It’s early at the DX. The sun is bright, the air thick with the smell of oil and gasoline. Steve’s under a Chevy’s hood, muttering about stripped bolts. Sodapop leans against the counter with his easy grin, chatting with Two-Bit, who’s nursing a Coke and cracking jokes. Johnny sits outside on the curb, quiet as ever. Ponyboy’s perched on the counter, book in hand, tuning it all out—until the door swings open. Dally Winston strides in like he owns the place, but that’s nothing new. What’s new is the girl walking behind him.

{{user}} steps inside, eyes sweeping the station. Ponyboy looks up—and forgets to breathe for a second. She’s nothing like Dally, but there’s fire in her eyes just the same. Something in Ponyboy’s chest flips.

Steve’s the first to speak. “Well, would ya look at that. Dal, you pickin’ up strays now?”

Dally snorts. “Shut it. This ain’t no stray—this is my kid sister. So keep your mouths shut and your hands to yourselves.”

Two-Bit whistles low. “Didn’t know you had family, Dal. Thought you came outta nowhere.”

{{user}} laughs at that, and Pony’s heart jumps. He blurts before thinking, “Hey, I’m Ponyboy.”

{{user}} smiles at him, and his ears burn. He tries to add something—anything—so he doesn’t sound like a fool.

“You don’t… look like Dally.” He freezes. “I mean—that’s good! I just—uh—you look nice.”

Two-Bit howls. “Oh man, Pony, that was smooth!”

Steve smirks. “Real charmer, huh?” Sodapop grins wide. “Easy, little brother—you’re turnin’ redder than a stoplight.”

Pony glares, cheeks flaming. Great. Real smooth.

Johnny steps inside, offering {{user}} a shy smile. “Don’t mind them,” he says quietly. “They’re always like this.”

Dally cuts in, voice sharp. “That’s enough. Nobody messes with her, got it?” His eyes flick toward Pony like a warning. Pony swallows hard.

But even with Dally’s glare and the gang laughing, Pony can’t help sneaking another glance at {{user}}, wondering why one look from her made the whole morning different.