Invisible To Her Bully (Jessa and Noah) novel Chapter 164

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

**Jessa**

The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow as I received a text from Noah, right after practice had wrapped up.

Noah:

Heading home. Quick shower.

Be there at 7.

My stomach fluttered with a mix of excitement and nerves, a fizzy sensation that spread through me. I found myself staring at the screen, the words blurring into a haze as I lost track of time. It must have been thirty seconds before Mariah snapped her fingers in front of my face, jolting me back to reality.

“Hello? Earth to Jessa. Put that phone down and take a seat! We have some serious prepping to do!” she exclaimed, her voice a blend of urgency and excitement.

I plopped down at the edge of my bed, watching as Mariah unzipped her makeup bag. It was a chaotic explosion of glitter, brushes, and products with names that sounded like they belonged in a fairy tale, like “Luminosity Glow Burst.”

“Do I really need the glow burst?” I asked, raising an eyebrow, skepticism lacing my tone.

Without a moment’s hesitation, she replied, “Tonight? Absolutely.”

“I feel like you’re just saying that,” I countered, crossing my arms.

“It’s the truth,” she admitted with a laugh, “but it’s still necessary.”

A nervous giggle escaped me, a blend of joy and anxiety swirling in my chest. “Okay,” I finally breathed out. “But… is this really a date?”

“Yes,” she confirmed, her eyes focused on her task.

“How can you be so sure?” I pressed, a hint of doubt creeping in.

“Because I know men,” she declared confidently. “Well, boys, really. Stupid, emotionally helpless boys. Noah has officially entered the ‘I want to be around her constantly’ phase. It’s glaringly obvious. He probably doesn’t even realize it yet, but trust me, he is.”

I buried my face in my hands, overwhelmed. “Stop it.”

“Never,” she shot back, a teasing glint in her eyes. “You’re utterly adorable.”

I lowered my hands, revealing my anxious expression. “I’m scared,” I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper.

Mariah settled beside me, her tone softening. “Jess… what’s got you scared?”

“That it’s not real,” I admitted, my heart racing. “That I’m just imagining all of this. Or that he’ll wake up and feel… embarrassed. Or—”

“HEY,” she interrupted sharply, grabbing my shoulders. “Don’t even go there. Not tonight. Not anymore.”

I swallowed hard, a lump forming in my throat. “But what if it’s some kind of joke—”

“Jessa Lombardi,” she said firmly, “if this were a joke, it wouldn’t involve late-night phone calls, flirty texts, him looking at you like you’re dessert, and him asking you to homecoming like you’re the only girl in the universe.”

I blinked, her words sinking in. “Do you really think he looks at me like dessert?”

“Oh my GOD,” she groaned, rolling her eyes. “Sit still; I’m putting mascara on you.”

I laughed again, the tension easing slightly, and didn’t dare argue.

She worked her magic on my face, applying makeup that enhanced my natural beauty instead of concealing it, while she styled my hair into soft, loose waves that framed my face perfectly.

When she finally stepped back, a slow grin spread across her face.

“Oh yeah,” she said, her eyes sparkling. “He’s going to combust.”

My cheeks flushed with warmth. “You really think so?”

“I know so,” she replied confidently.

Before I could respond, my phone buzzed on the bed, and I snatched it up, my heart racing.

Noah:

Here.

My pulse quickened, a rush of adrenaline coursing through me.

Mariah squealed with delight.

“I’ll get the door; you just focus on channeling your confidence,” she said, practically bouncing on her toes.

“I don’t have any confidence!” I protested, feeling the weight of my nerves.

“Well, start pretending,” she sang as she dashed downstairs, her laughter trailing behind her.

I took a moment to gather myself, glancing at my reflection one last time. The red top hugged me just right, the black jeans were a perfect fit, and my hair fell softly around my shoulders. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions inside me.

He was here. For me.

I descended the stairs slowly, each step sending a tremor of anticipation through my chest.

And then, there he was.

Noah stood in my living room, his hair still damp from his shower, dressed casually in a clean hoodie and jeans. He had his hands shoved into his pockets, trying to appear nonchalant, but I could see the hint of nervousness in his posture.

The audacity of Noah Carter to blush when he saw me was both adorable and maddening.

“Hey,” he said softly, his eyes warm as they roamed over me, lingering a moment too long.

“Hey,” I whispered back, my heart racing.

From the doorway, Mariah leaned in, a mischievous grin on her face. “YEAH, that tracks.”

“Mariah,” I hissed, mortified.

“What? I’m just confirming the chemistry,” she replied, feigning innocence.

Noah coughed into his fist, a shy smile creeping onto his face. “Ready?” he asked, his voice low and inviting.

My insides melted. “Yeah.”

—

He walked me out to his truck, opening the door for me. The gesture sent a thrill through me, a sweet rush of something that felt both exhilarating and dangerous. Once I was settled inside, he jogged around and climbed into the driver’s seat, his demeanor relaxed yet slightly nervous.

The cab was infused with the faint scent of spearmint gum, clean soap, and something warm that I couldn’t quite identify.

“So…” he began, gripping the wheel with a casual confidence. “I was thinking there’s this overlook by Dawson Creek. It’s really quiet. Or we could grab some food first. Or both—totally up to you.”

“Both,” I blurted out before I could think it through. “Definitely both.”

“I like the way you think,” he replied, a grin spreading across his face.

My stomach fluttered uncontrollably, a swarm of butterflies taking flight.

**Jackson**

I had told myself I was just going to the store.

Or maybe meeting up with the guys.

Or anywhere that wasn’t home, where my mind kept replaying the surreal reality that Noah Carter, my best friend, had just taken my sister out on a date.

I was fine.

Totally fine.

—

Everything was fine.

Except for the part where I wanted to hit something and vomit simultaneously.

I was halfway to my car when my phone buzzed in my pocket.

Mariah:

I know you’re brooding.

Meet me behind Benny’s.

I froze, my heart racing.

Then I typed back:

Me:

I’m not brooding.

Mariah: