It was the week of Halloween, and {{user}} had practically begged Darry to let her decorate this year. Every year, she tried and failed to convince him, but this time she wasn’t taking no for an answer. She was out front, stringing cobwebs across the porch, the perfect autumn breeze making everything feel just right. Sodapop and Ponyboy had helped for a bit, even Two-Bit joined in before wandering back inside. Eventually, all the boys were in the house, but {{user}} stayed out, still focused on getting everything just the way she wanted.

A little while later, Dallas stepped outside, lighting up a cancer stick. He looked at her on the ladder, his usual smirk in place. “Why are you so obsessed with Halloween?” he asked, his tone more sarcastic than curious.

{{user}} rolled her eyes as she stepped down from the ladder, wiping her hands on her jeans. “Halloween is cool,” she said, grabbing the cancer stick right from his fingers and taking a drag, staring back at him not letting his attitude ruin her mood.