Invisible To Her Bully (Jessa and Noah) novel Chapter 258

Jessa

The stadium lights made the snow in the air sparkle like someone was shaking glitter over the field.

It wasn’t heavy snow–just dry, stingy flakes that drifted sideways in the wind–but the cold had teeth tonight. My toes were numb inside my boots, and every breath came out in a little cloud that disappeared as fast as it formed.

Mariah was practically vibrating beside me in her oversized Ridgeville hoodie.

“You realize,” she said, leaning close so I could hear her over the roar, “this is it. Last high school game ever. This is cinematic.”

I swallowed.

The last away game.

The last time Jackson and Noah would ever play together in high school.

Jackson had pretended it was nothing when we left the house. He’d shrugged, rolled his eyes when Mom said she was proud of him. But he’d been quiet in the car. Not nervous. Just… inward.

And Noah.

Noah had kissed my forehead before he jogged toward warm–ups and said, “Watch me, okay?”

Like I wouldn’t.

Like I ever didn’t.

Now the clock was bleeding down into the final minutes.

Ridgeville was up by four.

Clearview had the ball.

Defense on the field.

Jackson stood on the sideline, helmet on, chin strap loose, pacing like he could physically will the right coverage into existence.

He wasn’t playing this series–of course he wasn’t–but he looked just as intense as if he were under center.

Mom sat on my other side, bundled up in her coat, Ridgeville beanie pulled low. She’d gotten the night off–actual miracle- and she hadn’t stopped watching Jackson since kickoff.

“Okay,” she murmured, gripping the railing. “Okay, come on…”

Mariah cracked her knuckles. “Contain the outside. Don’t let him scramble.”

The ball snapped.

Clearview’s quarterback dropped back.

The receiver cut inside.

Noah read it perfectly.

He hit the receiver hard, clean, and the ball popped loose.

It skittered across the turf.

For one split second, everything froze.

Then Jackson–who had already sprinted down the sideline following the play–dived forward, scooped the ball, and took off.

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The stadium detonated.

“GO!” Mariah screamed, grabbing my arm so hard it probably bruised.

Jackson ran like he was outrunning gravity. Ridgeville players formed a wall around him. Clearview scrambled, slipping on half-

frozen turf.

He crossed the end zone.

Ref’s arms up.

Touchdown.

Ridgeville.

I didn’t even remember standing up.

I was just suddenly on my feet, shaking, heart hammering so hard it hurt.

Noah was right there with him, slamming helmets, yelling, face lit up with adrenaline.

They did it.

They actually did it.

Clearview got one desperate possession after that, but our defense held. Incomplete pass. Sack. A last–second heave that fell

short.

Final whistle.

Game over.

For a split second, it was quiet.

Then Ridgeville exploded.

Students poured down from the stands like a breaking wave.

Mariah grabbed my wrist. “We’re going.”

Mom was already moving. “Go. Go.”

We rushed down the bleachers and onto the field. The cold hit different down there–metallic and sharp. I could smell turf and sweat and snow and something electric in the air.

Jackson was getting mobbed, of course. Teammates shouting, slapping his shoulder pads, Mom called his name and he turned, and the look on his face when he saw her-

That made my chest ache.

He lifted his hand toward us.

But I wasn’t looking for Jackson.

I was looking for Noah.

I found him near midfield, helmet off, hair damp, checks flushed red from cold and effort. He was laughing at something Shane

said.

Then he turned.

And saw me.

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And everything on his face softened.

Like the noise didn’t matter.

Like the crowd didn’t matter.

He started toward me.

And that’s when it happened.

Tori.

She moved like she owned the field. Blonde hair bouncing, cheer jacket open, high on victory adrenaline.

She ran straight toward Noah.

Before my brain could catch up, she jumped.

Arms around his neck.

And kissed him.

Not quick.

Not accidental.

A full, dramatic, look–at–me kiss.

The world inside my head went silent.

My stomach dropped so hard I felt dizzy.

I couldn’t move.

Mariah’s voice cut sharp beside me. “Oh, absolutely not.”

Mom inhaled. “Jessa-”

But I couldn’t look at them.

I could only look at Noah.

His hands came up automatically–steadying her because she’d thrown her whole weight at him.

And that image burned.

Tori pressed against him.

Her mouth on his.

On the field.

In front of everyone.

In front of me.

I felt heat behind my eyes, and I hated that my body reacted before my brain could

Then Noah pulled back.

Not slowly.

Not lingering.

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Fast.

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