Invisible To Her Bully (Jessa and Noah) novel Chapter 165

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

**Chapter 165**

Noah

As I eased my truck into Jessa’s driveway, I found myself moving slower than necessary, the weight of the night hanging heavily in the air. I wasn’t ready for this moment to conclude, not yet. Jessa sat beside me, her silence not uncomfortable but rather a soft, shared understanding, as if we were both savoring the fleeting seconds before reality crashed back in.

The streetlamps cast a warm glow on her hair, illuminating it with delicate golden streaks that danced in the light. She absentmindedly picked at a loose thread on her sleeve, her eyes darting away, pretending not to notice my gaze. But she was failing spectacularly; I could see the corners of her mouth twitching upwards.

“You okay?” I broke the silence, my voice barely above a whisper.

She nodded, but her response was soft, almost hesitant. “Yeah. Just… I don’t know. Tonight was really nice.”

Nice. That word felt far too ordinary for the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. If only she could grasp the impact of her presence—walking beside her, hearing her laughter, and catching those moments when she looked at me as though she couldn’t quite believe I wanted to be there with her.

I could have easily spent another five hours in this parking lot, lost in conversation with her, relishing every second.

I reached across the console, brushing my fingers against her cheek with a gentleness that felt almost reverent, as if she might flinch and pull away. But she didn’t. Instead, she leaned into my touch, inviting me closer.

“You know,” I said, my voice low, “I’m really glad you came out with me tonight.”

I noticed her breath hitch slightly at my words. “Me too,” she replied, her smile tentative, yet it had the power to make my heart swell in ways I never thought possible.

Maybe I should have let the moment linger there, a sweet, fragile pause before saying goodbye. But I couldn’t help myself.

“Jess,” I murmured, “this… you and me… whatever this is? I want it. For real.”

Her eyes widened, and I could see the uncertainty flicker across her face as she swallowed hard. “I do too. I just… hope you don’t wake up tomorrow and regret it.”

“Not a chance,” I assured her, my conviction clear.

I meant it wholeheartedly, and perhaps she sensed the sincerity in my tone because the tension in her shoulders eased just a fraction.

She leaned closer, her hesitation palpable as she crossed the space between us, checking to ensure I wouldn’t pull away. Then, she pressed her lips against mine.

It wasn’t a frantic kiss, filled with urgency or chaos. No, it was slow, tender, and lingering—a kiss that settled deep within me, wrapping around my heart.

Her hand found its way to my jaw, and I instinctively curled my arm around her waist, pulling her closer. For one perfect moment, nothing else mattered except her.

When she finally pulled back, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes sparkled with an unspoken magic.

“Goodnight, Noah,” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

I struggled to find my words, my heart racing. “Goodnight,” I managed to say, the word escaping my lips like a prayer.

As she slipped out of the truck and jogged toward her front door, she glanced back over her shoulder, and I lifted my hand in a wave. She smiled, and that smile lingered in my mind long after she disappeared inside.

I sat there for a full minute, gripping the steering wheel tightly, as if it were the only thing anchoring me to reality. Because whatever had just happened between us felt undeniably real.

Mariah

I watched as Jessa vanished into her house, the porch light glowing warmly behind her, illuminating her like she was stepping into a scene from a fairytale—a happily-ever-after that she genuinely deserved.

The moment the door clicked shut, Jackson emerged from the shadows of the driveway, his hood pulled up, hands stuffed deep into his pockets. He was attempting that brooding, mysterious vibe he often wore, but it fell apart the moment he flashed me that crooked half-smile, a hint of relief flickering in his eyes at the sight of me.

He strolled over and opened the passenger door, sliding into the car with a low exhale, as if he had just completed a long journey.

“Hey,” he greeted softly.

“Hey,” I echoed, a sense of familiarity washing over us. “You okay?”

He raked a hand through his hair, tousling it even more. “Yeah. Just… needed to see you.”

Those words—simple, unguarded, and spontaneous—hit me harder than I expected.

I stared at him for a moment, then let out a laugh that surprised even me. “This is turning into our thing, isn’t it? Late-night parking lot rendezvous.”

He smirked, the corners of his lips twitching. “Better than texting.”

“Clearly,” I replied, twirling a strand of hair around my finger. “But seriously… how long are we going to keep sneaking around like this?”

He blinked, caught off guard by my directness.

I pressed on, “Because everyone basically knows. Your sister knows. Noah knows. Half the football team knows because you told them about my project board—”

He flushed, the color rising to his cheeks. “I didn’t tell everyone!”

“Jackson,” I said flatly, “you showed them the board.”

He groaned, running a hand down his face in exasperation. “It was one guy. One! And he asked why I knew so much about her lengths.”

That made me laugh so hard I nearly hit the steering wheel. “God, you’re impossible.”

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