In the Line is an emotional rollercoaster about two neighbors from different worlds whose lives are tangled in unspoken attraction.
Chace Dawson, a driven baseball player, finds himself captivated by Chloe Swann, the resilient and beautiful girl ne...
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CHACE
When I arrive at Ashton's place, the party's already in full swing. The music thumps loud enough to make my bones vibrate, and the place is packed. When it comes to throwing parties, the baseball team knows how to do it right. As one of the top junior teams around, we're practically celebrities here.
Imagine that cliché movie scene; the coolest, hottest jocks walking down the school hall, everybody just stares at them, respectfully moving out of their way; Girls look at us like we're gods, and guys either want to be us or hate us. It's the power that comes with winning. Ashton, Kevin, Dylan, Nate, Aaron, and I—we're the ones on top. The core of the team.
And for me, there' s only one person I actually care to see tonight -but I shake it off, trying to block out that thought. My eyes search through the crowd, taking in the sweaty bodies dancing, laughing, and talking. I spot the guys near the makeshift bar, eyes half-glued to the NBL game on TV and half-scanning the dance floor for their next catch. "What's up, losers?" I yell, joining them. Ashton tosses me a beer, a smirk on his face.
"About time you showed up. You're way too sober for this." He clinks his beer against mine. I force a grin, but my mind is elsewhere, or rather, on someone else. She's the one who's stuck there, like a song you can't shake off. The one girl who doesn't look at us like everyone else does. Chloe.
She's got this presence that makes people look twice. Guys drool over her, and girls shoot daggers, either out of envy or frustration. She doesn't fit in with the usual crowd here, but she stands out because of it.
I crack open my beer, taking a long sip as I scan the room. Kevin points out a few girls near the speaker. "Look at them, man. I can't even choose tonight. It's like a buffet."
"As if any of them would choose you," Nate shoots back, and we all laugh.
One hour later I have enough of beer and alcohol in my system to have the courage to talk to her when she'll get here. I know she will. Mia and Chloe are best friends. And Mia is pretty close with Ashton. And since this is his party I doubt she's gonna miss it. Yep! She is definitely somewhere in the house because I see that dork Daniel O'Connell she's dating. I can't stand the guy. Too damn good all the time, with his constant talking about his dad's wood factory and his plans to save the world.
I can't understand what she sees in him.He is so lame and boring. Appearance? Average one. The only good thing I can say about him is he's loyal. Too loyal. He's got eyes only for her. Son of a bitch.
I'll better get another beer and continue to scan this place. Meanwhile, that looser has disappeared somewhere in the back garden. I'm not gonna lie. I'm glad that I don't have to see his average face for some time and help me God If he comes to talk to us. I'd have to listen to his philanthropic shit. Probably something about how he and Chloe help the local retirement home or how they try to improve the conditions for communities and homeless people here... Blah blah blah.
Although I don't like his boring presence, I respect what they're doing. Especially Chloe. It's fascinating how responsible and passionate she is about the things she does in her life.
