Number eight

Two days later, Soda was once again seated beside Daina in the hospital. No one else was in the hospital room, because they were with Dally, accompanying him in his final hours of being a free man, for it was today that Dally started his five month prison sentence. Soda regretted not being there, but he wouldn't leave Daina's side. He had to be there when she woke, he just hadto.

Outside the jail, the boys were all saying their goodbyes to Dally. He seemed very distracted, and didn't seem to pay much attention to the fact that he was going to jail. The sheriff came out of the prison and walked up to Dally.

"It's time to go now, Winston," he said.

"Alright, man, just gimme a minute," Dally said. He motioned to Two-Bit to come closer to him.

"Listen man," Dallas said. "I know you're real close with Daina and all, so I was wondering if maybe you could do me a favour while I'm in the slammer."

Two-Bit raised his eyebrow. "What?"

"Could ya maybe try and keep Daina away from…you know, other guys?"

"Why? It's not like you two are together or anything, are you?" Two-Bit asked.

"No man, it's just…She's having my baby and all, and between me and you, she isn't all that bad, if you know what I mean." Dally said.

"Huh?"

"In bed, dummy. I'd like to have her waiting for me when I get outta here."

Two-Bit looked uncomfortable. "I don't know, Dallas. I don't think Daina would like it too much if she knew you wanted to be with her just for sex."

"No, stupid, it's not just for the sex, although that helps. She is carrying my kid too."

"Well, I'll try, but I'm not making any promises." Two-Bit wondered how in the world he'd explain to Daina that she has to stay away from other guys for five months.

"Alright, thanks man. I'll see you soon buddy." Dallas said goodbye to the others, turned around, and walked into the jail with the sheriff.

Back at the hospital, Daina's mind awoke. Why the hell am I so weak? she thought. She tried, with great strength, to wiggle her toes. She felt them tingling, as if they had fallen asleep after sitting on them for a long time. She tried to flex her fingers, but found that something was holding her hand…or someone. What in the world is going on? Daina turned her head and slowly opened her eyes. She saw Soda sitting on a chair, reading a book held by one hand, his other being occupied with Daina's.

"Soda?" she asked drowsily.

Soda dropped his book on the floor. "Oh my god, Daina! You're awake!"

"Uh, yeah." She said. Her voice was muffled because she was suddenly engulfed by Soda, who had jumped up to hug her.

"Soda, it's okay, I'm okay now." Tears started to form in her eyes. "What time is it?"

Soda let go of Daina and checked the clock on the wall. "It's 1 am. You've been unconscious now for two days."

"What? What's happened? Oh my—." Daina looked in shock at her stomach.

"Soda," she said. "Is my baby dead?"

"No, Miss Williams, your baby is not dead," said a voice in the doorway. The doctor was standing there, smiling. "Although I was starting to get worried. If you hadn't have woken up soon, it very well could have died."

"But…it's going to be all right then?" Daina asked.

"Yes, dear, I expect your baby to be fine. Now, if Mr. Curtis could leave the room for a moment just so I could run some tests to make sure you are alright?"

Soda looked at Daina. "I don't want to leave you…"

"It's alright, Soda, it'll just be for a few minutes," Soda still looked worried, so she squeezed his hand and said, "I'm fine now, please don't worry about me."

Soda let go of Daina's hand and left the room. He went up to the nurses front desk.

"May I use your phone?" he asked the nurse seated behind the counter.

"Sure, dear." She handed him the phone.

Soda dialed his home phone number. It rang once, and then he heard a voice on the other line say, "Hello?"

"Hey, Darry." Soda said.

"Oh, it's you Soda. We all just got here maybe five minutes ago. We said bye to Dally then decided to stop in here and have some lunch."

"Listen, Daina woke up."

"What? When?"

"Just a few minutes ago. The doctor's running some tests right now to make sure she's alright. She seems okay to me, but you guys should come on over soon."

"Alright, we're leaving now. See you soon." Darry hung up the phone.