「it ended at sonic」 | d.w. + c.v.

Chapter Sixteen.

HER CAR WAS finally out of the shop, and now, she was on her way to pick up Dallas from the hospital, after him having refused to let anyone else except him drive his car. She imagined he'd still be bitter about what she'd done, but maybe he'd show some appreciation for her driving out of her way to get him. He was full of surprises, though she wasn't sure this would be one. She pulled up to the entrance, nurses already bringing Dally out. They'd probably been waiting for her. He was on crutches to help him keep himself steady, and at the moment the nurses were trying to help him, but he was shooing them away. The redhead rolled her eyes at this, but didn't say a word. Instead, she unlocked the doors for him to get in. "He can't sit down for another week," the blonde headed nurse informed her. There were three of them trying to get him in the backseat to lay down, and he was stubbornly insisting that he could handle it by himself.

"Dally-" She started, but didn't even finish. She wouldn't be able to convince him to let them help, anyway. Though after a few more seconds, he was settled and as comfortable as he could get. She couldn't help but feel slightly sorry for him after what she'd done - maybe she did feel a little guilty, but she would not give him the satisfaction of knowing it. So instead, she just sighed as she drove out of the parking lot. Turning right would lead to her own home while turning left would lead to Ponyboy's. She turned left, the guy had insisted on letting Dally crash there since he was the one who shot him but both Cherry and Darry had been a bit hesitant to let him, seeing as the one who did get shot was bound to try and get revenge. "Dallas, just so you know, if I hear anything about you goin' after Ponyboy, I'll do worse than I did the other night, you got that?" Cherry warned, trying to sound steady and intimidating, though just the mention of her 'kissing' his ass was enough to make him writhe, and she took great pride in it. Though, it really was a wonder why he didn't seem to be holding a grudge against her. Maybe he'd just decided to mentally blame the whole thing on Ponyboy.

"Why don't you just take me to your home, then, huh? I'm sure your mom wouldn't mind." He teased, clearly unconcerned with her attempt at intimidating him. God, if he weren't already injured, she would've smacked at his arm. He was lucky she was even giving him a ride, as much as he irritated her. He shuffled as he took in the interior of her car, wincing as he did so. "You know, before now, I hadn't ever seen your car. I like it, you should let me drive it sometime." Cherry slammed on the brakes, pulling to the side of the road instantly as she heard those words.

"Listen, you-" She spun around in her seat to point a threatening finger at him, the smirking fool. "If you think you're ever gonna get the chance to drive my car, you're psychotic! You lay your dirty hands on the wheel of this car, I myself will be shootin' you!" His laughter filled the ears of her angered self, and she realized that he only did that to rile her up. Well, mission accomplished: she was irritated and near the point to leaving him on the side of the road. Thankfully, his wise-ass comments stopped, and only his laughter was left as she got back on the road.

"I knew you were fiery, red." He stated, secretly trying to win back his dignity as she worked her way to Ponyboy's house from the DX. She still had yet to learn the shorter way, much to her dismay. She pulled up to the house, helping Dally out as best she could before he waved her away. Ponyboy came out, trying to help in someway, but, was ultimately pushed away after a deadly glare from him. He was going to hold this incident over him for the rest of their lives.

In a few minutes, Dally was laying with his feet over the arm of the couch, Cherry sitting beside his head, and Ponyboy getting him something to eat that wasn't that lousy hospital food Dallas had complained about for the few days that he was there. Darry and Sodapop were working at the moment, and Steve was wherever his feet had taken him. Dallas winced at nearly every move he made. Ponyboy brought him a grilled cheese, feeling accomplished that he'd managed to make it without burning one side of the bread. The blond eagerly took it from his hands, biting into it. He let out a moan shortly after. "This is so much better than I remember them ever being before." He mumbled, eyes closed and taste buds savoring the buttery, cheesy goodness.