Invisible To Her Bully (Jessa and Noah) novel Chapter 51

Jessa

I stood frozen in the middle of the empty classroom, staring at the door like maybe it could explain what had just happened.

My lips still tingled. My heartbeat was a wild, uneven drum in my chest.

Noah Carter had just kissed me.

Not some teasing, joking, maybe-it-meant-nothing kind of kiss.

No.

This was real.

Intense. Hungry. Like he’d been holding back forever and couldn’t stop himself any longer.

And then… he just left.

Like my whole world hadn’t just flipped upside down.

I pressed my fingertips to my mouth, my thoughts tumbling so fast I could barely breathe.

Did he regret it already?

Was it just adrenaline from the pep rally?

Or… did it actually mean something?

The door creaked behind me, and I practically jumped out of my skin.

Mariah stood there, leaning casually against the doorframe, one perfectly arched brow raised. “Well, well, well,” she said slowly, a smug smile tugging at her lips. “There you are. Thought maybe you got kidnapped or something. Guess not—you’ve just been hiding out… with him.”

My face burst into flames. “I—what? No! I wasn’t hiding—”

Mariah held up her hand, smirking like a cat who just cornered a mouse. “Girl, please. Your hair’s all messy, your lips are suspiciously pink, and you’ve got that classic I-just-got-kissed dazed look going on.” She tilted her head dramatically. “So, spill.”

I groaned, dropping into the nearest chair. “Oh my God, Mariah.”

She closed the door behind her and sauntered closer, practically vibrating with excitement. “Don’t ‘oh my God’ me. Was it good? Was it bad? Are you emotionally ruined forever or already planning the sequel?”

I buried my face in my hands. “I don’t even know what just happened! He kissed me and then took off like the room was on fire.”

Mariah gasped so loudly I thought she might actually faint. “Wait—Noah kissed you? And then bolted?!”

I groaned, covering my face again. “If Jackson finds out, Noah’s dead. And I’ll have to move out of state. Maybe change my name.”

Mariah grabbed my wrists and tugged my hands away from my face. “Relax, your secret’s safe with me. But, Jessa…” She gave me a knowing look. “If Noah’s this jealous now, he’s not going to be able to hide it much longer. Sooner or later, everyone’s going to figure it out.”

My stomach dropped. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

Mariah just smirked, clearly enjoying every second of this drama. “Honestly? You should be kind of flattered. First Daniel loses it because of you, now Noah’s kissing you like he’s in a movie? Jessa Lombardi, you’re officially the main character.”

I snorted despite myself. “Stop.”

“I will not stop,” Mariah said, standing and tugging me up by the arm. “Now come on. We’ve got a football game to get ready for, and you better believe all eyes are going to be on you tonight.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t fight the small, secret smile tugging at my lips.

Because no matter how messy this was about to get, one thing was clear:

Noah Carter had been jealous.

Of me.

And for the first time, I wasn’t sure if that terrified me—or thrilled me.