When we got home, Ponyboy apologized to me. I don't have a clue as to why, but he did. He said he was sorry, then ran off to his room. I had to talk to him later, but for now, I had to ask Darry if I could make an appointment. Maybe, maybe I did have that tumor. My head's been hurtin' a lot lately; my headaches have been more and more painful. I talked with Darry for a few minutes, about everything that had just happened. I conviently left out the part about my mother dying; they musta found her body by now. I didn't touch her much, but if they did track it to me, I don't know what I would do.

"I-I'm sure my grandmother will help me pay for the exam, I just need you to drive me there." I innocently looked up at Darry, who was towering over me. There was a mixed look on his face, like he was concerned, but mad.

"Sure, I can do that. You don't have to call your grandmother, we can help you pay for that." I flushed.

"You don't have to. You have to take care of Pony an' Soda, and they're your family. My family can take care of me."

"As far as me, Pony, and Soda are concerned, you're a part of this family." I looked up at him, blushing. I was a part of their family. I mean, I had already admitted to myself that I loved all of them like a family, but I've gotta say, hearing it made me so much happier. I smiled at him.

"T-thanks Darry." I stuttered. "I mean, thank you. I do appreciate this I-I mean, you're giving me a place to say, and then you're paying for this exam when you have Pony an' Soda to take care of. I m-mean, I'm just a burden, ain't I?" I swept some hair outta my face, looking up at Darry and waiting for an answer.

"Family is family." He stated, before pushing me from the kitchen and going to the phone. "I'm gonna make your appointment, I'll try to get it for today, you go and relax now." I nodded. I wasn't going to just sit down, though, I wanted to talk to Ponyboy. I peeked in the room, noting that Soda was talking with Ponyboy about something. Too bad my hearing was so bad, or I could've listened in on them. I really wanted to talk with Ponyboy, though. I knocked on the door, making both of them jump.

"Hey you guys, can I talk to Ponyboy for a sec?" I asked quietly. Soda nodded his head, murmuring something to Ponyboy before leaving. He gave me a quick smile, making me playfully hit his shoulder. I closed the door, walking over to Ponyboy and sitting next to him. He refused to look me in the eye. I felt kinda hurt by this, but I wanted to see what was wrong, Why'd he apologize to me as soon as I got back?

"Pony, don't ignore me, I won't go away until you tell me why you apologized to me..." I murmured, my hand resting on his cheek. I couldn't help but smile as his cheeks turned bright red. "I won't meddle in your life anymore, I promise, but don't be mad at me."

"I ain't mad at you. It's just...I'm jealous of you an' Soda. You're both so happy together, an' I just want someone who loves me like you love Soda. I mean...he talks about you so much, he loves you...an' things like this keep happening. Why can't anythin' good happen to the Curtis family? First out parents died, and now you're gonna die..." Ponyboy covered his eyes with his hands, I could tell he was upset now. I mean, I made him upset. I bit my lip, leaning forward and hugging him.

"I'm not gonna die! I mean...it's a big chance that I could be sick, too, but I won't die just like that. I won't, I swear. And for girls...you'll find someone Pony. I mean, everyone has someone."

"But I want Kim." He murmured. Okay, now that was the cutest thing I had ever heard. He still really liked Kim, didn't he?

"Then fight to get her back. Don't take 'no' as an answer, ask her to give you another chance. If she still doesn't like you, then you're both not made for each other and you'll have to move on. You'll find someone for you." I wasn't very good at problem solving. A lot of people came to me to ask about problems concerning love, and all I could do was make them laugh. I didn't have anything to actually say to them then, I hadn't really had any lovers in the past. I've had crushes, but none of it was like what I had with Sodapop. I was happier with Soda, knowing Soda actually liked me back.

"Thanks, Kaylyn..."Ponyboy sighed. "Can I be alone for a little bit. I have homework..." I smiled, standing up and starting off to the door.

"Okay, I'll be sure to tell Darry that." I was about to walk out the door, when Ponyboy stopped me.

"You won't die, will you Kaylyn?" He asked.

"I'll be fine, Ponyboy, I promise." I looked back at him, giving him a sweet smile. "You're the best little brother I've never had." He smiled back at me. I turned, opening the door and softly closing it behind me. Soda was sitting on the couch, watching come T.V. and Darry was in the kitchen, cooking dinner. I sat next to Soda.

"Hey."

"Hey." I leaned on him. "I don't wanna take the test."

"I don't ya to take it either, but we've gotta know. I-I don't think I'd live much longer if I don't know." I smiled at him. He had only known for about 3 hours, but I guess it was killing me, too. I kissed his cheek.

"Thanks a lot Sodapop. It's good to have someone who cares." His arm snaked around my waist, pulling me closer to him.

"You won't die on me will you...?" He asked gently, brushing back my hair. I shook my head. I wasn't going to die, was I? Why did everyone think I was going to die? It...I wasn't going to...I couldn't...die.

"I love you." I mumbled.

"I love you, too. We'll get through this, right?"

"Of course, Together." I draped my arms over his neck, giving him a chaste kiss on the lips. I had weird, mixed feelings now, I was scared and worried, afraid, but happy about being with Sodapop. I fell asleep on Soda, letting

The Hospital was even more menacing than before when I had gone there. I felt nervous the whole car ride, just staring out the window as Darry drove towards the hospital. I wasn't ready to die, I was only 16, I wasn't ready to die! The lady at the front desk greeted me cheerfully, telling me that I was expected in a room in the back. Darry sent Soda with me, and together we walked down the hall and went to that particular room. We sat in silence until the doctor came in.

"Hello Miss Jones, we're here to give you an exam. Okay, sir, if I can ask you to please go to the waiting room while we do the x-rays." Soda nodded his head.

"R-right." I watched Soda leave, watched him give me one last pitiful smile, before he left me to my fate. I nervously stood in front of the doctor. He explained the exam to me, saying the consequences if it turned out I did have a tumor in my brain. Let me say, whatever he said made me worry more and more. I didn't want to die. I didn't want to die. And so, the exam began.

I was in there for hours. Well, it was probably only about an hour, but it felt like hours. Some machine looked me over, scanned me, and I was told to wait a few days. Man, I felt so scared now that I could barely move. I remained still, I couldn't do anything. The Doctor finally asked if I needed anything else. I said no. The results would come in on Friday, so I had to stay home and worry until the results came in. And when they came in, and it turns out I only have a week to live, I was gonna die and everything bad would happen.

I walked out the door, worry etched across my face. The other three boys didn't seem to be doing so well either, because when they crowded around me, I could tell that they looked real worried. I loved them all a lot, like Ponyboy and Darry were my brothers,

"So, what did they say?"

"They said that the results won't come in for a few days. I've just gotta go home, sit, and rot for awhile until the results come in." I sighed. Soda hugged me, his brothers walking out of the hospital an' us following him.

"We're gonna walk, okay?" Soda looked at Darry nervously. But, it wasn't about the test results, I could tell. It was about something else. I raised an eyebrow, glancing at Ponyboy, but he shook his head and shrugged his shoulder.

"Right. Be careful little man." Darry and Ponyboy walked to the car, and left. I looked at Soda.

"C'mon, let's walk."

We walked to the park, slowly. We were chattering about random, stupid things, I dunno why but his mood lifted slightly.

"Kaylyn." He stopped walking abruptly, making me look at him curiously. He looked more nervous than anything now. "I...we haven't been dating for that long a time, but we've known each other for about a year. And I know something, too. If the results are good or bad, I want to be with you for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?" He was on his knee, holding up the prettiest ring I had ever seen. I was blinking rapidly, my breath was caught in my chest as I thought. Do I wanna be married? I'm so young, but I knew he was the one for me. I didn't know what to say. Looking down at him, I said in a clear voice what I really felt about him.

"Yes. I'd be happy to be Mrs. Sodapop Curtis."