Chapter 2: Contagious

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own "The Outsiders" or any of the Curtis' Gang. Sigh. The real owner of "The Outsiders" is my favorite author, the fabulous S.E. Hinton. I also do not make a profit from the stories that I write here on this site.

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Third Person POV

Soda woke up to an annoying tickle in his nose. When his mother walked in he sat up and started to sneeze.

Mrs. Curtis was torn, was he faking again? She wanted to believe her son, after all, he'd been hanging out with a sick Steve all day, but trust was hard to regain.

"You feelin' okay baby?" Mrs. Curtis asked.

"I'b think I habe Stebe's colb," he answered in a congested voice.

"I was ready to ground you this morning, but I think having a cold on your birthday is punishment enough," Mrs. Curtis told her son. Soda groaned.

"Can my birthday be next week?" He asked.

"Sure," Mrs. Curtis laughed,"I have to take Darry to football practice, will you be okay on your own for a few hours?" Mrs. Curtis asked. Soda nodded reassuringly.

X

Soda paid the price for skipping school alright. He was sick with the flu for three more days, leaving him with days of make-up homework. He worked late into the night to finish all the homework the teachers gave him.

But at the end of the day on Friday, Soda got a surprise. When he got home the whole gang was there.

"Happy birthday Sodapop," Two-Bit said.

"Thanks guys," Soda said.

"Thanks mom," he said. Mrs. Curtis smiled.

"Go play," she told her middle son.

Later that day, Soda opened presents. He got a pair of sneakers from his parents, a drawing of him from Pony, a switchblade from Two-Bit and Dally that was "bought" and a football from Steve.

He thanked his friends and siblings. Darry didn't exactly get him a present, but he told Soda that he was going to take him out for some "brotherly bonding" which was cool with Soda.

This was the best birthday ever, even if it was a week late, Soda thought as he laid down in bed that night.

A/N: Sorry this is short, please review!