Broken ||A Sodapop Curtis Love Story||

Chapter 9

A/N: This is probably not an accurate account of what happens in mental hospitals, but I tired my best from what I've heard about them and what I've researched. I apologize if it's inaccurate, I hope it doesn't affect whether on not you keep reading.

Emily's POV:

"Nora, Della! Time for dinner, girls. Can you show Emily where the dining hall is?" A staff member asks, peeking their head through the door. Both girls nod and get up off of the floor.

"C'mon Emily. It's right over here," Lexi says, smiling at me. I get up and follow them.

"So, we have to wait in line to get food, just like if we were in school. It's not too good, but it's better than nothing, I guess, right?" Della asks. I look over at Lexi, who's bright red and trying to hide in front of the sleeve of her sweatshirt. I squeeze her hand and she sends me a small, embarrassed smile. She seems so... happily violent (A/N: it's honestly the only way to describe it), comfortable with everything, but still ready to spring at any moment, most of the time, but then you see her when people talk about the reason she's in the hospital, she just seems uncomfortable.

We all wait in line for about five minutes before we finally get our good.

"Let's go to the normal table," Nora says, leading us to the second closest one to the door. We all sit down, me in the middle of Della and Lexi, Nora next to her. Nora and Della start eating immediately. Lexi, like me, looks at her food, pushing it around her plate. I'm just not hungry. Lexi's another story, although I would never say anything or tell her to eat. That's why she's here, right? To work on it.

After finishing her food a few minutes later, Della says, "Man, I was so hungry, but the food here sucks. I wish we could make our own food. I love to cook, you know." I nod. I never got into cooking, but I like having people cook for me.

"Hey, are we ready to go back up?" Lexi asks, throwing her food away. We do the same and follow her back to the rooms. I look at the clock on the wall: 7:00. I'm so tired already. It's been a long day, I guess.

"Guys, I think I'm just gonna go to bed," I say, yawning. The girls nod.

"Be sure to be up by 8 for breakfast tomorrow!" Nora exclaims. I nod and walk off.

In my room, I change in my pajamas and try to fall asleep. I close my eyes, and breathe deeply. But for some reason, I just feel off. Two-Bit isn't in the next room over, like at home, or sleeping in the chair next to my bed, holding my hand, like in the hospital. No, this is different. I'm alone, other than Lexi, who'll be in the bed next to me later. It still feels wrong. My breathing pace quickens and I feel tears running my cheeks. I shouldn't be here. I don't need this.

Soon, I find myself crying softly into my pillow. That's when I realize I'm thinking about Soda. How is he? Is he ok? What's going on in Vietnam? Is he even alive? My breathing gets faster and faster, until I'm having a full out panic attack. I miss my best friend. I miss my boyfriend. But most of all, I miss laying in my own bed. It takes a few minutes, but finally I stop crying. My breathing evens out, and I fall asleep.

•••

"Good morning , Emily! Morning, Lexi!" I hear Della and Nora scream from outside the door. I yawn, and wipe the sleep from my eyes.

"Oh, morning, girls," I say, standing up and smiling.

"Ready for breakfast?" Della asks. I nod, and look to Lexi, who's still laying down.

"You know, I think I'm gonna skip it today, if that's ok. I'm not feeling so great, I think I need some more sleep," She explains. The girls and I nod and start walking downstairs but I can't help feeling guilty about Lexi. She didn't have dinner last night, and she's not having breakfast now. I know I just met this girl, but I already feel... attached. Like I always do when I make friends, but other than Soda, I've never kept one. Like I want to be her friend forever. Like as her roommate, I should be looking out for her and making sure she eats. But for some reason I don't.

"So, Emily. Do you have anyone coming in for visiting hours?" Nora asks me. I nod.

"Yeah, my brother, Two-Bit, and maybe a few other guys from his gang, Ponyboy and Darry," I explain. She and Della giggle.

"Ponyboy? Two-Bit?" Nora asks. I just sigh. I guess I'm used to that. I look to Della for help.

"Well, are they cute?" Della asks, winking at me. I smile.

"Well, Darry's pretty cute. Older though. Like in his 20s. He and Pony's brother is my boyfriend. Remember, I told you about him? SodaPop?" I ask. They nod, but don't mention the fact that he's away at war. As our conversation goes on, I find out that neither of my friends have anyone coming to visit them, but they want to meet the Gang. Finally, it's 10:00.

We're standing in the hall, waiting, and Two-Bit comes in first. Behind him is Darry, Ponyboy and... Steve. Suddenly I'm angry. Didn't I make it clear that I never wanted to see him again? I guess not...

Now, I introduce the boys to my friends, all except Steve. He's not important, so why should he be introduced, right?

Well, that's what I thought until Della whispers in my ear, "Who's the cute boy that you forgot to introduce?" I blink. Did she really just call him cute?

Sighing, I respond, "Steve. I didn't know he was coming." My new friends eyes widen.

"Cheater Steve? Dang, I didn't expect him to be so good looking!" I laugh. It's good to know that in the worst situations she'll still be able to brighten them at least a little bit.

"Hey, let's go in your room," Two-Bit suggests. I would say yes, but hospital rules say that no visitors are allowed in them. I explain that to them, and we decide to go into the living room. I have Della and Nora lead them in, and go peek in my room to check on Lexi. She looks horrible. Pale, and sick, with frizzy hair.

"Hey, how're you feeling?" I ask softly, looking at my friend.

"Fine," She says, but I can tell she isn't doing well just by how pale she is.

"Well, my family is here. We'll be in the living room if you want to meet them," I tell her. She nods, and has me leave so she can get dressed, telling me she'll be right there.

I get back to the living room and Steve and Della are sitting together, engulfed in conversation. I go to sit next to my brother. That's when Lexi comes in. She looks a little better, at least her hair is brushed, but she's still pale. Before I can say anything, she's on the floor, out cold. We all look around, back and forth between each other, and Lexi. We're all frozen, stunned, not knowing what to do, until Nora runs out of the room.

A/N: I wouldn't have left you on a cliffhanger, but it's almost 11 at night and my head is pounding. I also promised alexisissorandom 2 nights ago that I would update. So here's one. It's not my best, I know, but give me some thoughts/constructive criticism?