Sodapop POV

"Why'd you do it?" Darry hovered over me from where I was sitting on the couch. I had shoved a pencil down my cast trying to itch my leg, but ended up in getting it stuck in there.

"I didn't mean to." I said. I had to giggle because it was a pretty stupid idea to begin with.

Darry ran his fingers through his hair and turned around. "A pencil… out of all things he could've used it had to be a pencil…" He mumbled as he walked into Ponyboy's room. Well… mine and Pony's room; but Pony's at the moment since he was sick and occupying it.

It's been three days since Pony's gotten sick. Two-Bit's getting better to the point where Darry will let him wander around the house and maybe even outside for a bit. Pony, on the other hand, won't even get out of bed unless he has to use the bathroom… and he's been doing that less and less often. Ponyboy doesn't get sick very easily. Maybe once a year at the most, but when Pony gets sick, he gets sick. He won't eat, he won't shower, he won't talk. All he'll do it sleep, throw up, cough, sneeze, complain and cuddle. He's such a cuddler when he's sick.

Steve and I had a nice long talk when he came back the day after Pony got sick. I yelled, he yelled, I screamed, he screamed. After three long, agonizingly painful hours of confusion, yelling, arguing and punches almost thrown, we finally settled our differences and made up. He came by earlier today with some groceries paid for with the money Two-Bit's mom gave to him. It was very sweet of her. I couldn't wait for Two-Bit to finally go home. Not because he's annoying or anything, I just think he's getting really homesick for his family. His sister even called the phone yesterday because she missed him. It really broke my heart.

Darry's been holding up. After Two-Bit had a mental breakdown because he was blaming himself for everything, I finally got him to calm down enough for him to go back to sleep. When I made my way out of the bedroom, I heard crying… that's strange, I thought. I crutched my way to Pony's room where he was sound asleep; and Two-Bit just went to sleep. I was beginning to get scared. When I found out it was coming from the bathroom and I learned it was Darry, I almost broke the door down trying to get in there. He finally opened it to reveal his battered appearance. His bloodshot red eyes, his wrinkly face, his tear tracked stained cheeks.

He sniffed as he opened the door and practically threw himself on me. I didn't want to let go and I could tell that neither did he. And we didn't for an hour or so. It was heart wrenching.

oOoOoOo

The front door swung open and in came Steve again with two beers in his hand. He sat down beside me and I opened mine, taking a sip of the cool, refreshing liquid. "What's shaking Sodapop?"

I laughed and took a sip of my beer. "Well… I got a pencil stuck in my cast." I said as if it was a life accomplishment. That caused both Steve and I into a world of hysterics.

"I honestly don't wanna know how or why," And he tapped beers with mine and took another swig as I followed in a similar manner. He brought his beer down to his lap and looked around. "Nowa… where's Two-Bit?"

I looked around as well. "I don't know… hey Darry!" I called. Darry shouted from the kitchen where he was making lunch.

"Yeah?"

"Where's Two-Shit?" Steve laughed as I smiled.

"How would I know? Steve, would you do me a favor and look around for him? I don't want him getting any sicker."

"Yeah," I agreed with Darry. "He's just starting to get better!"

Steve nodded and got up with his beer without saying a word. "I'm gonna look in your room real fast Darry. Ya don't mind do you?"

"Go right ahead." Darry assured. Steve put his hand on the doorknob and opened the door.

When he finally got the door opened all the way, the first thing Steve did was laugh. He was doubled over and tears were coming out of his eyes. "What the fuck?!" He yelled as he continued to smile.

"What?" Darry walked over to the door, took one look and smiled. "I don't understand that boy sometimes."

"Wait, wait, I wanna see!" I yelled as I hurried to get on my crutches. What the fuck is wrong with this guy?! I thought as I joined Steve in the laughter we were enjoying.