Offside Hearts: Crossing the line

It was finally resumption day everyone has been looking forward to.

Ruby Hart ran around the house searching for the other pair of her shoes while a delicious aroma escaped through the space beneath the kitchen door.

As Chloe Hart tended to several things at once in the kitchen, Ruby still hadn't found her shoe.

Chloe rounded up her morning hassle by packing Ruby's lunch and setting the table for breakfast.

"Ruby, don't tell me you still haven't found your shoe!" Chloe yelled, as she untied the apron, sweat dripping down her face.

Ruby hurried down the stairs with the other pair in her hand, her neatly combed hair was now in a tangled mess, "Found it!"

"Holy shit!! Your hair is messed up!" Chloe exclaimed, hurrying to grab the brush.

The house wasn't luxurious, instead, it was a warm and cozy space for an average family of three.

Since her mother died, Chloe had taken up responsibilities she didn't sign up for and watching Ruby grow without a genuine care from her mother broke her heart every time.

Chloe hurriedly brushed Ruby's hair, packing it into two neat buns, "Hurry up and eat before the bus arrives."

Ruby hurried to the dining table, taking huge chunks of her breakfast, "I know I told you to hurry up but don't choke yourself!"

Chloe tidied up the sitting room before running upstairs to get dressed.

In less than ten minutes, the bus taking Ruby to school honked outside.

Ruby wiped her mouth, rushed to carry her backpack and lunch box before yelling on the top of her voice, "Chloe!!! The bus is here, I love you!!"

Before Chloe could respond, Ruby was already out of the house running towards the bus.

Chloe looked through the window and didn't look away until Ruby got into the bus.

She checked the time and she had barely thirty minutes to get to school. She had taken her bath already, so she hurriedly got dressed, styled her hair in a messy bun before hurrying downstairs.

Not having enough time to eat, she took three bites, rushing towards the door. As soon as she got to the door, her gaze landed on her mother's portrait, she blinked back the tears threatening to fall before whispering, "Wish me luck."

Chloe steadied her emotions before leaving the house.

She ran to the bus station hoping the bus would arrive in time. Chloe waited for almost ten minutes but the bus still hadn't shown up.

Chloe stomped her feet on the floor as she kept checking the time repeatedly.

Finally, the bus arrived.

The fourth stop was her destination but not entirely. The moment Chloe alighted from the bus, she took off immediately, running as fast as her legs could carry her.

She had barely gotten to the bridge that led to a shorter route to her school when a car sped past her, splashing muddy water on her.

Could her day get any better?

Chloe gasped and yelled, "Heyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!"

Her neatly ironed uniform was already a mess and thinking of going to school covered in mud completely drained color from her face.

Like the driver knew he had wronged somebody, he halted the car. Chloe seized the opportunity and ran towards the car, hitting the window aggressively.

In the car.

A young lad sat at the back seat with his headset on and eyes shut, completely unaware of the chaos happening outside. The driver turned to look at him, wearing a worried look.

With no other choice, he rolled down the window, "Young lady, I'm sorry this happened to you."

Chloe scoffed, nodding her head vigorously, "What I'm I supposed to do with your sorry? My uniform is ruined!!"

The driver sighed, bringing out three notes from his pocket, handing it over to her, as Chloe was about to protest, he rolled up the window and drove away.

Chloe bursted into a loud laughter as people assumed she was deranged.

"Three notes?? Seriously? To buy a new uniform or what?" Chloe complained angrily but there was nothing she could do.

Chloe glanced at her watch, "Oh shit!" She took off again, running down to school.

•••••

KINGSTON HIGH

At exactly 9:00 a.m, Chloe Hart stood at the gate for almost thirty minutes before finally making her way in.

As she walked in, the students around pointed at her, giggling softly. Some even went as far as taking pictures and videos of her in a mess.

The parking lot buzzed with excitement. Seniors laughed like they owned the place while freshmen looked like they wanted to disappear.

Chloe Hart tightened her grip on her backpack and lowered her gaze as she made her way to the restroom to clean up.

After thirty minutes, she was able to wipe it clean to an extent before proceeding to the registration hall to grab her books, Grade 12th badge and new locker key.

It was resumption day and there were so many students around, waiting in line to get theirs.

As soon as Chloe Hart arrived at the hall, she spotted Madison Ellis and her clique, heading out with their heads high.

Chloe hurriedly stepped back but she wasn't quick enough, Madison spotted her before she could go too far.

"Isn't that Chloe? She looks like a huge mess." Madison said with disgust, her voice echoing the entire hall.

Chloe swallowed hard without saying a word.

The students immediately turned to her, some whispering some inaudible words.

Madison chuckled and took some steps forward, "I saw your registration form to join the cheerleading squad. Oh dear, don't you have pastries to sell?"

The moment Madison asked that question, the students bursted into a loud laugh because only a few knew she worked in a pastry café.

"Madison, can you stop it?" Chloe asked, clenching her first tight.

Madison chuckled again, "Barbie girl wants me to stop, how about you....." She paused, throwing her books on the floor, "How about you pick up these books and come with me? If you really want to join the cheerleading squad, you have to do as I say."

Madison smirked, watching Chloe stand there, wallowing in shame.

"Madison.........."

"Seems Ben Carson got himself a new patient! Are you insane? Oh, yes you are!" Tessa yelled from the entrance, interrupting Chloe.

Madison turned to the girls, before diverting her gaze back to Tessa and Chloe, "Here comes her crazy dog."

Tessa Morgan is Chloe's best friend, who has a fierce spirit. She was willing to cross moral boundaries if it meant keeping Chloe safe and her impulsive actions often escalated conflicts.

Students knew better than getting on her wrong side.

"Call me a dog one more time and I will show you how dangerous it is to be around a crazy dog." Tessa threatened, dropping her school bag on the floor.

Chloe hurriedly picked up her bag, "Tessa, they are not worth your time. You don't have to fight anybody."

"I guess you are the one insane here! Let me teach this shitty things a lesson they would never forget!" Tessa yelled at Chloe, not willing to back down.

Madison crunched her face in disgust, she looked at her books on the floor and the students. Immediately, she concluded in her mind, there was no way she was going to pick that up.

Someone has to do it and it was Chloe!

Madison Ellis smirked, taking slow strides towards them, "Well, if you are really keen on joining the squad, pick up my books with your mouth! I'm in charge and you have to do as I say!"

The hall became tensed as they all anticipated Tessa's reaction.

No one in the school doesn't know Tessa, in fact, she has gained more popularity than the Kingston Hawks.

Tessa gave Madison a quick glance before bursting into a loud laughter, Chloe as well couldn't help but chuckle.

Madison sounded very ridiculous!

"Say that again if you dare!" Tessa challenged her.

Madison scoffed and repeated, "Chloe has to pick up my books with her........"

Slap!

The hall erupted into a collective gasp immediately Tessa's hand met with Madison's face.