Invisible To Her Bully (Jessa and Noah) novel Chapter 161

**Hearts Written in Silent Rain by Ava Bloomfield**
**Chapter 161**

**Mariah**

As Tuesday morning dawned, Ridgeville High was buzzing with a frenetic energy, as if someone had taken the entire student body, given them a vigorous shake, and shouted, “Gossip harder!”

I had barely parked my car when a gaggle of sophomores erupted from the lot, their voices shrill and panicked, “OH MY GOD, HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT DANIEL?!” It was as if they believed the end of the world was nigh, and Daniel was at the center of it all, the harbinger of chaos.

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes so dramatically that I felt a twinge of pain. “Seriously? It’s way too early for this level of ridiculousness.”

Jessa, who had just climbed out of the passenger seat, clutched her bag tightly, her nervous energy palpable. She looked… different. Stronger. Softer around the edges in a way that made me want to both hug her and shake her for ever doubting herself.

But I knew that the kind of chaos swirling in the hallways could easily shatter her newfound confidence.

As we stepped inside the school, the cacophony engulfed us like a freight train barreling down the tracks.

“He threw a desk at Coach—”

“No, Coach threw HIM through a window—”

“My cousin’s cousin said the school board was involved—”

“Somebody online said Daniel tried to FIGHT A POLICE DOG.”

I halted mid-step, my frustration bubbling over. “I swear on everything holy, this school needs therapy.”

Jessa let out a small laugh, though it was tinged with disbelief. “It’s… a lot.”

“You think?” I replied, steering her through the throng of students, each one more animated than the last. “It’s been only a day since Daniel got booted from the team, and we already have eight different versions of the story, two wild conspiracies, and at least one rumor involving a superhero crossover.”

As we navigated through another cluster of kids, their whispers and shouts filled the air like a swarm of bees.

“He’s suspended from ALL football in the state—”

“Bro, my brother’s girlfriend’s aunt said he’s moving to Canada—”

“He’s being sent to military school.”

I snorted at that last one. “Military school? Daniel? He can’t even follow the dress code.”

Jessa paused, her expression thoughtful, conflicted.

Finally, she murmured, “I kinda feel bad for him.”

I stopped so abruptly that she bumped into me.

“I’m sorry… WHAT?” I exclaimed, incredulous.

She shrugged, looking almost helpless. “He’s awful, I know. But football was everything to him. It was his entire life. And now it’s just… over.”

“Jess,” I said slowly, “this is the same Daniel who tried to feed you to the Polar Bear Pool of Doom just two nights ago.”

She snorted despite herself. “You make it sound so dramatic.”

“It was dramatic,” I insisted, my voice rising slightly.

She chuckled, but I could see the weight of sympathy in her shoulders, a burden she shouldn’t have to carry.

With a sigh, I looped my arm through hers, feeling a surge of protectiveness. “Okay, fine. You’re a saint. But for the record? If karma wanted to run Daniel over with a golf cart, I’d cheer.”

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