Chapter 10

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Sodapop's POV

I heard Pony quietly slip into bed next to me. I could feel him shivering, but I was unsure what to do. Should I comfort him? I didn't want to upset him again.

"I'm so sorry, Soda," I heard Pony whisper next to me. I smiled and pulled him closer.

"I know, it's alright," I assured him.

"No it's not. I didn't mean too. I knew you were only trying to help," he apologized again and he sounded awfully guilty. I knew that he hadn't meant to snap at me.

"Hush, I know you are. I forgive you. Just go to sleep already," I whispered to him.

"Soda, I wish I didn't have to feel like this. It hurts and nothing seems to help."

I sighed and wrapped my arm around him and pulled him closer to me, gently rubbing his back.

"Thanks Soda," he mumbled.

"No problem Pone, try and rest," I whispered.

I felt him nod slightly and then I heard his breathing even out, which signaled to me that he was finally asleep, after that I went to sleep myself.

Ponyboy's POV

I woke up late in the morning and noticed Soda wasn't near me. He must be at work. I then remembered that Darry had to work today too. When I crawled out of bed I saw Two-Bit in the living room watching Mickey Mouse.

"Hey Kid," he greeted, his eyes never leaving the TV, which was quietly playing Mickey.

"Hey," I mumbled back.

I was still feeling tired, so I sat down on the couch with my legs curled under me and my elbow rested on the couch. I leaned my head into my hand and just watched the TV.

The lights were making my head pound, but I chose to ignore it. I was sick of not being able to do things, and I was choosing to rebel against the illness.

I rubbed my nose, which was starting to tickle and run. Soon, I felt as if everything was intensified. The pain behind my right eye was so strong it was like a hot iron forcing it's way behind my eye.

"Two-Bit can you turn the TV down, it's making my head hurt," I mumbled.

"Kid, it's already down low without it bein' on silent."

"It's loud," I moaned and held my head.

Two-Bit sat up off the floor and I heard him approach me.

"Can I get anything Pony? Tell me what I need to do." He said frantically.

"Just, just leave me, please. I got to do this on my own."

I leaned over the couch and grabbed a Kleenex and blew my nose. I remembered reading in the book Darry got from the library that sneezing can cause the time of an attack to be shorter.

I stared into the light and felt my nose start to tickle again. I sneezed not once, not twice, but three times. I blew my stuffy nose once again. The force of the sneezes made my head pound harder so I started to rock. I could feel Two-Bit's worried stare on me. I was so sick of all the worry and pity.

I counted down the minutes until my attack would be over. If I didn't it felt like it would never end, and that's what scared me. It had been twenty-five minutes since the attack started.

After five more minutes I could no longer hear Two-Bit's breathing; my rocking ceased and I slowly repositioned myself. Sneezing really does work, most of my attacks lasted upwards of forty-five minutes, I thought.

"You sure you're alright?" I heard Two-Bit asked worriedly.

"Yeah, for now," I replied honestly.

He nodded and I realized I felt exhausted. The pressure in my head and eye was gone so I lied down on the couch and tried my hardest to fall asleep.

Darry's POV

I hated that I had to go to work, but if the only thing that would help Pony was oxygen therapy I was going to have to pay for it. Bills were piling up and I couldn't stay and watch Pony and I couldn't have him at home by himself; he could barely deal with an attack when it came on, so I had Two-Bit watch him.

I walked into the house, freezing my butt of from working in the snow. I saw Two-Bit sitting next to Pony and Pony was asleep. I smiled softly, he looked so peaceful, and I was grateful he was getting rest, even if that meant he'd be up at night.

"Thanks Two," I whispered.

He smiled brightly up at me."No problem, Dar-bear," he responded.

"How's he been?" I whispered.

I had to admit I was curious; after all it was Two-Bit's first time of watching over Pony with his illness, and after I briefed him on Pony's symptoms that morning, but I was still worried.

"He had an 'attack' at one point. He said it was pretty bad and he kept forcing himself to sneeze which I didn't know why."

I sighed; he must have gotten that from the book I brought home. I thought it was a ridiculous idea though, how could sneezing help change a headache, it usually made headaches worse.

"Did anything happen when he had his attack?"

Two-Bit shook his head.

"He just sat rocking and holding his head then went to sleep once it was over."

"Hey Darry." Pony's voice was weak and he was groggy; poor kid.

"Hey Pony, how are you feeling?"

I approached the coach and sat down next to him, giving him a weak smile as I squeezed his shoulder.

"I'm okay Dar. I had an attack though."

"Yeah Two-Bit told me, but you rested okay now?" I asked.

Pony gave a slight nod. "I tried that sneezing technique and my attack didn't last as long," Pony mumbled.

"That's great Pony, but just be careful with forcing yourself to sneeze, I don't want you causing your nose to bleed."

Pony nodded slightly again. "I'm going to get dinner ready. You staying Two-Bit?"

"Yeah Dar-bear, thanks."

I had to roll my eyes at that nickname, it seemed even though I was the leader of the group they all insisted on giving me nicknames. I shrugged and headed into the kitchen.

"Any particular meal you feel like Ponyboy?"

Pony shrugged. "I'm not super hungry Dar, so I don't mind."

"Well you're eating Pony, all this being sick is making you lose weight."

"Arg!"

My eyes widened at Pony's groan. "Are you having another attack Pony?"

"Just a little. Can I have some aspirin?"

Two-Bit got up and grabbed the bottle for him and handed two tablets to him. All I could do was watch.

Once Pony's attack had settled, I walked out of the room and gingerly rubbed my head. I didn't know how much more stress I could take. I only wanted to do what was best for Pony and get him better and as much as I wanted to get the Oxygen therapy for him, it seemed no matter how much I worked I was never going to be able to afford it and I just didn't know how I was going to break it to him.