Chapter 2: Developing Friendships
The next day, we all met up at the Carnegie Library in Squirrel Hill to have a discussion group on developing friendships. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. We jammed out to NSYNC, 98 Degrees, Kate Bush, and Lizzo, as well as a special Mother's Day playlist on Pop2K. "I may be the youngest in the group," Carly stated. "I first met Angel when I was starting 8th grade, and I am always willing to celebrate friendship," Carly stated. "As a matter of fact, I have a collage of my family and friends that I made a while back, along with an autographed pillowcase that I received for my birthday party." "I am trying to remember exactly when you got into arts and crafts, Carly," Spencer remarked. "She has always been interested in arts and crafts, but she did not really want to share them with us until she became an adult," Mr. Benson remarked. "I am friends with Angel because we share our passion of music and marching band," Alex remarked. "I am very excited for the band to go to Disney World at the end of the month," Justin stated. "That was my favorite band trip, and I enjoyed fundraising for the trip," Max stated. "However, when we first met back in the fall of 2009, it was not always smooth sailing," I pointed out. "It took me a while to get used to her reserved style, unlike Carly and Sarah." "I even knew the difference between telling and tattling as an honors student," Alex stated. "I did not tolerate bullying then, and I still do not tolerate it." "Bullying is a good way to ruin a friendship," I pointed out. "I thought that our parents' wedding at the Natrona Heights Presbyterian Church was a fabulous place for us to meet up and begin our friendship," Sarah happily stated. "I remember 3 games that we played at the church to get to know each other better," James stated. "I learned that pasta was my favorite banquet food a few years later at that same church," Henri stated, licking his lips. "Speaking of which, I am getting hungry," I told everyone. "What will we have for dinner?" "I know," Alex stated. "Let's have some leftover food from the honors banquet! I never got to eat any because I was saving room for my regular dinner." "Good idea!" I agreed. "I really love their ham, even though I don't really eat ham that much anymore. But, it tastes good when it is drizzled with fruit sauce instead of pineapple rum sauce, like the second menu stated. Does anyone else have a favorite banquet food?" "I like pasta, too," Carly stated. "The last time I had pasta to eat at a formal event was the Valentine's Day dance at the Edgewood Country Club," Carly stated. "I will also have it again next Sunday for the autism banquet at the Shriners ballroom, even though we were just there." "I like the salad, of course," Alex stated. "That was pretty much the only food that I was willing to eat on Thursday! It was also the same day that I ate my homemade desserts of chocolate chip brownies and apple crisp." "I really liked the roasted red potatoes," Sarah stated. "I do not really think that potatoes are considered a vegetable, but I have them in my thirdly hors d'oeurve dinner, so what the heck!" After dinner, 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!"