I silently opened Johnny’s door the room was fairly dark but there were some dim lights on so I could see well enough. I tiptoed over to Johnny and pulled up a chair it wasn’t until I sat down that I realised how bad he was. He was face down on the bed a blanket over him covering everything from halfway down his back. Johnny’s skin looked bad, it was real red and dark, it was flaky and some parts were completely burnt and other parts looked completely normal.  I couldn’t believe the pet of the group was like this. I had an awful feeling Johnny wasn’t gonna survive but I couldn’t think that not ol’ Johnnycake. I couldn’t live without him no one in the gang could. Tears started to escape my eyes at the thought of losing Johnny, he pulled the group together, he listened to everyone and we trusted him, we all at some point or another had him crash on our couch. I want Johnny to live I need Johnny to live so he knows what it’s like not couch surfing to grow up get a job and have his own bed where he can freely sleep without worrying about his fucking parents.

 I ran my fingers through his hair and just sat there humming quietly and played with his hair. His greasy hair was now clean, it was so different. Suddenly I felt him stir and quickly pulled my hand away.  “Johnny?” I whispered.  “Hmmm Kate?” his voice was shaky and barely more than a silent whisper.  I ran my finger back through his hair he always loved me doing that well when he was younger he did.

Kate: Yeah kid, it’s me.

Johnny: What are you doing here?

Kate: came to see you, make sure you’re ok. I haven’t seen you in ages Johnnycake, I missed you. –my voice started get shaky as if I was about to cry, I took a deep breath and held back the tears I didn’t want Johnny to know I was crying.

Johnny:  I missed you to Kate, is Dallas ok?

Kate: yeah mate he’s fine.  Just a banged up arm that’s all. You know Dally he’s tough just like you.

Johnny: aw shoot Kate, I love you Kate…like a sister I mean.

Kate: I love you to Johnnycake.- he sounded exhausted- Now go to sleep.

Johnny: Kate can you sing to me like you used to?

I continued to run my hands through his hair and sang him a lullaby my father used to sing to me before he died, Johnny always loved it. I fought back the tears as I sang it over and over again, thinking about how Johnny thought of me as his sister.  When I was sure he was asleep I stopped singing kissed him on the head and walked out. I leant against the wall in the hall and let the tears flow down my cheeks.  The doctor that treated me walked up to me and asked if I was ok, I wiped my tears away with the base of my hand and said yes. The doctor then told me that Johnny would never be able to walk again the beam broke his back. “Thankyou doc” my voice sounded weak and fragile. My side was throbbing I needed more aspirin. “Your side giving you trouble? The doc asked concern was strong in his voice. “Uh yeah, just need some aspirin.” I groaned. “Come with me.” He grabbed my arm and hastily took me to the drug supply room. “What are we doing here?” I was out of breath and my side was unbearable. He shoved a medicine container in my hand.

Doc: “Here Kate take this, one every 4 -6 hours will almost completely numb the pain.”

Kate: No Doc I can’t afford these.

Doc: I know think of them as a get well soon gift – what was with people trying to give me stuff and saying to think of it as a gift?-

Kate: But Doc why?

Doc: With everything that’s happened to you and your friends I think you deserve this.

Kate: I don’t know what to say but thankyou.

Doc: don’t say anything, don’t tell anyone just go home Kate ok?

Kate: ok Doc.

I smiled and walked out of the room and down to Dally’s room I know I was supposed to go home but I felt the need to go back to Dally. I didn’t know why I just felt the need to be near him. On the way to Dally’s room I got some water and took one of the pills. I crept back over the chair next to the bed and just sat there watching him sleep. I know it sounds creepy but he was just so different when he was asleep.  After about 10 minutes I couldn’t even feel my injury. I lifted my shirt up to look at it, it was red around the outside but apart from that it really was just a line made of stitches.

Dally: trying to flash me there, I would much rather be awake next time thought thanks babe.

I wacked his leg as hard as I could.

Kate: Shut up!! -I giggled. –Johnny’s out of surgery.

Dally: is he ok?

I looked down at my feet.

Kate: um Doc told me he won’t be able to walk again…

Dally: FUCK IT!!- Dally slapped the bed with his good hand, his eyes were blazing with anger most wouldn’t disturb him when he was like this but Dally has never even tried to lay a hand on me so I wasn’t afraid.  

Kate: Dally, I-I’m sorry. He was wondering about you, I told him you were fine, he looks up to you, ya know?

Dally: He does? Why would he do that? It’s stupid! I ain’t no role model.

Kate: Because you’re not afraid of anything to him you Tuff.

Dally: got a cigarette Kate?

It then hit me I hadn’t had a cancer stick in days with everything that has been happening it just hadn’t occurred to me to have one.  Now I was craving one.

Kate: shit sorry Dally, wait here I will go get one from the dispenser.

I ran to the dispenser on the same floor luckily near reception. I got his favourite type and ran back.

Kate: here you go Dal.-I handed him a smoke and he snatched it out of my hand.

Dally: What’s the time??

Kate: 3:30 am

Dally: in the morning?? Shit!!

I could see the news about Johnny was really getting to Dally. He was pissed off!! I started yawning I was still tired even after my sleep.

Come here Dally motioned for me to come closer to him so I did. "Come lay with me", I was hesitant but I didn’t really think dally would pull anything.  So I climbed up on to the bed and laid next him with his good arm holding me close and the other softly stroking my hair. “Go to sleep Kate, you need it.” His voice as mild but not calm I could hear anger and frustration in it but I was really tired so I just fell asleep. 

I opened my eyes and realised I was still in Dally’s arms I stirred a bit and he tightened his grip on me.  “Kate?” “mmm?” I moaned back. “You awake?” “Yeah” I said. He didn’t say anything for a while just laid there.

Dally: Kate, you’re gorgeous when you’re asleep.

Kate: you were watching me sleep…ew you creep- I laughed and tried to wipe off his comment.

Dally: Oh and you get fat to because my arm is dead now!!

Kate: gee thanks a lot- I giggled.

It felt good to laugh it felt like I hadn’t in ever.

Dally: yeah so get off!

Kate: Never!- I straightened up to make it hard for him to move me.

Dally: oh really- then he moved his hand and started to tickle me.

 Damn I hated him knowing I was ticklish. I was squirming a lot until I sat up and sat on top off him held his arm down. I sat there panting and just staring into his eyes again, this was happening way to much all these intense moments, it never used to be like this we were always joking around. I guess times have changed. Dally lifted his head to kiss me but I moved my head and he kissed my cheek. All I could think was how bad of a person I am what about Two-Bit? I loved two-Bit what the fuck am I doing with Dallas? Dallas was just my friend and nothing more! I got off of Dally and sat back in the chair. “Dally I’m sorry.” “Don’t worry about it!” Dallas sounded hurt and I felt horrible. “Dally when Johnny’s out we should go to the diner and buy him a huge Chocolate cake and Pepsis galore, I think he would like that.” “I think your right Kate. What’s the time now?”  “8 am” “go home Kate and get ready for the rumble.” “Sure Dally, see ya later?” “course.” And with that I left Dally’s room and walked home.