Sodapop's POV

Since Darry had to work late, I had to walk home again from the DX with Steve. I don't mind walking home that much but it was one of the colder days this winter so I was wrapped up in my jacket.

Steve and I walked down the icy sidewalk, laughing and joking around. We whistled to girls on the street, making some of them laugh and others would roll their eyes. But I didn't care. I was finally having fun. I didn't worry about Ponyboy as much. I wasn't thinking about Socs, bills, or anything else. For some reason I was just in a better mood that day. Maybe it was because I had hope for my brother. I was just...happy.

I walked through the front door of the house with a big grin on my face and a skip in my step. Maybe Ponyboy is up to going somewhere? I might be able to cheer him up and convince him that this dream is just a horrible nightmare and not reality. I mean, I like to think that I'm a pretty optimistic guy so that's why I'm not giving up on Pony. He's my baby brother, and all he needs is a little motivation. "I'm gonna go check in Pony and then maybe we can all head out to a rodeo or something," I said to Steve as he sat down on the couch and turned on the TV. He nodded but I could tell that he was annoyed. I know that Steve and Ponyboy don't get along to well but I try my best to get them to like each other. Steve thinks that Ponyboy is just a kid but I don't agree. Pony can handle himself and is more mature than a lot of adults out there. He's really brainy too. That's one of the reasons why I'm so proud of him.

I went down the hall and into my bedroom. Ponyboy wasn't in there so I checked his old bedroom and Darry's too. After I didn't find him I went to the bathroom door. I had passed by it earlier but the lights were off so I didn't think that anyone was in there. The door was shut. Pony must be in here. I knocked twice and asked, "Pony, are ya in there?" No answer. "Pone, it's me Sodapop. Are you there?" I asked again. Still no answer. His silence was starting to worry me and I had finally had enough. "Ponyboy, I'm coming in," I stated. I opened the door and my eyes widened in horror. My baby brother was on the ground, unconscious. Pills were scattered across the bathroom floor and an aspirin bottle lied close by Ponyboy's hand. "Ponyboy! Are you okay?" I shouted while shaking him but he didn't respond back. I lifted his head and felt his neck. There was a pulse but it was barely there. Oh god I don't want to go through this again. I almost lost him a couple days ago. Now, I might lose him again.

I heard loud footsteps coming down the hall. Steve must have heard me yell and wanted to find out what was wrong. "Why the hell are you yell- oh shit! What happened?" Steve asked when he saw the scene in front of him.

"Get the truck started. I'll explain later!" I cried. Steve ran out of the room and I was left alone with my brother again. He must have overdosed on the pills while I was at work. I knew that someone should've stayed with him. He wasn't mentally stable to be alone but I didn't stop it. I was hanging around with Steve instead of watching my brother. How could I be so stupid?

I picked picked pony up and dragged him to the bathtub. He was still a pretty skinny event since he came back from Windrixville so it was fairly easy to move him. I sat him up over the edge of the tub and brushed his hair away from his eyes. I need to buy him some time. I rolled up my sleeves although it was difficult because I was shaking so much. "I'm sorry baby," I whispered into Ponyboy's ear and kissed his temple. With shaking hands I held Pony's head up with one hand and forced my middle and pointer fingers down Ponyboy's throat. I took them out quickly and he immediately began to throw up into the bathtub. I tried to comfort him by rubbing his back but nothing seemed to work. When he finished I moved him to the floor again and cleaned his mouth and my hands. When I was done with that, I went back to the tub to count the pills. I only saw five but I'm positive that he swallowed more than that.

I scooped Ponyboy up in my arms and rushed out of the house. He was still unconscious as we raced out of the driveway. I was shaking like a leaf and checking every few seconds to make sure that he was still breathing. Steve was driving down the road fast and the fear for my baby brother's life grew by the second. " I called ahead so they'll be waiting for us,"Why would he do this? I knows that he was sad but I didn't think that he would try to kill himself! I thought that he was getting better. I thought that he wanted to get better. We would always tell each other everything. Did he feel like he couldn't talk to me? Did I hurt his feelings? What if I could've prevented this? That was the question that kept swirling through my mind. What if I could've have stopped this but I was just to oblivious to notice how sad he had become? If he doesn't make it...I'll never forgive myself.

We finally pulled up to the hospital. Since Steve had called at the house, they already had a stretcher waiting for us. I lay Ponyboy down on it and followed them inside. The doctors were speaking to each other quickly and I was too numb to figure out what they were saying. We reached the end of the hall and one of the nurses stopped me. "I'm sorry but you'll have to wait out here," she said sternly. I was about to object but I knew that time was of the essence for Pony. I nodded but before they went I kissed Ponyboy's cold forehead and then let him go. I broke down and cried when they turned the corner. I felt someone kneel down beside me and I knew right away that it was Steve. I was mixed with thoughts and emotions. Then, a thought popped into my mind. What is Darry going to say when he finds out?

A/N
Hey guys! Thanks for reading! I hoped you liked it and I'll try to update very soon. Stay gold!!❤️