A/N: I do not own The Outsiders, they belong to S.E. Hinton
NEW AGES…
Darry-21
Two-Bit-19
Dally-18
Steve-18
Soda-17
Johnny-17
Pony-15

(Soda's POV in whole story)

I was attempting my fourth chicken this week when a hacking cough came from upstairs. Darry again. I rushed up with another ice water for him. I got into his room and he had a hand to his forehead groaning. He took the ice water and chugged most of it, "Thanks."

"No problem. More bills came in today," I said remembering one that said in big red letters, 'LAST NOTICE!' Darry just groaned again. "Darry, you've been out of work for awhile now and my paycheck barely covers a quarter of the bills alone, especially since I've been staying home sometimes to help you," I said.

"I know, I'm sorry, I shouldn't keep you here," Darry said.

"You can barely walk without getting dizzy," I said. I remembered when he got out of bed a couple days ago and collapsed onto his knees.

"This flu is getting out of hand," Darry said to himself. I agreed. I wasn't even sure if we could call it a simple "flu" anymore. Unless there's such thing as over-board flu, because this was it.

"Soda, listen, I'm sorry, but I don't think I'll be able to buy anything for your birthday until awhile after it," Darry said. I haven't thought of my eighteenth birthday that much, really. It was in three days.

"Darry, don't worry about it, I want you better," I told him.

"Really?" Darry asked studying my eyes. I really did mean it. Why would I rather have a present then my brother better? Crazy talk I tell you.

"Of course, want dinner?" I asked.

"I don't know…" he said giving me a look.

"I swear, I did it right this time," I said. I spoke too soon when I heard someone yell downstairs. I ran quickly to find Pony trying to calm smoke down from the over. "Oh crap," I said. I put oven mitts on and rushed the chicken out and helped Pony calm the smoke. "I think the oven was too high again," I said. Pony gave me this look.

"Soda, we haven't really had a decent dinner since Darry started getting sick," Pony complained.

"I know; I'm trying to so hard. Who knew cooking took so long to learn," I said throwing out the chicken. Just then Two-Bit and Steve walked in slamming the door. That wouldn't help Darry's headaches. "Just in time, dinner," Two-Bit said smelling the air.

"No, dinner's ruined again," I said sadly, not to mention feeling stupid.

"I don't want another pizza," Pony said. I didn't really want one either.

"Well…then we can just make sandwiches, I'll heat up soup for Darry," I said.

"Hey Soda, can we talk?" Steve asked walking back into the living room. I went along and Two-Bit helped Ponyboy get sandwich stuff out along with the pan for soup. "Soda, I saw the last notice letter on the coffee table," Steve said looking down. I followed his gaze to that letter with the big red letters on it. That's all I knew about that letter, were the big red letters right on it in the middle.

"Listen, why can't I give you some of my paycheck?" Steve asked.

"I can't Steve, I'd feel awful for it," I said. Steve had mentioned giving me his paycheck, or some or most, all the time. It's his money, not mine, not my right to take it.

"I feel awful for not helping," Steve said and picked up the letter, "you can't pay for the bills yourself! Darry isn't showing a lot of progress, you need help, man."

"I'll pull it off, I just need a little more time," I said shoving the letter back down in anger.

"Soda…do you know what will happen if you don't get help? Or if Darry doesn't get better?" Steve asked. I did. I knew exactly what would happen.

"Yes, Steve, you've mentioned a few times," I said avoiding eye contact.

"Soda…I'm not trying to hurt you, but think about Pony," Steve said. Pony would get put in a boy's home. I had to do something.

A/N: So its short but what do you think of the plot?