Frequencies of Us Chapter 82: Hacked Kisses and Ringing Secrets

Noah POV

I’m hunched over a library terminal at Lincoln High, my fingers flying on the keys. I’m hacking Ortiz’s emails, heart still racing from the stairwell. Mateo’s shoulder brushes mine, warm and close. We barely made it here, dodging that car, those footsteps. He leans in, kissing my neck soft and slow. “We’ll fix this,” he whispers, voice low and steady. My chest tightens, happy and scared. I nod, focusing on the screen.

His lips stay on my neck, warm and grounding. I turn my head, kissing him back. His lips are soft, tasting like the gum he chewed earlier. I push my tongue in, needy and fast. He moans, quiet but real. My hands grab his shirt, tugging it up quick. He pulls it off, letting it drop. I touch his chest, fingers sliding over his skin. He’s hot, firm. I kiss his jaw, sucking soft. He groans louder, hands undoing my jeans.

I help him, pushing them down fast. He grabs me, tight and warm. I gasp, loud, legs shaking. His fingers move, slow then fast. I bite my lip, holding in a moan. It slips out anyway, rough and desperate. He kisses me deep, swallowing the sound. My hands fumble with his shorts, shoving them down. I feel him, hard and hot. I stroke him, matching his pace. Our breaths mix, quick and messy. He pulls my hair, just a little. I groan, too loud. He presses his mouth to mine, keeping me quiet.

I push closer, hips rocking into his hand. He’s trembling, close. I feel it too, building wild and hot. “Noah,” he whispers, voice breaking. That’s it. I lose it, spilling over his fingers, shaking hard. He follows fast, a low growl in his throat. We hold each other, panting, sticky and close. His forehead rests on mine. Our breaths slow, matching. It’s sweet, perfect, even here.

I pull back, smiling shy. He grins, eyes bright. I fix my jeans, hands slow on the zipper. He pulls his shorts up, laughing quiet. “You’re crazy,” he says, teasing. I shrug. “Only for you.” My chest feels warm, full of him. He kisses my forehead, soft. I lean into him, feeling safe for a second.

I turn back to the screen, clicking fast. “Got it,” I say, voice shaky. An email pops up. Payment: $200 to Lena. “Services rendered.” My stomach jumps, excited. “Look!” I say, pointing. Mateo leans in, eyes narrow. “She’s working for him,” he says, voice hard. My heart beats faster, angry and hopeful. This ties Ortiz to the pranks, the videos. Proof, maybe.

The door slams open. I jump, spinning around. Sofia storms in, eyes red and wet. She slams Caleb’s phone on the table. “You know where he is, Vargas!” she yells, voice breaking. My stomach twists, confused. Mateo stands quick, fists clenched. “What?” he says, sharp. She swings at him, fast. He ducks, stepping back. I grab her arm, holding tight. “Stop!” I shout, scared.

She pulls free, breathing hard. “Caleb’s gone,” she says, tears spilling. “Lena took him.” My chest tightens, worried. Mateo grabs the phone, checking it. “Nothing new,” he says, low. I look at Sofia, heart pounding. “What happened?” I say, voice shaky. She shakes her head, wild. “He texted me, then nothing. You were with him last!”

I step back, mind racing. The gym. Caleb’s phone, Lena’s prank. My hands shake, sweaty. “We don’t know,” I say, fast. Mateo nods, backing me up. “He ran with us,” he says. Sofia glares, fists balled. “You’re lying,” she says, voice rough. My stomach flips, mad and scared. I want to help, but I don’t know where he is.

A shrill ring cuts the air. My head snaps up. It’s coming from the vent, loud and sharp. My heart jumps, fast. The phone buzzes, vibrating the metal. Mateo looks at me, eyes wide. “What’s that?” he says, low. I step closer, listening. It rings again, louder. My chest tightens, nervous. “Someone hid it,” I say, voice trembling.

Sofia freezes, staring at the vent. “Caleb?” she says, soft and scared. I shake my head. “Don’t know.” My hands sweat, itchy. I grab a chair, climbing up. The ringing gets louder, buzzing in my ears. Mateo holds the chair, steadying me. “Careful,” he says, worried. I nod, reaching for the vent. My fingers shake, fumbling with the screws.

The phone keeps ringing, shrill and endless. My stomach twists, hard. “Who’s calling?” I say, voice breaking. Mateo grabs Caleb’s phone again, checking. “Not this one,” he says. My heart slams, wild. Someone else’s phone, hidden here. My mind spins. Lena? Ortiz? Caleb? What’s it saying?

I get the vent open, hands shaky. The phone’s inside, glowing bright. I grab it, fast. The screen shows “Unknown.” My chest burns, scared stiff. I answer, holding it to my ear. “Hello?” I say, quiet. Static crackles, loud. Then a voice, low and mean. “You’re too late, Keller.” My blood runs cold. I drop the phone, gasping.

Mateo grabs it, quick. “Who was that?” he says, voice rough. I shake my head, trembling. “Don’t know,” I say, fast. Sofia steps closer, eyes wide. “What’d they say?” she says, panicked. I swallow hard, throat dry. “Too late,” I whisper. My legs shake, weak. Too late for what? Caleb? Us?

The phone buzzes again, loud in Mateo’s hand. My heart jumps, pounding. He looks at me, scared. “Answer it,” I say, voice cracking. He nods, pressing it to his ear. His face goes pale, fast. “Mateo?” I say, grabbing his arm. He drops the phone, breathing hard. “They’re coming,” he says, low and rough. My stomach drops, sick. Footsteps echo outside, loud and fast.