Chapter 1: The Chalkfest
One cool, rainy second Saturday of May 2024, I met up with my childhood friends Sarah, James, and Henri along with some of my other childhood friends Alex Russo, Justin Evans, Max Greenwald, Carly Shay, and Spencer Puckett, as well as Carly's stepdad, Freddie Benson, at the annual Chalkfest in the North Side. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. We listened to our usual music of Kate Bush, Lizzo, NSYNC, and 98 Degrees along with a very special Pop2Kountdown featuring music from the year 2007, described as Sarah, James, and Henri's "best year for music" with the #1 song on the countdown being an all-time favorite song of theirs by Maroon 5 entitled "Makes Me Wonder". "Why did you do this for us, Angel?" Sarah asked me. "I wanted to honor our friendship, 22 years of an awesome friendship," I stated. "Yes, I know I was supposed to do this last week for 2002, but we didn't know each other until the fall of that year, when Sarah's mom and James's dad got married at the Natrona Heights Presbyterian Church." "It's fine, Angel," James told me. "We liked listening to that countdown, so can we listen to a countdown from another great year from the 2000s?" Henri asked. "Of course," I replied. "When we don't have any shifts for work, so mainly on our fun days." "I also liked going to see prom last Saturday in Oakmont," Sarah stated. "Since May 2020 and 2002 were alike, we had a client who was around your age reminisce about spring 2002, and September 2020 was like 2002, as well." "Ironic how we met up on our 2 free Saturdays off, huh?" James asked. "That's because we're inseparable," I replied. "For Game Days at Schenley Park and Riverview Park." "I also wanted to talk about the wonderful honors banquet at the Shriners Ballroom," I stated. "We had so many great clients honored that night." "Plus, all of the food was good," Henri stated. "I liked the pasta with tomato sauce best, especially since it took until I was 10 years old for me to like pasta with sauce on it when Sarah and James had their honors banquet at the Natrona Heights Presbyterian Church." "What did you guys think of the talent show in Imperial yesterday?" I asked. "We thought it was a good concert," Sarah stated. "I liked seeing all of our clients perform their favorite songs from Disney movies, and some of them sing very beautifully." "Also, what do you guys think of Chalkfest so far?" I asked. "It is a fun, new festival that we can enjoy every year, leading up to the summer months," James stated. "Maybe next weekend, we can try the Kayafest in the Strip District featuring some good samba dancing." "We'll see as that is still a week away from today," I pointed out. "Okay, let's move on to my newer best friends." "I was just thinking about that Pop2Kountdown that played on SiriusXM, and that was a few months away from when we became best friends in the fall of 2007," Carly stated. "Which was what the following September of 2021 was like." "As with all good friendships, this one took some time to develop," Spencer pointed out. "I don't know about that," I stated. "Carly was a nice, young girl who I immediately became friends with." "I remember that," Mr. Benson agreed. "Alex, Justin, Max, do you have any great friendship memories that you want to share with us?" I asked. "We met through our love of music, of course, and marching band," Alex stated. "We thought that the spring band concert at Music Support Group Academy in Turtle Creek was very nice, and it featured Disney-themed music, as well." "Plus, Alex and I got to be guest musicians on the final selection featuring music from Encanto, which is one of our favorite newer Disney movies," Justin stated. "I liked going to football games and fundraising for our trip to Walt Disney World in the spring," Max pointed out. "We should do something special the Sunday when we leave for Disney World prior to us leaving, like maybe a nice dinner at one of our favorite restaurants nearby or something." "Yes, we should definitely do that," I agreed. "As for banquets and dinner, it was Italian-themed just like that other banquet," Alex pointed out. "Well, the Music Support Group Academy band banquet in Turtle Creek featured Italian food at Edgewood Country Club, and my birthday dinner at Veltre's featured Italian food, as well." "Not to mention, the dress I wore was red because if it were to be stained, the tomato sauce would blend right in, not that I would want to stain my clothes," I continued. Once ChalkFest 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!"