Disclaimer: I do not own, or claim to own, The Outsiders. Full credit goes to S.E. Hinton.

Every second that I spent in the hospital felt like torture.

I spent a lot of my time thinking. There was so much going on that I felt like every time I thought I had figured something out or come up with a solution, five more problems would appear and I would be buried beneath them once more.

I hadn't heard from or seen Darry since he had found out the news. I told myself that he needed time to cope and process the information. Soda didn't mention him to me, but I had a feeling that they hadn't recovered from their fight. I understood the anger and the disappointment, but it still hurt to know that Darry, who had always been so calm and collected in the midst of a crisis, was rejecting me. I had always considered him to be infallible, incapable of having a breaking point, and to know that he had finally reached his made me view him as a human being rather than a superhero.

I was released from the hospital after two days. My head was still sore and my ribs still caused my pain whenever I laughed too hard, but my mother had assured the doctors that she would be keeping a close eye on me.

When we got home, she immediately designated me to the couch. It was easier for her to make sure I wasn't getting into any trouble when I was in such a central location, I supposed, but I wasn't too bothered. I had been settled onto the couch with a book in my hand when I heard a knock at the door. I moved to answer it, but my mother rounded the corner first and gave me a sharp look before making her way to the entrance. I couldn't help but roll my eyes. I didn't need to be bedridden, but my mother was making it her personal mission to keep me bound to the couch.

"Who was it?" I asked when she had returned. She didn't have to answer, because Beth appeared by her side, her face timid and shy.

I knew it was inevitable. Someone must have mentioned to Beth that I was pregnant. She hadn't been in the room for the reveal, but I knew that it wouldn't stay a secret for long.

"I'll leave you girls to talk." My mother gave us a parting smile before making her way into the kitchen to start on dinner. I felt myself growing increasingly nervous about what Beth might say.

When the silence in the room began to be uncomfortable, I spoke up. "So who told you?"

"Darry sort of told everyone," Beth admitted. "He came out into the hall and starting arguing with Soda, and well, I was already out there with Two Bit and Steve, so..."

I nodded my head. It made sense. Beth was still standing in the doorway looking nervous. "You can sit," I said, gesturing to the space on the couch beside me. For a moment I thought she would turn and leave, but she made her way over to me slowly, sinking down onto the cushions beside me.

"I'm real sorry." I raised my brows at Beth's words. She looked at me sheepishly. "I should have come back to make sure you were okay when I heard. But Two Bit offered me a ride home, and I didn't know if you wanted to talk to anyone."

I instantly understood her nerves. I felt myself starting to laugh, and when Beth saw that I wasn't angry she finally relaxed and started to smile.

"I'd rather you make fun of me than be mad," she said, tucking her legs underneath her. "How are you feeling?"

I considered her words. How was I feeling? "Do you mean from the car accident, or the other one?"

Beth looked scandalized. "I didn't mean-"

"I'm just teasing," I said, placing a hand on her arm. She let out a breath as I continued. "I'm okay. It's hard for me to process. I just can't imagine anything in there, you know?"

Her eyes fell to my stomach before snapping back up immediately. "I hope you know I'm still going to be your friend. I want to help you however I can."

I felt tears stinging my eyes at her words. Darry's rejection had left me feeling hurt, but knowing that I still had Beth was more comforting than I had imagined.

"I'm sorry," I said, wiping my eyes quickly. "I'm spending half my time crying lately."

She gave my arm a comforting squeeze. "It's okay."

We sat together for awhile chatting before Beth's face lit up.

"I almost forgot! I was supposed to ask you if you wanted to come to the movies tonight." Her cheeks began to tinge pink. "Two Bit said they were all going, so I said yes because I thought that meant you. Please don't make me go by myself."

"I'd love to go," I said, "but it's not me you have to convince."

After much begging and pleading, my mother agreed to let me go out. I knew she felt bad that I had been stuck in the hospital, but she warned that if I didn't come straight home from the movies, I would be on house arrest for the week.

Beth and I headed upstairs to get ready. I insisted that she borrow some of my clothes for the night.

"Are you sure?" she asked, her voice hesistant. The skirt I had lent her was shorter than anything I had ever seen her wear, but it was still long enough that she didn't look trashy.

"Two Bit will love it," I promised, nudging her lightly. She coloured, but said nothing else. I took Beth by the arm, and after saying goodbye to my mother quickly before she had a chance to change her mind, headed out the door.