A Ride Home {COMPLETED}

Chapter 20

| Pony's POV |

Over the next week, as soon as school was out, I would sprint home and Two Bit would drive us to the hospital. Mel was usually always in a good mood, except today.

I came bounding up the stairs, desperate to see her.

"Melody Matthews." I practically shouted to the nurse.

"I'm sorry, she is not permitted to any visitors at this time due to a flare up in her lungs, I'll call for you when You're able to visit." She said, barely glancing up from her paper work.

I felt my stomach drop and I turned to Two Bit. "Let's get the other guys over here."

~•~•~•~•

We waited for a hour. All seven of us. It was the same scene from about a week ago. {AN : hehe} I couldn't keep myself still as my knee bounced and my fingers tapped the chair. Soda gave me a smile and smoothed my hair.

"Visitors for Melody Matthews." a voice over the PA announced. We all jumped and raced towards her room. When we got there, we all sucked in a breath.

"Oh my god, Mel." Johnny whispered.

Her face was pale, nearly all of her hair was gone, she was so skinny from the last time I saw her.

Her opened her eyes barely and looked at us. "Hey guys, fancy seeing you here." Two Bit chuckled.

"Sounds like you, Two." Darry spoke what everyone was thinking.

We all filtered our way in. Two Bit grabbed one of her hands and I grabbed the other one. Her breathing was heavy and it scared me.

"How you doing doll?" Dally asked, nervously rubbing his knuckles.

She shrugged. "Doc doesn't know how much longer, cancer is spreading faster than they thought."

Everyone was dead silent.

"We all love you, Mel. More than anything." Johnny whispered.

A chorus of responses flooded the room and I squeezed her hand. "Especially me." I winked and she giggled.

"I love you all more than anything. You guys saved me from my own demons and from myself. Without you, who knows where my life would be. Steve, I've hated you since the first day I met you. Dally, even though you're an arrogant asshole, I love you. Darry, you're like the father I never had. Soda, you're always the sunshine to my garden. Johnny, you're my best friend, you always know what to say and how to cheer me up. Two, even though we've only had two real years together, I still love you more than anyone on the planet. and Ponyboy, I'll love you forever, no matter where I am and what I'm doing. Thank you guys." She started coughing uncontrollably and jerking around.

My teary eyes became wide with fear. Suddenly, she stopped. "I love you." she breathed. Her grip on my hand loosened. Her eyes closed.

~•~•~•~•~

Melody Marie Matthews
February 15, 1966
6:30 pm