I don't own The Outsiders

Everyone, I'm happy to update another chapter of The Outsiders :)

Warning: Language and violence

Chapter 10

Pony's P.O.V

"Pony. . ." A voice so soft, so sweet, Angels should be jealous.

Mom?

"Oh, Ponyboy." A tender laugh, one I haven't heard in ages. "My poor, baby."

My heart pounds, I want to open my eyes, but the sweet smell of vanilla, of happy memories. . . of mom, prevent me as a soft hand I recognize is placed over my eyes.

"Do you know how much Daddy and I love you?"

I do.

Oh how much I do, but tell me, like you used to when I was little and felt so alone. Dammit, tell me like you used to even when I was a rebellious child thinking it was uncool to let you hug and kiss me, for God-sake, TELL ME!

"Mommy wants her baby to be happy. Will you be happy for mommy?"

I can feel her. She's alive!

Mom.

"Mommy wants her baby to smile everyday. I want you to grow slow and strong Ponyboy. I want you to see you when it's time for you to be in my arms once again. It's hard baby, I know."

Mom-

"But baby, this isn't school. School teaches you a lesson and gives you a test. You're livin' life, which gives you a test that teaches you a lesson." Her warmth was still there, but something was off, a mist came to my face and I gasped.

Mom. . .Why are you fading?! Come back!

"you're my smart, baby-boy. You can do this."

Mom...Mom. . .Mommy!

I felt tears come to my face as they started fading as well. I reached out, but I was pulled back.

That's where I woke. Back in bed, with Soda and-

"Darry?" I asked, looking over to my left.

There he was.

Fast asleep.

"C'ome on! Time ta' eat." Darry called, as fast as a rocket, Two-bit was at the table, his tongue like a dog's handing out of his mouth waiting for food.

"Not for you, stupid. For my brothers. You want food? Contribute." Darry glared, put still filling his plate up.

Two-bit looked over, wondering why Dallas, Johnny, Steve and Sodapop wern't coming to the table.

"More for me." He called. "Time for something to fill your rumbly-bellies. C'ome on."

Darry sighed, folding his arms. The TV wasn't on, neither was the radio nor was anyone really talking. They were just sitting.

Almost waiting.

Dallas sucked on his cigarette, handing one to Johnny and Steve. Sodapop kept his ears open.

Waiting.

Sodapop's head jerked up when he heard a soft cough and he looked down the hall, nearly sprinting to check on Ponyboy, but Darry stopped him.

"He'll wake up when he wants to, Pepsi-cola. Let em' rest." Darry spoke, cool.

Sodapop swallowed, nodding his head, but kept frozen in time. It was an awkward meal, you could almost say it was boring. The only sounds were the leaky faucet or someone coughed. Two-bit gnawed on his bottom lip, Steve folded his arms, Darry stared holes into the table while Soda felt his legs shake. The clock on the wall kept ticking.

Tick,

tick,

tick,

Cough,

Tick,

Tick,

Munch...Munch.

Tick, Tick.

Steve looked at the clock. "It's nearly seven-thirty. We gotta' get going Soda."

"Ain't going to work. I'm staying to watch Ponyboy." Soda stubbernly spoke.

"Took the day off too," Darry raised his arm. "Boss said it was okay. Any-who, I'm not doing the dishes."

Ponyboy opened his eyes to stare at the clock. It was nearly eight in the morning, he was going to be late for school! He scrambled out of bed, rushing down the hallway to the bathroom where he bumped into Darry.

"Well, mornin' sleepyhead." Darry cracked a grin.

"Darry, move I'm late for school!" Pony cried.

"Ponyboy-" Darry calmly spoke. "It's Sunday."

Ponyboy took a deep breath, standing in almost complete shock. Darry gave off another smile, patting Ponyboy's shoulder.

"Besides, we've got breakfast ready for you. Com'on and eat." Ponyboy felt his stomach churn at the thought of food and he shook his head.

"Ano. . . .not hungry, Darry. Thanks though." Ponyboy was cut off when Darry gently pressed his bear-paws to Ponyboy's forehead.

"Well, you kind of are a little warm. Take a shower, take one-ONE-asprin and go back to bed, Ponyboy." Darry turned to walk away with his coffee in his hand.

"Why aren't you at work?" Pony asked.

Darry turned around, showing slight shock on his face. ". . . Don'y worry about that, kid-brother. Just rest."

Ponyboy blushed, nodding.

Just then Sodapop turned the corner, wearing the pink apron and a spatula in his hands.

"Ponyboy's sick?!" He nearly screamed.

Ponyboy sighed loudly.

By his fifth book (including Gone With The Wind) tenth drawing, and second nap, Ponyboy was running out of things to do. He was sent (by Darry) to bed for the day and Sodapop took it upon himself to play "Mommy" for the teenager-greaser.

Ponyboy did admit it felt nice having Sodapop ruffle his pillows, tuck him in and rub his back.

But the coddling wouldn't stop, it was nice at first, but now it became old.

Ponyboy wished Dallas or maybe Johnny, hell he wished Steve would come over and at least talk to him. But apparently his room was "off-limits" because he was "sick".

"Man, I'm bored." He muttered to himself. "Why do I have to suffer like this?"

Ponyboy looked up at the sky, a golden sea of clouds and sky. Then the squeeky sound of a bus and those Soc came to his head and he shook with fear.

School teaches you a lesson and gives you a test. You're livin' life, which gives you a test that teaches you a lesson

Ponyboy sighed.

"Mom's right."

He couldn't let those Socs beat him down.

He had to stand up to them. He can't show any weaknesses.

Even if they try to...rape him.

PLEASE check out my new story: Forever and Ever, lots of over-protective Darry and Sodapop ;)

Please review!

-Kylelover101