290 Busted 2 (1/2)

”You've got to be kidding.” Noah mumbled. He was looking behind us too. ”Dad's going to kill us.”

”It's okay. We're only three minutes away from home.” Dave said, trying to be reasonable, but he didn't exactly sound calm. ”We can still beat him. The worst the cop will do is give a ticket.”

”Wouldn't that still be bad?” I asked, trying to keep my heart rate steady, but failing.

”You weren't speeding were you?” Kyle asked.

Knock, knock. Before Dave could even think of answering, the police officer had reached the drivers window and was signaling for Dave to roll down his window.

Dave complied. ”Hi.”

”License and registration.” The officer was straightforward and didn't waste any pleasantries.

”Uh...was I going too fast, officer?” Dave said in a meek voice.

”Do you have your license and registration sir?” The officer didn't answer.

Dave turned to the center console and dug out the car registration papers, and then pulled his license out of his pocket before handing both items to the officer. The officer took them and went back to his vehicle.

”We're so dead.” Noah moaned, dropping his head into his hands. ”So, so, so dead. Dad will kill us when we get home. Mom will kill us when she gets back. Then Zeke will kill us by making us run to death. Therefore Coach will kill us for not being able to play.”

”Noah. You can't die that many times.” Kyle cut him off.

”Oh no, they'll just beat us half to death multiple times.” Noah said sarcastically. ”How is that any better?” He groaned. ”I'll never go to a party again. I promise!”

”Shut up, dummy.” Dave muttered. ”He's coming back.”

The officer handed back the papers, but continued to hold the license. He bent his knees a bit to get a better look in the car, and check the passenger seat. He was greeted with an identical face of the driver. He let out a sigh. ”I don't suppose you happen to be 18?”

”No, sir. We're both 17.” Dave answered.

He held Dave's license out. ”Are you boys aware that there's a curfew for the city of Watsonville?”

Dave slowly took his license back. ”A curfew? Isn't that something your parents set?”

He raised an eyebrow. ”Are you telling me you're allowed to be out past midnight?”

Dave gulped. ”We're just coming back from a friends house. We live just two more blocks away.”

The man shook his head. ”It's not a matter of how close you are. Minors, those under the age of 18, aren't allowed out after 10pm on weekdays and midnight on weekends. The only exceptions are if you have a family member of age with you, if you're coming back from work, or if you're on an errand set by your parents.”