Chapter 6
Anyone POV
Darry heard what Pony said and looked at Soda with questioning eyes. Soda's eyes showed nothing but anger, but then they flickered for a second, revealing sadness and a little bit of anger. Soda tried to play innocent though.
"What are you talking about Ponyboy? I never hit you."
Ponyboy looked Sodapop in the eyes and asked calmly, "Why are you doing this?"
Soda just stared at Ponyboy, his face now blank. Darry broke the silence next. He said, "Soda, can I talk to you for a bit out in the hall?" Soda nodded and followed Darry out of the room, closing the door gently behind him.
Steve looked at Pony sadly. He asked Pony, "Did he really hit you?"
Ponyboy's eyes got watery and he looked at the door. Steve looked at the door too and looked back at Ponyboy, voicing his thoughts. "Soda can't hear you."
Pony calmed down a bit and said softly, "Yeah. He did hit me."
Steve gasped a bit. He didn't doubt it though. He remembered when Soda had punched him in the face. Steve felt bad for Pony. Ponyboy and Steve both knew that something was wrong with Soda.
"Why did he hit you?" Steve asked.
"He lied to Darry. I told Darry the truth. Soda got grounded, took me into his room, and hit me."
"What did he lie about?"
Pony's eyes got watery again. "H-he told me that he didn't want me in his room anymore, so I went back into my old room. Darry asked Soda why I went in there, and Soda said I wanted to. I told Darry that I didn't want to. Soda got grounded… And so he hit me."
Steve looked at Pony sadly. "Hey kid, I'm really sorry."
"It's not your fault."
"I know, but I-" He was cut off by the door opening and Soda and Darry coming back in.
"How are you feeling little buddy?" Darry asked Pony.
"I hurt." Ponyboy said plainly. Darry looked a bit upset. "Why did you lie to me Ponyboy?! You told me that you were going to the movies!"
Ponyboy looked down, sad. "I wanted to make sure Soda was safe."
Darry turned on Soda. "How did he know about the drag race?"
Pony answered for Soda. "I heard them talking at the DX. I wanted to make sure Soda was safe."
"Well Pony, if you would have told me, I might have went with you." Darry said, and Ponyboy just nodded sadly.
Soda looked mad again. "Why aren't you grounding him for lying? You grounded me!"
"He lied to protect you Sodapop. You lied to hurt him… What happened to you Soda?"
"Nothing." Soda spat out.
Darry looked at Pony. "I would ground you for entering that race, but I think the hospital is enough punishment."
Pony looked hurt, but surprisingly, Steve stood up for Pony. "He didn't want to enter the race though Darry. He really didn't want to."
Darry looked confused and looked between Soda and Pony. "Is that true Ponyboy?" Pony looked at Sodapop. Soda saw Pony looking at him and glared, warning him not to say anything. Ponyboy ignored Soda though and looked back at Darry. "Yeah it is. Soda told me to. I didn't want to."
Darry looked at Soda. "I-" but he was cut off as a nurse came into the room.
"Visiting hours are almost up. Ponyboy will be able to go home in a few days though."
Darry nodded and went over by Ponyboy. He bent down and gave him a hug. "I love you little buddy." Pony smiled at Darry's words. "I love you too."
Steve gave Pony a hug too and told him to get well soon.
Pony stiffened up though as he saw Soda walk over to him. Soda gave Pony a hug as well, but whispered in his ear before leaving, "You'll be sorry."