Chapter 14
Anyone's POV
Darry lead Steve and Two-bit outside to the parking lot to where Soda was. Soda was on his knees, crying. They went over to him, and he tried to run, but Darry stopped him. Darry hugged Soda, but Soda tried to push him away, tears now flowing freely down his face. Two-bit watched as Steve told Soda to calm down. After a while, Soda stopped trying to push Darry away, and calmed down a bit.
"H-he hates me!" Soda cried.
"I don't think he hates you.. I think he's just hurting right now. Give him some time, he won't stay mad." Darry said.
"H-how do you k-know?" Soda cried.
"I know Pony, and I know how much he loves you. Give him time Soda."
XXX
Ponyboy's POV
Steve and Two-bit left the room with Darry. I laid down on the bed when they left. I looked up at the ceiling, and started thinking. After a while of thinking, I came to a conclusion. I couldn't forgive Soda. I couldn't. I wouldn't. He hurt me. I know that he's sorry, but if I forgave him, he might just do it again. If I don't forgive him, then he'll hurt. I don't want Soda to hurt, but I don't want to hurt anymore either.
I could lie, I thought. I could tell Soda that he's forgiven, but not mean it.
I decided that that's what I would do, but I'd have to act like he was forgiven to pull it off.
I loved Soda, but it was just so hard to forgive him, when he hurt me like that.
I sat up in bed, wondering if I should go look for them or not. My stomach hurt, but I was pretty sure I could walk. I slowly stood up, and walked over to the door. I was a bit unstable, but I was okay. I left my room and started walking, trying not to bump into any nurses.
I looked into different rooms and hallways, but I couldn't find them. I looked in the cafeteria but didn't find them there either. I found them outside in the parking lot, and went over to them.
XXX
Anyone's POV
Darry continued to try to calm Soda down, while Steve and Two-bit talked to each other, more like whispered. That was when Darry saw Pony walking over to them. He looked at Pony, and Pony looked back at him. Pony walked closer to Darry and Soda. Two-bit and Steve were watching. Soda was looking down so he didn't know Pony was there.
"Hey.." Ponyboy said quietly. Soda's head suddenly shot up and looked at Pony with the saddest eyes. Pony starred back at him with no emotion in his eyes.
"Pony?" Soda asked quietly and his eyes got watery again. "Pony I'm so sorry."
Pony continued to look at Soda, but then looked at the ground. He took a deep breath, then looked at Soda again.
"Its okay Soda... I forgive you." Pony lied.
Soda continued to look at him. "R-really?"
Pony nodded a tiny bit then looked at the ground. Soda got out of Darry's grasp and went over and gently hugged Pony. Pony tensed up a bit, but not enough for Soda to notice. Pony gently hugged Soda back and closed his eyes. He honestly felt safe in his older brothers' arms.
Maybe I can forgive him, Pony thought. I could.. But I don't want to be hurt again.
Pony remembered Dally's words. 'If you get tough like me then you don't get hurt. Watch out for yourself, and nothing can touch you.'
Pony stopped hugging Soda and looked at the ground.
Darry stood up. "I'll be right back." He said and went inside the hospital. Ponyboy sat down, and Soda sat down next to him. Pony tried his best to act normal, like nothing had ever happened between them, but it was hard.
Two-bit and Steve continued to whisper to each other. Darry came back out with a small smile on his face. "Hey Pony, the nurse said that you can go home if you want to. You have to rest though."
"Okay. I'll go home." He said with no emotion in his voice and looked up at Darry. Darry nodded and helped Pony stand. They all got into the car, and took off for home.