Chapter 9

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Ponyboy's POV

It felt like I slept forever when I'd woken up, but as I rubbed my eyes and looked towards the window, it was still black outside. I sat up and leaned over Soda to check the time. It was one-thirty? I groaned and sat back against the head of the bed.

Soda was still sleeping next to me and I didn't want to wake him. I was feeling really hot and not just fever hot; sweaty, melting hot, it almost made it hard to function. I tossed the covers off me; that didn't make it any better.

My sweat pants and T-shirt were stuck to me. I honestly didn't understand why I felt so hot; it was Winter for pete's sake.

I climbed out of the bed and grabbed some fresh clothes and made my way to the bathroom. I turned on the shower and hoped that I wouldn't wake Darry or Soda. The warm water ran over my sweat-fueled body, making me feel relaxed.

My head throbbed and my right eye hurt. It wasn't as bad as it had been before, but enough to keep me from going back to bed.

I stumbled into the kitchen and grabbed some aspirin and water. I hadn't eaten much at dinner except the peanuts so I cut a piece of chocolate cake and sat down on the couch, switching on the television quietly.

I must have dozed off at some point because I woke to an excruciating pain in my head, it just wouldn't stop. I sat with my knees and my chest, letting out occasional moans. I felt my stomach turn and my body become sweaty again. I shot up in a hurry to reach the bathroom but tripped over something in the darkness and started to vomit on the floor.

Darry's POV

I woke and could vaguely hear somebody retching. I stumbled into Pony and Soda's room and saw Soda jumping out if bed, but Pony nowhere in sight.

"Where's Ponyboy?" I whispered.

Soda shrugged. I saw the television light on and headed down the hall. As I came closer to the living room I heard crying and retching.

Soda flicked on the light. "Ponyboy!"

It had looked like Ponyboy had finished vomiting but he was sobbing and looked pale.

"Ponyboy what happened? What are you doing out here?" I questioned.

"I woke up feeling sweaty and hot, so I took a shower and came out here and just ate a small piece of cake and rested on the couch and when I woke up again I felt sick and my head really hurt. It still does, Darry."

I rubbed my hand over Pony's back and Soda had crouched down next to him.

"I'm real sorry about the mess, Dar. I'll clean it up, I promise."

"Don't be silly, Pone. Come on, let's get back on the couch," Soda suggested and helped Pony to stand.

After I cleaned up the vomit I went over to Soda and Pony on the couch, Soda was struggling to keep a blanket on Pony.

"Ponyboy it's cold, it's the middle of Winter," Soda implied.

"Ponyboy you need to stay covered up with your shivering."

"But I'm hot Darry!" Ponyboy whined and pushed off the blanket, frantically trying to pull off his shirt.

"Taking your clothes and blankets off in Winter is not going to help Pony," I tried to explain.

"Do you want me to get you some water and aspirin Pony?"

Soda was rubbing Pony's back and I could tell Pony was getting agitated; he was rocking back and forth and kept holding his head and fidgeting his legs.

I'd read in the book I found at the library some people's descriptions of the pain; 'like an overloaded balloon was pressing on the brain', 'head felt like it could explode'.

I couldn't imagine Ponyboy having to go through that and it was what he was feeling now.

Pony started to get up but Soda pushed him down.

"Rest Pony," Soda commanded.

"No Soda, stop it," he snapped back at him.

I have to say I was surprised by Pony's reaction, he never pushed Soda away.

"Pony, I'm just trying to help," Soda whispered, hurt.

"Well don't! I don't need your help! Go!" He gasped, still rocking back and forth.

I watched Soda scramble away from Pony and I have to say he looked as surprised as I was and I couldn't help but see the hurt look on his face.

"I got him; he doesn't need both of us hovering. Go back to bed," I told him.

Soda nodded and went back to the bedroom.

"Ponyboy what was that about?" I questioned quietly.

I heard Pony let out a moan and he stood up from the couch and started pacing around the floor.

"Ponyboy will you sit down, you are going to make yourself sick again."

He started to rub his head hard and I knew he must have been in some pain. I wrapped my arm around him and encouraged him back to the couch.

"The worst will pass soon Pony, just hang in there."

From what I read in the book, it said the headaches come in 'clusters' and so they had to stop sometime.

After another fifteen minutes Pony's whimpers eased and I sat down next to him and rubbed his back, softly.

"It hurt real bad Dar. Please make it stop."

Pony looked up at me, still sobbing and I pulled him close to me.

"We are gonna get you through this Ponyboy, don't you worry," I told him.

I felt Pony rest his head on my chest and slowly close his eyes. I hated feeling so helpless, I was the big brother and I was meant to look after my kid brothers, but right now all I had to do was stand by and watch my youngest kid brother suffer this unimaginable pain. I failed him mom and dad.

Soda's POV

I couldn't fall asleep even if I tried. I felt hurt that Pony had pushed me away like that. I know he was hurting but he knows I'm always there for him. I just wish there was something I could do for him; I felt so helpless. I had only wanted to help, but I guess he didn't want it.

Pony has been through so much already; he didn't need to suffer this stupid condition. He's tough but I hate seeing him crumble like that, he was doing so well at school and track again; it's just not fair. Greaser life is never fair. If I could take away his pain, I would gladly suffer the headache, just to make sure my kid brother could live the life he deserved. I was just a drop-out.

I lost my thoughts as I felt my eyes start to close, praying that Ponyboy would beat his illness and get better.