Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own with The Outsiders nor do I make a profit from S.E. Hinton's work fabulous work. (I wish I could write like she does!) S.E. Hinton is the true owner of The Outsiders.

(Morning before doctor's appointment)

Ponyboy's POV

I heard Darry's familiar rough voice jolted me from my peaceful slumber.

"Up and at 'em Doctor time, Kiddo. Shake a leg and get up. You too Pepsi-Cola, you got work." I got out of bed and stared to get dressed, too tired to get in the shower. I saw Darry making some cake.

"At least eat something, Pone." Darry tried but I shook my head, grabbing some aspirins instead. He sighed, defeated.

I went in to the bathroom to brush my teeth and grease my hair.

Sodapop loved to use all of the hot water when he took showers. When I walked in all I could see was the steam. I tried to grease my hair in the fogged up mirror, but let me tell you, it was difficult.

I sneezed loudly, causing Soda to yelp. I laugh weekly, causing Soda to hit me on the head.

"Hey!" I yelled. He may have hit softly but my head was pounding worse than when I was hungover. And that's saying a lot.While I was hungover that one day I thought my head was going to split itself open.

"Don't laugh at me. I had no idea you were in here, you scared me." Soda defended himself with his chest puffed. I laughed as I left him to get dressed in peace.

He came into our room while I was grabbing Gone With the Wind to read while I was in the car.

I hopped into the truck, but instead of reading I just fell asleep.

I woke up to Darry shaking me. I thought I was going to throw up if he continued to shake me so hard.

"Darry stop, I'm going to puke." He stopped and took a step back. I climbed out of the truck and into the crummy doctor's office. It was as far East as you could get, but our only other option was way in the West Side.

"Ponyboy Curtis?" The nurse called in a sugar sweet voice. I wanted to slug her, my head was pounding. The nurse took my temperate and all the other boring standard procedure and stuff.

"102.2, hmm." She mumbled before leaving.

After about fifteen or so minutes the doctor came in.

"Hello, Ponyboy. How are you feeling?" I shrugged bit Darry nudged me.

"My throat hurts really bad, I'm really tired and congested." The doctor nodded.

"Is your throat red?" He asked. I nodded and opened my mouth. He took a swab, testing me for strep throat and left.

I grabbed my book and tried to read, but the words blurred and my head pounded. I laid down instead.

"Well, Ponyboy, I got some good news and some bad news. Good first, you do have strep but you should be good as new in about a week. Bad news is that you have been sick a lot. You've had strep three times within the last eight months. You need your tonsils removed." The doctor told me. I froze. No way was someone sticking their tools and hands down my throat and taking out parts of my body.

"Isn't there another option?" I asked weakly.

"I'm sorry, Ponyboy, there isn't. It's a standard procedure, you will be in very good hands." The doctor, Doctor Price, told me gently.

I sighed and followed Darry out. He payed and we hopped into the truck.

"Please don't make me Darry, I'm scared." I begged softly. He shook his head.

"You heard the Doctor, Pone. You're health is important to me and you've been getting sick just way too much. You'll be alright, I promise." He told me. He seemed confident so I relaxed a touch and nodded slowly, my head still ached something awful.

We pulled in and found Soda and Two-Bit on the couch. Johnny would have been there, but Dally wouldn't let him go home until he was fully recovered, so he was staying at Bucks.

"What did they say?" Soda asked me.

"Who? Where were you?" Two-Bit asked cluelessly.

"I was at the doctors, Two. I got strep throat." I replied weakly, almost falling asleep standing there.

"Again?" Two-Bit asked. I nodded.k

"He needs his tonsils removed." Darry informed them. I dat down next to Soda and he rubbed my shoulders. Not for my back like Darry, but in a reassuring way.

"It'll be alright Pone." He reassured my confidently. I nodded and started to nod off.

"It's alright, Pone, go to sleep, I'll take you to bed later." Soda murmured to me quietly. I wanted to say "thank you," but I only yawned and drifted farther inti unconsciousness.

A/N: Poor Curtiss, they can't get a break. That chapter was longer than I thought. If you can't tell, I'm on a bit of a medical kick. I love to learn new things. :) Hope you enjoyed.