Little Miss Winston

Chapter 13: Lela's Sick Day

I felt strong leather covered arms scoop me up. I smelled the smoke and sneezed. Dallas chuckled and ruffled my hair. "What's so funny?" I asked opening my eyes to see we were back at the Curtis house. "Your sneeze." He said. Two-bit started laughing, "Lela, you sound like a kitten when you sneeze!" He started rolling around on the ground. Darry just rolled his eyes. I sneezed again and the whole gang looked concerned. "What? No more jokes about my sneezes?" I said laughing. "Lela, are you feeling alright?" Soda asked feeling my forehead. "Guys she's burning up!" He shouted. "I'm o-ok-achoo!" I sniffled and smiled weakly. "Dar your the most Doctor like out of all of us, you take her!" Dallas said shoving me into Darry's arms. "S-sorry Dar." I said. "Shhh don't talk, Lela just relax." He said soothingly. I nodded and let myself calm down. Darry carried me into Soda and Pony's room and laid me down on the bed. "Thank you." I whispered. "Don't worry about it kiddo." Darry replied. The gang all waved and let me go back to sleep. I woke up a few hours later with Steve and Soda sitting next to me. "Hey guys." I said smiling at them. "Morning sleeping beauty." Soda said flashing me a movie star grin. I laughed, "Thanks for waking me up Prince Charming." I said smirking. Steve pretended to gag and I just rolled my eyes and punched him in the arm. "Oh, did a mosquito land on me?" He asked rolling his eyes. I lunged at him but Soda held me back, "Take it easy Winston, your still sick." He said laughing. I huffed and crossed my arms. "How ya feeling sis?" Dallas asked walking into the room. "Better, thanks Dal." I said. "Guys," I said, "You don't have to take care of me, I can just go back to my apartment." I said trying to stand up. I was to weak to stand, so I groaned and flopped back onto the bed. "Your not going anywhere, doll." Steve said. I glared at him, "Guys I'm f-fine." I started shaking. "Lela you okay?" Soda asked holding my hand. "I-I think s-so...just a l-little c-cold." I said. Dallas covered me with all the blankets he could find. "Better?" He asked. I nodded and hugged him tight. "I love you Dallas." I whispered. "Love you to, Lela." He said smiling at me.  "Soda,"  I blushed, "Will you stay with me?"  I asked.  He smiled and crawled under the covers next to me.  "Not happening Curtis!"  Dallas said angrily.  "P-please?"  I asked starting to shake again.  "Okay...watch it SodaPop."  Dallas said and closed the door.  Outside the door I could hear Darry talking to the doctor.  I quickly shut my eyes not wanting to know what was wrong with me.  Soda pulled me close, knowing I was scared.  Darry opened the doors, and Soda shot him a reassuring smile.  "Well...I explained Lela's symptoms to the doctor, and he says Lela is having an anxiety attack."  He said swallowing.  Soda's eyes got dark, "A-anxiety?"  I stuttered.  "Yes," Darry said and sat down on the bed and took my hands in his, "But it's quite common and your case is not severe."  He said giving me  a small smile.  I took a deep breath,  "But...I'm not worried."  I said confused.  "Sometimes we don't think we're worried... but we are."  Darry explained.  "Lela, I want to talk to you about something alone."  He said glancing at Soda.  He groaned and reluctantly removed his arms from my waist and walked out of the room.  Darry motioned for me to sit next to him.  I climbed over and sat on his lap, he laughed.  "Lela," he said "Sometimes I have anxiety attacks."  He said.  My big brown eyes widened and I nodded for him to continue.  He took a hesitant breath, I put my hand on his knee and squeezed reassuring him he could trust me.  He closed his eyes and said, "Things got...hard when my parents died, if I couldn't pay the bills I couldn't keep my little brothers."  He said swallowing hard.  "I used to get anxious but not know who to talk to, but you and the gang have been there for me and I eventually stopped having them...you'll be okay, Lela."  He said kissing my forehead.  I smiled and crawled back under the covers.  Soda came back in and put his arms around me.   "Goodnight Lela," He cooed, "I love you."