*I don't own The Outsiders.

(PPOV)

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Bored to death, never understood that saying, until now.

All I do is lay here and stare at either the wall or television.

What a lovely cream color my parents have picked for the ceiling, not nearly as bad at the white ceiling at the hospital. I snorted to myself. I glanced at the clock, it was Tuesday and I'd been able to come home Saturday. I'm real happy to finally be home, without all the smells, weird sounds, and revolting food.

Of course, my brothers drove me home and I fell asleep in the back, I don't even know how I got inside. Darry probably carried me or something. Can't say I'd be surprised if I had gotten up and walked myself inside, but I just don't remember.

I shivered, I pulled the blanket up and looked over at the news. Death, tornados, destruction, and war, yeah that should lighten my mood.

Dr. Mark had told me I could go home as long as I promised to rest and stay in bed for the next week, after that I still have to take it easy but I can move around and actually do stuff. I might be complaining to myself right now, but if I'm honest with myself, I can't really do anything. Every little bump and movement hurts. I don't like taking the pain medication that I came home with, it knocks me out and I'm still tired even after I sleep for eight hours straight from the little pill.

It taken a lot of persistence to get my brothers to go back to work today. They'd been nervous just to leave me here by myself. At the hospital, there were nurses and doctors there if anything went wrong or I needed help, Darry felt like he was leaving me here alone and helpless.

That had made me feel good when he said that.

Either way, Soda had stayed with me yesterday and Sunday they both were home. The winning point of my argument had been that I'd slept the whole time they were home with me. I couldn't believe how much I was sleeping, it'd been over a week since I got jumped and the surgery but I still got tired from nothing.

Two-Bit, Johnny, and Steve were coming here for their lunch, make sure I'm all right, and to make me eat something. We all knew if they didn't come, I'd sleep and never get up for the food Darry had left me. I'd been woken up for every meal I've had the past two days by someone. So, they were coming to make sure I ate.

This morning, Darry yelled at me to eat breakfast, "You'll get better and heal faster if you eat and actually have the food your body needs to fix itself."

Hmph, yeah thanks Mr. Howard. I didn't know eating was good for you at all. Why can't I just eat when I'm hungry? I'll wake up when I'm hungry enough, and I might not be able to do a lot, but I can make a sandwich. I might even splurge and tire myself out by heating up some soup.

I flipped through the channels.

Bang

I looked up and saw Johnny, Steve, Two-Bit, and Dally. Steve was shaking his head at something stupid, Two-Bit was still laughing, almost doubled over.

"Do I even want to know?"

Two-Bit opened his mouth, but Steve cut in, "No, you sure as hell don't want to know what this idiot is going on about." He grimaced at me. Johnny sat on the couch next to me and Dally sat in Darry's chair.

"Difficult car ride, Steve?" I laughed at him, then grimaced at the sharp pain it caused.

"Yeah, you could say that." He looked at me and headed into the kitchen, presumably for lunch.

"You all right, Pony? I see laughing still smarts a bit, huh?" Two-Bit was looking at me, concern written on his face.

I scowled, "Quit asking me that, it's the same answer every time."

"Man you are one moody kid. Come on it ain't like you and we've all noticed, what's the matter?"

I looked at him like it was the most obvious thing in the world, and it really is, "What could possibly be my problem? I get my ass beaten to a pulp, laid in a hospital for a week, now I have to lay here for another week, I'm out of any sports including track practice for four to six weeks, and I have to keep hearing everyone asking me if I'm okay. Let's not forget to mention I'm a fourteen year old who has been told I can't do anything and everyone acts like if they touch me I'll break into pieces!"

"Well, I'd be jumping for joy if I had an excuse to do nothing."

"You do nothing anyway, but if you want some tips from the pro, you could always get yourself stabbed and have a near death experience."

"Shut up, kid. Yeah it sucks and I know your pissed off 'cause you missed the rumble, but you gotta just suck it up. I swear to God you're the only fucking kid who wants to go to school and run for no reason." Dally shook his head, looking at me like I was crazy.

I sighed. "How's it going, Johnnycakes? Any problems at school?" I'd been worried that the Socs might try to hurt him when he's alone or something. It's not like we ever did anything with Cherry and Marcia, they shouldn't be with guys who don't let them make their own decisions. Then again, it's their choice.

He grinned a little, "I think I got it better than you." He waved a hang, motioning to the fact I was huddled in a blanket and wearing sweat pants on a sunny 70 degree(F) day.

I smiled a little, "I was cold."

"Come and get it! I ain't you hoods' mother, thank God!" Laughing everyone headed into the kitchen, "Everything's the same, just grab one." Steve had made ham sandwiches and set them all the counter with Pepsis at the end of the line.

Settling down into my cocoon on the couch, I listened to one of Two-Bit's tales. "So I was telling her how I liked her blonde hair. She flirted and we hit it off and when we left the party we headed back to my truck. I was going to bring her home but she stayed the night and boy.."

"There are kids in the room, Two-Bit." Steve jerked a thumb in my direction.

Glaring pointedly at Steve, "Like I haven't heard it before, especially from him."

"Anyways, my sister ended up walking in, she just about cussed me out. Thank goodness my Ma wasn't home to hear her. I don't wanna have my Ma walking into that, though it was kinda funny with Karen 'cause the look on her face." He stuffed his face with the other half of his sandwich.

"I feel bad for her, she's probably scarred for life now." Dallas laughed.

"Don't complain if you ever walk in on her and some guy, look what your teaching her." We all glanced up to see Darry and Soda, home for lunch too.

A chorus of "Hey Darry and Soda" filled the room. They nodded, Soda messed my hair up on the way to the kitchen. I huffed in annoyance, running my fingers through and then giving up, I needed a shower and some grease.

"Darry, my sister won't be with anyone, I'd lock her up if I ever found her doing anything close to that." I sighed, me and Johnny glanced at each other, both slightly reddened just from hearing the suggestion.

After they all left I fell asleep thinking about what Dally said.

I could have it a lot worse, being me ain't so bad.