Chapter 11

So we waited. And waited, and waited, and waited. At one point Two-Bit went to the cafereria to get dinner for everyone, but I couldn't eat. No one forced me to. Or said anything to me. They knew not to. I wanted to just shut the rest of the world out while I prayed for some good news about Matty.

And I did. I sat there the whole time I with my face in my hands, my eyes closed and my body still. Nobody talked. Not even Two-Bit.

We sat there for hours, before the doctor made us go home. "You can possibly visit her tomorrow. Right now she needs her rest." He said. I wanted to talk back "No I'm not leaving. I'm gonna go right into her room and wrap her in my arms. It's the only way she'll get better." But I didn't say that. No matter how much I wanted to I didn't.

I had a hard time standing up. My legs fell asleep. They felt like jell-o. I had to lean on Soda to walk out. Two-Bit and Steve both decided the wanted to take the bus home, since they had money and there wouldn't be enough room for all six of us in Darry's car. There was enough room for six in that damn white mustang though. "We'll check up on her tomorrow. Once again, I'm real sorry Pony." Steve said before he and Two-Bit left. He sure was being nice to me.

Laura sat in the front seat. Soda and I were in the back. At one point I streched on and laid down on the seat, putting my head on Soda's knee. Last time I've done that, it was with Johnny and we were on our way to Jay Mountain in Winderxville. Soda let me of course, didn't even say a word.

This whole thing turned me upside down. I needed rest. Needed sleep. I tried falling asleep on Soda's knee. Didn't happen.

Darry dropped Laura off at her house. Her and Matty's house. "I'm gonna go to the hospital first thing tomorrow. I'll see you there, Ponyboy. I hope you feel better." She blew me a kiss before getting out of the car. I didn't say anything. I hadn't said anything in hours. Darry walked Laura up to the front porch. They stared at each for a little bit.

Then Laura started crying. She was far away, but I could tell she was. Darry held her in his arms, shushing her. Matty held me and shushed me when I was down about Johnny and Dally's death. I'd give anything to go back to that moment. When everything felt safe, and nothing could hurt us. I'd give anything to be able to hold Matty now. And tell her she was safe with me and nothing was gonna hurt her anymore. I'd give anything for her to be ok.

Laura soon went inside, Darry came back into the car and drove us home. This time I leaned on him when we went inside. "You really need to get some sleep, Pony." It's 11:00 and you still have work tomorrow." Darry said when we got inside. "But...but Matty." I started. "I talked to your boss on the phone at the hospital. He shortned your day a little bit so you can go see her. And 'cause of what happened you and Two-Bit aren't in trouble for not going to work today." Oh yeah. My first day on the job, my first job and I didn't do a thing. I wasn't even at work. Some first job.

For bed, I just took off my shirt and pants and fell into bed in my underwear. Exusted no less. Soda soon came into bed too, had his arm on me for a little bit. Then he turned over and fell asleep.

I didn't. I really wanted to get to sleep. Really, I was tired. But the thought of Matty alone in a hospital hurt and surronded by strangers, kept me up. I don't know how long I layed in bed awake for. Hours probably.

One point I finally snuck out of bed. Like Matty did months agp. And went to the same spot she did. I sat down right where I did. I remembered on the day Johnny and Dally died, I could close my eyes and have flashbacks. Maybe I could do it again.

I tried. And it worked. I could see her face in the moonlight. Her beautiful hair that reminded me of chocolate and golden sunlight, the dried up tears on her face from where she cried. "You're golden too." Then I could feel myself kissing her again. I got the same sparky feeling I always did kissing her. Except time it was as strong as it was the first time I kissed her.

When I opened my eyes, she wasn't there anymore. I was a little dissapointed, but I guess that was all I needed. I went back home, got into bed without waking Soda or Darry up, and finally got some sleep.

...

I didn't get too much sleep. I figured I feel asleep around 3:00, and I got up at 6:30. I was suppose to get up at 6:00, but 'cause of what happend, Darry let me sleep in. I took a quick shower, tried not to spend too much time on my hair, got dressed and garbbed my apron, had four bites of an apple then had Darry drive me to work.

Two-Bit was already there, and our boss was waiting for us. His name is Mr. Henderson, but he wants to be called by his first name, Dale. He's about ten years older then Darry, and seems like a nice guy so far. He didn't have to hire all three of hus but he did anyway.

Dale could tell by the look on my face I didn't want anyone else to say they were sorry about what happened. So he didn't even mention Matty. "Ponyboy, I want you to work the cash register, and Keith, is it too much to ask if you unloaded boxes and stocked shelves? I'll pay extra." He said when I got inside. "Sure thing." Said Two-Bit. "Come here, Pony, I'll show you how to work this baby." Dale said walking over to the cash register.

It felt weird just standing there, when Matty should have been. I hope Dale was still paying her even though she wasn't working. Knowing Matty, she would make it up and work extra hard when she got back. It was kinda hard working the register, it was real old and sometimes got stuck. But after a while I got the hang of it.

Everyone the came in took a second look at me nametag. You don't see many hoods working in a drug store that have the name 'Ponyboy'. Two-Bit sure worked a lot harder then I did. He tried to act strong carrying two boxes instead of one like he was suppose to. And he would stock shevles real fast and made sure the labels were facing the right way too. During my lunch break, he took over for me. I wasn't too hungry, so I only ate three bites of my sandwhich then sweept the floor.

Three o' clock finally came and it was time for me and Two-Bit to go home. We took the bus to the hospital instead. The doctors still wouldn't let us see Matty, 'cause she still wasn't awake. "Can you please have someone call me as soon as she does?" I begged the doctor. "I'll do it personally." He answered and I gave him my number. Since there wasn't really anything else to do Two-Bit and I went home.

"I know it's really killin' ya not being able to see her." Two-Bit said on the way home, breaking a long period of slience. "Probably all of Tulsa knows by now." I said not even looking at him, I just stared out the window. "I was talking to Darry, and he said the police is gonna call your house when they find the boys who hit Matty. They'll probably have to spend a night in jail. They're gonna get off easy 'cause they're Socs." Two-Bit explained.

"That's not fair! It doesn't matter if they're Socs, they're still people. It's not like they're gods or anything! They should spend a longer time in that in jail, they should rot in hell!" I said getting my anger out finally. "You really love her, don't ya, Pony?" Two-Bit said, his voice real quiet.

"More then anything." I admitted. He put his arm around me and neither one of us said a word the rest of the ride home.

Author's note: Hey it's me, ClarkKentsgirl96 (nerdy pen name I know) First of all, I'd like to say I know this chapter is short. It's because I'm running short on ideas. I have a few that might make it into the story (And don't worry, Matty won't die! Ponyboy has had enough death in his life) but I'd like to hear from you guys. What are some more things that should happen? More problems with Socs, Soda finally getting another girlfriend? Leave some ideas in the reviews, thank you and thanks for reading!