She looked down at the guest book and picked up the pen, neatly, she wrote, "Emma G for Johnny Cade."

Last Wednesday marked Johnny's second month in the hospital. His burns were healing slowly but surely, they had taken off the bandages last week. Thick, pale scars covered the majority of his body. It was his back that was really bothering him, but there wasn't much they could do about it. The only prescription was frequent rest and no "strenuous physical activity". He'd be out in one week, the doctor had said.

Emma had been visiting him every other day for the two months he had been there, bringing bright pastel flowers that she knew that Johnny enjoyed, but would never admit to enjoying. When he was with her, he let Emma see a side of himself that not even Ponyboy could see. The wonderful, sweet, sensitive, understanding side of him. He was so attentive, he noticed everything.

He would probably be asleep today. That didn't bother her. He looked different when he slept, in a good way. The muscles in his face that were usually tensed up due to pain or the need to look tough (or tuff), were totally relaxed. Smoothed out under his beat up, leathery skin. His lips parted every so slightly, slow, heavy breath escaping in intervals. Totally at peace. Nirvana.

Emma knocked on the door gently, careful not to wake him.

"Come in," Johnny's voice cracked. She gladly obliged.

Ponyboy and Two Bit were already there. Pony sitting up in a chair, a copy of Gone With the Wind held carefully in his hands while Two Bit stood at a nearby window, looking out, his arms crossed against his chest.

"Oh," Emma said, surprised, "I'm sorry, I'll come back later."

"No," Johnny said urgently, "Stay. They were just leaving."

"It's really fine, Johnny, I can leave."

"I don't want you to."

A light blush covered Emma's freckled cheeks, she hoped no one noticed. Emma had liked Johnny for quite a bit.

Emma and Johnny had been friends since first grade, before the labels "greaser" and "Soc" even existed. Sixth grade was when people began to get labeled. Emma was labeled a Soc, with her good grades and her nice, quiet, polite personality. She was clean cut, with bright red hair usually modestly put up in a bun or sometimes flowing just past her shoulders.

Still, even though she was a Soc and had Soc friends, Emma still liked to be friends with Johnny and the other boys. She went over to the Curtis household on a regular basis, sometimes making dinner for all of the boys so they could get a break from chocolate cake.

Her friends didn't really judge her, they just didn't understand what she saw in them. I don't think anybody understood completely, really, just her. She liked how real they were. They didn't sugar coat things for her, they told her like it was.

Two Bit grinned, looking at Emma as he made his way out of the room. "If you don't feel the same way, let him down lightly," He winked.

Emma looked at him, her brows furrowing as she smiled, confused. She moved to the the chair Ponyboy had just gotten up from and sat down, smoothing out her skirt and picking at a loose thread on the comforter of the hospital bed.

"How are you feeling?" She asked softly.

"I'm alright," Johnny said tiredly, his speech drawling with his accent.

"One more week from today," Emma said, smiling at him.

"I... I was wondering if maybe... y'know... when I'm outta here..." Johnny exhaled, his breath shaking.

Emma raised her eyebrows, a smile creeping up on her lips.

"...You might wanna see a movie or somethin'? Y'know... like a date?"

Emma nodded, "I'd like that a lot, Johnny."

Johnny smiled, "Alright." His face completely relaxed, just like it did when he slept.