Invisible To Her Bully (Jessa and Noah) novel Chapter 120

Chapter 120

Mariah

+25 BONUS

The first bell hadn’t even rung yet, and Ridgeville High already felt alive–the kind of buzzing, restless Monday morning energy that made the halls feel like a hive. Backpacks slammed, sneakers squeaked against the tile, and everyone was catching up on the latest weekend gossip.

I was heading toward my locker when I spotted Jessa Lombardi walking down the hallway and I swear, I did a double take.

Because this wasn’t the same Jessa who used to walk with her head down, drowning in hoodies.

Her hair was down, soft waves brushing her shoulders, and she was wearing that pink sweater- the one we’d bought Saturday. The one I practically had to drag her into the fitting room to try on.

It was perfect on her. Subtle, soft, and it made her look like she actually belonged in her own skin.

I couldn’t help the grin that crept across my face. She looked incredible–confident even. Not like she was trying too hard, but like she’d finally realized she didn’t have to hide.

And apparently, I wasn’t the only one who noticed.

Down the hall, Noah Carter was standing by his locker, talking with Jackson. He laughed at something Jackson said, then turned his head and froze.

His eyes locked on Jessa.

It was a split second, but the shift was obvious. His grin softened, his focus shifted. Then he straightened, said something quick to Jackson, and walked right toward her.

I slowed my steps, pretending to rummage through my bag, because yeah, I was not missing this.

He leaned against the locker beside hers like he’d done it a hundred times. Said something that made her laugh nervously.

Then I caught part of it the important part – when he said, “After practice, want to go somewhere and talk? Just us.”

And there it was. The words that froze Jessa in place.

that easy,

Her cheeks turned pink, and she nodded so fast I thought her head might fall off. Noah grinned confident grin that always made girls trip over themselves and then walked off like it was nothing.

Leaving Jessa standing there looking completely dazed.

I couldn’t help it. I swooped in.

–

“Okay,” I said, stopping right beside her. “What the hell was that?”

She nearly dropped her books. “Mariah! You scared me!”

“Don’t change the subject. You and Noah Carter? He literally just asked you out.”

1/3

Chapter 120

She rolled her eyes, cheeks still flushed. “He asked me to talk. That’s all

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I gasped. “Just talk? Wow. The suspense. The romance.” I clutched my chest dramatically. “Next thing you know, you’ll be holding hands behind the bleachers.”

She laughed and shook her head. “You are impossible.”

“And fabulous,” I corrected. “Don’t forget fabulous.”

I looked her over again, unable to hide my pride. “Also I’m so glad I convinced you to get that sweater. You look amazing, Jess. Seriously. It’s so good seeing you like this. You’re… emerging.”

“Emerging?” she echoed with a small laugh.

“Yeah,” I said with a grin. “Like a butterfly crawling out of a hoodie cocoon.”

She shoved me lightly, laughing harder. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Ridiculous and right,” I said, linking my arm with hers as we started walking down the hall.

People glanced our way- the kind of glances that used to bother her. But this time, she didn’t shrink back. Her chin lifted just a little, and her smile didn’t fade.

“Sure. You’re just going somewhere alone with him, after football practice. Totally screams ‘not a date.‘ “Mariah,” she said, exasperated but smiling, “I have no idea what I’m even going to do while he’s at practice.” “Oh, I got you,” I said. “We can grab something to eat. That’ll kill some time.”

“Perfect,” I said, already thinking ahead. Because while Jessa was talking about sandwiches and smoothies, my brain was spinning in a completely different direction.

It had been over a week since that kiss at Benny’s okay, two kisses – and not a day had gone by that I hadn’t replayed them in my head. The way he’d looked at me before leaning in. The surprise that turned into certainty. The heat behind it.

While Jessa dug through her locker for her history notebook, I quietly pulled out my phone. My thumb hovered over Jackson’s name in my messages. I hesitated – only for a second- before typing.

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