(Ponyboy's POV)

The next few days went by faster than I expected. I was sleeping a lot of the time, and when I wasn't asleep, the doctors kept checking on me and having me get out of bed to walk around a bit; something about checking my motor skills and balance. They took the thing under my nose away, so I was breathing normal air completely on my own, which was an odd thing to be proud of, but nonetheless, I was. Someone was always someone with me to help pass the time and help me move around when the doctors weren't bugging me.

Darry was there almost every second of every day, but once in a while he went home to shower or change clothes. I wasn't even sure if he ever slept in his own bed since he always seemed to be in my hospital room at night. Soda was there too when he wasn't at work, but he was picking up extra shifts once he decided I was awake for good and I was doing better. I knew he didn't really want to leave me to go work, but my brothers had bills to pay, and with Darry not working, I understood why Soda was almost always working.

Steve and Two-Bit stopped by every day too. I knew my brothers appreciated it when they came to visit because they either provided food, entertainment, or an update on school or the Socs that pummeled me. I missed the last day of classes, when apparently Curly Shepard started a fight with Chris, one of David's friends that came after me, right before the last class period of the school year. Some teachers stopped the fight, but not before Curly broken his nose and gave him a black eye. I wish I could say I didn't grin when I heard that, but knowing my buddy fought on my behalf made me a sort of proud and thankful.

"Good afternoon, Ponyboy," Dr. Thompson said, bringing me back to the present. I was sitting in my hospital bed, listening to Two-Bit tell Darry some story that I was sure he was exaggerating. I had gotten to know Dr. Thompson during my time in the hospital, and I liked the guy. I also knew him well enough to know the grin on his face meant he had good news. "How would you like to be discharged tonight?"

I swore my heart stopped. Really? I can actually go home today?! I can finally leave the hospital?!

I must've been silent for too long, because Two-Bit spoke up. "You left him speechless, doc."

Then I felt a strong, calloused hand on my shoulder. "What do you say, Pone? Ready to go home?"

I looked at Darry with a huge smile on my face. "More than ready."

Within an hour, the doctor gave us final instructions about my recovery, Darry signed some papers, and a nurse detached the IV and all the wires that were connected to me. Before I knew it, I was being wheeled out to the truck. I wanted to walk, but the doctor insisted that I use a wheelchair since I haven't walked more than ten yards since my coma. I was glad Darry was the one pushing the wheelchair, because I was sure Two-Bit would have knocked me into walls or something. This is really happening. I'm going home!

Once I was settled in the truck, I looked through the windshield and spotted one of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen. This light from the sky was enough to make my headache hurt a little more, but I didn't care, I was just thrilled to be out of the hospital and see all of the colors the sky could create.

"Glad to be outta there, kid?" Two-Bit asked, leaning through the open window. His car was parked right next to our truck, so I knew he wouldn't be riding with me and Darry. I was silently glad it would just be me and Darry so I knew there wouldn't be any roughhousing or loud noises during the drive.

I nodded, a smile still plastered on my face. "Definitely."

Two-Bit grinned, then slapped his hand on the outside of the truck door. "I'll see you guys at the house later. I gotta go check on my sister, make sure she's not gettin' into any trouble." I had a feeling our buddy was just coming up with a reason to give me and Darry some time alone, but I didn't say anything.

"See you later, Two-Bit," Darry said as he started the truck. Once our friend went into his car, Darry addressed me. "You up to make a pit stop at the DX? Or do you want to go home and rest?"

I gave him a smile. It was real nice of Darry to ask me if I was feeling up visiting Soda and Steve on the way home. "Let's go to the DX." Darry smiled and put the truck into gear.

We just made it out of the parking lot when Darry put a hand on the back of my neck before he spoke again. "I'm so glad you're coming home, Ponyboy."

"Me too."

We drove in comfortable silence until we reached the DX. Being in an enclosed, quiet space with Darry used to make me anxious and stressed, but now it was the opposite; I felt safe and content. Once Darry put the truck in park and turned the engine off, he grinned at me. "They told us you would probably be discharged today, and Soda was going to come by after work to be there when you left, but I think you surprising him will make up for it."

I smiled, suddenly more than excited to walk into the gas station.

We both climbed out of the truck, Darry being a lot quicker than me. I was still inching myself to the ground by the time we walked around to my side of the truck. "You need any help, little buddy?"

I shook my head. "Nah, I got it." It took a few seconds, but I eventually was standing on the ground. I'm breathing the air and standing all on my own.

Darry must've had a similar thought, because he put a hand on top of my head and ruffled my ungreased hair. "I'm so proud of you, kiddo." I grinned, not able to come up with anything to say. "Now let's go see Soda."

I walked in front of Darry, albeit slowly. I had only woken up from a coma close to a week prior, and my concussion was still hanging around, so I was a little unsteady on my feet. I knew my big brother would swoop in if I started stumbling, but for the time being, he let me walk on my own, and I was thankful for it.

When the door opened, I heard a high-pitched bell ring above my head, making my skull feel like something sharp was piercing it. Trying to ignore the pain, I quickly glanced around the store and noticed that no other customers were around. Must be close to closing time.

I heard some clanging noises from the garage, so I guessed Steve was working on a car, while Soda was nowhere to be found. Maybe he's with Steve. I was about to walk towards the garage, but a voice suddenly stopped me.

"Welcome to the DX-" Soda said instinctively as he walked towards me, but he stopped short when he spotted me. "Pony!" he shouted happily before rushing to me and wrapping his arms around me. "I thought you were gettin' out tonight!" His loud voice made my head throb, but I didn't care, I loved Soda and I was happy when he was happy.

"They let him out early," Darry said from behind. "Thought we'd surprise you."

Soda pulled away from me and held me by the shoulders. "Well good job on surprisin' me! We were about to close up shop and come see you."

"Hey kid," Steve said as he approached us, dirty rag thrown over his shoulder. I nodded in his direction, then he addressed Soda. "Why don't you head out, Soda? I'll close up here."

"You sure?" Soda asked, his voice full of excitement.

"Yeah, go ahead. I'll be over later," Steve said. He spoke in a bored or nonchalant tone, but I saw a grin on his face. He can be a jerk sometimes, but Steve's a good guy.

Soda whipped around and hugged Steve, who was too surprised to do anything about it. "Thanks Steve!" Soda quickly grabbed the keys out of his pocket and handed them to Steve before he turned towards the door, yelling "see ya later!" and he left the store with me and Darry.

Soda kept his arm around my shoulders during the whole drive home, like he thought I was either going to tip over or disappear if he didn't. I couldn't complain; I had gotten so accustomed to my brothers either holding my hand, gripping my shoulder, or something similar, that it was almost weird to not be in physical contact with one of my brothers.

We got to the house, and after all of us climbed out of the truck, I just started at the porch. When's the last time I was here? I realized it had been something close to two weeks since I had been home, but it felt both longer and shorter than that.

"You alright, Pony?" Soda asked, looking at me carefully.

I nodded. "Yeah, I'm alright. Just happy to be home."

Soda pulled me to his side. "We are too, honey."

We stood there for a moment before Darry ushered us inside. "Come on, guys. Pony should probably get some rest."

We walked up the porch steps, and the moment we walked into the house, I took a big breath. I'm home.

"If you want to lay down, you'll have to go to our room, Pony," Soda said. I was confused at first, but then I glanced at the couch and spotted a blanket and pillow resting on it. "Steve's been spending nights here."

I found myself being glad that Steve had been staying at our house. Not only was it good for him to get away from his dad, but it meant he was keeping an eye on the house and hopefully my brothers too.

"How about I make some dinner, and you get some sleep Pone?" Darry suggested.

I nodded. "That sounds just fine."

Soda and I went to our room, and I immediately flopped onto the bed, excited to sleep in a bed that wasn't in the hospital. I felt the mattress shift underneath me, and I glanced sideways at Soda, who laid on his stomach and let out a sigh.

"You okay?" I asked.

He grinned at me. "More than okay now. I could just use a nap."

I bet you could. He had been working like he was Darry, and the bags under his eyes looked even darker than I had remembered.

"I can tell you're worrying," Soda said as he gave me a look. "Quit it, and get some sleep. I'm sure Darry will wake us up when the food's ready."

Then Soda closed his eyes, and I followed his lead.

We had slept for almost half an hour before Darry woke us up for dinner. He had made chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Compared to the hospital food that I was used to, Darry's cooking was gourmet. I was about halfway done with my plate when the door slammed open.

"I smell dinner!" Two-Bit shouted. Then I heard a faint "ow!" which told me someone, probably Steve, hit him or something.

"Shut up. Don't you remember the kid has a concussion," Steve muttered.

Seconds later, the two of them walked into the kitchen and spotted my brothers and I already eating. "Two-Bit ain't capable of being quiet," I said, hopefully letting them know I wasn't as fragile as Steve apparently thought.

"You're gonna regret that kid," Two-Bit said with a wild grin, right before he wrapped his arm around my neck.

At first, I panicked because I thought my buddy forgot I was hurt all together and he was about to start a wrestling match with me, but I was happy to realize his arm was so loosely wrapped my neck, that I could slip out of his hold easily. Still, Darry was quick to defend me.

"Lay off, Two-Bit," Darry said.

Two-Bit immediately pulled away from me and sat in the chair next to me. "Aw, he knows I'm just kidding. I wouldn't send him back to the hospital the same day he left!"

"Could've fooled me," I muttered, then I gave him a sideways smirk. "If I was at full strength, I could take ya."

"Challenge accepted, little Curtis!" Two-Bit shouted, making me wince form the loud volume.

"Hush up, Two-Bit. Are you trying to have all the neighbors hear you?" Soda said in a rare display of scolding one of our friends.

"Hey kid, have your brothers told you about the colleges yet?" Steve asked, already having a full plate of food in front of him.

I froze and stared down at my plate. Colleges? What's he talking about? I looked up at Steve, who surprisingly looked excited about something. "Huh?"

"We were going to wait a couple days so he wasn't overwhelmed," Darry said, obviously irritated.

"Why? Don't you want to give him all the good news you have?" Two-Bit asked as he put a heaping spoonful of potatoes on his plate.

"What are you guys talking about?" I asked.

"After you got all those medals and trophies, a couple college coaches talked to Darry," Soda explained, his voice calm, happy, and thankfully, not too loud.

"Why?" I asked, still confused.

Soda laughed a little. "Why? Because they wanted to talk about you!"

I was taken aback. Soda's smile, along with the looks on Steve and Two-Bit's faces, told me my brother was being serious. Then I looked at Darry, who also seemed happy. "What did they say?"

"They're interested in you running track for their schools," Darry explained. He told me about the two coaches that approached him and their exchange, which was apparently happening while I was being beaten by three Socs. Once he told me everything, with the others adding their thoughts and opinions, he told me about calling them throughout my time in the hospital. "They know you've been through a lot, so there's no rush in calling them back, but you should talk to them when you're ready."

I sat there in a state of shock. College coaches are interested in me? Darry was right, between track and my grades, I really have a shot at going to college.

"You okay, Pony?" Soda asked me, pulling me out of shock.

"Yeah, I just… I can't believe it," I said.

"Well, believe it, kiddo," Darry said with a huge smile.

"You're a fast, smart kid. Of course they'd want you," Steve said like it was the most obvious thing.

"They probably won't be the only ones either," Two-Bit added. "There's more than two colleges out there, and I'm sure lots of them are lookin' for smart athletes."

I felt myself start breathing a little quicker. Glory, I really have to start thinking about college. Where will I go? What will I study? How will I afford it?

"Hey Pony, calm down, will ya?" Soda said as he wrapped his arm me. "You don't have to worry about everything right now. You don't even have to go to either of the schools that are lookin' at ya. Darry's been talking with them so you can call them when you're ready, okay? Until then, you have one job: rest and recover."

I closed my eyes, nodded, and took deep breaths. "Yeah, okay."

"This is why I didn't want to tell him yet," I heard Darry whisper harshly. Then I felt a strong hand rest on top of mine. "Soda's right, Pone. Everything else can wait. Just focus on yourself for now."

I opened my eyes and looked at Darry. "Yeah, okay."

The five of us ate the rest of the food, the others joining in conversation while I stayed silent. I had so many things to think about, that it made my headache start to feel worse. When the others were busy talking about something, Soda gently nudged my shoulder with his. "Quit worrying," he whispered with a smile, which I returned.

"Hey, you guys wanna play cards?" Two-Bit offered when the dishes were done and we went into the living room.

"Only if you don't cheat," Darry quipped.

Two-Bit looked dramatically offended. "Darrel Curtis Jr., I can't believe you'd think I'd ever cheat!"

"So you don't have an ace in your shoe right now?" Steve countered.

"Don't you know it's rude to ask a man about what's in his shoes?" Two-Bit asked. Then he tried to take the attention off of himself. "So who's playing?"

All five of us ended up playing cards for a bit, but after a few rounds, my focus and energy were quickly disappearing. I put my cards down and laid back on the couch while I listened to the poker game being played right next to me.

"You ain't fallin' asleep on my bed, are you kid?" Steve asked.

"No," I said, partially lying. Steve chuckled a bit, so I figured he wasn't actually upset with me taking his makeshift bed.

The guys played a couple more rounds before I heard people mumbling about me and sleeping. I was too tired to reply, so I let them talk amongst themselves. I was told I needed to rest, so I'm resting. Not too long later, I felt myself being lifted into the air, then being gently placed on my bed. I fell asleep before I even registered any sounds of someone walking away.