Author's Note: Next chapter ahead! Please tell me how I'm doin', I'm worried that this is too corny or whatever hahaha….

CHAPTER II: The SOUP….

I almost lost my appetite when the stench of burnt chicken and noodles reached my nose. Considering that I could hardly smell it, I took a breath and decidedly to go for it.

"Hey Two-bit," I called, "How's that soup comin'?" I asked, knowing he'd forgotten all about it, cooking on the stove.

"Holy shit!" I heard him holler. Johnny and Dally started cracking up.

"Yeah, I got it right here Pony! Hang on!" Two-bit ran up to the living room and handed me my soup.

"Uh, Two-bit. What is this?" I asked carefully, stirring the "soup" with my spoon. All the soup part had evaporated completely, leaving me nothing but some charred bits of what I could only hope was chicken and some noodles melted to the bottom of the bowl.

"It's soup, silly!" Two-bit chuckled. Of course it was.

"Gee, thanks." I said, giving the stuff a final stir. No way I was eating that. I politely set it on the floor.

"Heh… hetchoo!" I sneezed loudly, causing everyone to jump in surprise. Johnny looked as white as a sheet.

"Jesus, Pony! You could at least give us some kind of warnin' before you explode like that." Two-bit laughed.

"Yeah, and maybe cover your mouth a little too, huh?" Dally muttered, as my face turned red. Johnny just tossed me the tissue box. Pretty soon though, I was freezing again.

"There he goes again! Shakin' like an earthquake." Dally, pointed out.

"I'm ok-k-kay." I shivered.

"Well, I'm no Harvard geek but obviously you ain't the least bit okay." Two-bit accused. As gentle as a feather, he laid his hand on my forehead.

"Christ, he's burnin' up!" Two-bit exclaimed. Quickly, Dally's large, calloused hand was on my head as well.

"Oh god, you're right." Dal said anxiously.

"I ain't h-hot, I'm f-f-freezin'!" I stammered.

"Johnny!" Dally ordered. "Go get a wet rag from the kitchen."

"Okay Dal." Johnny said respectively.

Moments later, I was still shaking and now I had this ice cold cloth on my forehead.

"Pony, can you hear me? Are you okay?" Two-bit asked nervously.

"Yeah I'm fine—" I turned my head away from him and let out another loud sneeze.

"Bless you." Johnny said quietly.

"Shhh… Ponyboy, it's okay just get some sleep okay? We'll be right here if you need us." Two-bit said softly.

"Okay. God!" I exclaimed in frustration.

"What's wrong?" Dally asked.

"I don't know…. I'm just really really itchy!" I said, scratching my arms and legs crazily.

"Oh, crap." Two-bit said.

"What?" Johnny asked, alarmed.

"Our friend Pony here has the chickenpox." Dally lifted up my sleeve, only to reveal red, irritating spots.