Invisible To Her Bully (Jessa and Noah) novel Chapter 24

Noah

I should’ve kept my damn mouth shut.

The second the words “Wouldn’t want you thinking you’re the queen of the party” slipped out, I saw it—the way Jessa’s eyes darkened, how her shoulders curled inward like I’d just slapped her.

And then she shut down.

She didn’t yell, didn’t snap back like Mariah would have.

She just… folded into herself, hiding behind a fake smile.

And it felt worse than if she’d screamed at me.

Now, standing on the other side of Daniel’s living room with a cup of warm beer in my hand, I can’t stop replaying that moment in my head. I watch her across the room, half-hidden by Mariah’s group of friends. She’s laughing at something, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

I know I hurt her. Again.

And this time, it wasn’t even in front of the guys. It was just me being… me.

Stupid.

Cowardly.

The truth is, Jessa’s been under my skin for years.

When I first met Jackson’s twin, she was just this shy, quiet girl who tagged along reluctantly, always hovering in the background. Somewhere along the way, though, she got… complicated.

She’s not just Jackson’s little sister anymore.

She’s… Jessa.

The girl whose laugh makes my chest feel tight.

The one who looks at me like she sees past every front I’ve ever put up.

The one I can’t want, because if Jackson ever found out, he’d kill me.

So I tease her instead.

Push her away with stupid comments, like tonight.

It’s safer that way—or at least, that’s what I tell myself.

Jackson shouts my name, dragging me back to reality. He and Daniel are setting up for another round of beer pong, the crowd around them loud and rowdy.

“Carter, you in?” Jackson calls.

Normally, I’d be the first to jump in.

Tonight, though, I’m restless. I can’t keep standing here pretending everything’s fine while Jessa is over there, looking like she might vanish at any second.

“Nah,” I say, shaking my head. “I’m gonna get some air.”

Daniel raises a brow. “Since when do you pass up beer pong?”

“Since I don’t feel like losing to you again,” I shoot back, forcing a smirk.

It works. Daniel laughs and turns back to the table, forgetting about me entirely. Good. The last thing I need is him following me outside and ruining what I’m about to do.

The backyard is quieter, lit only by a few strings of cheap lights draped along the fence. The cool night air hits my face like a reset button, clearing away some of the haze of beer and noise.

I’m halfway to the porch steps when I freeze.

Because she’s already out here.

Jessa.

She’s standing near the edge of the yard, her back to me, her hair glowing under the string lights. She’s hugging her arms around herself, like she’s trying to make herself smaller.

Something twists in my chest.

I don’t think—just move.

My feet carry me toward her before my brain can catch up.

I lean in slightly, close enough that I can smell her shampoo, soft and sweet.

Close enough that all I’d have to do is tilt my head and—

“You know,” I say, my voice rough with nerves I disguise as sarcasm, “you actually clean up so well it’s… kind of shocking.”

Her face falls, hurt flashing in her eyes like a lightning strike. The charged moment between us shatters instantly.

“Wow,” she says flatly. “Thanks, Noah. Real nice.”

Crap.

That’s not what I meant.

I open my mouth, desperate to fix it, but she’s already stepping back, walls slamming up around her.

“You can’t just… play with me like this,” she snaps, her voice shaking with anger and pain. “Be hot and cold, make me think you care, and then tear me down like it’s some kind of game.”

Her voice cracks on the last word, and it feels like my chest is being ripped open.

“Jessa, I—”

“No.” She holds up a trembling hand, cutting me off. “Save it.”

And with that, she spins on her heel, storming toward the house.

I stand there, frozen, watching her go.

The words I should’ve said—I’m sorry. I like you. I’m scared—burn on the tip of my tongue, but it’s too late.

The night air feels colder now.

Emptier.

And all I can do is wait for the storm that’s coming next.