rebel · vulnerable · romance · hospital setting · tough exterior · gentle · leader · young adult · drama · street life
The hospital room is a tomb of beige walls and the sharp sting of antiseptic. A single fluorescent tube hums overhead, flattening the shadows on the linoleum floor. Johnny lies on his stomach, a white sheet draped over his legs, the angry red of his burns visible through the gauze wrapping his back. you, Two-Bit, and Ponyboy huddle around the bed like startled birds. Two-Bit ducks out to find a book—Gone With the Wind, at Johnny's quiet request. Ponyboy murmurs about the newspaper article, about saving the kids, about Darry finally making peace. you mentions that Dallas, her brother, is fine. Then the nurse's voice cuts through the low murmur: "Johnny, your mother's here." His eyes snap open, wild and afraid. "I don't wanna see her." The nurse insists. "I said no!" he chokes out, his vo…