Chapter 8

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: Thank you to those reading/reviewing this story.

Just to clear things up, this story is solely based off my experiences/how I felt and what I was told while suffering Cluster headache; obviously it has been changed slightly to fit in with the time. Some feelings and graphics are only snippets of what I dealt with.

Ponyboy's POV

I woke up and felt cold but hot at the same time. I was shivering violently and my head was pounding. I knew exactly what was coming. My stomach started to roll and I sat up from my resting position on the couch. I felt too sick and shaky to move, but I knew I had to get to the bathroom before I would be sick all over the floor.

Soda's voice was barely audible, despite the fact that he was sitting next to me. I think he spoke my name, but I couldn't focus on his voice. I suddenly jumped up from the couch and flew my hand over my mouth, hoping not to vomit on it again.

I didn't make it to the bathroom before the sick burn rose in my throat. I couldn't hold it in as my whole body sweated. I coughed out liquid and chucks over my hand. I started to sob and continued to puke at the same time.

I felt awful, and not just because I was sick, but because somebody was going to have to clean up my vomit and it made me feel guilty; it wasn't fair on my brothers.

I saw my vomit covered hand shaking in front of me and I couldn't hold my body up anymore. I collapsed to the ground. I felt a cold hand rest on my back and I hazily glanced up to see Darry.

He slipped a garbage can under my lips and let me continue to throw up in that. When I finally caught my breath I was so exhausted, I thought I was going to pass out.

I scooted over and leaned against the wall in the hallway, still sitting. I didn't have enough energy to make it to the bathroom. Darry tried to get me to stand, but the minute I stood up my stomach rolled. I bent over and barfed into the trash can.

I didn't think it was ever going to end. Twenty-five years of the burning knife that twisted into my skull never going away and every movement making me want to puke? I couldn't live like this. I'd ever felt anything so horrible.

I eventually stopped and Darry helped me to the bathroom, I was still bawling and shivering. I didn't think I was going to be sick anymore, so I leaned against the wall of the bathroom and closed my eyes. Darry hovered nervously at the door.

"Come on, Ponyboy, you'll feel better if you go to bed," he tried to tell me.

"Too…tired and I don't...want to move," I mumbled, already drifting off.

I felt Darry pick me up and I saw Soda standing in the hall watching.

"Ponyboy, are you okay?"

I just groaned in reply and let Darry put me into bed.

Soda followed into the room and I felt him sit beside me and gently stroke my washed out hair.

"He's really shivering and sweating, Dar."

I groaned again and held my stomach.

"You going to vomit again, Ponyboy?" Darry questioned.

"Uh-uh, it just hurts," I mumbled.

"Stay with him, Soda, and I'll get some aspirin and check his temperature."

I protested when Darry tried to stick the thermometer in my mouth.

"Just let me check, Pony, then you can rest."

Darry's POV

When saw Pony never make it to the bathroom and vomit on the floor, I was up in a flash. I put my cold hand on his back and I had grabbed a garbage can, which I was glad I did because he barely reacted, just continued to get sick and it was explosive too, the speed at which it was coming out was nothing like I'd ever seen before. I felt so sorry for Ponyboy having to go through this.

He was finally able to get a moment of peace. He leaned against the wall and continued to breathe heavy like he was going to get sick again.

I helped him stand and at the minute he moved up he bent over into the trash can and violently threw up again. He moaned, continuing to get sick. I felt awful just standing there. I had no idea how to comfort him while he was sobbing. What kind of brother was I, I wondered, but the sight in front of me shocked me.

He eventually quit barfing so I helped him to the bathroom for the second time. He looked like he wasn't going to be sick anymore, which I was extremely glad for. He leaned against the wall and closed his green eyes. I hovered at the door, unsure what to do. He would be more comfortable in bed, I thought.

"Come on, Ponyboy, you'll feel better if you go to bed," I told to him.

"Too…tired and I don't...want to move," he mumbled breathlessly, starting to fall asleep.

I shrugged and picked him up. I carried him into his room and put him in bed. After some protest I got his temperature. It was a little high but his small body was shaking like a leaf.

"Keep his covers up tonight Soda; I don't want him getting cold."

I turned back to Pony and he had fallen fast asleep. I just hoped the worst was over for the night. I said goodnight to Soda and walked back into the living room to clean up the mess before heading to my own room to get a good night sleep.

Ponyboy's POV

I somehow managed to make it through the rest of the night without waking or being sick. In fact, I hadn't had a really bad headache all day, just the dull throb.

Soda was cooking some weird food, but I wasn't hungry. I just munched on some cashews that hopefully wouldn't upset my stomach. Darry said that he planned to get a book from the library about my illness and see what it says.

I rubbed my red stuffy nose and sniffed. I prayed I wouldn't have another attack, but the pounding in my head was inventible. I got up and took a few aspirins, feeling my brothers' worried glances on me.

"Do you have a headache, Pone?" Darry asked me. I shrugged.

"Ab libmle mbith," I mumbled with my mouth full of peanuts.

"Swallow," Darry commanded.

"A little bit," I answered. He nodded.

"Why don't you lie down," he suggested.

I nodded; I really did feel tired. I started walking back to the couch.

"And Ponyboy, just watch how many aspirins your taking. I know you want to stop the headaches but too many aspirins in a short period of time is dangerous and I don't want to see you do that," Darry told me firmly.

I nodded. "I'll watch it Darry, I promise."

I sat down on the couch and flicked on the television to watch some show about a farmer and his family. It wasn't great but it was okay I guess. I put the volume down low because even at very low, it still brought a sharp feeling to my ears.

I kept trying to shut my eyes; I was so tired but every time I did I couldn't rest. The aspirins didn't seem to have done anything. I curled my legs up to my chest and tiredly watched the show on the television.