Stupid Feeling

Stupid Feeling

Chapter eleven

Sodapop For Sale

When I got to the hospital I ran into some guy, knocking him down.

“Sorry…” I muttered, looking down to him. “Randy?” I asked.

“Curtis?” Randy asked looking up to me.

I nodded and helped him up. “Why…”

“Cherry and I are the ones that found your brother.” He told me.

Then I remembered…

Marcia… Randy… Cherry… Bob… Marcia… Marcia… Marcia!

I slugged him as hard as I could. “What’s wrong with you?!” I asked.

He fell against the wall, “I should be asking you that question.”

“You were two-timing Marcia.” I told him, like he didn’t know.

“Look Pony, you don’t understand…”

I rolled my eyes. “Forget it…” I didn’t have time to hang around him, my brother had just been stabbed.

I ran over to the lady at the desk.

She looked up to me and sighed. “Yes?”

“Sodapop Curtis?” I asked.

She jotted down his room number and practically tossed it at me.

“Thanks for your compassion…” I muttered.

I felt a hand on my arm.

“Come on.” Johnny whispered into my ear.

I followed him down the hall to Sodapop’s room. It was right across the hall from Darry’s room.

Dally and Two-Bit went to Darry’s room as Johnny and I went to Sodapop’s.

Sodapop was sitting up in bed talking to Steve.

They both looked at us and Sodapop looked away quickly.

“What happened?” I asked walking to him.

“Ponyboy, I’m sorry.” He whispered, taking my hand into his.

“Oh come on Soda, it ain’t your fault.” I told him, with a smile.

Sodapop shook his head and I watched a tear slide to his chin.

“Sodapop…” I said, taking my hand away.

“I’m sorry.” He repeated.

“Why?” I asked backing away from him.

“I’ve been doing stuff… I know I shouldn’t.” He answered. “I’ve been… sailing myself.”

I didn’t know what to say. I looked at Johnny, who just stood there. He looked like he already knew. Steve did the same. I was the only one that didn’t know.

“Y-You all knew.” I said backing away from them.

“Look Pony. We had to help him. Everyone knew and we didn’t want you all worried.” Johnny explained. He went to rub my arm, but I pushed him away.

“No. I- DOES DARRY KNOW?!” I yelled, pushing myself against the door.

“Yes.” Steve said. “Now get back over here.”

“No. What did Darry say?” I asked.

Steve rolled his eyes and sat down.

Johnny looked away from me and was shaking real bad.

I was sorry for pushing him, but at the time I didn’t say so. I looked around at them and stormed out of the room. I then walked to Darry’s room and shut the door quietly.

Darry looked at me and smiled. “Hey there Pony.”

“You knew and so did everyone else. You all knew.” I whispered. I didn’t want to yell at Darry for something Sodapop did.

“Ponyboy.” Darry said, trying to get up. He was still weak.

“Get back in bed Darry.” I told him.

He didn’t listen. He struggled to stand and I couldn’t watch any longer. I turned around and sighed. I could hear him gasping in pain as he stood.

I soon felt him wrap his arms around me weakly.

“Let Sodapop off easy, okay? He did it for you.” Darry whispered, still breathing hard.

I nodded and sighed again, pressing my head against the wall. I could feel Darry slightly, leaning on me. “You need to lie down.” I told him.

He shook his head. “No. Take me to Sodapop’s room.” He demanded, grabbing his IV.

I nodded and took his other arm.

He put it on my shoulder and I took him to the other room.

Everyone was still standing, or sitting, in the same place.

Johnny looked at me, still hurt.

I let Steve come and help Darry as I walked over to Johnny. I put my hand on his shoulder and whispered in his ear, “I’m sorry…”

He nodded and put his arms around my waist.

Darry was sitting on Sodapop’s bed, smiling. “When I get out… Everything will be better you guys. You’ll all see.”

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The next morning I woke up beside Sodapop for the first time in a few days. Or was it weeks? I couldn’t remember.

I got up and went to the bathroom. I walked in on Johnny getting dressed.

He didn’t seem to care. He just pulled on his jeans and smiled at me. “Morning.”

“Morning.” I said, washing my face. I looked at him through the mirror. “What ya doin up so early?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Just woke up.”

I nodded and pressed the warm rag against my face. I let my head rest on the cold glass. Then I felt Johnny’s arms around me and him rubbing my chest.

“You okay?” He asked.

I nodded and let go off the rag. I looked at his reflection in the mirror. “It’s just Darry and Sodapop. I can’t believe they let Sodapop out so soon.” I said, cursing the doctor in my head.

“Aren’t you happy he’s back and normal?” Johnny asked.

“Yeah… But what if he wasn’t ready to come home?” I asked.

Johnny shrugged and let me go.

I could feel the cold air on my bare back.

“Come on. We can start breakfast. Everyone’ll bee here soon.” Johnny said walking out of the bathroom.

I groaned and took my head off the glass.

I missed his presents already…