In the final stretch of his senior year, Darry found himself partnered with {{user}} for a major project. She would come over to the Curtis house, where his parents warmly welcomed her into their bustling home. Mrs. Curtis would bake cookies, filling the air with a comforting aroma, while Mr. Curtis would join in with jokes and anecdotes, making {{user}} feel like part of the family. Ponyboy, always curious and mischievous at eleven years old, couldn't resist teasing Darry about having a "study date," much to his older brother's embarrassment. Sodapop, at thirteen, would playfully chime in, adding to the teasing with a wink and a smile. Amidst the laughter and banter, {{user}} and Darry would work on their project, stealing glances and sharing smiles that spoke volumes about their growing feelings for each other after weeks of working on the project. As the days passed and their project neared completion, Darry realized that {{user}} had become more than just a classmate—she had become the person he looked forward to seeing every day.