Disclaimer: Unfortunately, we do not own "The Outsiders" or any of the Curtis' Gang. The real owner, of "The Outsiders" is the fabulous S.E. Hinton and we do not make a profit from the stories that we write here on this site.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

This has been written equally by Pony's Girlfriend and myself.

Hope you all enjoy, and reviews would be muchly appreciated. Thank you :)

Chapter 1

Ponyboy's POV

I sucked in the cold Winter air as I waited for my turn to race on the track. I hadn't been feeling too hot all morning during classes, but the cold outside air seemed to be doing some good. I just couldn't seem to get rid of this sharp headache that started earlier today in my History class.

My headaches have been slowly getting worse after my concussion a few months ago, and that worried me, but I couldn't tell Darry. I'd only just gotten back into school from all the stress of running away, the fire and then losing my best friend and another member of our gang.

I was still struggling a bit and nothing much had changed at school, though some of the greasers and middle class would come up to me and question me about the fire and all. To be honest, I kind of just wanted to forget about it all.

"Alright Curtis you're up!" I heard the coach yell.

I quickly gave my head a rub and took off in a jog to the starting line.

"The best time to beat is three minutes and forty-five seconds." Coach explained.

I nodded in response. I could do that. I took off in a slow jog then sped up to my fastest yet, as I cornered around the track. The more I ran faster, the harder my head was starting to pound, but I was determined to finish the track; if not to beat the record, but to get home and take my usual five aspirin I did when I had such a bad headache.

I made it to the end and breathed heavily, my hand going to my head immediately. The pain was getting intense, nothing like any headache I've had before. I really hope I'm not getting sick again, I thought anxiously.

I really started to worry then; Darry can't afford any more medicines or doctor bills after all that time I spent in the hospital after I came home from Windrixville. No, whatever it was, I would just have to tough it out. That's what us Greasers do.

"Great job Curtis! Three minutes and ten seconds." Coach announced as he approached me at the finish line and patted my shoulder, oblivious to the pain that I was in.

I attempted a smile, despite the pain I was in.

"You all right Curtis?"

"Yeah, just out of practice I guess." I replied.

I really didn't want anyone to worry about me just over a little headache.

I walked home as quickly as I could with nothing on my mind besides trying to keep my focus from the sharp pain in my head.

As soon as I walked into the house I grabbed out my usual five aspirins, but only decided to swallow four with a glass of water. I didn't think I could stomach another.

"I went to my bedroom to lay down for awhile before starting on my homework. It didn't take long before I fell asleep.

Soda's POV

What a busy day at work it had been. I was glad to get home and toss my shoes off. When I walked into the house I expected Ponyboy to be reading on the couch or getting dinner started, but he was nowhere in sight.

"Ponyboy?" I called, but received no answer.

He should have been home from school by now. I hope he hadn't been jumped again. I was so protective of my little brother after I hadn't seen him for a week when he ran away.

I walked into mine and Pony's bedroom and sighed with relief when I saw Pony lying on the bed. I smiled softly. He looked so peaceful when he was asleep.

"Ponyboy, Pony?"

"Huh? Soda?" He sounded groggy, but I guessed it was because he had been asleep.

"You had a rough day, huh Ponyboy?" I asked, smiling down at him.

Ponyboy's POV

I felt someone shake me and when I opened my eyes I saw Soda sitting on the bed next to me. I couldn't even remember falling asleep.

"You had a rough day, huh Ponyboy?" Soda asked.

I suddenly remembered why I had lied down in the first place. I rubbed my head and realized my sharp headache was gone. I felt relieved. That meant I wasn't getting sick. I had nothing to worry about.

"You okay Pony?" Soda asked, probably after seeing me touch my head.

"Yeah, Soda, just had a headache is all. It's gone now." I replied and sat up a bit.

"Okay, but you let me know if you're not feeling too hot, okay Ponyboy?"

Soda gave me one of his beaming smiles.

"Sure Soda, but really I'm fine. I should go get started on dinner." I announced, getting up from the bed.

"Why don't I go and make dinner, seein' as you been sleeping and all and you probably have homework." Soda suggested.

"Yeah, I guess I got to get that done before Darry comes home." I replied.

Soda smiled at me and stood up from the bed. Before he could walk out the door I wanted to tell him about my track practice this afternoon.

"Hey Soda?"

"Yeah Pony?" He asked.

"I beat the final best time in track today." I told him proudly, smiling.

"I knew you'd get back into it once you got back to school," he congratulated me.

When Soda left the room I got up to sit at my desk and start on my homework. I tried to concentrate on my work, but somehow I just didn't feel right. I felt sick and crummy, worse than I did with a regular cold. I really hoped it was just a 24-hour thing and that I would be fine by tomorrow.