Rowen Curtis

31

Rowen's P.O.V

I am cuddled up next to Johnny in bed, we are talking quietly about different things that are on our mind. For me it is mostly stuff about yesterday, how I feel and what I think. Currently my brothers are telling the rest of the gang and our younger brother.

"I just don't get how it came out of nowhere. I still need to look at the papers Dr. howard gave me. Maybe it will help, maybe it won't." I said quietly.

"She gave you medicine for it? Did she say for how long?" Johnny asks quietly, running his hand through my hair.

"Yes, she gave me medicine but didn't say anything about it. It probably says it on the bottle label" I said.

"Hey, whatever happens we are all here for you. You can talk to me and your brothers if we are the only ones you want to talk to. I know Darry and Soda will come up with something to say to Steve, Dally, and Two-Bit. Don't worry about them, you just need to relax and take care of yourself." Johnny said.

"I know, thank you baby. I am just scared. I don't know what to think of this and I am still kind of in shock. I may look calm on the outside, but I am freaking out on the inside." I whispered, beginning to cry.

Johnny didn't say anything after that he just with my head laying on his chest, facing away from the door. He hugged me while occasionally kissing my head and whispering I love you every once in a while. We were both enjoying the moment until there was a knock on the door. I sigh knowing it is either Soda or Darry, or both making me take my medicine.

"Ro, you gotta take your medicine." my twin said softly.

I dug my head in to Johnny's neck saying "NO!"

"Come on Ro, I know you don't want to take it, but just see if it works for a while. I don't want to fight you, I know Darry and Johnny don't want to put up a fight either. I will get you ice cream." Soda said.

I know he is trying and is patient with me, but I still refuse to take it. I know I will have to take it eventually and I know it is best not to put up a fight. "What kind", I ask looking towards the door, not really surprised seeing Darry there too.

"I will make you a big sundae. Cotton candy ice cream and triple brownie ice cream with whipped cream, sprinkles, mini chocolate chips and chocolate and caramel syrup." Darry said.

I sighed and slowly get up and walk over to them, following them to the kitchen. Johnny grabbed my hand and came with us to the kitchen. Darry is getting a glass of water and Soda is waiting by the freezer to get the ice cream out. "Alright Rowen Nicole, you have to take 2 pills twice a day. So you will take two in the morning and two in the evening/night. And the three of us will make sure you actually take them. There will be punishments for not taking them." Darry said.

I nod and hold my good hand (she still has the cast, but not for long) out for the pills and put them in my mouth then I grab the water and swallow the pills. I open my mouth and move my tongue showing them that I swallowed them. We all know that I am not the type of person to hide my pills and not take them, but it just shows them that they are gone.

"Alright let's make this sundae!" Soda said grabbing everything. About five minutes later he finished it and it looked amazing, almost too good to eat, keyword: almost.

I sat down at the dining room table and enjoy my ice cream while Steve, Dally, and Two-Bit look at me and start to complain. Bubby, Dar Bear, and Johnnycakes could tell I was annoyed, uncomfortable, and didn't want to deal with them.

"Leave her alone boys. Can't you just stop and think about what is going on for once. Rowen doesn't need this kind of stress and pressure on her. She has more stuff on her plate then the three of you do. LEAVE. HER/ ALONE." Darry said firmly.

Pony got up from the couch putting his book down and walked over to me. He hugged me and whispered in my ear, "If you ever need someone to talk to other than Johnny and our brothers you can come to me. I will make time for you, unless I am in the bathroom and getting dressed, then it can wait." I giggled quietly at the last bit.

Once I finished my ice cream I grabbed my papers off the counter in the kitchen and began looking over them.

MEDICATION

TAKE TWO PILLS MORNING AND EVENING FOR 2 WEEKS IF CONDITIONS CONTINUES, CONTINUE TO TAKE MEDICATION OR SCHEDULE THERAPY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS, CALL YOUR DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY.

Information: Narcolepsy is a disorder that causes a person to fall asleep during the day. Cause of this disorder are: Brain injury, family history and ,autoimmune disease are possibilities, but the cause is unknown. Symptoms: Mental and emotional health, falling asleep during the day, mood changes, hallucinations. Medication is prescribed to the patient how needs it. The medicine dose have side effects for example, weight loss or gain, loss of appetite, dizziness, allergic reaction...

I stopped reading and though the papers on the counter. I didn't understand what is on the paper and it is hard to read because of my dyslexia. Yeah, just more problems that I need, note the sarcasm. I break down crying because it is overwhelming. Soda comes walking into the kitchen and knows what's wrong, it is the weird twin bond we have. My twin hugs me tight and we quietly talk through things.

Soda and Rowen are sitting on the couch, her asleep on him. The gang is around the living room and kitchen, and Darry is in his chair. Soda and Darry wait a few minutes to make sure their sister isn't listening to their conversation.

"Darry, I know it has only been a day, but she can't handle it. It is overwhelming and just another problem to her. She is overwhelmed and that is understandable, but she shouldn't have to make herself feel like she is a screw up and that she is a burden. Rowen has nightmares and dyslexia, maybe a little depression, and now you add narcolepsy to her challenges. She is fragile and chan't handle all these things that weigh her down, she can't handle it mentally, physically, and emotionally. She is drained and you can see that, and it breaks my heart watching and listening." Sodapop said, expressing his feelings and concern to his older brother.

"I agree, it is another thing to tackle, but we will be here for her every step of the way. We just need to keep her mind off of her sleep disorder and make her feel more like herself. Hanging out with the gang, watching movies, making out with Johnny. She will get her cast off in 2 days, so that with hopefully give her some normalcy." Darry said.

The whole gang listened into the conversation, not saying anything, but listening. Two-Bit couldn't seem to focus on Mickey Mouse that was on TV, Dally was wondering why such a sweet, caring, and many other amazing things had so many challenges in her life. Steve was wondering why nobody brought up Rowen's struggles and ways to help her take her mind off them. Johnny moved to sit on the other side of his girlfriend and hold her hand and lean on her, a gesture to comfort both of them. Lastly, Ponyboy was looking at his older siblings wondering what they are going to do next. Ponyboy being himself, will read books in the library to help them with their new found challenge.

All 7 of them wished is was any of them that had her life instead of her. Sure Johnny came from a bad and broken home, and Pony has nightmares, but it isn't like poor Rowen.