Two-Bit's POV

I finally got myself dry and was going to watch some TV when I hear the phone ring. "I must be quite popular," I say to myself grinning.

"Hello, this is the Matthew's residence," I speak into the phone in a fake British accent.

I hear Soda's voice say, "Hey, Two-Bit."

"Hello, Mr. Sodapop," I respond, "What's up?"

"Darry's sick again."

My heart sinks. I can't stand seeing him sick. Not so much him being sick, though I don't like seeing no one in pain, but the way Darry looks like he feels. He looks like he thinks he disappointed everyone and tries so hard to be okay even though his eyes always give away that it hurts. "Hey, I'll be right over, okay?"

"Thanks, Two-Bit," Soda thanks and hangs up.

I grab my leather jacket and am rushing out the door when I hear my mom ask smoothly, "Where are you going in such a rush?"

"Oh, well Darry was sick and then he was better and now he's sick again," I explain.

"Darry got sick?" she says perplexed.

"I know, who knew?"

"Come here," she beckons and hands me ten dollars, "Go to the store and buy some chocolate and saltine crackers for him, okay?"

I smile and kiss my mom on the cheek before heading out.

X X X

Soda's POV

I could tell Darry was starting to feel uncomfortable with all the attention. "Why don't we let Darry get some rest," I try to say casually, staring at Ponyboy.

Pony catches my drift and agrees, "Yeah, let's go."

A moment later, Pony, Steve, and I are all sitting around the table playing cards when I hear the door quietly open. Two-Bit walks in and I don't know about Steve and Pony, but I'm plain out surprised that Two-Bit just opened the door and managed to walk in without stomping or yelling or making some kind of racket. On top of that he whispers, whispers, "Has Darry had anything to eat today?"

"Don't think so," Pony answers.

"Well," he continues swinging a plastic bag out from behind his back and sits it on the table, "here's some chocolate and crackers compliments to my mom."

"Now that I think about it we haven't had lunch either," I remember, "Let's give Darry this and then I'll make something."

X X X

Steve's POV

Soda makes a plate with crackers and a broken up chocolate bar and we walk into Darry's room. I switch on the light, but stay in the doorway with Two-Bit and Pony while Soda goes in. He sets the plate down on the bedside and gently wakes Darry up.

"Can you wake up for me Darry?" Soda soothes.

I can see Darry grimace and the light reflects off the beads of sweat on his forehead. Darry blinks a couple times before really waking up. "Soda?" Darry croaks, but coughs and continues trying to sound better, "What is it?"

"We got you a little lunch, Dar."

Darry's face falls and he says, "No, Soda, please, I'm not hungry."

Soda sits on the edge of the bed and explains, "Darry, you're sick and haven't eaten all day. You should have at least a little."

"No, but, Soda I don't think I can keep it down," Darry pleads softly. It almost breaks my heart when I hear him say that with such vulnerability that I know he doesn't like.

"Come on now, Darry, you'd be telling us to eat if we we're in your place."

That gets Darry and he reluctantly sits up. Soda sets the plate on his lap and Darry picks up a piece of chocolate to eat.

"Hey, guys," I whisper to Two-Bit and Pony, "let's go ahead and make lunch for us."

X X X

Pony's POV

We make ham and cheese sandwiches and sit down on the floor in front of the TV. Soda walks in and says, "Well, he ate a little more after you guys left- and he drank some water too. Oh, and I called the doctor and he said he'll be by tomorrow morning." Soda smiles lightly and nods.

"Your sandwich is on the table, Soda," I tell him.

His smile grows as he grabs his sandwich and comes to sit next to me. The rest of the afternoon is pretty peaceful. Steve and Soda get into a long conversation debating about the best kind of car to race in. I start my math homework that's due Monday while Two-Bit talks to me about just everything from football games to the Amazon Jungle. "Could you imagine living there. Pony? I mean there'd be these thick vines everywhere and jaguars and lions just roaming about and monkeys crawling around," Two-Bit imagines out loud.

"Sounds pretty cool," I say figuring out what the missing angle is on this isosceles triangle. Two-Bit nods enthusiastically.

I look up to see Darry stumbling out of his room and running to the bathroom shutting the door behind him. "Pony, go get his glass of water of his room," Soda tells me urgently as he goes into the bathroom after Darry.

Soda's POV

I hurry into the bathroom to see a heart-wrenching sight. Darry looks so miserable. He's sweating and shivering on his knees and getting sick. When he finishes, Pony comes in with his water. "Thanks, Pone," I say taking the water.

I grab Darry's arm and realize how warm and clammy it is and help Darry up onto his feet. "Can you swish your mouth out with this, Darry?" I ask.

Darry looks embarassed at getting sick and nods. He shakily holds the glass up to his lips and spits back into the sick. "Do you need help getting back to your room?" I offer.

Darry shakes his head no and takes a step, but then after just one step he grunts and hunches over and holds himself steady by the counter. Not a moment later, he's back in front of the toilet getting sick all over again. "Oh, Darry," Pony sighs. I rub Darry's shoulders until he's done. Darry reaches over and flushes the toilet. He slowly sits down with his back against the bathtub and his eyes closed.

"Are you ready to go back now, Darry?" I ask softly.

"Not yet," Darry answers even softer, "I need a minute."

Ponyboy looks at me surprised that Darry didn't immediately get up. I give him a reassuring glance. After two minutes pass I tell Darry, "Come on, you'll be more comfortable in your own bed."

Darry nods painfully and tries to get up himself, but he's shaking so hard I grab one arm and Pony grabs the other to keep him steady. Darry is leaning most of his weight on me and says he's dizzy. "I'm sorry, baby. Why don't you actually just lie down on the couch?"

He doesn't answer because he's almost asleep, so me and Pony lead him over to the couch. We hand him to Steve and Two-Bit who are by the couch and they lay him down. Darry starts shivering almost immediately so I run to mine and Pony's room and grab the big comforter off of it and lay it on top of him. "Do you need anything else, Darry?" I ask.

"Don't yell, Soda," Darry begs quietly with his eyes still shut.

I bend down next to him and explain, "I wasn't yelling, Darry. Does your head hurt?"

"Yeah."

I look back at Two, Pony, and Steve with big eyes. Darry just admitted something hurt the first time I asked. I don't think that's ever happened before. I turn around toward the boys and see they have the same bewildered expressions. "Could one of you get a damp washcloth?" I ask trying to sound like I know what to do.

Two-Bit ran off and came back with one. I take it and apply it lightly to his forehead. Darry's hurt expression began to relax. Once he falls asleep, I leave the washcloth balancing on the right side of his head (he was laying on his side) and I sit down at the table where the guys were. "I'm not sure what to do," I admit. I'm a little shaken up honestly now, since Darry got sick twice and just seems so out of it.

I look up from the table at Steve and he says, "I think the soup fairy's coming back."