I woke up in a white room where the sun was shining through. I groaned at the light. My head hurts as I look around the room. I notice Soda sleeping in an uncomfortable position in a hospital chair. I smile and I try to talk but that's when I notice the tube in my throat. I start to choke and my eyes feel with tears, because I can't breathe. I try to calm myself down, but it doesn't work. I throw a cup on my bedside table to Soda to wake him up. He immediately jerks up in the chair and looks at me. I look back at him while continuing to choke on the tube that's down my throat I point to the tube and he runs and calls a nurse into my room. She doesn't look older than me, surprisingly. She looks about my age.
"Ponyboy, I need you to cough when I get to three Okay?" The blonde haired nurse asks me
I nod.
"1…2…3"
When she gets to 3, I start coughing. The tube comes out easily and my mouth feels dry. She smiles at me and pours water into my mouth.
After I finish off the water, I smile and say, "Thanks."
She just smiles and walks out the door. I look at Soda and I smile. He smiles back and we start talking.
"How long have I been in here?" I ask my older brother.
Soda leans back in the hospital chair as he answers, "About 2 to 3 days. How ya feelin?"
I shrug but then pain starts to come at me. I close my eyes.
"I've been better."
Soda nods as he watches me.
"You've got a dislocated shoulder." He says as he continues to stare at me.
I nod and stare back at him.
"Whatcha starin' for? Am I really that handsome?" I joke as I see my brother laugh.
"I was just a'thinkin. I should call Darry and the gang."
"Wait. Where's Sam and Lauren?"
Soda turns around after looking down the hall.
"They're a'comin. Be right back."
I nod and smile as my brother walks out of the hospital room. I hear Sam and Lauren talkin' to Soda and I smile even more. I watch them squeal at the doorway of my room and run towards me. They both give me a hug.
"Ow. Watch the shoulder ladies." I say with a laugh.
Sam and Lauren pinch me.
"Sam! Lauren! What the heck was that for?" I say as I touch my face where I was pinched.
"For passin' out at the DX and makin' us worry." Lauren answers.
I just laugh.
"Well.. I'm sorry for passin' out from beating up 10 Soc."
Lauren and Sam have shocked looks on their faces.
"There were 10?!" Lauren exclaims.
I say, "Actually there was 12.. the two got so freakin' scared they ran to their cars."
"I knew I shouldn't have left you there." Sam says quietly as tears roll down her face.
I reach up, even though it kills my arm, and wipe away her tears with one hand.
"Sam, this wasn't your fault. I'm okay. I survived."
Sam just nods and sits down on the window side of my bed. Lauren continues to stand.
"Lauren, what's wrong?" I ask as I turn to face her.
"I don't know if I should say now.." She says as she sits down in the other chair on the other side of my bed.
"Come on. Tell me." I beg with Puppy dog eyes.
She smiles a little and says, "I think I'm in love with… Soda."
AN: Cliffy! Haha. Review please!