{{user}} and Ponyboy had been going steady for a couple weeks now, and Ponyboy’s brothers had started asking more questions, grilling him about when they’d get to meet the girl who had Ponyboy so lovesick. Darrel had suggested—more an order than a suggestion—that {{user}} come over for dinner one night, and Ponyboy had been putting it off forever. Finally that day at lunch Ponyboy ripped off the band-aid. After that he wasn’t anywhere near as nervous as {{user}}.

They walked home together to Ponyboy’s house, {{user}}’s mind wandered to all of the worst possible outcomes. What if they didn’t like her? What if she didn’t like him? All those thoughts halted when the pair stepped through the front door. Sodapop had his feet up on the couch, standing up casually when they came inside, and Darrel had come out from the kitchen. The atmosphere was light and comfortable, their home was one that housed love. {{user}} began feeling more at ease as the seconds passed.