Hey guys!! I hope y'all enjoy this! It's considered the last chapter! HOWEVER THERE WILL BE AN EXTRA CHAPTER. JUST AN FYI :D

I HOPE YOU ENJOY!!!!


It didn't take long for the rest of the gang to come by the hospital after the news. Throughout the entire week, Ponyboy had been making progress, even if he was asleep during it. The gang talked to him all the time and even tried playing poker with him.

Did it work? Absolutely not. But, courtesy of Two-Bit, he somehow lost against Ponyboy. Although, most of the gang attributed it to Two-Bit also being sick. The doctor gave Ponyboy new IVs that mainly contained painkillers and liquids. Ponyboy's feeding tube was still used often.

Everyone in the gang was careful around all of Ponyboy's machines. They made sure to be as careful as Sodapop would be when around him. Even if it meant having to stop roughhousing for a moment to make sure that his IV didn't get caught on them. Still, it was a sign to them that Ponyboy was alive.

That he would make it.

Johnny and Dally sat next to each other as Two-Bit dealt out cards to everyone. Sodapop and Darry were at work, with the rest of the gang watching over Ponyboy. Steve tried to take Sodapop's shift, but after taking all of his shifts for a month, their boss denied it. To say that Sodapop was heartbroken was an understatement. But also confirmation to Steve to never tell him about what Ponyboy had said.

The cold winter air had taken a turn into cool spring air, welcoming the gang for when they went out to smoke. It had been a month since the crash, and only a week since Ponyboy spoke. Steve spent more time with Ponyboy after that, hoping that his voice was enough to wake up Ponyboy. After all- it had worked once before.

"Im startin' to believe that he likes bein' asleep," Two-Bit joked. "Could say the same 'bout you," Steve joked as he put down a card. Two-Bit smiled, "Well I had a reason, I was very sick!" Even Johnny rolled his eyes, "Im surprised the doc ain't say ya had liver damage."

A small chuckle came from the bed, scaring everyone in the room. Instantly everyone was near Ponyboy as Steve tried to tell them to not let him speak. As the commotion in the room continued, Darry and Sodapop slipped in. Following the siblings, Dr.Anderson followed inside.

"Now now everyone, settle down," Dr.Anderson said as he moved around the gang and to Ponyboy. Darry and Sodapop pushed to be the first ones to see Ponyboy's eyes. "C'mon guys, let's give 'em some time," Johnny recommended. While they didn't want to, they all still followed Johnny outside the room, leaving Sodapop and Darry with Ponyboy. Yet, Steve found himself staying as well, holding Ponyboy's other hand as Darry put a firm arm around Sodapop.

~

All Ponyboy could admit was that he was tired. He heard everyone but didn't at the same time. His head and body ached in ways he didn't know existed. Still, the voices were around him, encouraging him to wake up. One even told him about track and how he could make the team.

Steve? Ponyboy asked himself yet, there was a gasp as he did so. Had he spoken? His hand was touched instantly and Ponyboy squeezed as hard as he could. At least until he decided that he was too tired to keep it up. After that thought, he found it easier to listen and to even feel.

A small tube was in his nose, giving him the same air that he'd been given since he got there. The hospital- right? Ponyboy asked himself. His mind was fuzzy and he felt as if his throat was burning. The smell of cigarettes was heavy around him, causing him to want some as he tried to sleep his headache off. Still, when the scent of alcohol came by, he couldn't help but admit that his eyes were close to opening due to the sheer intensity of the scent.

Suddenly it was like he could hear everything around him. Not only that, but it felt as if he was playing a game. Poker? Ponyboy couldn't pinpoint it, but he knew that he somehow won. As the sound died down, he heard Two-Bit. "Im startin' to believe that he likes bein' asleep," Two-Bit joked. Two-Bit was sick? Ponyboy asked himself. His mind was still fuzzy but he could connect the dots that it had been at least a day since he'd been "asleep."

"Could say the same 'bout you," Steve joked. Ponyboy felt a small twinge of embarrassment. He had said one word, on accident, and it had been Steve. Then again, Ponyboy thought, it had been Steve who's been here as much as he could. And it had been him to start talking as much as he could, telling Ponyboy that he didn't hate him as much as he thought he did. Just that thought made Ponyboy smile a bit, but he had a feeling that Steve would use the information against him.

Ponyboy tried to make a mental note to tease Steve back about crying over him when he woke up. "Well I had a reason, I was very sick!" Two-Bit exclaimed, causing Ponyboy's eyes to twitch. The light was too bright, but, he wanted to see everyone. He had to ask where his mom and dad were!

Yet before he could ask, Johnny spoke up. "Im surprised the doc ain't say ya had liver damage." Leave it to Johnny to get Ponyboy to chuckle. Even though it burned like hell, Ponyboy chuckled, using the rest of his energy to push himself out of the limbo he was in. He could hear the beeping and the sound of oxygen entering his nose. The feel of the paper sheets caught him off guard as he started to work to open his eyes, ignoring everything else around him.

A small voice told the gang, "Dont let him speak." It confused Ponyboy, how was he going to ask about his parents? Still, he tried to not speak, taking a deep breath through his mouth and putting as much energy as he could into squeezing his hands. They were all waiting for him, even Steve.

All he could tell was that Sodapop was holding his hand, telling him to open his eyes. He could even feel Steve's rough hand on his own, gripping it in a way that showed Ponyboy the fear they felt. Steve gently spoke, his voice wavering, "C'mon Ponyboy, open your eyes."

And for the first time in a month, Ponyboy did.


I HOPE YOU ENJOYED!!!

So sad this fic ended and kinda badly

Can't wait for y'all to see the new fic I'm working on! ;3