Invisible To Her Bully (Jessa and Noah) novel Chapter 82

Chapter 82

Jessa

By mid–morning. I was already over the day.

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Every class felt twice as long, every voice around me twice as loud. I couldn’t even explain what was wrong – just this restless, jumpy feeling under my skin, like I wanted to crawl out of it.

Mariah caught up to me at my locker between classes, sliding her sunglasses up onto her head even though we were indoors

“You’ve been in a mood all day,” she said, watching me swap out my books. “What is going on with you?

I slammed my locker a little too hard. “Nothing”

Mariah snorted. “Please. That’s the universal code for absolutely something”

I sighed. Tm just tired.”

She tilted her head. “Tired or avoiding?”

“Do you ever not interrogate people?”

“Not when they look like they’re ready to punch a wall before third period.”

I groaned, rubbing at my temple. “It’s just been one of those days, okay?”

Mariah studied me for a beat, then gave a small, knowing smile. “Mm–hmm. You know, I’ve noticed something, though

I glanced at her wardly. “Should I be worried??

“Maybe,” she said, linking her arm through mine as we started walking. “But in a good way. You’ve got this fire lately – and yeah, it’s moody and unpredictable and occasionally terrifying–but it’s also.. kind of powerful I think you’re finally done letting people walk all over you.”

I raised an eyebrow. “That’s your deep psychological analysis of me?”

“Yup.” Her grin widened. “And I stand by it.”

Despite myself, I laughed. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Thank you. It’s part of my charm”

We turned down the hallway that led toward the cafeteria, weaving through groups of students. Mariah kept talking- mostly about some disastrous group project she’d been roped into – but I only half–listened

Because just ahead, near his locker, was Noah

18:35 Mon, Oct 13

Chapter 82

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He was leaning against the metal door, head down, tapping his fingers restlessly against his water bottle Jackson wasn’t with him- which was weird. Normally, the two were joined at the hip before practice days.

For a moment, Noah looked up. His eyes found mine across the hallway–quick, sharp my chest tightened before I could stop it.

Then he looked away, jaw tight.

–

and something in

“See?” Mariah muttered under her breath. “That right there the tension is practically vibrating off the walls.”

I shot her a look. “Don’t start.”

“I’m just observing,” she said innocently. “Two people with unresolved feelings in the same hallway. It’s like the opening scene of a CW drama.”

“Mariah,” I warned, but I couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at my lips.

She nudged me with her elbow. “Hey, whatever’s eating you, I think it’s less about being moody and more about being… unsettled. And that’s not always bad. Sometimes it means change is coming.”

“Change sounds exhausting.”

“Yeah, well, so does letting everyone else write your story for you.” She shot me a pointed look. “Maybe start writing your own for once.”

“How about the truth?”

I looked at her.

She shrugged. “You said you’re tired of people having power over you. This is how you take it back. You talk to him on your terms.”

My pulse picked up. “You think I should just walk over there? In front of everyone?”

Mariah gave a small, wicked grin. “Absolutely. Let them choke on the gossip.”

I groaned. “You’re terrible.”

“Confidently terrible.”

Before I could talk myself out of it, I stood. My legs felt like jelly, but I forced myself toward the guys‘ table. The noise of the room seemed to fade with every step.

Daniel noticed me first. He leaned back in his chair with a smirk. “Well, well. Look who finally decided to grace us with her presence. What’s up, Jessa? Looking for an autograph?”

A few snickers followed, and I felt heat crawl up my neck – but before I could react, another voice cut in.

“Daniel,” Jackson said sharply as he dropped his tray beside them, “shut the fuck up. You’re not funny.”

The table went quiet. Daniel’s grin faltered.

I swallowed hard, glancing at Jackson eyes then turned my focus to Noah.

—

who looked between me and Noah with something unreadable in his

“Can we talk?” I asked quietly. “Somewhere not here.”

For a second, Noah just stared at me. Then he nodded once, slow. “Yeah. Sure.”

He stood, grabbing his backpack, and the two of us walked out of the cafeteria without another word.

Behind us, I could hear Mariah whisper a triumphant, “Hell yes,” to herself.