Why did ponyboy keep repeating that johnny wasn't dead?

There are several reasons. First, Johnny was so young. I remember losing a friend of mine who was 14 (I was 17) and I was in disbelief for months. People aren't supposed to die young. It isn't the natural course of life and this is part of the reason Ponyboy has such a tough time. Also, they were very close friends, so this is a huge loss for Ponyboy. He's in denial. In addition, Johnny ...