Steve POV

I sat back in the really uncomfortable hospital chair and watched the nurse, Sally, work her magic with Sodapop's leg. I remember the day Soda tore a ligament at the rodeo. Nearly scared me to death. I shook the memory out of my head before it had a chance to haunt me once more.

"Okay Mr. Curtis. In just a few moments, we're gonna put your cast on. Now tell me, what color would you like?" When Sally asked Soda this question, his face lit up like a childs on Christmas.

"I get to pick the color of my cast?!" Soda practically screamed. He seemed happier than usual here, probably because of the super cute nurse.

Sally laughed a little, but not too much. I could tell she got these kind of reactions a lot… but I don't think it usually comes from sixteen year old greasers. "Yes, you do. Do you have anything in mind?"

I knew Soda was just dying to get a pink or purple or some kind of feminine color, but I also knew Darry wouldn't approve of something like that. Soda thought for a moment, then blurted out, "I want a plain white one!"

Sally and I looked at each other, then back at Sodapop. "Just… a normal white cast?" I asked. Soda looked at me and nodded with a smile on his face.

"Yup!" Sally nodded questionably..

"Um… okay. Just wait a minute and I'll be right back to get you all patched." And with that, Sally left the room to only me and Sodapop.

I got up from my chair and walked over to the bedside where Soda was. He was smiling like a goofball when he sighed. "She… is something. What a pretty lady she is."

I forced a smile and shrugged my shoulders. "Whatever you say little buddy," I let out a nervous breath and ran a hand through my hair. "Soda, why do you want just a plain white cast?"

Soda looked at me after snapping out of his daze. "Oh, cause I want Pony to decorate it. Have you ever seen what he can do with a little paint or even just a marker? It's awesome!" I was glad that Soda was comfortable in the hospital, but I was also worried about how much this would cost.

"No Soda… I have never seen Ponyboy draw anything. Should I?' I asked.

Soda laughed like it was obvious. "Should you?! Of course!" Just then, Sally came back with a cart of things. Some of it looked like gauze, some looked like a weird instrument you didn't want to touch you, and other things looked like liquids.

"Um, would you excuse me, I need to make a phone call. I'll be right back." I said and made a beeline for the nearest payphone. I fished around in my pocket for a quarter, and realized I only had one. I picked up the phone, slid in my quarter and dialed for Darry's house.

"Hello?"

"Hey Darry?"

"Steve?"

"Yeah."

"How's Soda doing, is something wrong?"

"No Darry, everything's fine."

"How's Soda doing?"

"He's fine. He's about to get his cast on right now. Guess what color he picked?"

"You can pick a color for your cast? I thought they just surprised you!"

"So did Soda. He's getting white so Pony can draw on it. Apparently according to Soda, Pony's really good at drawing and stuff."

"Steve, are you trying to tell me you've never seen Pony's drawings?"

"Am I like the only one?"

"Yeah, anyways, can you do me a favor and ask Soda where the bag of medicine is? Two-Bit got sick again and he really wants to go to bed, so do me and Pony, but we can't find the medicine."

"Oh, it's in the bathroom. I remember you took it from Sodapop then slammed the door on his face."

"Okay, Pony found it. Thanks Steve. Anyways, try to get home soon. It's gonna be midnight soon. You can stay at our place if you want."

"Thanks Darry. Oh, by the way, I think Soda's found himself a new girl."

"Excuse me?"

"Yup, he name's Sally. She's the one who's been caring for little old Sodapop… I don't know if he wants to leave anytime soon."

"Steve, you remember how Soda reacted to Sandy, I don't want him getting involved in that kind of stuff right now. With Pony, the socs, Two-Bit and himself with that broken leg he got himself!"

"Okay Darry. I'll bring him straight home."

"You better Steve."

"I will Dar. Don't worry. Oh! I think Soda's almost done. I gotta go."

"Okay. Please be careful."

"I will Darry. Bye."

"Bye." And he hung up before I did. I leaned against the nearest wall and felt something begin to blur my vision. I reached up and wiped my eye and saw that it was wet. I was crying. I slid down the wall and brought my knees up to my chest. I continued to cry. And I didn't stop for the longest time. And it felt nice.

And I didn't even know why I was crying.