Ponyboy's pov;;
"Well, well, well, what have we got here?" A soc asked.
"No one that should matter to you. You're in our territory." I said.
"I'd watch the way you're talking to me kid."
"Fine mom." I rolled my eyes.
I felt like making him mad, what's the worst that could happen? Besides possible death.
"What did you just say greaser?" One of the other socs stepped forward.
I took this as an opportunity to use a comeback I've been thinking about.
"Did I stutter?" I stepped forward as well.
"Pony stop." Johnny muttered quietly. "We don't need a fight."
"But-" I tried to tell him that I wanted to make them mad, for no apparent reason, but he cut me off.
He grabbed my arm, trying to pull me away.
Which ultimately failed. Horribly. The socs were faster than him and ripped him away from me, pulling him away.
I tried to push one soc off of me, but I just got knocked down.
While one soc punched me in the face, the others were kicking me.
"Get away from him!" Johnny screamed.
I heard a thump, then Johnny groaned and the soc that hurt him told him to shut up.
I felt one more agonizing punch on my right eye and got kicked a few more times on my back, before I couldn't feel anything at all.
I could partially see though, and the guys were still throwing punches and kicking me and I could still hear the sound of the guys fist hitting me.
I saw the guy punching me raise his hand, then I couldn't see anything.
"P-please. D-dont." I heard Johnny stutter. It seemed to echo, and I heard ringing.
"C'mon guys, just seeing his boyfriend get beat up is enough." I heard a new voice, and the sound of a car door open.
I recognized the voice, I just didn't know the name of who it belonged to.
I didn't hear Johnny screaming, so I assumed they left him alone.
I heard footsteps run over to me.
"Oh, Ponyboy." He whispered, but it seemed to be coming from a far distance. "I'm so sorry I let this happen."
I tried to say something. But I couldn't.
I wanted to tell him that it wasn't his fault. That he couldn't have done anything to stop this.
I'm the one who did this, I'm the one who bugged them. So, no, it's not his fault.
I heard him get up and he continuously mumbled the word 'no' over and over again, seemingly getting more distant the more he said it, until I couldn't hear it at all.
°°°
I woke up to a blinding bright light.
I pushed the button that calls the doctor, and a few seconds later, one entered the room.
"I'm glad you're finally up. I was afraid that you wouldn't wake up." He said.
"...what happened?" I asked.
He looked around the room for a minute, as if he was trying to think of a way to tell me.
"You and your black-haired friend were jumped," he said at last. "Only, he wasn't hurt too bad, you on the other hand, took many kicks to the ribs. You'll be staying here for a few days."
"I don't wanna stay here," I whined.
"Well, you're going to anyways. I'll go tell them you're awake."
I nodded and sat up.
I was staring down at my lap, currently wishing that Johnny was with me. I need to know he's okay.
I felt a sharp pain in my ribs and winced.
I heard a whimper and looked up. I saw Johnny and my mood changed instantly.
"Johnny." I said softly. "Are you okay? Did they hurt you?"
"I should be asking if you're okay." He said.
"But I asked first. Are you okay?" I moved over and patted the spot beside me so he could sit down.
He sat down beside me. "I'm fine. I only got kicked in the stomach. Randy Adderson was there and stopped them from hurting me because he said that seeing you get hurt was bad enough. He was right."
I wrapped his arms around him. "I'm okay too. I mean, I look like I'm not, but I am."
"I don't know what I would do if I lost you." He mumbled, nuzzling my face in my neck.
I smiled. "I'm not going anywhere."
I ran a hand up and down his back in attempt comfort him.
"I love you so much." He whispered.
I shivered, feeling his breath on my neck. "I love you too. So much."
I felt his body shaking, so I pushed him back slightly, to find out why.
I looked at his face, which was tear-streaked. "What's wrong, Johnny?"
"It's just," he sighed, "I thought I was going to loose you."
I pulled him closer to me. "You're not losing me anytime soon Johnny. I'm gonna be around to annoy you for a long time." I joked.
"I'd rather be annoyed by you than lose you. At least it'll be a reminder that you're here." He chuckled.
"Okay sir. Visiting times over," the doctor came in and said.
Johnny sighed, but hugged me one last time. "I love you."
I hugged him back. "I love you too."
He squeezed me lightly and got up, waving slightly at me.
I smiled and laid down.
Considering what happened next, I wish I had said goodbye to Johnny and the gang.
