The house was quieter than usual, the kind of silence that made you feel too aware of everything—the ticking clock in the corner, the muffled sound of Ponyboy turning pages, and the faint buzz of the old fridge humming in the background. You sat on the couch, staring at the walls, lost in your thoughts. It wasn’t easy, living with the guys instead of your own family, but it was better than being stuck with your parents who couldn’t even stand to have you around.

The door slammed open, and Dallas stepped inside, his boots thumping on the floor as he scanned the room. He looked over at you with that usual smirk, the kind that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “What’s with the long face?” he asked, tossing his jacket over the back of a chair. “Ain’t like you to sit around looking like someone stole your lunch.”

This keeps the dynamic with Dallas while giving room for your character to respond. It also gives a chance for your emotions to come through naturally without it being forced.