Invisible To Her Bully (Jessa and Noah) novel Chapter 112

Chapter 112

Chapter 112

Jessa

The diner felt different today.

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Less like a spotlight, more like a bubble – the kind of safe, familiar place that didn’t care about gossip or

rumors.

The four of us had taken over one of the corner booths at Benny’s, same spot we always used to squeeze into when we were younger. Jackson and Noah on one side, Mariah and me on the other. The sound of plates clattering, the smell of syrup and bacon, and the low hum of conversation filled the air. For once, it felt easy.

Mariah was stirring her iced coffee, tapping the straw against the cup. “Okay, so be honest,” she said, glancing at Jackson. “Are people still talking about yesterday?”

Jackson groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “Mariah, you kissed me in front of half the school. Of course they’re still talking about it.”

“Yeah.” Noah said with a smirk. “You’re kind of trending, man.”

Jackson shot him a glare. “Not helping.”

Mariah grinned. “I’m just saying… the internet can be brutal, but it can also have a short attention span. I gave them something new to obsess over.”

I leaned back, sipping my orange juice. “And it worked,” I said quietly. “I actually made it through the morning without a single message.”

Mariah’s expression softened. “Good. That’s all I wanted.”

Jackson looked over at me, guilt flickering in his eyes. “I still hate that it got that far. I should’ve noticed what was happening.”

I shrugged, trying to keep it light. “You can’t fight every battle for me, Jack.”

“Still,” he muttered.

Noah kicked him under the table. “Hey, relax. We’re all still standing. That’s what matters.”

Jackson snorted but nodded, and the conversation shifted back to normal stuff–hockey practice, midterms, the kind of dumb jokes that made me forget everything else.

Mariah told us about how her mom nearly grounded her for “public displays of chaos.” Noah nearly spit out his drink laughing. Jackson just looked like he wanted to melt into the booth.

For a little while, it was nice. Just us.

When we finally finished eating, Mariah checked her phone. “We should probably go. My mom wants me to pick up my brother from practice.”

I slid out of the booth. “Yeah, I should head home too.”

Noah stood to let me pass, offering me a small, lopsided smile. “You sure you’re good?”

“Yeah,” I said, and meant it this time. “Really good.”

Mariah grabbed her bag, tossing Jackson a teasing smile. “Try not to miss me too much, Lombardi.”

Jackson smirked. “No promises.”

We were halfway to the door when he called out, “Hey, Mariah!”

She turned, one brow raised. “Yeah?”

When Jackson finally pulled back, Mariah’s cheeks were flushed pink, her lips curved into a small, stunned smile.

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