I don't own The Outsiders *sigh* Well enjoy!

Soda's P.O.V.

Run.

The only thing on my mind was to run. I didn't know where I was going, but I was fine as long as it wasn't with Steve. I run across the street and a car honks at me. I pay no attention, I just keep running. The tears stopped a while ago. I didn't know what think. There was no way in hell that my best friend could have hurt him. But then again he said so himself. I slow down to a jog and then all together itself. I look up and notice that I was at the hospital. Just the thought of looking at Pony's beaten face was just enough to make me start bawling again. I take in a shaky breath and walk inside.

"Hi, how may I help you?" The nurse behind the desk asked.

"I'm here to see Ponyboy Curtis."

"One second please." She turns around and gets a sticker with the word: VISITOR, in big black letters.

"Name?"

"Sodapop Curtis." She raises her brow but doesn't say anything. She hands me the visitor tag and I stick it right above my heart.

"Room 104B, visiting hours end at 8:00." I nod and make my way to his room. I pause infront of his door. I wasn't sure if he was going to be any better than last night. I guess there was only one way to know. I push open the door and walk into the dead silent room. I push the curtain that's covering the bed and come face to face with Ponyboy's sleeping form. I take a breath and move into the seat by his bedside.

"Hi Ponyboy." I whisper and stroke his hair back. He doesn't stir. I stop stroking his hair and put my hands on my lap and stare at his child-like face. He's always had a baby face. Sometimes the gang would tease him about it, but I would always tell them to stop when I know he's had enough. Once he even told me about wishing he could grow a beard to make him look more manly. I just laughed. That was a year ago. Just thinking about it makes me chuckle. A small smile spreads across my face. I stay there for half and hour longer. After that, I stand up and lay a gently kiss on his forehead.

"Goodbye Ponyboy." I straighten his bed sheets, stroke his hair one more time and then I leave.

I walk out the hospital doors and head home. By the time I arrive home the sun is beginning to set. It looked pretty. No wonder Ponyboy was a freak about them. I walk up the porch steps but I stop infront of the door. I'm sure Steve already told Darry by now that I have run off. I sure don't want to see the look on Darry's face when I walk through the front door. I guess this is what Ponyboy must feel when he comes home late. I open the door and step inside.

Steve's P.O.V.

Why the hell did I have to open my god damn mouth. Who knows where he is. I look up at Darry and he turns to me.

"Calm down Steve, Soda's 16 I think he knows how to take care of himself. He'll come back in a little while don't worry. Besides, what did you even tell him to set him off?" As I struggle to think of something to say, the front door opens and in comes Soda. I stand up.

"Oh god Soda you know I would never do that, please believe me!"

"Where have you been?" Darry asks. Soda turns to me.

"I don't know what to believe anymore Steve. I've always known you and Ponyboy couldn't get along, but I never knew that you hated him enough to hurt him!"

"Woah, woah, Steve wants to hurt Ponyboy?" Darry asks, but gets ignored yet again.

"You know I would never do that! Sure sometimes he annoys the heck out of me, but never enough to beat him near death! God dammit Soda what do I have to do!"

"Is anyone going to tell me what the hell is going on here!" Darry exclaims. Soda faces him.

"Steve may have been the one who put Ponyboy in the hospital." His eyes widen and he turns to me.

"What?" I shake my head.

"No you got it all wrong. I would never hurt him intentionally. Soda you just got to believe me, please!" Soda gives me the stink eye. Darry looks at him.

"Soda, are you really going to believe that your best friend could have been the one to hurt Ponyboy? We're all devastated by this but we can't just point fingers at anyone. We have to get the police involved in order to figure out once and for all." Soda looks and sighs in defeat.

"I... I guess you wouldn't hurt Ponyboy. I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me." I place a hand on his shoulder.

"It's alright, just as long as this doesn't happen again." I chuckle. He smiles.

"Yeah, lets hope so." I pull him into a hug and he hugs back. We pull away.

"So where were you?"

"I went to go see Ponyboy." Darry perks up by this.

"Really, how's he doing?" Darry asks. Soda shrugs.

"Not sure, he stayed asleep the whole time I was there."

"That's good, he needs rest." I nod.

"You hungry?" Soda shakes his head.

"Not really, I think maybe i'll go to bed instead."

"This early? It's only 7:40, you sure you want to go to bed?" I ask. He nods.

"Well see you in the morning kiddo." Darry says.

"Are you staying Steve?" Hw asks me. I shake my head.

"Nah, I better get going anyway." He nods.

"Okay then, but if you need anything just know that we're here." I wave goodbye and head out.