I don't own the Outsiders, S.E Hinton does.

Chapter 1

Ponyboy's POV

I was walking home from the movies and was passing by the lot when I heard a groan. I looked over and saw a figure covered in newspapers, huddled against the cold. Johnny. I went over him and bent down to his level. He was sleeping, but not peacefully. He was sweating, despite it being cold out here. His face was flushed though, making his face pale. I felt his forehead, it was burning. Johnny stirred

"W-What?" he mumbled. His voice was kind of scratchy.

"Just me Johnny. Why are you sleeping out here? You know that you could of stayed at our house." I say. Johnny shrugged.

"Didn't want to bother you all." He said. I hate it when he does that. He should know that Darry doesn't care if he needs to stay the night. Johnny yawned.

"What time is it?" he asked sitting up a bit, before having to steady himself.

"You alright?" I ask him, helping Johnny sit up.

"Just a little dizzy, I'm okay."

"Alright, you want to come over? It's starting to get dark; you know that Darry won't care if you have to stay over." I say.

"Alright, yeah." Johnny says standing up shaking slightly. I put his arm over my shoulder and help him home. He was limping still from the beating the socs gave him a month ago. We got to my house and went inside. Darry was in the kitchen with Soda, eating dinner. Damn it, I'm late. Darry stood.

"Where have you been?" he asked impatiently. Then he saw Johnny, and his voice and expression softened.

"Hey Johnny, you need to stay the night." Johnny nodded. He went over to the couch, lying down. I went over to the table. Darry knew where I was now. We ate dinner and talked a little. I went over with Johnny and watched T.V with him. He kept nodding off, that was weird. Johnny almost never fell asleep during Perry Manson.

"Johnny are you feeling alright?" I finally asked. He nodded.

"I'm fine." He said. Darry walked over and felt his forehead. Darry sighed.

"No you're not. You're running a fever. Go sleep it off in Soda's old room. I'll bring you some aspirin later."

Johnny got up, hitched his thumbs in his pockets, and went to Soda's old room. I looked up at Darry.

"Johnny we'll be okay, right Darry?" I asked him. He nodded.

"He'll be fine." He said sitting down in his recliner. He turned the channel to Gunsmoke and pulled out his paper. I rolled my eyes.

"If your reading the paper, can I watch my show?"

"I'm listening to the T.V." he said. I rolled my eyes again and lay back on the couch. Soda sat on the floor, or rather lay down, in the middle of the living room.

I went to bed at about 9 and woke up at about 1 to the sound of puking. I weakly opened my eyes and went into the bathroom to see Soda and Johnny in the bathroom. Soda was holding up Johnny as Johnny threw up. I went over to them and rubbed Johnny's back. After he stopped Soda went to the kitchen to get him some water so he could rinse out his mouth.

"How long have you been sick Johnny? And don't lie." I ask him. He sighs.

"Since about yesterday. I got sick at the lot and just thought that I could just sleep it off. I guess not." He said. I gave him a small smile and rubbed his back again.

"Thanks for making me stay over." Johnny said as Soda came back with the water.

"No problem." I said as Soda handed him the glass. Johnny rinsed his mouth out and stood back up.

"Go back to sleep Pone. I'll help Johnny back to bed."

"Alright, night Johnny."

"Night Ponyboy."

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