Invisible To Her Bully (Jessa and Noah) novel Chapter 144

Chapter 144

Mariah

The sun was too damn bright for how early it was, but at least

She climbed into my car, hair brushed, lip gloss on, and th and failed to hide.

–

a was practically glowing in it.

e smile tugging at her mouth that she tried-

I buckled up, glanced over at her, and grinned. “Alright. You’re smiling way too much for a Monday. Spill it.”

Jessa blinked innocently. “Spill what?”

I gave her a look. “Oh, don’t you dare. You know exactly what.”

She turned toward the window, all fake nonchalance. “We just hung out.”

“Uh–huh,” I said, pulling out of her driveway. “And did you just hang out the way people just talk in a rom–com before the kissing starts?”

Her head whipped around. “Mariah!”

“Oh my God,” I gasped dramatically. “You did! You kissed him!”

Her face went full tomato. “You’re ridiculous.”

“No, no — you’re ridiculous. You made out with Noah Carter and thought I wouldn’t find out?”

—

“We didn’t make out!”

I raised a brow. “Define didn’t.”

She groaned. “It just… happened, okay? It wasn’t some big plan. It just-”

“-felt right?” I teased.

Her eyes softened despite herself. “Yeah. It did.”

For half a second, I shut up. Because she looked happy – not the nervous kind of happy she used to fake at parties, but the real kind. The kind that warms your chest and makes you think maybe something good is finally sticking.

I grinned again. “Okay, fine. I’ll stop teasing you. For now.”

She exhaled. “Thank you.”

>>

“But just so you know,” I added, “I’m absolutely screaming internally.”

“Of course you are.”

We turned down Ridgeville’s main road, the high school coming into view. The lot was already filling up

with

cars, music, and early morning chaos.

I caught a glimpse of her in the passenger mirror – she wasn’t hiding anymore. She was leaning forward, eyes bright, like she actually wanted to arrive at school instead of surviv

That did something to me. It made all the years of watching

this moment feel earned.

“You know,” I said, “you look really good today.”

She gave me a shy look. “It’s just jeans and a sweater.”

k back from people hit harder – and made

“Uh–huh,” I said. “And my coffee is ‘just caffeine.‘ Sweetheart, confidence looks good on you.”

Her blush deepened. “You’re the worst.”

“Maybe. But I’m also right.”

We sat in silence for a few moments – until she said, almost quietly, “Do you ever think this could all be some kind of joke?”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I know. You’re welcome,” I said, cutting the engine.

“I might’ve texted Jackson last night to make sure they’d be in the lot early,” I admitted with a smirk. “You know. For science.”

“You’re unbelievable.”

“I’m strategic.‘

“What? He is. Or will be. Either way, go before I embarrass you more.”

She groaned but opened the door. I watched her walk across the lot toward them – that way she never realized.

slow, unsure, beautiful in

And Noah oh, the boy looked wrecked. Like he’d forgotten how to function just seeing her.

I leaned back, smiling to myself.

“Yep,” I muttered. “He’s gone.‘

Just as I reached for my phone, it buzzed with a text.

Jackson:

Feel like meeting after practice?

I smirked.

Me: Now? What, you miss me already?

Jackson:

Just want to talk.

I stared at the screen for a second longer, watching Jessa and Noah laugh by his truck. Then I typed back:

Fine, quarterback. See you later.

As I pulled out of the lot, I couldn’t stop smiling.

My best friend was falling for the guy who once made her cry, and somehow… it didn’t feel wrong anymore.

It felt like redemption.

And as for me?

Maybe I’d get mine too – if Jackson Lombardi ever figured out what he wanted.

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