The Hitting Zone
chapter-289

"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."

Dave looked crestfallen. "We didn't know, I swear! It's only a few minutes after...can you let us go? We won't do it again."

The officer checked his watch, then looked at us. "The law is the law. Fortunately for you boys, the first offense is handed by simply making sure you go home. Second offense starts off with a citation and a fine."

"We won't do it again." Kyle echoed Dave's previous statement.

"You boys head home and I'll follow behind. Just so you know, I'll be sitting out on the street to make sure you're not heading to some other destination afterwards." He patted the top of the car. "Go home." He left and headed back to his patrol car.

Everyone in our car seem to let out a long breath in his absence.

"Too close. Oh gosh, let's head home quick." Noah groaned.

"Idiot." Dave started the car up again, flipped the headlights on, and even put his signal on before driving again. "I have a cop following me home. I have to drive slow and safe."

Dave was right. And he committed to it too. He obviously didn't want to get pulled over for something dumb and avoidable, again. Luckily, as we pulled into the driveway, Mr. Atkins car was still missing. We made it home before him! Dave parked the car and we all hopped out.

True to his word, the cop parked on the street and watched as we headed inside. He didn't get out or anything which was a good sign to me.

"Ok, hurry up now." Kyle closed the door after we all got inside. "Everyone pajamas then bed. Don't turn on the lights just in case Dad pulls in soon."

We rushed up the stairs and divided into the two rooms. I didn't even bother changing since I'd have to take a chance and go to the bathroom to change. I quickly dove under the bedding and rested my head on my pillow, finally feeling relaxed since the cop showed up.

Noah just changed in the room then hopped into his bed. "Dang, that was too much excitement for my heart. I don't think I could handle that again."

"Same here." I mumbled.

"Tonight wasn't all bad though." He commented. "Kaylee isn't as bad as I thought. Plus we got to see Kyle's first kiss." He laughed to himself. "We can make fun of him for the rest of his life. That whole scene was awkward and cringe worthy."

"Cringe worthy?" I hummed. "It barely lasted a second. It looked like he didn't know what to do."

"Of course he didn't." Noah replied. "That was his first! First!"

"You weren't this happy about it before." I remarked. "You actually seemed upset and concerned that he was being trapped and forced."

"That's only because I didn't know if he liked her back. They really didn't look like they would get along. It's like a cat and a dog. One always hissing and the other is always barking. But now...he sounded like he wanted to date her for reals."

That's true, I guess. "Do you think Dave knew he secretly liked Marie?"

"Maybe it was twin telepathy. Like he can read his thoughts. That would be cool." He yawned. "Okay, let's sleep. They said cages tomorrow."

I stayed quiet. I didn't think it would be cool to read thoughts. What if Noah could read mine? Or if anyone could read mine? Would they be concerned by the darkness? Would they tell me that I can't hate the woman that gave birth to me? Would they say I should be looking for my dad with more sincerity? Or even worse...what if they found out that I've been keeping my brother a secret?