Invisible To Her Bully (Jessa and Noah) novel Chapter 77

Chapter 77

Chapter 77

Noah

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The second the door swung open and I saw her standing there, I almost lost my nerve.

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I’d been rehearsing what to say the entire drive over, hands gripping the steering wheel so tight my knuckles. ached. Every speech I tried in my head sounded hollow. Too casual. Too scripted. Too much like the guy everyone thought I was — the guy who could talk his way out of anything.

But Jessa wasn’t “anything.”

And this wasn’t something I could charm my way out of.

Now, standing in her doorway, I watched her eyes go wide, her hand tightening on the door like she was holding onto it for balance. She looked surprised, then cautious, then… something else I couldn’t name.

“Jackson’s not here,” she blurted out, like a defense.

“I’m not here for Jackson,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm.

Her brows pinched. “Then why are you here?”

“Because…” My throat felt dry. “Because I need to talk to you.”

Even as the words left my mouth, I felt stupid. This wasn’t how I planned it.

She didn’t move. She just stared at me like she was waiting for the punchline.

“I’m not in the mood for one of your stupid games, Noah,” she said finally, her tone sharp enough to cut. “If you’re here to humiliate me or–whatever–just go.”

The sting of that hit harder than I expected.

This wasn’t the girl who stared at the floor and swallowed insults. This was Jessa standing her ground, snapping at me. And the worst part? I couldn’t even blame her.

I’d stood by too long while Daniel and the others treated her like a joke.

I’d kissed her Friday night, then disappeared.

I’d let her take all the hits while I stayed untouchable.

“I’m not here to mess with you,” I said, forcing the words out. “I’m here because I owe you an apology. And

the truth.”

Her eyes flickered – a flash of pain, maybe disbelief. “Oh, now you care about the truth?”

“I always cared,” I said, and hated how weak it sounded. “I just—

18:34 Mon, Oct 13

Chapter 77

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“Just what?” she snapped. “Just liked watching me get humiliated? Just liked making sure no one thought you were interested in me? Just liked making sure I stayed invisible?”

Each question hit like a slap.

I opened my mouth, but she kept going.

“Has it ever even crossed your mind,” she said, her voice rising, “what it’s like for me? Has it ever crossed your mind to ask how it feels to be made fun of every single day for my body? To have people treat me like a joke?

I took a slow breath. “You think I’ve never felt invisible?” I met her eyes. “You think I’ve never felt like no one cared about me? That’s basically my life, Jessa. Everyone loves the version of me they see on the field. They love the stats, the wins, the highlight reels. But me?” I pressed my hand against my chest. “Me, they don’t actually know. I can’t even tell you the last time I said what I really felt without worrying it would blow up in my face.”

18:34 Mon, Oct 13

She stared at me, expression unreadable. “So what, you’re the real victim here?”

“No.” I shook my head hard. “I’m saying I screwed up. I’m saying I’m sorry. I’m saying I should’ve stood up for you, not hid behind my image. And I’m saying… I don’t want to keep doing that anymore.”

Her breath hitched, just enough for me to notice.

For a second, neither of us spoke.

Finally she said, softer, “You really don’t get it, Noah. You get to choose to hide. You get to play a part. I don’t have that luxury. I walk into school every day and people decide what I am before I even open my mouth. And no matter what I do, I’m never enough.”

I stepped closer, heart pounding. “You’re more than enough.”

Her eyes snapped up to mine, searching, like she wasn’t sure if I meant it or if it was another line.

“I’m not saying that because I think it’s what you want to hear,” I said quickly. “I’m saying it because it’s true. You’re smart. You’re funny. You’re brave as hell even if you don’t see it. And Friday night…” I stopped, exhaled. “I kissed you because I wanted to. Not as a joke. Not for anyone else. Because I wanted to.”

Something flickered across her face–hope, fear, anger, I couldn’t tell.

She shook her head slightly. “You don’t get to just show up here and fix everything with an apology and a speech, Noah. That’s not how it works.”

“I know,” I said. “I’m not trying to fix it tonight. I just ” I hesitated. “I just didn’t want you to think you’re alone.”

Her lip trembled, just for a second, before she pressed it flat.

I wanted to reach for her. To touch her hand, to show her I wasn’t playing a part right now. But I stayed where

I was.

“Let me explain,” I said quietly. “Not tonight if you don’t want. But soon. Please. Give me that chance.”

She looked at me, arms still crossed, walls still up. But something in her eyes shifted, like maybe a door had cracked open just enough to let a sliver of light in.

18:34 Mon, Oct 13