The nurses wouldn't let us see Ponyboy, he was in critical condition. That meant no visitors, and that meant he was dying. Soda wouldn't listen though, that was his kid brother in there and he aimed to see him. He begged and pleaded while I stood in against the wall, watching him. Tears were welling up in my eyes watching him; it was all my fault for Pony being here. After a while, a doctor turned the corner and saw Soda fighting with the nurse and gave him a sympathetic look.
"Let them go in. He's been asking for them, might as well." He spoke to the nurse and swiftly and quickly walked away. The nurse stuck her nose, and opened the door moving out of our way.
"Happy now you little Greasers? Man, I can't wait till your little friend is out of here, no more of you guys running around here greasing up the place." Boy was she obnoxious; she must have been raised by Socs. How else would she have been able to afford Nursing School right? Soda glared at her, and his usually happy, dancing eyes were blazing with anger, but I just walked by him, grabbing his arm and dragged him in. When his gaze rested on Ponyboy, he was no longer glaring; but his eyes were now sad, but joyful at the same time.
"Hey kiddo. How are ya?" I could hear the tears in his throat, as he pulled up a chair, sitting next to the hospital bed. He pushed Pony's hair back, forcing a smile. He must have noticed it was falling all over the place; I had, it was one of the first things I had noticed. I pushed my back up against the wall, holding my sobs back.
"Hey Soda..Wheres Johnny? And Darry?" He asked, and to me it sounded like he was disappointed and sad. I realized I must have been out of his eyesight, so I moved till I was in front on his bed, my arms crossed across my chest.
"Hey Pony.." I muttered under my breath, not wanting to look up. I knew if I did I would start bawling, and I knew I shouldn't around Pony. It would make him worry, and he didn't know what was happening, I could tell.
"Johnny! It's awesome to see you and Soda, man it's so lonely here!" He gave us a grin that was just like Two-bits, and I let out a small whimper. Soda looked up at me with saddened eyes. He knew Pony was dying, but I guess Pony himself didn't.
"Hey Johnny, why don't you go see Dal?" Soda suggested carefully and I nodded. I bent over and hugged Pony before I left though.
"Hey Pony, I love you man…"
"Johnny, remember to always stay gold." He responded with a smile, and I nodded, smiling back. That was his way of saying he loved me too. I walked out of his room, and headed off to Dally's room.
The nurse was there again, and I looked up at her. She rolled her eyes, opening the door. I guess she didn't want to fight with another Greaser. I shrugged, and walked in. I pulled a chair up next to Dally's bed and messed up his hair with a grin.
"Hey punk, you better watch it…" Dally started to growl, but he looked at me and he laughed lightly, and a smile formed on his face. "Hey pal! Nice to see ya round here, how ya been buddy?!" He said enthusiastically. He was dying too, but unlike Pony he knew. He just didn't want to admit it.
"Hey Dal! I missed you too. I've been holding up alright I guess. God I can't wait till you get out. Hey, maybe you'll be out in time for the big rumble." I said, knowing full well every word I just spoke was a lie, except missing him. It was all my fault he was dying too. Had I not yelled for help when the roof came down, him and Pony wouldn't have come running back in to throw me out, and then it ends up they die, not me.
"Ha. Yea, sure Johnnycake. We're gonna whoop their asses tonight!" He grinned and messed up my hair. I glared at him and he shrugged. "Paybacks a bitch sweetie."
"Yea it is! I love you Dal." I spoke softly, fixing my hair.
"I love you too pal…I" He started to go on, but that nurse came back, smirking.
"Visiting hours are over Greaseball." She pointed her thumb at the door, motioning I leave. I stood up and headed for the door.
"You little ! Leave my friend alone before I jump outta this bed and kill you." He growled at her, glaring fiercely. She took one look at his face and scurried out of the room; he grinned at me when she left.
"Bye Johnny. Don't be a stranger, come back tonight and tell me about the rumble Kay?" I nodded, and left the hospital. On the way home, I broke into a run; I could feel tears stinging at my eyes, and I felt like I was being followed by the blue Mustang that was behind me.
I reached my house safely, panting. I stood outside it, and numbly wondered if I should go in or go to the Curtis house. I decided to go the Curtis' house; I didn't want to get beat before the rumble tonight.