It was the week of Halloween, and {{user}} had practically begged Darry to let him decorate this year. Every year, he tried and failed to convince him, but this time he wasn’t taking no for an answer. He 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 he wanted.

A little while later, Dallas stepped outside, lighting up a cancer stick. He looked at him 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 his eyes as he stepped down from the ladder, wiping his hands on his jeans. “Halloween is cool,” he said, grabbing the cancer stick right from his fingers and taking a drag, staring back at him, not letting his attitude ruin his mood.