In Sickness and In Health

Chapter 20

Darry's POV

For the most part of the day, I feel like I hid how I was feeling pretty well. During the football game, I was real congested, and my stomach hurt the whole time, and I couldn't wait to get home and go to bed. Now, however I don't think I can hide it with a smile and joke too much longer. I was practically falling asleep as we were walking home and I think I might be sick again. Soda started to question me and I probably gave it all away. They were rinsing off outside and right when I went inside I head for my room. Halfway there I stop. If I go to bed now they'll know I'm sick. And who knows, maybe I'm not sick, maybe I'm over exaggerating. Instead, I sit down on the couch and try to stop shivering before they get in, but I can't. I'm so cold. I'm so cold. I'm so cold. My headache intensifies and I rise from the couch for a glass of water desperately trying to make myself feel better. Taking sips slowly, the trio walks in soaking wet. Trying to seem like I'm okay I say, "You guys go change clothes. Steve, you can wear something of Soda's if Soda doesn't mind." "Of course I don't mind," Soda respond with, "You guys go ahead." Steve and Pony walk off with both of them staring at us questioningly. "Darry, I think we need to take your temperature again," Soda says in a voice that was so serious for him. "Soda, it's okay," I try to reassure, but I know I must look sick. I'm shaking real hard, but now my face feels hot so it's probably all red. My stomach is in flip flops. I feel panicky and have so many mixed emotions that I'm not used to. I'm not sure what to do. I wish I knew what to do. I try to regain my composure and I think I do a little bit. "Darry, you can't pull that stuff on me," Soda explains delicately and reaches for my forehead, but I jerk back once he feels it. "Darry, you're burning up, baby." "Come on, Darry," Soda pleads, "Trying to act like a tough guy in front of us is unnecessary. We know how strong you are. You're just going to get sicker if you do this." Kind of shaken up, I feel so much younger as I nod my head slowly with my eyes wide. "Okay, then, let's get you to bed, Superman." We're slowly heading to my room when I get dizzy and run to the bathroom to empty my stomach of whatever was in there.