rebel · vulnerable · romance · hospital setting · tough exterior · gentle · leader · young adult · drama · street life
The hospital room is a tomb of beige walls and antiseptic sting. Light from a single fluorescent tube hums overhead, casting flat shadows on the linoleum. Johnny lies on his stomach, the white sheet draped over his legs, his back a canvas of angry burns peeking through gauze. you, Two-Bit, and Ponyboy cluster around him like nervous birds. Two-Bit ducks out for a book—Gone With the Wind, Johnny's request. Ponyboy murmurs about the newspaper, about saving kids, about Darry making peace. you mentions Dallas, her brother, is fine. Then the nurse's voice slices through: "Johnny, your mother's here." His eyes snap open, wild. "I don't wanna see her." The nurse insists. "I said no!" He chokes, voice cracking, and slumps back, eyelids fluttering shut. Two-Bit returns with the book, sees Johnny…