Invisible To Her Bully (Jessa and Noah) novel Chapter 155

Jackson

The moment Noah barreled past me, clutching Jessa tightly in his arms, something inside my chest shattered. I caught sight of her face—ashen and trembling, desperately holding herself together despite the fear threatening to consume her. All the surrounding noise—the blaring music Bethany had playing, the cheers from the crowd egging on the reckless fools plunging into the icy pool, the drunken laughter ringing out—everything around me dulled into a distant, static hum.

Because I knew exactly who was behind it.

Daniel.

Of course it was Daniel.

I felt Mariah’s presence beside me—she had witnessed it too. Her eyes were sharp and fierce, her entire body taut with barely contained rage. She leaned in close, her voice low and icy. “Where is he?”

—

I didn’t even need to respond before Daniel stumbled out from the back patio, laughing loudly with two of his muscle-bound cronies. His shirt was half drenched, likely from throwing someone else into the pool, and he scanned the crowd with a smug, victorious grin, clearly proud of the chaos he’d stirred up.

My hands clenched into tight fists.

Without hesitation, Mariah seized my wrist and pulled me forward, marching straight toward Daniel.

He caught sight of us and smirked arrogantly. “Uh-oh. Is this a parent-teacher conference? Come to scold me?”

Mariah didn’t slow down for a second. “Nope. This is an intervention. Because apparently, you’re suffering from chronic small-dick syndrome.”

His grin vanished instantly. The guys next to him sputtered on their drinks, caught off guard.

I couldn’t hold back—I laughed out loud, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.

“What the hell is your problem?” I shot back, stepping right into his space. “Seriously, Daniel. What’s your obsession with my sister?”

He rolled his eyes dismissively. “Relax, Lombardi. Your sister’s fine.”

“She looked terrified.”

“She’ll survive. Not my fault she can’t take a joke.”

“That wasn’t a joke,” Mariah said, stepping so close to him her voice was practically a growl. “Calling her a whale? Grabbing her? Dragging her toward a pool so you and your little fan club could point and laugh? That’s not funny. It’s pathetic.”

Daniel scoffed. “Oh, please. She acts like she’s some poor victim. She’s just—”

“Finish that sentence,” I growled, voice low and dangerous. “I dare you.”

He raised his hands mockingly, as if surrendering. “You’re so sensitive now, Jackson. What, you need to defend the honor of your fat sister to feel like a man?”

Mariah made a sound I’d only ever heard from angry cats.

“Wow. You really are compensating for something microscopic, huh?”

A small crowd had gathered, whispering and watching the confrontation unfold.

—

Daniel’s face flushed a deep red. “Shut up, Morales. Like you’re any better.”

“No, I am better,” she shot back sharply. “Because at least I don’t have to tear others down to feel tall. You’re just an insecure jerk who thinks bullying makes him a man.”

The murmurs from the crowd grew louder, filled with approval.

I stepped forward again. “Want to know your real problem, Daniel?”

He glared at me. “Enlighten me.”

“You’re jealous,” I said firmly. “You’ve been jealous since sophomore year because Noah doesn’t treat you like his shadow, and because you know damn well he’s better than you. So you lash out at anyone he gets close to. He likes Jessa, and you can’t handle it. That’s your whole personality.”

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