AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Thank you to those who read/reviewed the first chapter and to the followers/favorites.

Hope you enjoy this next chapter :)

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.

Chapter 2

Ponyboy's POV

It was now morning and I had woken up late with the sharp ever-present migraine again, only this time I noticed it was more of a stabbing pain behind my right eye. My nose was also a little stuffy. I really hoped that I wasn't coming down with a cold.

I got into the shower before Soda could wake up, got dressed, and greased my hair. I slowly walked into the kitchen where Darry was cooking. I didn't want to tell Darry about my headache because he would stress himself out and worry, he'd done enough of that over me after I ran away, besides I didn't need the extra attention.

Surely the headache would just go away again like it had yesterday; maybe I should take some spare aspirins to school in case I needed them.

The smell of eggs and Darry's chocolate cake wasn't very appetizing; instead it made my stomach roll. I wondered why, because I was always hungry.

"Eat up, Ponyboy," Darry told me, setting the plate down in front of me.

I slowly picked at the food until he cut me off.

"Eat a little more than that," he commanded me. "Don't you have another track practice today?"

"Yeah," I mumbled.

"Well you need food to fuel that kiddo."

I sighed, I didn't really want to eat, but I ate a few bites to make Darry happy.

It wasn't long before Two-Bit pulled up in his old unreliable Ford. I had to catch a ride with Two-Bit to school today, which wasn't the best situation when you didn't feel very good. He was a great buddy and all, but he just couldn't shut up to save his own life.

I rushed out the door and sat down in the front seat of Two-Bit's car. Almost immediately he started blabbering to me about some blonde at Bucks last night, but I tuned it out.

"Are you even listening?" He asked suddenly, jolting me out of my thoughts.

"Huh?" I asked blankly with my head resting on the window.

He laughed slightly, "Always got your head in the clouds, huh?"

I closed my eyes. "Yeah, I guess," I mumbled drowsily.

"You feelin' alright?" He asked me.

"I'm just tired and I have a headache is all," I admitted.

He nodded in understanding. The whole gang knew about my sleep problems and how they caused me headaches.

Suddenly, his engine made an odd sputtering groan and the car stop. He tried to restart it, but all he got was a choked cough. His old car was finally dead.

"We're going to have to walk," he informed me. I threw my sweatshirt on.

"It's snowing," I complained lightly. He just shrugged apologetically.

We walked the whole rest of the way to school. It was freezing and the both of us were late.

"Nice of you to join us, Mr. Curtis," the math teacher, Mr. Hart, scolded me as I came into class, earning snickers from the Socs.

I handed him the note about Two-Bit's car breaking down, but to my dismay he read it out aloud, earning more chortles from the Socs.

"Too poor to afford a working engine, greaser?" The Soc nearest to me teased.

I cussed him out in a low voice as I sat down. Mr. Hart droned on about arithmetic equations and other stuff, but it just couldn't hold my attention today for some reason.

X

Before I knew it the day had ended and it was time for track practice. I had to run the mile today in under six minutes and thirty-two seconds. Luckily my headache had gone away earlier after my English Lit class, and I was thankful; I had been in such a rush to get out to Two-Bit's car that I forgot to bring the aspirins. I felt good so I was ready to run.

"Ready Curtis?" Coach asked.

I nodded and when he signaled I took off.

The icy Winter air burned my lungs as I pumped my arms to propel me forward. The steady noise of my feet hitting the ground was relaxing and exhilarating, all rolled into one. I crossed the finish line, confident that I was going to have a good time. I couldn't wait until meets started next week.

"Six minutes and three seconds," coach called out to me.

That was my best time yet this season. I couldn't wait to tell Soda and Darry when I got home.

Two-Bit still hadn't gotten his car workable by the time track practice ended so it left us walking back home in the icy cold Winter air.

I wrapped my arms tight around my body and sniffed thickly. Great, I guess I am getting sick, I thought worriedly. I had to be better by next week otherwise coach won't let me race if I have a cold and I really wanted to run next week, if I got through the meets then region races came next and if there was anything to get me back into normalcy after everything that had happened with Dally and Johnny, track was it.

X

Darry, Soda and I all sat at the table for our dinner talking about our day.

"Guess what?" I stated.

Soda and Darry gave me their attention. "I got the best time in track today that I've had this season."

"That's great Ponyboy." Soda praised.

"Coach said I have a real chance at the meets." I beamed.

Darry patted me on the back proudly.

My nose was tickling and I started sniffling again which alerted Darry.

"Ponyboy, are you getting sick?"

"Um... I think I might be coming down with a cold is all, but I didn't want you to worry." I replied quietly with my head down.

"It's my job to worry, Pony, besides I don't even need to buy any medicine, we still have some in the bathroom from last time you 'n' Soda got sick."

I nodded, feeling relieved Darry wouldn't need to spend any money on me and I'd be better by next week for my track meet; no headache, no cold.