"Just a Cold"
Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own "The Outsiders" or any of the Curtis' gang. The true owner of "The Outsiders" is S.E. Hinton. She's always owned them. I also do not make a profit from the stories that I write on this site.
A/N: If you like it, love it, or even if you hate it, tell me in a review. Suggestions are always welcome, no matter what they might be. Thanks.
Ponyboy's POV (November 4th, 1966)
Part 1: Brothers, Always. Even at Two a.m
Summary: When Ponyboy comes down with a cold early in the morning, he tries to keep it from Soda, but the middle Curtis has other plans. He's going to make his brother feel better.
Another ferocious tickle itched my red nose. Shivering somethin' fierce, I held my breath so that I wouldn't wake up Sodapop next to me. The sneeze burst through me anyway. I sneezed, loudly, jolting Sodapop out of his deep sleep beside me.
"Geez, Ponyboy," Sodapop drawled, smiling a little. "Scare a guy to death why don't ya." Even in the dark light, he knew that something was wrong with me, but when he asked me I just shook my head.
"I'm fine," I told him hoarsely. He placed a cool hand on my forehead and then on my cheek. I unexpectedly sneezed, quickly turning my head to the side. He rubbed my back. I winced as my head pounded in my ears.
"Does your head hurt?" Soda asked me in a softer voice than normal. I nodded and then winced again. Bad idea. He got up and returned with two aspirins and a glass of water. I slapped my hand to my mouth, ignoring the water he provided, and swallowed the aspirins dry.
"It's just a cold, Soda," I told him, wincing as the talking bothered my throat. Soda looked like he didn't believe me, but he nodded.
"Well, if you still don't feel good on the morning I'll tell Darry, okay?" He proposed. I nodded tiredly. He threw his warm arms over my small frame.
"Go to sleep, Pone." I didn't need to be told twice. I fell asleep quickly slept peacefully with Soda's secure arm around me, guarding me from any demons.
Part 2: Out Of Town
Darry's POV (December 13th, 1963)
Summary: When Mr. and Mrs. Curtis go to Texas to visit some friends, Darry comes down with the flu. Will he make himself worse, or will he admit to being sick and let his brothers take care of him? Takes place in 1963. Requested by Sadicofan.
Despite the fact that it was only twenty degrees out, I was still shivering. My head was on fire and my whole body ached.
It's just a cold, I told myself. The flu had been going through the warehouse, steadily knocking down workers. Despite the fact that I didn't get sick much, I had known that it was only a matter of time until I came down with it also.
My parents were out of town that week, which left me to take care of my two younger brothers. How was I suppose to hide my cold when I had to take care of my fourteen year old brother and my eleven year old brother?
Coughing, I opened the screen door and stepped inside the sweltering house. I barely acknowledged my kid brothers when I got inside. I just headed straight to the bathroom to grab a warm shower. Once I got out and finished getting dressed, I was finally able to just lay down on the armchair for a few minutes.
"You feelin' alright, Dar-bear?" Soda asked me in an concerned voice. "You look wore-out."
"I'm fine," my hoarse voice came out muffled and sharper than I meant it to be. Sodapop settled back onto the couch warily and watched whatever program was airing. He kept sending me glances as he watched it.
I wished that I could lay there on the armchair forever. Despite my exhaustion, I forced myself up to make dinner. My world spun dizzily and the colors blurred together. The room titled and I had to grab the armchair to keep from collapsing.
Sodapop reached up to my height and placed his hand on my feverish forehead once I regained my balance.
"Geez, Darry, your burning up! Go on to bed, I can take care of Ponyboy," Soda lectured me. Normally I would have argued, but I was so tired that I let Soda lead me to my bed. I pulled back the covers and basically collapsed there. He stepped back and smiled, throwing the covers over me.
"Thanks, little buddy," I whispered gratefully before I fell asleep.
Part 3: Late Nights and Sore Throats
Summary: Sodapop and Steve stay out late one night, and the next day Sodapop wakes up with a sore throat. He thinks it's just a hangover, but will he realize that it's something worse?
Sodapop's POV (April 27th, 1966)
My head gave another ferocious pound. It felt like someone took a hammer to my temples. Stupid hangover, I thought to myself. I should have known better than to drink that much, especially since I don't normally drink much.
Pony came into my room and told me I needed to get up. I didn't want to, but I was able to force my legs into carrying me to the living room, coughing lightly.
"Rough night?" Dad joked as he sat down next to me. I gave him a mock-glare and tried to shove down my eggs.
"Take some aspirin and take it easy today," Mom advised me, smiling. I was just glad that she wasn't mad at me.
OoOoOoO
The next morning I woke up feeling even worse. My stomach rolled and I struggled to keep down last night's dinner. Darry stuck his head into my bedroom and told me that I needed to get ready for school. I was running late, again.
I opened my mouth to respond to him, but nothing came out. I began to cough and was barely able to catch my breath before my mom came into my room. It was getting crowded in there, my room was not very large.
She laid her small, smooth hand on my forehead. "My poor baby. I don't think your going to school today," she said quietly, smiling softly at me. I laid my head back down on my pillow, exhausted. Ponyboy came into my room to see what was going on.
Darry read his curious expression. "Sodapop's sick," he explained.
"I'll make you some soup," Ponyboy promised me. I smiled. Maybe being sick wasn't so bad after all. At least I had a loving family.
A/N: I could continue this with other members of the gang of you'd guys like. Please leave a fabulous review! Thank you so much for reading!
Aufenthalt Gold,
~Alee xXx
