Invisible To Her Bully (Jessa and Noah) novel Chapter 125

Noah

By the time I made it through the front doors, I was already regretting coming to school early.

Every hallway felt louder than usual, lockers slamming, sneakers squeaking, people laughing too hard about nothing. And somehow, I was the only one hyper–aware of every single sound because all I could think about

was her.

Jessa Lombardi.

We hadn’t talked since last night. Just one text from me got home okay, goodnight – and a heart emoji from her that I must’ve stared at for ten straight minutes like an idiot.

Now, walking into school, all I could think was: what if she regrets it? What if I messed everything up?

Jackson was already at his locker when I got there, tossing his gym bag inside and slamming the door like it had done him wrong. “Dude, you look like you didn’t sleep,” he said.

I forced a smirk. “Did you?”

“Barely.” He shut his locker and leaned against it. “Had a late night.”

I didn’t ask – didn’t need to. I knew he’d been with Mariah. Just thinking about that made my stomach twist, not in a jealous way, but in a this–is–gonna–get–messy way. Because I’d kissed his twin sister. And he didn’t

know. Yet.

Or maybe he did.

Before I could say anything else, I heard it her laugh.

That soft, real kind of laugh that didn’t sound like anyone else’s. I turned before I could stop myself.

She was walking with Mariah down the hall, pink sweater again, hair falling over her shoulders. Same one from yesterday. Only this time, she wasn’t hiding. She looked… calm. Brighter. Like she actually felt okay being seen.

When her eyes met mine, something inside me kicked hard, like my heart forgot how to work for a second. later, man.”

“Uh,” I said, suddenly useless. “I’ll catch you later, man.”

Jackson frowned. “Where you–oh, right. Of course.” He followed my gaze, and that’s when I knew he knew. His expression went from curious to seriously? in under a second.

I didn’t wait for whatever he was about to say. I started toward Jessa.

“Hey,” I said when I reached her, trying to sound casual and failing miserably. “Can I walk you to class?”

Jessa blinked up at me, surprised. “Why?”

I opened my mouth, then shut it, because what kind of question was that? and why did it sound like an accusation?

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Chapter 125

+25 BONUS

“I don’t know,” I said honestly. “Just figured… I’d like to.”

Mariah laughed, shaking her head. “You two are too cute. Seriously, act normal. It’s not like anyone’s proposing.”

Jessa’s cheeks flushed. “Lam acting normal.”

“Sure, Jess,” Mariah said, smirking. “And Noah, maybe dial down the puppy eyes a little. You’re making it

obvious.”

“I’m not “I started, then gave up, running a hand over my face. “Okay, maybe I am.”

Jessa looked like she was trying not to smile, and somehow that made everything worse and better at the same time. “You don’t have to walk me,” she said quietly. “But… if you want to, I guess that’s fine.”

That I guess felt like a victory. “Cool,” I said, way too fast.

Mariah nudged Jessa with her elbow. “You guys go ahead. I’ll meet you in class.”

When she walked off, it was just the two of us, standing awkwardly by the lockers while half the hallway streamed around us. I adjusted the strap of my backpack, wishing I could think of something clever, something that would make this feel less like the world’s most painfully slow movie scene.

“So…” I said finally. “Sleep okay?”

“Yeah,” she said. “You?”

I wanted to tell her you. But that felt too heavy for a Monday morning at school, so I just shrugged and said, Stuff.”

We reached her first class, and she turned to face me, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Thanks for walking me.”

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“See you later?” I asked.

She hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. Later.”

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