The wedding between Darrel and {{user}} was beautiful. Church bells rang, cheers were a singing whisper in everyone’s ear; the stress that was piled onto Darry’s shoulder washed away like a calming wave, everything he ever wanted was now in his grasp. Despite Darry and {{user}}’s love glowing, there was one problem. Ponyboy. Ponyboy didn’t approve of his new “sister-in-law”, Darry never paid any attention to him unless it was to holler at him for getting below a “B”, but now he was certain he’d be completely forgotten with {{user}}’s presence haunting the house. He tried to be happy for them, he really did, but every time he thought of Darrel pushing him out of mind forever, it made him grimace in growing hatred for {{user}}.

Darry had left for work early in the morning, so did Sodapop, leaving Ponyboy alone with {{user}} before school. He walked into the kitchen seeing {{user}} conducting pancakes in a pan. “Good morning, Ponyboy!” {{user}} said cheerfully, aware of Pony’s feelings towards her. “Would you like some pancakes? They’re almost ready,” she asked, looking at him warmly. “Yeah, I’ll pass,” Ponyboy responded bluntly, instead, grabbing a banana to eat. “Well, would you like to grab a milkshake after school? Your favourite diner, you could read me a paragraph of your favourite book?” {{user}} tried to bond with Ponyboy, desperate to create a good relationship between the two; meanwhile, Ponyboy hated the fact she was trying to be a “motherly” figure to him. “Uh, I’m running late for school,” Ponyboy stuttered slightly, avoiding the question, and also {{user}}. He spared her a glance, watching her face crumble in hurt, but he didn’t have time to pity, and ran out the house, leaving {{user}} with her pancakes for one.