Invisible To Her Bully (Jessa and Noah) novel Chapter 215

Chapter 215

Jessa

Jessa POV

By the time I walked into school, I could feel it.

Not the whispers exactly –

– not the words – but the shift. The way conversations dipped when I passed. The way people smiled too brightly, like they were trying to prove they weren’t talking about me even though we all knew they were.

It was almost worse than when they didn’t bother to hide it.

My locker was three rows down from the main hallway, and every step there felt like walking through invisible fog. I couldn’t hear what anyone was saying, but I could feel it pressing in from all sides.

Paid him to date her.

Poor Noah.

Desperate.

Embarrassing.

I didn’t know who started it. I just knew it stuck.

Mariah walked beside me, quiet for once. Not her normal commentary–on–everything self. She kept glancing at me like she was waiting for me to break.

I didn’t.

That surprised both of us.

When we got to my locker, I spun the dial and opened it like it was any other day. My hands weren’t shaking. My stomach wasn’t in knots. I felt… steady. Tired. But steady.

That was new.

Before Mariah could say anything, arms wrapped around my waist from behind and I yelped – then laughed when I realized who it was.

Noah.

“Good morning,” he said into my hair, warm and easy and familiar.

He kissed the side of my temple, not rushed, not secret. Just… normal.

And just like that, I felt every pair of eyes on us.

I didn’t pull away.

Neither did he.

“Morning,” I said, leaning back into him for half a second before turning around. “You’re early.”

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Chapter 215

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“Couldn’t sleep,” he shrugged. “Figured I’d come walk you to class.”

Mariah’s mouth twitched. She didn’t tease. She just gave me a look that said, See?

Down the hall, Jackson was leaning against his locker. He raised an eyebrow. “Okay, okay. I get it. You’re together. Please stop making out with my sister before I need therapy.”

Noah smirked. “We’re not making out.”

“Yet,” Mariah muttered.

Jackson shot her a look, then kissed her quickly anyway, just to be annoying. “Morning.”

Noah brushed his hand against my cheek before stepping back. “I gotta grab my stuff. Be right back.”

He turned and walked down the hall.

And that’s when I noticed it.

The staring.

Not subtle. Not hidden. Just… open.

A group of girls near the water fountain. A few people pretending to check their phones. Someone whispering and then stopping when I looked their way.

Old Jessa would’ve shrunk.

Old Jessa Would’ve stared at her locker and waited for it to be over.

But something in me felt… different.

Tired of carrying it.

Mariah followed my gaze. “You okay?”

I nodded. Then shook my head. “No. But I will be.”

Jackson studied me for a second. “What does that mean?”

“I’m done,” I said quietly.

“Done with what?” Mariah asked.

I didn’t answer. Because I didn’t know how to explain it yet.

Third period, it finally happened.

–

I was walking out of class with Mariah when I heard it not whispered. Not hidden.

Loud.

“Imagine having to pay someone to date you. That’s actually sad.”

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Chapter 215

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I stopped.

So did Mariah.

So did half the hallway.

I turned slowly.

The girl wasn’t someone I knew well. Sophomore. Pretty. Confident in the way people are when they’ve never been the target before. Her friends were clustered around her, watching like this was entertainment.

She realized I’d heard.

Didn’t care.

“Well,” she said, louder, “I guess it works if you’ve got money and no other options.”

Something in my chest cracked.

Not in a breaking way.

In a clearing way.

I took a step toward her.

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