Chapter 74
Mariah
Okay, so what in the actual teen drama hell did I just witness?
EX 55 vouchers
One second Jessa was about to go full dragon–breath on Noah Carter at her locker, and the next. Mr. Walking Ego himself stood there looking like a kicked puppy while asking for a chance to talk. To apologize.
Apologize.
From Noah.
4
I almost checked the sky for fireballs. Because if Noah Carter was suddenly growing a conscience, then clearly the world was ending.
Jessa just stood there frozen, like she’d been hit by lightning. Poor girl looked exhausted–her hair a little frizzed, dark circles under her eyes, eyes wide like she couldn’t decide whether to scream, cry, or pass out.
Meanwhile me? I was practically vibrating with the need to say something. So I did what I always do: broke the tension with my big mouth.
“Well” I said, whistling low, “that was… something. Did I just hallucinate, or did Noah Carter literally apologize to you?”
Jessa blinked at me like she was still buffering. “I–I don’t know.”
“Oh. honey, I know,” I said, leaning on my locker like this was free entertainment. “I have never seen that boy apologize to anyone. Ever. He’s allergic to humility. If he gets too close to it, I’m pretty sure his body breaks out in hives.”
That earned me a tiny laugh, and I pounced on it like a cat with a laser pointer.
“See? You’re alive in there,” I teased. “But seriously, Jess, that boy wasn’t messing with you just now. He looked like he was about to confess to a priest.”
Her face tightened. “Or he was setting me up for another joke.”
I sighed, shoving my straw back into my energy drink. “Okay, yes. Historically? Noah’s been about as trustworthy as a toddler with a paint bucket. But…” I tipped my head, watching her carefully. “That wasn’t a setup look. That was a ‘please don’t slam the door in my face‘ look. And I think you know it.”
She fiddled with the edge of her notebook, chewing on her lip. “I just… I can’t, Mariah. I can’t go through another round of being laughed at. I’m so tired of it.”
“Hey I nudged her shoulder until she looked at me. “Listen to me. You’ve already survived worse. And yesterday you held your head high all day, didn’t you? You told me yourself–baby steps.”
Her eyes softened, but her walls were still up.
18:33 Mon, Oct 13
Chapter 74
50 vouchers
“So maybe the next baby step,” I continued, “is not assuming every single person who tries to talk to you wants to tear you down. Maybe just maybe–Noah’s trying to grow up. Stranger things have happened.”
“Like what?” she asked, skeptical.
“Like me passing a math test,” I deadpanned. “Miracles, baby.”
The warning bell rang, and I slung my bag over my shoulder. “C’mon,” I said lightly. “If we’re late to class again, Ms. Henderson will roast us alive. And girl, I don’t feel like being barbecue today.”
“Uh–huh. Sure. And I don’t want to deal with algebra, but here we are.” I took a sip, letting the fizz snap against my tongue. “Come on, Jess. What’s the real reason you shut him down so fast?”
18:33 Mon Oct 13
Chapter 74
to that tough–love space I knew she hated but needed. “He came to you. Not to Daniel. Not to Jackson Not to the guys to you You can’t tell me that doesn’t mean something”
Jessa blinked at me, chewing her lip
And another thing.” I added, pointing at her like I was giving the sermon of the century. “You keep saying you’re tired of being invisible, tired of being in Jackson’s shadow. Well, guess what? People are noticing you now. Including Noah freaking Carter. If you keep shutting down every single person who tries to break through your walls, then you’re just building yourself a prettier prison.”
That got her. Her shoulders sagged, and she let out this long, shaky breath.
I softened my voice. “Jess… Im not saying trust him with your soul. I’m saying maybe hear him out. Worst- case scenario? He’s still a jerk, and you tell him to screw off. Best case? He’s actually trying to change. And wouldn’t it be nice if–for once–you weren’t the punchline, but the girl who made Noah Carter sweat?”
Her lips twitched despite herself. “You’re ridiculous,”
“Damn right I am.” I said proudly. “But I’m also right. You’ve got power now, Jess. Use it.”
We hit a red light, and I looked over at her again. She was staring at her hands in her lap, but I could tell she was thinking hard. Like maybe she was starting to see the picture I was painting.
Good. Because if Jessa Lombardi was finally going to crawl out of that cocoon, then I was going to make sure she had wings sharp enough to slice through anyone stupid enough to get in her way.
