Invisible To Her Bully (Jessa and Noah) novel Chapter 68

The lunchroom was buzzing louder than usual, but even through the chaotic din of voices and clattering trays, his voice cut through.

Noah Carter.

I froze halfway to setting my drink down, my gaze snapping toward the sound instinctively.

Sure enough, Noah was on his feet, leaning over the table where Jackson and the other football guys sat. His face was red, his hands clenched tight at his sides, his whole body practically vibrating with anger. I’d seen him fired up during games before – but never like this, and definitely not in the middle of lunch.

“What’s going on over there?” Mariah asked, leaning forward to get a better view, her curiosity practically glowing off her.

I swallowed hard, my stomach twisting as I watched the scene unfold. Daniel was sitting back in his chair with that smug, too–sure–of–himself smirk plastered across his face. The other guys were silent, their eyes wide, clearly waiting to see who would back down first.

Noah didn’t back down.

He snapped.

Even from across the room, I could see his jaw working, his eyes sharp and dangerous as he tore into Daniel about “earning it” and “showing up on the field.” His voice carried above the rest of the cafeteria noise, each word hitting like a hammer.

I’d never seen him like this.

My breath caught, my chest tightening as the heat of his anger seemed to roll over everyone nearby. It wasn’t about me – at least, I didn’t think it was – but somehow, it felt personal anyway.

Mariah whistled low. “Daaaamn. What’s crawled up his butt today?”

I didn’t answer.

I couldn’t.

Because in that moment, watching him like that, I felt… conflicted.

On one hand, there was a small, traitorous part of me that found it mesmerizing. The fire in his voice. The sharp edge of control he was barely holding onto. The way he dominated the room without even trying.

But on the other hand?

It scared me.

18:31 Mon, Oct 13

Chapter 68

Not because I thought Noah would ever hurt anyone not physically, anyway just how unpredictable he could be.

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– but because it reminded me

One moment, he was kissing me in an empty classroom like I was the only girl in the world.

The next, he was pretending like I didn’t exist.

And now… now he was this.

“Looks like Daniel’s getting put in his place for once,” Mariah said with a little smirk, clearly enjoying the show. “Bout time.”

“Yeah,” I murmured, though my voice came out thin and shaky.

Mariah turned to me, her smirk fading when she caught sight of my face. “Whoa, hey. You okay? You look like you’re about to hurl.”

What was I even supposed to say? That’s the same guy who kissed me like he meant it on Friday night, then ignored me this morning like I was nothing? That my heart’s been doing somersaults ever since, and I hate myself for still caring?

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