Ponyboy rolled over and opened his eyes, checking his surroundings. He remembered then that he was in Darry's bed because Soda was mad at him. He sighed and got up slowly, rubbing his tired eyes as he made his way out to the living room. He could hear Darry banging around in the kitchen. Pony's stomach growled and he hoped that breakfast would be ready soon. "Darry? Is it almost ready?" he asked, walking into the kitchen.

"Hey, little buddy. I was just about to get you up. You wanna do me a favor and scramble some eggs?"

"Yeah, ok." Pony said, getting out a pan. "Is Soda up." He asked.

"No, I don't think he is yet. I'm gonna go wake him." Darry said, walking to the back of the house. "Turn the stove down, Pon." He yelled as he went. "You'll burn the eggs if you have it on that high." He walked into Soda's room. "Time to get up."

"Mmmm." Soda groaned, pulling the covers up over his head.

"C'mon, Sodapop. You'll be late if you don't hurry up. It's already seven. Hey what's that on your face?" Darry asked.

"What're you talking about?" Soda said, sleepily.

"You're getting a rash or something around your mouth and nose."

"I am?"

"Yeah, it sure looks like it. Put something on that before you leave. There's some stuff in the medicine cabinet that might help."

"I ain't going to work today."

"Oh, yeah? And why's that?"

"I don't feel like it."

"That ain't a reason. C'mon and get up. You gotta get to work. We talked about this when you dropped out of school. If you ain't in school you have to be doing something besides laying around the house."

"Hey, to work is why I dropped out in the first place!" Soda said indignantly

"Yeah, I know. So get up and get ready. Oh and you really need to talk to Ponyboy about what happened last night. Hear me?"

"Yeah I know." Soda said. Darry turned around and made his way back to the kitchen.

"Owe!" Pony yelled from the kitchen. "The stupid pan burned my finger."

"Oh it's all the pans fault." Darry smiled as he entered. "I'm sure it doesn't have anything to do with the fact that you weren't paying attention to how close your hand was while cooking."

Pony glared at his brother as he held his finger under the sink and soaked it with cold water. "Hurts." He mumbled.

"Let's see." Darry said, examining Pony's finger. "You'll live kiddo. It ain't that bad. There's some burn ointment in the medicine cabinet though if you need it." Darry picked up the spatula and finished cooking the eggs.

"Naw, it's all-right." Pony said.

"Morning." Soda walked in. "Steve and Two-Bit ain't here yet?"

"Apparently not." Darry said.

"Pony." Soda said.

"Yeah." He mumbled without looking up.

"Try to forget what I said last night. I didn't mean it and I feel real bad. I had a bad day. It wasn't your fault."

"It's ok, I know." Pony said. "You just- you just don't usually get mad, you know?"

"I know. I'm sorry I blew up." Soda pulled his brother into a reassuring hug and nothing else had to be said. Pony hugged back.

Darry smiled behind their backs and finished up preparing breakfast. "Ya'll ready to eat?"

"Yeah." Pony said. "Darry, you think that maybe I could start track again?" Ponyboy asked, slowly. "It's only been a few weeks since I left the team and I know the coach still wants me back. I'm one of his best runners Darry. Really."

Darry sighed. "I guess, kid but if you can't stay out of trouble from now on that's it."

"Thanks Darry." Pony grinned.

"Gosh Soda, you look pale. You feel ok?" Darry asked.

"Yeah. I'm just nauseous. I think I'll just have some chocolate milk." Soda replied. Darry frowned, wondering if Soda was getting sick again but he just nodded his head and sat down.

*******

"C'mon man. Smith wants his car by noon. We've still got a lot of work to do on it." Steve said.

"Huh?" Soda asked, looking up and coming out of his daze.

Steve sighed. "Man what is with you today?"

"Watcha mean?" Soda asked, not really paying attention.

"I mean you've just been... well... I dunno, kinda out of it."

"I'm just tired I guess." Soda said.

"Well, are you gonna help me with this car or what?" Steve asked.

"Yeah." Soda said. "I'll be there in a minute."

"all-right, man." Steve said, heading into the garage.

"Soda sighed and went over to the gas tanks. He took a rag out of his pocket and wiped up some of the gas that had spilt on the ground. He made his way back to the bathroom and sat down on the ground,. taking the rag out...

Steve sighed. It had been nearly ten minutes and his best friend had yet to return. He wondered what had been bothering Soda lately anyways. He just hadn't been acting like himself. Steve left the garage to go look for him, checking the snack store first and then the storage room but there was no sign of him in either. "What are you looking for Steven? Get back to work." His boss said, crossly from behind the counter.

"Sure thing." Steve said, going out to check the bathrooms. He couldn't imagine that Soda would be anywhere else. "Sodapop ,you in here, man?" The door was open a crack so he just opened it. His jaw dropped open the second he peered inside. "Soda!" Steve dropped beside his motionless friend who was laying on his side. To his great relief he could tell he was breathing by the way his stomach lifted and up and then down at a steady pace. "Soda!" He yelled again and shook him roughly. "Sodapop." He smacked him in the face, silently pleading for him to wake up. After several failed attempts to wake his friend Steve jumped up and ran to call an ambulance.

********

"Curtis!" One of Darry's co-workers hollered.

"Yeah?" Darry asked.

"You've gotta phone call. They said it's urgent."

Darry immediately dropped his work and quickly climbed down the from the roof. There was only one thing urgent could mean. He knew there must be something wrong with one of his brothers. "Hello?" He said once he'd snatched the phone.

"Darry? It's Steve. They're taking Soda to the hospital. He passed out or something. I don't know what's wrong with him. He won't wake up."

"All-right, I'm coming." Darry said and hung up the phone, running to his truck.