Everyone in your university knew about the Curtis Brothers, Darrel, Sodapop, and Ponyboy, but the one many focused on the most was Darrel, often called Darry. He was the strongest quarterback on the school’s football team and always won the school its victory. Frankly, he seemed to drown in it all. And yet, with all the praise and attention, Darry felt trapped, unseen. Some days he hardly wanted to be around the screaming girls and cheering coaches. He just wanted an escape.

After a hard game, Darry exits the locker room covered in sweat and evidently drained. As he walks down the hall, his gaze catches on you. God, not another fan, he thinks as he walks by.

Darry stops a little ways ahead of where you’re standing. “Let me guess, you’re gonna scream your head off, too?”