So Close To The Ground

Disclaimer: I only own the plot
A/N I'm really glad that you guys like this story.
Keep on reading and updating, for all of you authors out there.
If you don't write, look into it!

*Steve's POV*
*exactly where we left off*

I got into the driver's seat of my car and mumbled something about seat belts to Johnny. I don't know why I did. I couldn't believe what was happening. Ponyboy had overdosed on Tylenol and now he could die. I didn't want him to die. Yeah, ok, I didn't really like the kid, but if he died then a part of Soda would die with him. I couldn't stand it if that happened to Soda
" Do you think he'll be all right Steve?" a very scared looking Johnny asked me
" I don't know, the kid tried to kill himself," I said
Two Bit, Dally, Soda, and Pony were in the other car. I'm kind of relieved because I don't think I would've been able to drive Pony to the hospital. It's just not fair. The gang was finally starting to recover from the whole Bob incident, and now this.
" I don't want him to die," whispered Johnny
" None of us do," I said
" If he died the gang would be really different," said Johnny
"Really?" I asked dully
"Yes, believe me," he said
" Ok, I'll take your word for it," I said, not wanting to press the issue any farther
"Hey Steve, we're almost at the hospital," Johnny told me.
" Ok," was all I could think of to say
I pulled into the right lane and went down the street that lead to the hospital. I found Two Bit's car in the parking lot and quickly found a space next to him. Johnny and I both got out of the car and ran to Two Bit
"Is he awake?" I asked
Two Bit shook his head
"No, we think he might be unconscious,"
"Oh no," moaned Johnny
"Hey Johnny, it'll be ok," said Dally in a rare attempt at being comforting
I went to the back seat of Two Bit's car and watched as Sodapop pulled his unmoving little brother from the car. Pony didn't even look asleep at this point. He did look unconscious.... or dead
"Pony's not.....?" I couldn't get the words out
Soda looked at me with red eyes and a tear stained face
"No, he's strong, even though it doesn't seem like it," he said softly
" Come on guys, we gotta get him in!" said Johnny
We all ran for the hospital entrance, except for Soda who walked quickly
" Yes, may I help you gentlemen?" asked a nurse that looked like she could be my grandmother
"Yes, our friend's little brother took too many pills," I told her
"Ohh my, where is he?" she asked
"Here he is," I turned around and saw Soda with Pony in his arms
" All right well I'll go see about a stretcher," said the nurse and hurried off
" His lips are purple," murmured Soda
"Hey, you said it yourself, he's strong," I said
"Damn it Steve, Pony shouldn't have this kind of life! He can do better, and it's killing him," Soda said in a half yell half whisper
Pony, Pony, Pony. It was always about Ponyboy. Why?
"Maybe he was just attention starved," I said coldly
"How could you say something like that?" Soda asked me angrily
"Hey guys come on," said Two Bit
"Don't fight, ya'll," Johnny pleaded
" A hospital ain't the place for fighting," Dally said
" I guess so," I mumbled and shot a hateful glare in Pony's direction. I hadn't realized until now how much i really didn't like that kid.
" Here we go," said the grandmother nurse returning with some doctors and a stretcher. Soda silently loaded Pony onto it and we all watched as the doctors took him away.
" I hope......" Two Bit said
" Yeah, I know," said Dally
A few minutes later a very serious faced doctor came towards us and said
" Mr. Curtis will you come with me please?" he asked
"Yes sir," Soda mumbled and followed the doctor down the hall
" Do you really hate Pony," asked Johnny
"What, Why would you think that,"I asked
"The whole gang knows that you can't stand the kid," Dally told me
"Yeah well, it's none of your damned business anyway," I said angrily
"Hey come on Steve, the kid has done nothing to you, except tag along with Soda a few times," Two Bit said
" Maybe that's why I don't like him," I said
The other guys looked at each other in a way that meant,
"Let's not ask him any more questions, he's getting mad,"
I just smirked and looked in the other direction. Two Bit walked over to the vending machine and began to look it up and down, pointing at everything.
"Matthews, What the hell are you doing?" Dally asked him
" Just trying to pass time," Two Bit answered
" I wonder what they're doing back there," Johnny said
"Back there? There's a lot of people back there, Johnnycakes," I said
" I meant Ponyboy, and you know it," he said.
"Yeah, well, I'm not wishing for the kid to die, just so you know," I said
The other guys just nodded and went back to whatever they were doing. A few minutes later, Sodapop came back with a stony expression on his face.
" Has anyone called Darry yet?" he asked
"No, but I will," Two Bit volunteered
The whiteness and sterile smell of the hospital was starting to get to me. That sort of sour smell that reminds you of going to the doctor to get a shot when you're a little kid.
"So what's the news?" Dally asked
" He overdosed," Soda said in a strained voice
" I'm sorry man, is he going to make it," I asked.
Even though I don't really like Pony, I really didn't want him to die. My feelings towards the kid were so mixed up right now.
" He's unconscious right now, and they said tonight determines if he lives or not," Soda said
" Can we see him,?" asked Johnny
"Yeah, they said family only, but you guys are family,"
We followed Soda down the hall and to the door of a hospital room.
" I guess I should warn you guys that this isn't pretty," Soda said
" We can handle it," I said
He just nodded and opened the door. I walked in and stopped right where I was. Soda was right. It wasn't pretty. Ponyboy lay in the hospital bed with a skin tone that made Dally look tan. He had an iv in his arm, and tubes going down his nose and throat. The tubes were attached to a respirator that kept going up and down. I only knew what it was because we studied health in school last year. Wires were attached all over his body, and a heart monitor beeped slowly next to his bed. Soda went over to him and took his hand,
" They pumped his stomach as soon as he came in," he said
" That's good, isn't it?" asked Two Bit
"Yeah, but....look at him," Soda said in a voice that made me cringe
" Is he in a coma?" asked Johnny
" They won't tell me, but I think he is," Soda said
" Did they tell you what's wrong, besides the fact that he ODed?" Dally asked
"They said it affected his liver, and for some reason he's not able to breathe on his own," Soda said
His voice sounded mechanical. Like a robot or something that had been pre-recorded. It wasn't Soda at all, and I wanted my friend back.

A/N. I'm just going to stop it there. Again, Thank you so much for reading and reviewing, You guys are the best!

( I hope there aren't a lot of typos)

Fyre