Invisible To Her Bully (Jessa and Noah) novel Chapter 126

Chapter 126

Jackson

+25 BONUS

The second Jessa and Noah disappeared down the hallway, I just stood there, staring after them like the world had flipped upside down. The hallway noise blurred into background static–lockers slamming, laughter echoing, sneakers squeaking on tile. None of it registered..

Because my twin sister just walked off with my best friend.

–

–

And they didn’t look like two people who just happened to be walking in the same direction. No there was this something between them. A quiet current that made my stomach knot.

I dragged a hand through my hair and muttered under my breath, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

I wasn’t sure what bugged me more – the idea of Noah looking at Jessa like that, or the fact that Jessa was finally letting him.

Before I could figure out which it was, a soft voice cut through the noise behind me.

“Okay,” Mariah said, stepping right in front of me with her hands raised like she was about to calm a feral animal. “Breathe, Lombardi. In through the nose, out through the mouth,”

I blinked at her. “What are you-

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her

“Trying to keep you from spontaneously combusting in the middle of the hallway.” She crossed her arms, expression equal parts amusement and patience. “Because the look on your face? Yeah, that’s the look of a guy two seconds away from punching a locker.”

“I’m fine.”

“Uh–huh.” She arched a brow. “That vein in your forehead says otherwise.”

I rolled my eyes, leaning against the lockers. “It’s just… weird, Mariah. I mean, Noah and Jessa? I can‘ head around it.”

Mariah tilted her head, studying me. “Why? Because he’s your best friend?”

“Because she’s my sister,” I shot back, too fast, too defensive. “You don’t get it. I’ve known Noah forever. He’s like family. You don’t suddenly start seeing your best friend dating your twin and just-

“Relax?” she supplied.

“Exactly.”

She gave a small laugh. “Jackson, you’re acting like they announced an engagement. He just asked to walk her to class.”

“Yeah, and look at him,” I said, motioning down the hallway where Noah and Jessa were talking, a little too close for comfort. “He’s already giving her that look.”

“What look?”

1/4

Chapter 128

+25 BONUS

“The look look.”

Mariah snorted. “You mean the one where a guy actually sees your sister as more than the snarky kid who hides in oversized hoodies? Yeah, that’s called progress.”

I shot her a glare, but she didn’t flinch.

“You know,” she went on, her voice softening just a bit, “she’s not invisible anymore. She’s starting to let people see her. Maybe that’s not such a bad thing.”

I shifted my jaw, uncomfortable with how right she sounded. “Maybe. But Noah? He’s–he’s not supposed to be part of that equation.”

“Would you rather it be Daniel?” she said lightly, but the second the name left her mouth, my jaw locked.

I turned to her with a look that said not funny.

Mariah lifted both hands, feigning innocence. “Hey, just saying. Between Daniel and Noah, I think the universe picked the lesser of two idiots.”

“Yeah, well, I’d still rather not have to deal with any idiot.”

She grinned. “You’re such a big brother right now. It’s kind of adorable.”

“I’m not adorable,” I muttered.

“Oh, you totally are. Overprotective, grumpy, jaw–clenching–adorable.”

I groaned. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“Immensely.”

Despite myself, I laughed a low, frustrated sound that made her smile widen.

Mariah leaned a shoulder against the locker beside me, her voice softer now. “Look, Jackson. You’ve spent your whole life looking out for Jessa. It’s who you are. But she’s growing up. You can’t protect her from everything or everyone.”

I looked away, staring at the scuffed tile floor. “Yeah, well, doesn’t mean I have to like it.‘

“No,” she said, “but maybe you can try to understand it.”

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She tilted her head, smirking a little. “And for the record, you’re not exactly subtle when you’re jealous.”

“Yeah.” Her smirk deepened. “Of Noah. You act like he’s taking something from you instead of realizing your sister finally has someone who treats her like she matters.”

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