Ponyboy's point of view

I completely collapsed beside Johnny, picking him up a little and trying to keep him awake. The Socs all ran almost immediately, so did the rougher greasers. Just Dally, Two-Bit and I were left with Johnny.

"You still here Johnny?! Come on don't close your eyes just look at me, look at me Johnny come on baby look at me!" He was trying his best to keep his eyes fixed but they started to flutter, I flipped and started shaking him and trying to talk to him more. But nothing worked, he was out.

No. No no no no no no no NO NO! This can't be happening this cannot be happening right now.

"JOHNNY! Goddamnit Johnny hold on okay!? You're going to be alright- SOMEONE CALL AN AMBULANCE FOR CHRISTS SAKE!" I was hysterical, the two others with me were in shock and just stood there. Until eventually Two-Bit seemed to come through and ran off the find a phone. Dally just kept staring at me.

"Dally we gotta get him out of here. We need help you gotta help me man come oN!" I was trying my best not to yell but shit was I scared.

"Pressure." Dally mumbled.

"What?"

"APPLY PRESSURE DUMBASS! Okay sorry. I'm sorry! Just stop the bleeding alright? I'll find us a car." With that, he ran off. Now that I was alone with Johnny I started crying. I hate crying. Showing weakness, but what if I lost him? I couldn't deal with that, I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

I wiped my tears away and remembered what Dallas said. Quickly, I pulled off my sweatshirt and take off Johnny's jean jacket. I pull up his shirt and try not to puke at the sight of the wound. I pressed my sweatshirt over his stomach and tied his jacket around tightly, so as to stop the bleeding. I tried to pickup Johnny but I was shaking too much and I think I messed up my right shoulder in the fight.

"I couldn't find a phone- oh shoot Pony move aside lemme get him." Two-Bit had come back and was now pushing me away and lifting Johnny effortlessly off the ground. I just cried more.

"Ponyboy you gotta calm down. Okay? Where's Dallas?" Two-Bit said when he noticed my sobbing and the absence of the hood. Johnny still limp in his arms.

"Went to get a car. We gotta go Two, we can't let him die, man we can't!" I choked up. Two-Bit looked at me with sympathy. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted Dallas starting up a car across the street.

"Let's run kid." And we did.

•••

We were at the hospital now. They had to preform emergency surgery on Johnny to get the bullet out. Seeing him with an oxygen mask and being surrounded by doctors brought back too many memories.

Sodapop and Darry were here too, Two-Bit had called them from the hospital phone.  Steve was coming too. Darry was pacing around in the waiting room, shooting his head up every time a doctor walked by, Two-Bit had fallen asleep on a chair, and Dallas was sitting silently in the corner, staring into space.

"How you doin' kid?" Soda said, sitting down beside me. I just started crying.

"Oh Pony." Soda put his arms around me and smoothed down my hair as I cried into his chest.

"It's my fault Soda," I wept, "if I'd have kept my big mouth shut he'd be just fine!"

"Hey hey hey, don't say that Pony, it wasn't your fault at all," Sodapop was usually great at comforting me. It wasn't working this time though, I'm hysterical. I can't believe I did this.

I kept bawling like a baby, when I heard Soda call Darry to come over.

"Hey Ponyboy," he said quietly and rubbed my back. I looked up at him with cloudy eyes and I saw he had a busted lip from the fight. I stood up quickly and threw my arms around his waist.

"Okay, it's okay. You're going to be alright little brother. Everything's going to be alright," Darry was holding me tightly and kissed the top of my head. I wanted to believe him, I wanted to think that everything would be okay but Johnny was shot! He might... die.

I cried harder.

"Is anybody here for Johnathan Cade?"

My head shot up along with the others.

"We are," Darry said, letting go of me.

"Could a few of you follow me? It's a small room. But the surgery was successful and he's going to be alright. He's sleeping now but should be up soon." I got up quickly, and so did Dally. The others sat down, and nodded to us, know Dally and I where the closest to Johnny.

We followed the doctor down the hall, I had stopped my crying but my face was still puffy and I felt like a total wimp.

"I'm sorry, Ponyboy," Dally said softly, I was taken a back. He never apologized. "I knew tonight was gunna be rough, but Christ man I didn't think heaters would come out!"

I looked up at him and his face was full of something I've never seen on him, guilt.

"I shouldn't have let you and Johnny come, man. It was too dangerous. I should've known better."

I reached my arm out slowly and put my hand on Dallas' shoulder. "It's not all on you, Dal, if I'd have kept my mouth shut Johnny'd still be safe."

He didn't say anything, just gave me a sad smile.

We finally got to Johnny's room and the doctor let us in, saying he'd be outside if we needed anything. I felt my stomach knot when I saw Johnny, laying still with an I.V. In his arm and tubes running through his nose. I felt tears prick at my eyes again and I basically ran towards his bed, grabbing a chair to sit on and grabbing a hold of his hand. Dally stood on the opposite side and I could see tears in his eyes as well.

I softly rubbed Johnny's hand and planted a few kisses. I felt his hand squeeze mine and my eyes widened.

"Johnny?"

His eyes slowly opened and he gave me a weak smile.

"Johnny, I'm so sorry." I leant down and wrapped him into a hug, "I was supposed to protect you. I was supposed to stay out of trouble and I didn't listen Johnny I can't believe I did this." I was weeping. I pulled away and he looked at me with sympathy in his eyes.

"Ponyboy don't blame this on you. You stepped in when no one would," He reached up and touched my face, "what you did was brave Pony. It was gallant."

"I got you shot Johnny... you .... you took a bullet for me." That's the first time I thought of it that way, it made me feel more guilty.

"And I'd take another one if it meant protecting you." I smiled and pulled his face towards mine and kissed him, if the roles where reversed, I'd take a bullet for him too.

"I love you so much Johnny. So fucking much." I looked into his eyes and they sparkled.

"I love you too Ponyboy." He smiled, and kissed me again.

The end.

Sorry this took me so fuckin long to update, hope it's alright.