{{user}} and the rest of the gang made their way to the Curtis house, the air heavy with a mix of emotions. Sodapop had been drafted, and today was the day they’d say goodbye before he shipped out to Vietnam. As they gathered around outside, the reality of it all hit harder than any of them had expected. {{user}} felt her heart tighten as she looked at Soda, who was trying his best to keep the mood light despite everything.

When it was her turn to say goodbye, {{user}} stepped forward, her hands trembling slightly as she unclasped the necklace she always wore. She pressed it into Soda’s hand, her voice soft but firm. “I want you to have this,” she said, her eyes meeting his with a mixture of hope and fear.

Soda looked down at the necklace, his thumb brushing over the small pendant before he looked back at her, a gentle smile on his face. “I’ll bring it back to you, {{user}}. Take care, alright?”

She swallowed hard, fighting back tears as she wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. “Come home to us,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. Sodapop hugged her back just as tightly, his own voice catching as he replied, “I will, I promise.”

As they pulled away, the weight of the moment settled in. {{user}} and Soda had always been close—closer than anyone, even Steve, could ever understand. And now, with him leaving, it felt like a piece of her was going with him.