Invisible To Her Bully (Jessa and Noah) novel Chapter 186

**Hearts Written in Silent Rain by Ava Bloomfield**
**Chapter 186**

**Noah**

Never in my life had I dedicated so much time to perfecting my hair.

It wasn’t even a complex style—just short and slightly tousled, the kind that said, “I promise I showered.” Yet tonight, it had to look… exceptional. Presentable enough to convince everyone that I wasn’t just some clueless guy who had stumbled into the incredible opportunity of taking Jessa to Homecoming.

Homecoming.

The very thought sent a thrill through me.

This was my first real date.

My first genuine girlfriend.

A wave of excitement washed over me, tightening my chest in the most exhilarating way.

As I adjusted my tie for what felt like the sixth time in the hallway mirror, my mother’s voice drifted in from the living room, breaking my concentration.

“Oh my God, Noah, you look so handsome!”

A groan escaped my lips. “Mom…”

She rushed over, her hands clasped dramatically beneath her chin, eyes sparkling with pride. “My baby has a girlfriend!”

“Mom,” I hissed, embarrassment flooding me. “Please.”

Ignoring my plea, she circled me like a proud parent inspecting a prize-winning horse. “I thought this day would never arrive.”

“Why does everyone think I’m incapable of dating?” I asked, exasperated.

“You’re selective,” she replied, adjusting my jacket collar with a motherly precision. “And painfully oblivious.”

“That’s rude,” I retorted, trying to maintain my composure.

With a gentle pat on my cheek, she smiled knowingly. “It’s true.”

–

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help but notice how ridiculously radiant she was, practically glowing with pride. It was impossible to stay mad at her.

Just then, Dad emerged from the kitchen, nodding in approval. “He cleans up well.”

Mom sniffled, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “He does.”

“Oh my God,” I muttered, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. “I’m leaving.”

“WAIT!”

I froze at the sound of her voice—the unmistakable mom tone, a mixture of alarm and authority that demanded attention.

–

She hurried to the counter, her movements quick and purposeful, and grabbed a small white box.

My stomach plummeted. “Um… what is that?”

“The corsage,” she said, presenting it to me as if it were a precious artifact. “For Jessa.”

I blinked, taken aback. “I didn’t… get one.”

“I know.” She shot me that look—the one that said, “You’re lucky I love you.”

“Mom, I—”

“Noah.” Her voice softened, laced with a seriousness that made my heart skip. “It’s her first Homecoming. This matters. Flowers matter. Moments matter.”

I swallowed hard, the weight of her words sinking in. “Yeah. Okay.”

She placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. “I’m proud of you, honey.”

Dad nodded in agreement. “We’ll be at the school to take pictures before the dance.”

My face flushed with embarrassment. “Dad—”

“No arguments,” he said firmly. “It’s tradition.”

Mom practically beamed, her excitement palpable. “Now go. She’s probably freaking out and doing her hair for the fourth time.”

Taking the corsage, I exhaled deeply and stepped out the door, feeling a strange mix of dread, excitement, and utter disbelief that tonight was actually happening.

When I knocked, Jackson answered the door as if he had been waiting to ambush me.

“Well, well, well,” he said, leaning against the doorframe with a playful smirk. “If it isn’t Mr. Homecoming Date himself.”

I snorted, trying to push past him. “Move.”

He didn’t budge. Instead, he crossed his arms, adopting a serious expression.

“As the man of this house,” he intoned dramatically, “I suppose it’s my civic duty to give you—”

“No.”

“A talk.”

“Nope.”

“A stern talk.”

I lightly shoved his face with my palm. “If I recall correctly, it was my dad who gave you that talk.”

She blushed instantly, her gaze dropping to the floor. “Is it okay?”

“Okay?” I stepped closer, my heart racing. “Jess… you’re—”

I struggled to find the right words, words that could capture the essence of what I was feeling.

She lifted her eyes to mine, a small, shy smile breaking through—one that was absolutely devastating in its beauty.

“You look…” I finally managed to say, “like I’m the luckiest guy in this house.”

From behind me, Jackson muttered, “Gross. I hate it here.”

But even he sounded like he was smiling, his teasing tone lightening the moment.

I lifted the corsage, feeling a wave of nerves wash over me again.

“Uh… for you,” I said, my voice wavering slightly.

Her eyes widened in surprise. “You got me a corsage?”

“I… didn’t,” I admitted, my cheeks warming. “My mom did. But I’m giving it to you.”

She laughed—a soft, warm sound that wrapped around me like a comforting blanket.

With a smile that lit up her face, she extended her wrist toward me.

My fingers trembled as I carefully slipped the corsage onto her wrist.

Perfect.

Everything about tonight felt perfect.

When she looked up at me again, her voice was barely above a whisper. “You ready for our first Homecoming?”

I nodded, my heart swelling with anticipation.

“Are you?”

She took a deep breath, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“I am now.”

And in that moment, I understood everything my mom had meant.

Tonight mattered.

Tonight was a moment I would cherish forever.

And I wasn’t going to forget a single second of it.