Darry walked inside of the nurse's office, instantly seeing Ponyboy and Two-Bit lounging in their chairs. They both get up and walked over to the eldest Curtis. "Hey, Pony, Two-Bit," Darry greeted. "Hey, Dar," Ponyboy said, giving his big brother a hug.
"We didn't think you'd show up," Two-Bit said, rubbing the back of his head. "I got the call, don't worry. How's Bexley?" Darry grinned. "She's not doin' so good. Two-Bit and I found her in the hallway, pale as a sheet. She couldn't even stand up. It looked like she was going to pass out," Ponyboy answered, worried for his sister's health.
Before Darry could reply, Ms. Smith coarsely interjected, "Are you Darrel Curtis?" Darry nodded in reply, "Yes, ma'am," Darry found it awkward that he was interacting with the nurse, still adjusting to taking on the parenting role. It felt weird to him.
"Well, she has a fever of 101.5. It is obligatory that students who have a fever are to be sent home immediately without spreading the sickness. Though I can't give you the diagnosis, with all of the symptoms that she has, for example, paleness, chills, vomiting, I'd say she's got a bad case of the flu," Ms. Smith informed.
"Is she gonna be okay?" Ponyboy asked her. Ms. Smith gave the boy an assuring smile and said, "As long as she gets plenty of fluids and is eating, and getting a lot of rest, she should be okay within the next few days,"
Ever since the Curtis's lost their parents, they've dealt with sickness more than once. The first time, everyone got food poisoning from a cheap restaurant. Even Darry got a mild cold from working outside in the cold. The last two times they've dealt with it was after Johnny and Dallas died, and when both Soda and Ponyboy got sick.
"Anything else I should know?" he asked. "No, although what she has can get pretty contagious. Have you received your vaccine for the flu?" she asked. Darry nodded, knowing that it was important for his job. Although it was expensive, it was better than getting laid off from not getting one.
"She's sleeping right now on the cot over there," Ms. Smith said. Darry turned around and saw her asleep on her right side, curled up in a ball. He knelt down to her level and brushed her hair back. She whimpered and started to unconsciously move away from Darry's hand.
"Bexley, it's me. It's alright," Darry assured in a soft voice. Bexley opened her glassy eyes and saw her oldest brother kneeling in front of her. Ponyboy and Two-Bit got up and made their way over to Bexley.
"I'm sorry, Darry... I tried to make it through... but I feel so horrible..." Bexley said, tears rising in her eyes. "Don't worry 'bout that, Bexley," Darry said, rubbing her hair back sweetly.
"You ain't mad?" she asked him. Her eyes were rolling back, her vision was unfocused because of her fever. "No. I'm not. But please tell me if you ain't feeling hot, okay?" Darry said, feeling her forehead.
"You're burning up. I'll carry you to the car, okay?" Darry said. Bexley gently nodded. Ponyboy looked at Darry and asked, "Is she gonna be okay, Dar?" "When I get her home, she will. Take it easy, okay? Same goes for you, Two-Bit,"
"Alright, Dar," Ponyboy said, giving Darry a hug. "Don't worry about it," Two-Bit said, "Just get Little Sister home," "You two get back to class now," Darry said.
Ponyboy picked up her backpack and handed it to Darry. He then picked up Bexley bridal style. He then walks out of the nurse's office as Ponyboy and Two-Bit head back to their class.