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 ...