The Silent Party

Ryan picked up the toy car and stood up. Callum also stood beside him checking it out.

Ryan pressed another button on the key and heard the sound of something opening. He then looked at the thing and saw a brand-new car shiny car that resembled the one he was holding.

A wide smile spread across Ryan's face as he turned to Baby, who was standing nearby holding a remote control. "Happy Birthday," Baby said, his eyes twinkling with excitement.

"Which one is my birthday gift?" Ryan asked

"Both." Baby replied and handed the remote control in his hand to Callum.

Callum stared at the remote in his hand, "you were the one controlling it?"

"yeah."

Baby, "who's ready for Ryan's Birthday pool party?"

Callum, "I am always ready for parties when is it?"

Baby, "Monday evening, after school."

.....

Baby entered the pool venue hanging a tote bag on his shoulder.

As he stepped inside, he couldn't help but notice the unusual silence that enveloped the space

Why is so quiet here, did I come to the wrong venue?

Uncertainty nagging at him, Baby decided to confirm his suspicions. He reached for his phone and dialed Ryan's number, hoping for some clarity. A few minutes later, Ryan emerged from the building, wearing a sheepish smile.

Ryan, "You look more handsome than the birthday boy himself." he teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Baby smirked glancing at his attire, "I just finished a shoot not long ago, and it would have been a waste to wash off my makeup when I still have an event to attend."

As Baby entered the venue, the atmosphere took his breath away. He realized that the party was silent. Ryan handed a pair of wireless headphones to him.

The venue was dimly lit, with vibrant lights flashing in sync with the music, creating an electrifying atmosphere.

As Baby made his way through the crowd, he couldn't help but notice the joyous expressions and energetic dance moves of the partygoers. People were grooving to the music, their headphones glowing with different colors, signifying their chosen channels.

Baby couldn't resist the urge to join in on the excitement. He started swaying his body to the infectious tunes, feeling the rhythm pulsating through his veins. He walked to another side and saw Callum and Romeo also moving their body to the tunes. As he was dancing, he scanned around for Raymond and found him sitting in one corner pressing his phone. He sighed, "Raymond and his dislike for crowded places." The baby was about to walk towards Raymond when he noticed Ryan sitting by the edge of the water just staring at it.

He removed the headphones and approached him.

Taking a seat beside Ryan, Baby gently asked, "Hey Ryan, what's on your mind?"

Ryan sighed and said, "Dana, would you believe it if I told you my crush is a lesbian?"

"pfft" Baby laughed, he knew he wasn't supposed to laugh in a situation like this but he still couldn't help it.

"Were you surprised?" Baby asked.

"I wasn't only surprised I was also scared like hell, the person I thought was her sister was her girlfriend. Her gaze alone almost sent me six feet below."

"tsk, tsk, tsk, you're quite pitiful." Baby said while clicking his tongue.

"why does it seem like you've known all along " Ryan asked skeptically.

"Well, she's my assistant, I should know her a little better. I mean who wears a couple's bracelet with their sister? And those matching outfits and warm hugs after school. Ryan, I have to admit, those two are quite a romantic pair. Their age difference did not seem to affect them at all."

Ryan stared at Baby for a while and looked away, "so you've always known that they were a couple but didn't tell me."

"I wanted to tell you but decided not to, if you love someone it is proper to let them know. We are now in a similar situation, my crush is straight while yours is gay."

Ryan rolled his eyes and started at the bag Baby was carrying.

Baby noticed his line of sight and gave him the bag, "For you."

Ryan opened the bag and saw a necklace with a broken heart shape, a mug with the letter H boldly printed on it, a phone pouch, and a cupcake topped with a single bitter-sweet cherry. The items symbolized heartbreak reminding him of his current rejection. "you're quite well prepared."

Baby crossed his legs blowing his fingernails, "I gat you, bro."

Ryan gritted his teeth and kicked him into the water.

"Ryan Chen, are you crazy? You just freaking ruined my makeup, I'm all wet."

Ryan gave him a middle finger and turned back preparing to leave when the baby dragged his leg, "Where do you think you're going? If I fall, we fall together." Baby said and dragged him into the pool.

As Baby and Ryan splashed into the cool water, laughter erupted from both of them. They resurfaced, their soaking wet hair clinging to their faces as they exchanged playful glances. The tension gradually dissipated, replaced by a sense of camaraderie and lightheartedness.

As they made their way out of the pool, Ryan handed Baby a towel. "Thanks." Baby said, his eyes full of warmth and understanding. "You know, Ryan, heartbreaks can be tough, but they don't define us. They serve as lessons and opportunities for growth. So, don't let this ruin your birthday party." Baby said, his voice filled with empathy.

Ryan rolled his eyes, "it wouldn't have if you had not added salt to my injury with those special gifts of yours. And who taught you to speak like that? It sounds so cliche."

"you have a foul mouth, it must be part of the reasons you're not her type."

"ouch! Dana, you're so annoying, I don't want to talk to you any longer."

"As you wish." Baby said and strolled towards Raymond.

Raymond noticed someone else beside him and looked up from his phone, "why are you in such a mess?"

"What a proper way to greet your dear friend." Baby replied.

"go change your clothes, you'd catch a cold wearing that. I don't want any excuse for you not going to school tomorrow."

"I'm not going to school tomorrow, I'm tired I want to rest."

"you already missed school for six days."

"I took a sick leave for that right?" Baby replied and took Raymond's drink.

"you're so irresponsible, do you still remember that you're the head of the class?"

"aiya, I'm the HOC but I have an assistant, right? You guys shouldn't miss me that much."

Raymond didn't want to continue the conversation anymore, he stood up and dragged Baby towards the garage.

"what do you want?" Baby asked with a playful smirk on his face.

Raymond gave him the car key, "Change your clothes I'll be waiting here."

"You brought a set of clothes with you?"

"I brought 2 because I know you'd surely behave like a three-year-old kid."

Baby scoffed and entered the car, "Who on earth attends a party just to sit in one corner and sip his drink? He's so boring and antisocial."

"I heard that," Raymond replied.

"I yelled that out so you could hear, you're such a boring boy with social anxieties. Raymond kay, live your teenage life like a normal human, stop being stiff all day."

Raymond covered his ears slightly, "why are you screaming? I can hear you. Why acting like an uncultured brat.."

Baby bit his lower lip, 'This dude always wins an argument with just one savage sentence did he just call me an uncultured brat?'

"you have a foul mouth."

Raymond just shook his head "Change your clothes or do you want me to do that for you? Uncultured brat."

Baby slammed the car door.

Raymond knocked lightly on the power window, catching Baby's attention. A smile formed on his face as he reached out his hand and pressed the button, feeling the gentle hum of the window's motor come to life. The glass gradually descended, allowing a rush of fresh air to fill the car. With a sense of curiosity, Baby leaned closer to the opened window, meeting Raymond's gaze. "what do you want?" he asked.

"Next time, don't slam the door like that, that's what uncultured brats do."

Baby gritted his teeth and rolled up the window, "it'll be beneath my status to reply, he just wants to annoy me to death. He must have deprived a joy from calling me that."

Baby changed his clothes and got out of the car.

"Raymond, have you listened to any song at the party since you arrived?"

Raymond "..."

Baby, "I'll take that as a no. There are multiple channels available, you can select which DJ's music you want to listen to by simply changing the channel on your headphones. This means different people can be dancing to entirely different songs at the same event."

Raymond, "..."

Baby's lip twitched, 'and now he decided to act mute.'

Baby collected a headphone for Raymond, "If you want to a slow beat song or a fast beat song you can just change the channel."

Raymond "..."

Baby wore the headphones for Raymond and smirked, he was about to wear his when he heard Raymond say "Take it off."

Baby's leg slipped, "you... You..." he didn't find a suitable word to say.

Raymond removed the headphones and placed them on Baby's palm. He went back to sit in his initial position.

Baby pouted and went to look for Ryan.