I stood up in shock, not believing what happened. Sodapop had just left when I told him that Johnny had kissed me, and he didn't say a word. I didn't know if his reaction was good or bad.

I began to tear up a bit, scared at what might happen. I didn't want Sodapop to stop loving me for nothing. He probably didn't even know I liked the kiss, but he jumped to conclusions.

I suddenly heard a crash from downstairs. I stood up, alarmed by the loud noise. I wasn't sure what it was, but I had a terrible feeling.

-

I creeped down the stairs, trying to be as quiet as possible. I didn't want anyone to know that I was listening in to what was happening.

I heard something that sounded like a smack across the face.

"What the hell were you thinking, kissing my brother?" yelled Sodapop. His face was bright red. I had never seen him so angry.

"I'm sorry, okay? I said it once, and I'll say it again, it was a mistake! I'm with Angela!" Johnny screamed back.

The whole gang was staring at the two boys fighting, but no one said a word. Angela was nowhere in sight.

"Since when were you a queer, Johnny Cade? Huh? What the fuck happened to you?" yelled Sodapop.

Then, I saw the unimaginable.

Johnny punched Sodapop right in the face.

There was blood.

-

I was sitting in the emergency room, not uttering a word. I was terrified of what was going on, and I wasn't sure what to do.

Steve was next to me, holding my hand. He was squeezing it tightly, almost like he was afraid to let go.

Sodapop was currently getting his nose checked. Johnny had punched him hard enough in the face that he began to bleed everywhere. His nose was purple and blue, and he was wheezing in pain.

Johnny sat in a chair across from me, looking miserable. I could tell that he felt bad, but Sodapop had clearly pushed him off the edge.

Steve told me everything in the car ride here.

We were sitting in Two Bit's car, driving to the emergency room. Two Bit was driving, Dally was in the front seat, and Steve and I were in the back.

Everyone was worried about Sodapop, but at the same time they felt like he deserved to get punched in the face for what he said.

"Pony, what happened when Soda came up to your room earlier?" asked Dal. He was looking at me, and his face was soft.

"He asked what was wrong, and I told him that Johnny kissed me. He walked out after that," i mumbled. I took a deep breathe.

"Wow. Well, I'm assuming you want to know everything that happened in the living room?" questioned Steve. I nodded.

"Well man, Soda came into the room, and straight up punched Johnny in the face without an explanation! Angela screamed and then ran out. He then proceeded to call Johnny terrible names, and they started to fight," stated Two Bit. That was the first time I had heard him speak about this whole situation,

"What did he call him?" I asked in a demanding voice. I knew that the boys didn't tell me the whole entire story. I didn't want them to hide anything from me.

"He called him a faggot, Pony. He said that he was worthless and disgusting," mumbled Steve. I gasped.

"But Johnny isn't any of that!" I stated. I felt tears in my eyes.

Steve pulled me into a hug, and began to rub my back. I was grateful for the gesture. It made me feel better.

"We know that he's not any of that, Ponyboy. He just needs to figure everything out," whispered Steve.

Dally and Two Bit were silent in front as me and Steve cuddled in the back seat.

Cuddling with Steve made me feel something, and I didn't know what it was.

-

"Mr. Curtis?" asked a nurse in front of me. She had blond hair.

"Yes?" I asked. I decided to stand up.

"Sodapop Curtis would like to talk to you," she stated. I gulped, but nodded my head.

The nurse began to walk to Soda's room, so I followed her. Most of the hospital was white, and it hurt my eyes. I hated the brightness.

The nurse stopped in front of a door, and motioned for me to step in. I don;t know why, but she looked a little nervous. Maybe Sodapop had told her something.

I stepped in silently, not wanting to disturb the peace. The whole room was silent except for some beeping.

Sodapop was sitting on a small bed, looking around the room. Finally, he looked at me.

"Sodapop," I said, unsure of what to say. I decided to sit down in one of the chairs that I saw. I felt like I was going to be sick to my stomach.

"Pony," he replied. He was cold.

"How are you feeling?" I asked. I didn't know what else to say.

Sodapop's nose was badly swollen. and it looked like he was going to have two black eyes. I didn't notice before, but his lip was also bleeding a bit.

"I'm fine, but I would've been better if your boy hadn't punched me," he said aggressively. I sighed heavily.

"He's not my boy. He's with Angela," I stated. I was starting to get fed up.

"Bullshit. He's a queer. I can smell it," replied Sodapop. I felt my blood boil.

"Don't talk about him like that!" I screamed. Maybe Johnny didn't do some great things, but I still loved him.

I would protect Johnny no matter what.

"Why are you defending him? You just said he isn't yours, so that clearly means that you're not a queer!" yelled Sodapop. That was it.

"He's not mine because we aren't together, Sodapop! And, for your information, I am a queer! I like girls and guys! I'm defending him because I love him!" I screeched. Sodapop looked taken aback.

Sodapop stared at me and said nothing. He was at a loss for words.

I felt someone grab my arm.

They dragged me out of the hospital room.

I heard a scream.