I was caught by Sodapop and delievered back to the Hospital. The doctors had to do one last check over before I was officially released. Two-Bit better stay as far away from me as humanely possible, because that boy wasn't gonna survive long if he came anywhere near me.
I sat on the hospital bed, my legs swinging childishly as I waited for the doctors to come back with my release forms. Sodapop and Steve were waiting with me, though I wish Steve would've left. I wanted to spend some time with Soda WITHOUT being teased. But fate was never on my side, was it? Steve was sitting next to me while Soda walked around the room, full of energy as usual. I thought his endless amount of energy was adorable, especially the way he acted up. I mean, you can't find that in a guy. All guys thought girls like the 'bad boy' like Dally, but I liked the sweet ones like Sodapop. Steve was getting antsy, too, but finally the doctors walked in. I must say, I was really nervous. What if something was wrong with me? What would happen? What if I became a mutated freak because of everything that happened?
"You'll be fine, but you'll have to wear that cast for about 6-8 weeks. I suggest one week of rest from work, don't use that hand, and otherwise the bruises will heal up and your hand will be fine." I smiled, nodding. Doctors were wrong sometimes, what if something really was wrong but they had to lie about it to protect their hospital's reputation. Soda and Steve broke me from my thoughts when they cheered loudly.
"Come on, Kaylyn, we've gotta through a party!" I shook my head, causing my hair to fall out of the loose ponytail I had put it in.
"I don't think so. You have any money there, pretty boy?" It was more directed at Steve than Soda, since Steve was the one who let out the exclamation. Seriously, he must've stood in front of the mirror for hours to get his hair to do all these complicated swirls. Jesus. When did I start paying attention to Steve? When did I start paying attention. Maybe being almost killed had made me pay more attention to everything around me. It made me appreciate life more.
"Come on, we've gotta get Kaylyn's clothes. We're gonna drop you off at home, okay?" Soda helped me up, his arm wrapping around my shoulders as we walked out of the hospital. Steve just kind of smirked from next to me, making me glare at him. Seriously, Sodapop was the touchy feely kind of person, wasn't he? Well, good, I liked that. I didn't need to fall in love with a jerk like those Socs or Steve. I kept my mouth shut, letting Soda guide me towards his house. It wasn't too far away, just enough to make my feet ache though. I'd never actually seen their house, only in the dark, but I must say it look cozy. The door was opened wide, but it didn't stop Steve from walking in and slamming it shut.
"Darry, we're home!" Sodapop called out, making me wince at the loudness of his voice. I just kind of looked around for a second. Where was I supposed to sleep? On the couch? That didn't sound too comfortable to me. Plus, didn't Johnny sleep on it when the weather was cold? Would I be taking away his warmth? I didn't like to think about it. That poor kid had enough to worry about. As we were walking here, Steve pointed out his house. Inside, you could clearly hear his parents agruing about being drunk or somethin'. I felt bad for Johnny, having to live in a house like that. It explained the bruise on his face, and the many scratches and other bruises he showed up with sometimes. I had this weird motherly instinct towards Johnny, he was so...innocent in a sense. I really wanted to help him, but I couldn't do anything about his parents. Every kid craves the love of someone...
"Hey, little man, keep your voice down, Pony's still sleepin'," Darry shushed the two boys. I looked up at the clock that was conviently placed in the kitchen. It was about 11 in the morning. Not exactly early on the sleeping scale, so I guess Ponyboy liked his sleep. Now that you mention it, I feel pretty tired, too. As if on cue, I yawned, but quickly covered my mouth in embarrassment. Soda laughed at me.
"A bit tired? Three days ain't enough?" Steve smirked haughtily from behind me. I swear, he was getting more obnoxious as the day went on. I was tired, so what? He didn't get tired ever!? God, what a jerk...Wait, why was my temper so quick today? I noticed my headache had come back full force. I wanted to lay down, but where? Maybe the couch was the best place. I staggered away from them, also noting that they both followed me like puppies, and collapsed onto the couch. My hand screamed in protest to this, throbbing painfully, but my head hurt the most.
"You okay, Kaylyn?" As if me grabbing my head and wincing in pain wasn't enough. I looked at Sodapop with a weak smile, draping my hand over my head. I looked over the house, my vision blinking in and out. Ugh. These stupid headaches could come on so quickly. Was there something wrong with me?
"Got any aspirin?" I asked groggily. I really wanted to sleep now. My eyes could hardly stay open. But when I was with Sodapop and Steve walking, I felt so...I dunno, so happy. I had so much energy when I was around them, I didn't even feel like I had bruises all over body, it was like my hand wasn't even broken. You can say it was like nothing was wrong. Soda rushed to the kitchen to get me some aspirin, while Steve remained by my side. He was quiet now, though, very un-Steve-like.
"He was real worried about you, you know. Didn't stop worrying about you the whole damn time you were in the hospital. He's already worried about you as it is. Don't make 'im worry anymore." I blunk twice, staring up at him. That wasn't like Steve either. He seemed like more of a selfish person, you know, but I guess he really was worried for his best buddy.
"Alright, I'll talk to him, then. Just leave the room." I didn't mean to sound so rude, but I wanted to talk to Sodapop alone for once. Everytime he was near me, someone was always around. It was like we were little kids. Well, we still were, but he was almost an adult, he didn't have to be constantly supervised. I wasn't a horny teenager, I might be 15, but I could take care of myself. I wouldn't do anything irresponsible. I think.
"Here," Soda came in the room with a bottle of aspirin and a glass full of water. I smiled, taking the bottle and pouring some pills into my hand. Steve had left the room like I had told him to. I handed the aspirin back to Soda, swallowing the pills and taking a drink of water. I would have to take few more of these tomorrow.
"Sodapop, can we talk for a second?" I wanted to go to sleep, badly now, but I kept thinking about what Steve said. Soda was really worried about me. The thougt made me smile. "Sit down." I tugged on his arm, smiling as he sat as close to me as he could. "A little bird told me that you couldn't stop worrying about me." He just blushed, rubbing his head in an embarrassed fashion.
"Well, yeah. We were all worried..." Soda replied, trailing off.
"You were different though. I can tell. Thank you." I leaned forward, softly squeezing him. He was so warm...I snuggled closer to him, his arms wrapping around me. It felt so nice to be so close to him. Soda was worried about me...I was never gonna forget that. Now that I thought about it, I really wanted to kiss him again. My lips twitched as I pulled away. Our eyes remained locked on one another. I felt this weird feeling start in my stomach again, it made me squirm uncomfortably. Soda was still smiling, but there was something weird about the look in his eyes.
I took the first move this time, leaning forward and brushing my lips against his. Soda took that as a good sign, I guess, and his hand softly brushed against my cheek, pulling me closer to him. It truly felt like being in heaven. I felt happy for once. Soda's other arm wrapped around my stomach, while my hand remained wrapped around his neck. I was waiting for someone to ruin the moment, like Ponyboy waking up, Darry walking in the room, anything.
Soda pulled away eventually, a smile still on his face. I had turned dark red, though. I wasn't used to the whole 'kissing the most gorgeous person the planet' thing yet. I was waiting for something awkward to happen, but it just felt good. I relaxed when he stood up and Steve walked in the room.
"C'mon, we've gotta go back to work. Still wanna get paid, right?" Steve asked. Soda nodded, standing up and stretching.
"Okay, let's go. Just sleep for a little, okay?" He smiled at me. I nodded.
"Right. I'll see ya later." I waved as the two guys walked out the door, leaving me sitting on the couch by myself. I looked into the kitchen, which I had a clear view of from my place on the couch. Darry was in there cleaning, it seems. Rustling from behind the couch made me turn around. Aw, will you look at that, Pony's up. So, now I had two people in the house. I felt relief flow through my body as I realized I wasn't alone in the house anymore. I snuggled into the couch now, happier and feeling safer. A few minutes later I felt a blanket be placed on my back. I finally had a family who cared about me. With that thought fresh in my mine, I dreamed. But this time, they weren't about Lise. They were about my new family.