Chapter 18: Special Interests and Growing Up
The next day, we all met up at the Sampson Family YMCA in Plum for a discussion group on special interests and growing up. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. We jammed out to our usual music of NSYNC, 98 Degrees, Kate Bush, and Lizzo, as well as some of our other favorite songs on the SiriusXM radio station Pop2K. "When I was finishing middle school, I was discovering more about my teenage years and what my special interests would be," Carly stated. "At first, I loved playing the clarinet in the band, but during my transition, I wanted to try something a little different, so I auditioned for drill team because I love to dance and I love to sing, so I enrolled in the chorus." "Wow, that is a lot of special interests to have, Carly!" Spencer exclaimed. "You were just one young teenager discovering who you really were," Mr. Benson added. "I got to read the part about getting into college," Alex stated. "Since today is my birthday, I will discuss how I got into a passion for music," Justin stated. "Alex explained it perfectly well in her journal entries, but I grew up listening to a lot of good music like jazz, classic rock, R&B, Latin... you name it! I was very attracted to the sound that a trumpet makes, so I decided in elementary school that I wanted to play the trumpet in band. Then, I joined the Music Support Group Academy in Freeport where I met 2 of my best friends, Alex and Max plus 2 of our other best friends, Theresa and Jerry, who served as band managers." "I discovered my interest in the French horn the same way," Max added. "I am excited about my new job orientation on Thursday because I can teach the current band members everything that I learned about music growing up," Justin continued. "I also enjoy all of the different fundraisers that we have, like bowling fundraisers. We had one at Zone 28 and another one at Wildlife Lanes out in Lower Burrell," Alex continued. "It might be on Thursday depending on what else comes up on Thursday, or if the location of the activity is relatively close to Turtle Creek, then I could just come out and join you guys after the activity is over." "That's what I like about Alex," I remarked. "She knows how to prioritize activities and is starting to become flexible about activities." "Plus, the band banquet, as well as my birthday party, are both over the 2-week break and the trip to Disney World happens between the end of our normal weekend and the beginning of the bowling activity, so in the end, it all works out perfectly!" Alex happily exclaimed. Then, we got to our main activity, which was looking at old photos. "That is when Sarah baby-sat me and Angel for the first time," Henri stated. "I was teaching them some good card games to play," Sarah stated. "We even got to eat some delicious snacks," I added. James turned the page and saw his house party. "That looks like a fun party, James," Justin remarked. "We wish that our male tween bodies would have been there," Spencer agreed. "Well, I was 16 years old and you guys were 11 years old," James stated. "So, I suppose that it would have worked out in the end!" "I guess that I am the loner of the 3 wise men having a birthday in March, while you 2 guys have your birthdays in June," Justin stated. We also had a special birthday dinner from Amili's Pizzeria for Justin and sang "Happy Birthday" to him over chocolate cake. Then, we played games such as Frozen T-shirt Contest, Super-Sized Sumo Wrestlers, Volley Balloon, Junk Food Dishes, Commercial Game, Kiss the Poster, Batter-Up Popcorn, Sleeping Bag Obstacle Challenge, Limbo Contest, I am Going Shopping, and Telephone. Then, we all headed home for the day after our fun and games were over. "Thanks for a great day, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Good night, guys!" "Good night!"