Invisible To Her Bully (Jessa and Noah) novel Chapter 97

hapter 97

I froze mid–step. “Don’t start, Daniel.”

He tilted his head, mocking. “Why not? Everyone else is talking about it. Figured I’d get my turn.”

The people closest to us–two cheerleaders and a couple of juniors–snickered. My throat went dry, but I refused to back away. “You’ve said enough tonight.”

“Oh, come on,” he said, stepping closer. “I’m just curious what the deal is. Noah Carter throwing punches for you? Didn’t think you were his type.”

I crossed my arms, jaw tight. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He laughed, leaning closer, his breath reeking of alcohol. “Guess I don’t. I mean, unless I missed the memo that he’s into–what’s the word–curvy girls now? ‘Cause, Jessa, you’re definitely not what anyone expected.”

The words sliced through me, but I didn’t move. Couldn’t.

He wanted me to flinch. He wanted me to run.

I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction.

“Grow up.” I said.

He smirked wider. “Grow up? Nah, I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking. Jackson’s probably losing his mind right now. His best friend and his sister? Kind of gross when you think about it.”

Something inside me started to tremble–not from fear, but from anger. My pulse thudded in my ears.

“You’re disgusting,” I said quietly.

He shrugged, unbothered. “You know what’s disgusting? Pretending you belong here. You think putting on a tight shirt and batting your eyes at Noah Carter makes you one of us? It doesn’t. You’re just a fat girl playing dress–up.”

The words hit like a slap. And for a second, I actually thought I might cry. But then he smirked again–like h enjoyed watching it sink in–and something in me snapped clean in two.

I took a step forward, my voice steady this time. “You think being cruel makes you funny, but it doesn’t. It ju makes you pathetic.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Oh, come on. Don’t pretend you’re offended. You’ve heard worse.”

I blinked, heat burning behind my eyes. “Yeah. I have. From people like you.”

He smirked again, clearly enjoying every second of it. “You know, I still don’t get it. You’re not even hot. Unless, what-” his grin turned sharp, “you’re sliding up and down Noah’s pole now? That how you got his

attention?”

The slap echoed before I even registered my hand moving.

The entire room went silent.

18:20 Wed, Oct 15

Chapter 97

Daniel’s head jerked sideways, his cup splattering across the floor

And I just stood there, shaking

The Vouc

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Someone muttered, “Holy shit” Another whispered, “She actually hit him.”

Daniel blinked, ruching the red mark spreading across his cheek. His eyes darkened, and for a second, I thought he might wing back–but he didn’t. Not with this many people watching. Not when Jackson’s friends were already closing in their expressions unreadable.

I lifted my chin, my voice shaking but clear. “Don’t ever talk about me like that again.”

He stared at me, face twisted between anger and embarrassment. “You’re insane.”

“Maybe,” I said. “But at least I’m not a coward hiding behind a joke.”

The silence was heavy. Then, from somewhere to my left, Mariah’s voice cut through. “She’s right.”

All eyes turned toward her. She was standing with her phone in hand, calm but fierce. “You just humiliated yourself, Daniel. You really think anyone’s gonna side with the guy who can’t handle a girl standing up to him?”

A few people snickered. Daniel’s jaw clenched.

He looked around, realizing just how many phones were pointed his way.

“Whatever,” he muttered, grabbing another drink off the counter. “This party’s trash anyway.”

And then he stormed off, his voice trailing as he shoved past people.

The second he was gone, the tension broke. The whispers started up again, but softer this time–more curious than cruel. A few people even looked impressed. A handful nodded at me, like I’d done something brave. But all I felt was exhaustion.

My hand was still throbbing. My heart raced like it was trying to escape my chest.

Mariah stepped closer, eyes wide. “Holy crap, Jessa.”

I exhaled shakily, “Yeah.”

“You slapped him.”

“Yeah I glanced down at my hand, flexing my fingers. “Guess I did.”

She smiled slowly, pride breaking through her shock. “That was amazing.”

I laughed weakly, though it sounded more like a sob. “I don’t feel amazing.”

“You should.” Mariah’s voice softened. “He deserved every bit of that.”

Maybe he did,

18:20 Wed, Oct 15

Chapter 97

Ben all I could think abeun wat Noah–where he was nove, what he was feeling. He’d been the one to swing First and everyone seould remember that And Jackson God, Jackson must be losing it

Mariah nudged my arm gently “Hey, let’s get some air.”

We stepped ourside onto the back porch. The night air hit me, cool and grounding, carrying the faint went of rain. The music inside was muffled now, replaced by the chirp of crickets and distant laughter from the street

1 leaned against the railing, trying to slow my heartbeat. “Do you think I made it worse?”

Mariah looked at me like I’d lost my mind. “You made it right.”

I shook my head. “People are still staring. Still talking.”

They were gonna do that no matter what,” she said. “But now they’re talking about how Daniel finally got what was coming to him.”

That made me smile–just barely. “You really think so?”

“I know so.” She smirked. “Half the school hates him. The other half pretends to like him because his dad sponsors the booster club.”

I huffed out a laugh. “Sounds about right.”

For a moment, silence settled between us. The tension began to ease, replaced by something quieter- stronger.

Maybe I didn’t belong here in the way Daniel thought I should.

But I wasn’t going to let that define me anymore.

Mariah nudged me again. “You okay?”

I nodded slowly. “Yeah. I think I am.”

And for once, I meant it.

Inside, the music picked up again. Someone shouted Daniel’s name, but he didn’t come back. The crowd was already moving on, the story twisting into something new. But I didn’t care what version they told.

Because I knew mine.

I wasn’t invisible anymore.

And this time, I wasn’t ashamed of being seen.

18:20 Wed on 15

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The music was still pounding, but the energy in the house had shifted. What had been laughter and dancing an hour ago now felt like static–uncomfortable, heavy, and directed squarely at me.

Everywhere I turned, people were whispering.

I could feel it–eyes flicking toward me, darting away the second I looked back. Some pretended to scroll through their phones, others pretended to laugh at something else, but the truth hung between us.

Everyone had seen it.

Noah punching Daniel.

Jackson losing it.

Phones up, flashes of light.

Me standing in the middle of the chaos, the reason everyone suddenly had something new to talk about.

Mariah had disappeared into the kitchen to grab water, trying to make it look casual, but I could tell she was keeping an eye on me. She didn’t have to say anything–I knew she was trying to protect me, the same way she always did when things went sideways.

I wished she didn’t have to.

Because all I wanted was to blend in again. To stop being the story.

attention?”