should do something fun to celebrate my birthday tomorrow," Justin stated. "Yes, we can definitely consider doing that," I agreed. We then headed to Target to pick up everything that we needed for Hannah's Alphabet Antics sleepover next Saturday. Then, it was time for all of us to go home. "Thanks for a great evening, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Bye, guys!" "Bye!"