The Outsiders: Before My Time | Sodapop

Hello Again

When we got to the hospital, I found out that a falling piece of the roof smashed my foot, causing the pain I was feeling. I think the doctor said it was just sprained, not broken. I don't remember anything falling on me though, but I think it happened when I jumped out of the way of the falling beam. I also bruised my collar bone, due to the fall, but I was so full of adrenaline that I didn't notice it before. I got stitches on my leg after cutting it on that glass. I also had to get a tetanus shot. My throat was strained from the smoke and from yelling so much, and I suffered minor burns on my hands and my ankles.

And I would do it a million times over again, as long as Johnny was okay. I did not care what happened to me as long as he was safe. In another universe, Johnny would have never left this hospital. He would have died in one of the rooms, suffering. I still could not believe that I saved him, which also saved Dally. I saved two lives, and they will never know. But, I could not help this nagging feeling: was it the best thing to do? Was that what I was meant to do?

I went through hell, but I can finally breathe again. My purpose here was fulfilled, right? So... what now? I did everything I was supposed to. I don't know what else to do. What am I supposed to do after this?

I was in a familiar hospital room. My right arm was terribly sore, so it's a good thing I'm left-handed. I exhaled softly as I looked up at the ceiling. When we look back on this time, these things that seemed so difficult and painful will be nothing but a distant memory.

Ponyboy came to visit me. He had a few burns and a bruise on his back when Dally smacked the fire off of him. He spoke to me softly, and seemed very concerned about me.

"How are you feeling?" Ponyboy asked me.

"I've been better, Ponyboy. Thank you," I responded deadpan.

"Are you hurtin' bad?" His voice was low.

I squirmed a little and said, "a little bit."

"Oh, Bri." He sniffed.

"Hey, don't worry about me." I giggled softly, which made my throat feel like I swallowed a serrated knife. "I'm fine."

"Too bad. I'm gonna worry about you no matter what. You're my sister."

"I love you, Pony."

"I love you too." He held my hand.

"I'm proud of you, you know that? I never would have gone into that church if it wasn't for you."

"And you almost died because of me," he mumbled.

"But I didn't. Hey, don't blame yourself."

"But if it wasn't for Dally, you would have died. You would have died because of me."

"I chose to go into that fire." My voice was hoarse. "I knew what could have happened, and I did it anyway. It's not on you."

Ponyboy sighed softly, and looked down at me with gentle eyes. I squeezed his hand, and he squeezed it back, which made him smile.

"You did good work." I raised my good hand up, palm facing Ponyboy. Waiting for him to slap it. He winced, then looked confused.

"What are you doing?" He chuckled, still puzzled. His face was covered in pitch black soot, I assumed he hasn't had the time to wash off the fine black powder. When I first got here a nurse used a washcloth to clean the grit off my skin.

"Waiting for you to give me a high-five."

"What's a high-five?"

Seriously?!

"Never mind." I glumly put my hand down. "Why are you not in your room?"

"I was checked over already, not too bad. That Jerry guy won't stop thanking us. He is in the waiting room." Ponyboy chuckled. "Plus, he agrees that Johnny stabbing the Soc was self-defense."