Disclaimer: I don't own The Outsiders
Annie woke up the next morning, a stunning wave of nausea coming over her. She ran to the window since it was the closest and most similar to a toilet bowl. She hurled her brains out. She knew as soon as she finished she wouldn't be going into work.
She had a headache and abdominal pains. Not only that, but her breasts were sore. Unusual.
She called up her boss, sounding as miserable as she felt. She apologized for skipping her second day on the job, but she wouldn't be able to get through it in her condition. He accepted her apology, the only problem was that she wouldn't get paid for today.
After hanging up the phone she slowly made her way down the stairs to find Buck. Like he usually was, he was bumming around, talking to some chick she'd never seen before. Although he looked at her as a useless kid, he let her stay. She wasn't a nuisance and if he needed a couple of bucks to buy some beer she'd give it to him. Today was one of those rare days she was going to be a little needy.
"Buck," she said slowly, trying to keep from getting head rushes every time she moved.
"What do you want, kid?" he asked.
"Can you take me to the free clinic. I'm sick."
"I ain't takin' you to a doctor if I can figure the problem out myself. What's the matter with ya?"
"I threw up, I have abdominal pain, and I have a headache," she said. She'd purposely left out the part about her chest hurting. He'd probably make some stupid joke.
"You have sex with anyone lately?"
"Didn't you say I messed around with a buddy of yours?"
"Oh yeah, we you could be pregnant," this didn't seem like something he was concerned about. Annie was terrified though.
"Buck, please, I'll give you half my paycheck this week if you run down to a store and pick up a pregnancy test for me," she begged. It was he only time he'd ever hear her so desperate.
"You promise half?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Fine, I'll be back in a half hour."
Meanwhile, down at the drug store, Johnny was wondering around, trying o look casual. Where was Annie? She said she'd be in today, and she seemed just fine last night, so she couldn't be sick. The old man, Annie's boss, came out from behind the counter.
"If you're lookin' to steal something, then you got the wrong store," the old man said impatiently. Too shocked by the man's firmness and blind judgment, he didn't respond. He just hurried out of the store. So much for trying to find Annie.
He met Ponyboy back outside.
"So, you talk to her?" he asked.
"She wasn't there," Johnny replied simply. He thought otherwise, though. He probably made some stupid mistake only he could over-look. Now she was most likely avoiding him, trying to be nice and not let him down too hard. He really liked that girl though. It was the first girl he'd ever found that he was attracted to that he went to the lot, thinking of future days with her. How great it would be with someone else who he could have a meaningful conversation with. He should've expected it though. What girl would want him anyhow?
