Wishes Can Come True

A Fighter

The next day Erin was feeling some what better. She was able to stay awake longer and hold more of a conversation. The whole gang was there, too (except Ponyboy), and she couldn't be more glad. The doctor told her that there's a chance she might not make it much longer. That she has a better chance of dying than living. She wanted to prove them wrong on that. But the thought that she let death overcome her yesterday made her shudder.

"Hey, Er, we gotta go," Sodapop announced, calling Erin by a nickname he gave her. Darry stood up too. They had all came over in Darry's truck, so that meant they were all leaving. That, or going to see Ponyboy. Erin was right, Ponyboy was not okay. He still got a concussion like in the book. He wouldn't wake up that morning, and Darry and Soda were afraid he was dead.

Erin winced a little. Sometime she feels a sharp pain in her stomach. The doctors say that it's normal. Darry noticed and walked over to the edge of her bed. "You all right, Erin?"

"Yeah...it just hurts sometimes. Don't worry." Don't worry. That seems very hard when you're dying, Johnny though. He was scared to death. He didn't want her to die. No one did. He kept thinking back to Dally's words.

"She's a fighter." Johnny kept replaying that in his head. He knew it was true, but would she fight enough? Quit doubting her! She will live! She's a fighter.

The room had fell silent until Darry spoke again. "All right, kid. Just call us if you need anything. We are going to see Pony." She nodded before they walked out the door. Once they were gone she laid her head back on the pillow and groaned.

"What's wrong?" Johnny asked her. He gets so worked up about everything she does. It worries him to death, the thought that she might die, so he's trying to do everything he can to prevent it.

"I want to go home. To the Curtis's. I want all this to be over and to be out of this hospital."

"I know, Angel, I want that too," Johnny told her. "But you will be better soon, then we can do all kinds of things." That made Erin smile. If there was one thing Erin learned at that church, it's that Johnny Cade can make her smile a lot.

...

Erin's been in the hospital for over a week. She proved those doctors wrong. That greater chance she had of dying is completely out of the picture. Her normal color has returned, but she still hurts sometimes. They said that's normal because of how deep the wound is. But she still has to stay in the hospital for about another week.

Johnny visited every day. Ponyboy finally came to visit today. He had to stay in bed for a week, and Darry seemed lenient about even letting him come. But Johnny was finally able to convince him to let him come. They would both sit and talk to her all day if they could. "Darry told me that once your better you have to go to school."

"Really. Ugh!" She flopped down on her pillow. "I don't wanna," She whined. "School sucks." Johnny and Pony both laughed.

"Dramatic much?" Ponyboy smiled.

"Oh I could be even more dramatic if you'd like. School is tourer, but I guess it's all right. The kids can be jerks. Especially the boys."

"I'm sure they're not that bad."

"2019 boys are. 1965 boys are so much better." She then gave the boys a smile before adding, "And cuter." Making them both blush. When Erin giggled they both smiled.

"Seems like you're doing better."

"Yep! Much better!" Erin cheered, a big smile on her face. The thought of going home fuels her with happiness. She wanted out of this cold, dull hospital.

Johnny smiled. He loved seeing her happy, but he hated seeing her in this hospital. He wanted her to be safe at the Curtis house. He wanted lots of things, but there was something about Erin Williams that he wanted.

Suddenly, Erin's stomach let out a loud growl. She hasn't eaten lots because of the gross hospital food. "Ponyboy, can you go get me something to eat...maybe from the Dairy Queen? Please." She pouted, giving him puppy dog eyes.

"Fine. But only because I want to." He then walked out of the hospital leaving Johnny and Erin by themselves.

"Oh, hey, I brought you something," Johnny said with a grin. He pulled her phone out of his back pocket. She had been asking for it for days, but Darry said it was too risky to have it in public.

"Johnny!" She had a huge smile on her face. "Thank you!" She sat up a little, pulling him into a hug. But, of course, when she seen all the messages she had, her smile faded.

"Hey," Johnny noticed her frown. She sighed and flopped down on the pillow again. "What's wrong?"

"My parents and friends keep texting me. But there's no way I can get in touch with them here. They have no idea I'm here, Johnny. They think I'm missing. They keep asking if I'm okay, and I want to se bad to tell them I'm fine but...I-I just can't."

She felt tears run down her cheeks. Johnny got up from the chair and sat down on the bed, pulling Erin close to him. "Shh, it's okay. Things will be all right, Angel." She looked at more of her messages before throwing her phone down. She clutched Johnny tighter and cried into his chest.

"I-I want to got h-home, Johnny...but I don't want to leave you guys."

"I know. We will get you home, Erin. Don't worry." It hurt Johnny to say that. He didn't want her to leave them. He wanted her to stay with the gang forever. But you can't always get what you want.

"Thanks, Johnnycake. You're always so nice to me. That's something that I love about you." Johnny blushed as Erin snuggled a little closer to him.

Two-Bit, Dally, and Ponyboy came through the door and froze. "Woah," Two-Bit said, "Hope we aren't interrupting anything." Ponyboy smacked Two's arm. Erin and Johnny both looked down, their faces burned red. Johnny went to get up but Erin grabbed his hand.

"Don't go...I...um...can you stay with me...please?" Johnny felt a smile grow on his face.

"Yeah, Angel. Sure." He got settled back in the bed next to Erin. Two-Bit was clearly in a joking mood because he asked if they've kissed yet.

"N-no." Johnny stuttered out. Both of them were blushing like crazy. Johnny really didn't know what else to say, so he just sat there until Ponyboy handed Erin her food.

"Heard you are getting released soon, man," Dally finally spoke up, releasing some of the tension. She nodded. "That's good. I'm tired of coming here. Hospitals give me the creeps."

"Tell me about," Erin responded. "I hate it. I'm ready to leave this place." Erin heard her phone go off. She picked it up and seen a message from her friend Paige. She hasn't really talked to Paige this year. They have been best friends for years, but this year they sort of drifted apart.

I know we don't talk much anymore, but you were my best friend and I still care about you. When I heard you were missing, well, I didn't know what to think. At first I thought it wasn't true, then when you never showed up for school...well...it really scared me. I'm worried about you Erin. Where are you? No one can get in touch with you. It's killing everyone. I don't know if you'll even read this, but if you do, please come home. I really miss you and would like to pick up where we left off.

That message almost sent Erin into tears again. Her friends really did miss her, they were really worried about her. She read over messages from Rachel, Katlyn, Blanca (one of her friends from church). Finally she had to put the phone down to keep herself from crying.

Erin has no idea where she wants to be anymore. This is what she's always wanted, what she's always wished for, and now she wants to go home. Give up this time, this world, for her family. She thinks she knows how much these boys mean to her, but she has no clue yet.