The Black and Grey Effects [completed]

t h r e e

We both arrived at Alex's house just in time. It was eight o two in the evening and I could see there are already a lot of people from our school. I parked my car at the reserved place because I knew it was Alex's plan to reserve the place for us to park in the specific place in his house area. There's a sign board wrote 'Rachel Jean' at the parking lot and made me laugh. I parked my car and walked out from my car with a wrapped small box in my hand. All of the people from our school and also out of the school were staring at me and Mia as we both walking inside the house.

"Oh my god, is that you Rach?" Carmen asked in surprise.

"Why only Rach that you notice?" Mia said, irritated.

"Because I knew that your dress was picked by her," she replied with a glare. They both were about to argue and I calmed them with my both hands.

"We are here for a birthday party. So, where's the birthday boy?" I asked, looking for Alex.

"Oh, he's at the side of the pool. Let's go," Carmen said and led us to the swimming pool at the backyard of the house. The music was too loud, made me covering my both ears with my hands all the way to the swimming pool.

Then, I saw Anthony, Dylan and Thomas in button up shirts and a glass of juice in their hands. I saw Elliot with his girlfriend, Taylor at the corner of the pool and finally I saw Alex with Jenny. They approached me when they saw me. Jenny hugged me and complimented my dress along with Mia's dress.

"Happy birthday, asshat!" I beamed and he laughed. He hugged me and I passed him his birthday present.

"Thanks, Rach. I'll open it later," he said, smiled. All of my friends were talking and I was searching for Peter's figure. I tip-toed, trying to find him and as I was scanning around the pool and also other places, I saw him in a dark blue button up shirt.

"I'll come back later," I told them and strolling away towards Peter. He was standing at the corner of the house and holding a glass of juice. Then, I saw some girls surrounded him and trying to have a chat with him.

"Hey, you're Peter right?" one of the girls asked with a flirty voice. It was Veronica and her gang. He nodded, without saying any words. I was hiding behind the wall and eavedropping their conversation.

"I'm Veronica and these are my friends, Tamara and Britney. I'm the cheerleader and we are from cheer team," she said.

Who cares? I thought. I could see the annoyance flashed on Peter's face.

"You look handsome," she said again he was ignoring her—making me laugh my ass off.

"I love seeing you playing football," Veronica tried again.

"Thanks."

After a few of failed tries, Veronica and her gang walked away as she realised that she looks completely like a fool. I took a deep breath and tried to act like I didn't hear anything but miserably failed when I saw him up close, with his shirt that fits his perfect body. Why the fuck is my heart pounding? What the hell is happening to me? We both weren't looking at each other, just enjoying the music the DJ was playing. I felt so damn awkward with him because he didn't talk. What the hell is he thinking? I wonder.

He smiled at me when I looked up at his face. His perfect teeth shine my life and I love his smile instantly. I could see that some of the people at the party are looking at us. I could see that some girls whispering to each other and some boys were talking to each other while glaring at us. Peter noticed that too.

"Hey Rach, let's take photo together," Carmen called me out and stopped when she saw Peter.

"Hi Peter, nice to meet you, I'm Carmen. Did you both plan to wear a matching outfits?" she asked.

"No," we both said in unison.

"It was just a coincidence," I said with a smile.

"Okay, whatever. Let's go. We need to take photo together. You can join us, if you want," she said, looking at Peter.

"I will be there," I said and she strolled away with giggles.

"Well, do you want to join us?" I asked, looking at him.

"I don't think I can. I think that's just for Alex's friends' photo session," he said, pointing at my friends with a photographer who standing with them and all of the students surrounding them.

"Don't worry. If I bring you up there, means you're one of us. Argument is invalid, and yours too," I said. He was about to say something but I cut him off by pulling his arm and dragging him to Alex and all of my friends who already waiting for me.

"Did you both plan-"

"No. It was just a coincidence," I said, cutting Anthony's words.

"Really?" he asked again, raising one of his eyebrows and I rolled my eyes.

"I'm not done with you Fletcher, so shut up!" I said.

"We're ready, sir," Alex said and the photographer was ready to take picture of us.

I could see some of the people took out their phones to take our pictures too. From the right side, Carmen with Dylan, Anthony, Elliot, Eve, Alex and Jenny at the center, beside Jenny was Thomas, Peter, me and Mia. Elliot's girlfriend, Taylor wasn't joining us because she refused to even Elliot already tried to persuade her. All of us raised our glasses up and smiled for the picture.

We all took a lot of pictures and the last picture was couple pictures, which including all of the students. I used to take picture with Mia and Eve every year on Alex's birthday. Jenny with Alex first and followed by Carmen with Mia, Anthony and Dylan, Elliot with Taylor and Thomas with Eve. When it's time for me and Peter, we both stood beside each other and took a picture. We both looked awkward in that picture once the picture was out.

We all keep up with the party, Anthony got a double shot of bitter-gourd juice and he threw up three times. He lost in Mia's hand and I'm still waiting Anthony to pay his 'debt' because of the lizard incident. I feel tired so I walked to a quiet place and searched up for the stars. The party was cool but I don't have mood to dance or playing games.