Chapter 13

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:

Amanda: Thank you for your lovely review and support. It's wasn't a nice experience to have. To answer your question Pony will start to recover soon. This story has been finished and will conclude at 20 chapters. :)

Obsessivebookdiva: What a wonderful review, thank you. We're so appreciative of your words. I'm glad you analyzed the chapter to show how we portrayed the family struggles. Thank you again for the review. :)

Thank you also to the regular readers/reviewers. :)

Ponyboy's POV

I stayed lying on my bed thinking, and staring at the window; I could hear Steve and Two-Bit shouting to each other in the main living room. I really missed hanging with the gang since I'd gotten sick. Maybe Soda was right in asking me to hang with them; I mean I wasn't feeling too bad.

I shifted upon hearing the bedroom door open.

"Hey Ponyboy, how are you feeling? Soda said he gave you some aspirins about an hour ago?" Darry asked.

"Yeah Darry I'm feeling okay. How was work?"

I shifted into a sitting position, my hand going to my head to quickly give it a rub; I was so exhausted.

Darry gave me a smile and sat down on the bed. "It was steady so I'm not so tired, but you needn't worry about me Ponyboy."

"I wasn't, I was just asking," I mumbled.

Darry gave me a quick one-armed hug and stood up. "I think Soda and Two-Bit have almost finished dinner if you feel up to coming out with us. I'll make sure I tell the guys to keep it down, though with Soda and Two-Bit I can't imagine the disaster they cause, I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to eat it."

I forced a small smile and nodded. "Thanks Dar, but I'd like to come out with you guys. I've missed it."

"Okay kiddo, well wash up and I'll tell the boys to set you a place at the table."

With a smile, Darry left and I shifted up from the bed and walking over to the window, taking a look out into the sky. I squinted at the brightness of the lights outside and pulled away from the window.

I slumped my shoulders; ever since I started having the stupid headaches I've just been so sensitive to sight and sound and I hated not being able to enjoy things because of it. I hadn't watched a sunset in ages.

I wandered into the bathroom and washed my hands and face then slowly made my way out into the main room.

Steve and Two-Bit stopped wrestling each other and I was greeted with a beaming smile from Soda when I walked into the room.

"Hey ya kid!" Steve yelled and let out a whoop towards Two-Bit again.

Two-Bit retaliated and swung his arm back yelping.

I grimaced at the sharp noise but I was still okay; I could do this, I wanted to hang out with everyone not be stuck in my room like a lifeless zombie.

"Hush up Steve, Two-Bit," Darry warned.

"Sorry Pone," Two-Bit apologized.

"It's alright," I mumbled and took a seat at the table.

Soda dished out the food and I watched Steve and Two-Bit scoff down their food. I managed to eat my chicken and potatoes without a problem and put my plate in the sink.

X

I sat quietly on the couch listening in to the rest of the gang as they set up to play poker. Darry came over and sat down next to me.

"You sure you're alright? You don't have to hang around in here if it's too much for you, no-one will think any less of you if you don't feel up to it and just want to go to your room," Darry suggested.

I understood his concern but I wanted to do this for me. I was sick of the condition making me feel horrible; I wanted some fun.

"You playin' Pony?" Soda yelled loudly out to me.

"Yeah deal me in," I quietly called back. "Thanks Darry, but I'll be okay."

I smiled up at Darry to reassure him and walked over to the table to hang with and play poker with the others.

After a few games I felt like the sound at the table was intensifying and I felt myself grimace on occasion as my head throbbed. I place my cards down and called out and got up from the table.

"You okay Ponyboy?" Soda called to me.

"Yeah, just getting some water," I replied and also grabbed four aspirins in the process.

I was having fun and I didn't want it to end just yet because my dumb headache decided to come back.

I returned back to the table and it was my turn to deal.

"Come on Ponyboy deal me a good hand this time, I don't want to lose to Steve-O," Two-Bit yelled.

"Hey, I can't help it if I'm a better player than you," Steve argued back.

"Better cheater you mean?" Two-Bit joked. "I swear you been learning from Sodapop."

I couldn't help but smile and let out a small laugh at the jokes and discussions being thrown across the table.

After a few more hands of the game, the aspirin I'd take wasn't taking affect anymore and the right side of my head was throbbing more and more. I shifted uncomfortably and let out a tiny groan but with the noise that Steve, Soda and Two-Bit were making it was barely audible.

"You cheated that round Soda I caught you!" Steve yelled, his voice piercing in my head.

"I did not, that card just happened to fall up my sleeve!" Soda yelled back.

"Fight it out you two cheaters! Hand wrestle!" Two-Bit yelled.

My head was throbbing and spinning and my stomach felt sick. I let out a few more groans but again it went unnoticed. The sounds of the yells around me were making my ears ring in pain. I couldn't take it.

I pushed back my chair and groaned louder and grabbed my head, shutting everything else off around me. I groaned again and ran out of the room to the bathroom; I briefly saw Darry get up on my way passed, tossing his paper on the table, and following behind me.

I gasped reaching the toilet and vomited. Darry gently rubbed my back.

"You okay Pony, what happened?"

I felt hot again and pulled off my jumper.

"I was doing okay Darry but then it happened again! It always happens! It's not fair!" I shouted.

"I know little colt, but we're doing the best we can. Come on, I'll help you get to bed."

Soda's POV

I was arm wrestling with Steve and we were all having a great time; I was even gladder that Pony had come to play poker with us. I had missed hanging with him like that.

I broke apart from Steve as soon as I noticed Pony push his chair back and groaned; he surprised me and I immediately felt bad that I hadn't noticed he mustn't have been feeling well for some time.

I watched Pony run off to the bathroom with Darry close behind. I forgot all about the game and I became concerned for my kid brother again.

"Shush it!" I yelled at Steve and Two-Bit; a little more harshly than intended, but I knew Pony needed complete silence right now.

I ran out to see Darry rubbing Pony's back and heard Pony yell something about it not being fair and it always happening.

"I know little colt, but we're doing the best we can. Come on, I'll help you get to bed," Darry suggested.

I watched Darry help Pony up and I moved out of the door way to let them pass.

I followed them to the bedroom and watched as Darry placed his arm around Pony's shoulder as he rocked and appeared in pain.

"Can I get you anything Pony?" I asked quietly.

"No thanks Soda," he replied.

I felt real awful; I knew it had been a bad idea having Steve talk me into him and Two-Bit hanging in the house when Pony was still so ill.

Pony finally settled and Darry stood up off the bed and in doing so I immediately took his spot, wrapping my arms around Pony.

"I'm sorry Ponyboy," I whispered and rested my head on his.

"Not your fault Soda."

He looked so worn out.

"I should have known better, it was too loud and too much for you. I should have realized you weren't feeling well. I just wish there was something I could do for you Pony, I feel useless."

"Don't be, tonight I had the best time I've had since I started with these stupid headaches. I just hate not being able to enjoy things anymore Soda. I hate it." He whispered.

I sighed and held Pony tight, comforting him; he was still just a kid and didn't deserve this.