Invisible To Her Bully

JessaSeven Years EarlierGrowing up as a twin sounds fun, right? Built-in best friend, someone who always has your back, someone who gets you without explanation. That’s what I had—at least for the first ten years of my life.My twin brother, Jackson, was the center of my world. We were fraternal twins, but opposites in every way. Jackson was tall, lean, athletic, and could make friends with just about anyone. I was short, a little chunky, shy to the point of painful, and usually tripping over my own feet.But it never mattered to me. I didn’t need a million friends. I had Jackson. He was my best friend, my other half, my person.It was always just the two of us. Our mom worked constantly to keep food on the table, so most of the time it was just me and him. Maybe that’s why we clung to each other so hard.“Jax, I wanna go home,” I whined, dragging my feet as he tossed a football from hand to hand.“Jess, chill. I told the new kid I’d meet him here to throw the ball around,” he said,

NoahMost people think I’ve got it easy.They see the jersey, the captain’s armband, the girls who slide notes into my locker, the teachers who cut me slack because I’m “leading the team this season.” They see the highlight reels, the touchdowns, the swagger.And yeah, I play into it. Why wouldn’t I? That image has kept me on top since freshman year.But what they don’t see—the part I’d never admit out loud—is that the best part of my day isn’t the touchdowns. It’s not the cheers, or even the wins.It’s Jessa Lombardi’s face when I get under her skin.I shouldn’t find it that entertaining. She’s Jackson’s twin, for one. Which means technically, she’s off-limits. But God, she makes it too easy. The way her cheeks flush, the way she slams things down or throws out these sharp little comebacks—Jessa’s like one giant exposed nerve. Sensitive as hell.And I like testing how far I can push before she snaps.Take this morning, for example.Jackson and I were heading to practice, but I swung

JessaIf there’s one thing Noah Carter is good at, it’s getting under my skin.I swear he wakes up every morning plotting new ways to make my life miserable. It doesn’t matter if it’s at home, at school, or in front of half the football team—he knows exactly where to poke, and he does it with this infuriating grin that makes me want to hurl something at his perfect, stupid face.Today was no different.Actually, scratch that. Today was worse.It started in the locker-lined hallway outside the gym. Jackson and I had just finished P.E., and I was already in a foul mood. Nothing like running laps in front of a bunch of guys who only see you as the punchline to some cruel joke. I was sweaty, tired, and all I wanted was to get to my next class without incident.Of course, incident was practically Noah’s middle name.He was leaning against the wall with two of his teammates, laughing at something dumb. His jersey hung loose over his broad shoulders, helmet dangling from his fingers like an

JessaThe worst part wasn’t Noah’s comment itself.It was that he said it in front of everyone.The words—“Don’t want your thick thighs getting stuck”—still echoed in my head like a chant I couldn’t shut off. They followed me into the cafeteria the next day, clinging to me like smoke I couldn’t wash off.I kept my head down, tray balanced in my hands, pretending I didn’t hear the laughter that had bubbled up after he said it. Pretending it didn’t sting. Pretending I was fine.But I wasn’t.Because no matter how hard I tried to brush it off, I’d felt the sting behind my ribs. The kind that didn’t fade once the moment passed.Mariah nudged me as we slid into a table near the back. “You okay?”“Totally,” I said quickly, stabbing my fork into the mystery pasta on my tray. “Why wouldn’t I be?”She gave me a look. The kind that said she knew me too well. “Because you’ve been quiet since practice yesterday. And because you’re chewing like you’re imagining murdering someone.”I blinked, reali

JessaThe mirror has always been my enemy.Most nights, I try not to look. I throw my hoodie on the chair, pull on pajamas, and crawl under the covers without giving the glass across my room a second glance. But tonight… I can’t help it.Noah’s words are still stuck in my head. Thick thighs. The way everyone laughed. The way Jackson didn’t even think to defend me—he just laughed too, like it was harmless. Like it was fine.My eyes flick toward the mirror, and before I can stop myself, I’m standing in front of it.I tug my T-shirt tighter around my middle, then looser, then tighter again. My reflection stares back at me, cruel and unforgiving. I pinch at the skin on my stomach, my hips, my legs.“Why?” My voice cracks in the empty room. “Why did I have to be the big girl?”The words echo, hollow, pathetic.Tears burn the corners of my eyes. I swipe at them, angry. Angry at Noah for putting this weight back in my chest. Angry at Jackson for laughing. Angry at me for caring so much.But