Frequencies of Us Chapter 79: Grip and a Gasp

Mateo POV

in the gym at Lincoln High after hours, gripping Noah’s waist tight. We’re fixing a speaker, the echo of weights clanging around us from earlier. My hands hold him close, steady. He looks up at me, eyes soft. I lean in and kiss him, slow at first. His lips are warm, tasting like the soda he drank. I deepen the kiss, pushing my tongue in. He moans, quiet and sweet. “I’ve got you,” I whisper, meaning it. His hands slide under my shirt, roaming my back. My skin burns where he touches.

I pull him closer, chest to chest. He’s warm, alive. I tug his shirt up, fast. He yanks it off, letting it drop. My fingers touch his skin, sliding over his sides. He’s smooth, hot. I kiss his neck, sucking soft. He groans louder, hands grabbing my shorts. I shove them down quick. He touches me, firm and warm. I hiss, loud, my legs shaking. His grip feels good, too good. I undo his jeans, sloppy and fast. They fall, and I reach for him. He’s hard, hot in my hand.

I stroke him, slow then fast. Our breaths mix, quick and messy. He pulls my hair, just a little. I growl, kissing him hard. His tongue fights mine, hungry. I press against him, hips rocking into his hand. He’s trembling, close. I feel it too, tight and wild. “Mateo,” he whispers, voice breaking. That’s it. I lose it, spilling over his fingers, groaning loud. He follows fast, shaking against me. We hold each other, panting, sticky and warm. His breath’s hot on my neck. It’s sweet, perfect.

I pull back, grinning. He smiles, shy but happy. I fix my shorts, hands slow. He pulls his jeans up, laughing quiet. “You’re bad,” he says, teasing. I shrug. “Only with you.” My chest feels big, full of him. I step closer, kissing his forehead. He leans into me, warm and safe. For a second, it’s just us, no worries, no threats.

The door bangs open. I jump, turning fast. Caleb stumbles in, face pale as a ghost. His gym bag slips off his shoulder, hitting the floor. “Lena’s got my phone,” he says, voice shaky. “She’s texting from it.” My stomach twists. Noah steps beside me, tense. “What?” I say, sharp. Caleb holds out his hands, empty. “She took it. Check yours.”

I grab my phone from my pocket, fast. Noah does too. My screen lights up. A text from Caleb’s number: “Prank’s live tonight.” My heart drops. I look at Noah. His face goes white, staring at his phone. “Same,” he says, voice low. Caleb shakes his head, wild. “It’s not me. She’s got it.”

I step forward, angry. “What prank?” I say. Caleb shrugs, scared. “I don’t know. She’s mad, man. Real mad.” My mind races. Lena’s been after us, with videos, texts, shadows. Now this. My fists clench, ready to fight. Noah grabs my arm, holding me still. “We need to think,” he says. I nod, but my chest burns.

A crash booms from the far end of the gym. Loud, sudden. Glass shatters, sharp and bright. Equipment topples, metal clanging hard. My heart jumps, fast. “What the hell?” I yell, spinning around. Shadows stretch across the court, long and dark. Footsteps pound closer, heavy and quick. My stomach flips, hard.

I grab Noah, pulling him behind me. “Stay back,” I say, voice rough. He grips my hand, tight. Caleb stumbles back, eyes wide. “Who’s that?” he says, shaky. I don’t know. I squint into the dark, trying to see. The footsteps get louder, echoing off the walls. My chest tightens, scared and mad. They’re coming for us.

I step forward, fists up. “Show yourself!” I shout. No answer. Just the pounding, closer now. Noah’s hand shakes in mine. “Mateo,” he whispers, scared. I squeeze back, hard. “I’ve got you,” I say again. My heart’s racing, loud in my ears. The shadows move, fast. More than one. My gut twists. This is bad.

The speaker we fixed crackles, loud. My head snaps up. Static hisses, then cuts out. My breath stops. “They’re here,” Noah says, voice breaking. I nod, jaw tight. The footsteps slow, stopping somewhere close. Too close. I hear breathing, heavy and rough. My hands sweat, ready to swing.

Caleb backs up more, tripping over his bag. “She planned this,” he says, fast. “Lena’s prank.” My mind spins. A prank? Trashing the gym? Or something worse? I think about the texts, the videos, the proof they keep throwing at us. My chest hurts, angry. They won’t stop. Not till they break us.

I pull Noah closer, keeping him safe. “We’re getting out,” I say, low. He nods, eyes locked on mine. I turn to the door, ready to run. The footsteps start again, faster now. My heart slams, wild. “Go!” I yell, pushing Noah ahead. Caleb follows, stumbling. We hit the court, running hard.

A shadow moves, cutting us off. Tall, fast. My stomach drops. I stop short, Noah crashing into me. “Mateo!” he yells. I spin, looking for a way out. Another shadow steps in, closer. My breath catches. They’re everywhere. Footsteps echo all around, loud and mean. My fists clench, ready.

Then a voice, low and sharp. “You’re done, Vargas.” My blood runs cold. I know that voice. But it’s not Lena. Not Ryan. My mind blanks, scared stiff. Noah grabs my arm, pulling me back. “Who’s that?” he says, panicked. I don’t answer. The shadows close in, boots loud. My heart’s in my throat. They’re here, and they’ve got us trapped.