Lydia's POV:

It all started 24 years ago. I'm six years old, running into my Kindergarten class for the first day, more excited than I've ever been. I'm excited to get away from my parents for a little while, and to make new friends.

"Bye, honey," My mom says, smiling and hugging me. I smile and say bye, but don't hug her back. Maybe she's being nice now, but I know damn well by now that she'll be drunk when I get home, and she'll smack me around over and over. Ever since Daddy left, she'd been doing that more, and I had nobody to stick up for me.

I run into my classroom and hear someone say, "Hello, dear! You must be Lydia. My name is Mrs. Peters, and I'm your teacher!" I look up at her and wave shyly.

"Ponyboy!" She calls. A boy runs up to her, and I wonder: is his name really Ponyboy? That seems kind of made up, like a nickname.

"Ponyboy, this is our new student, Lydia. Why don't you show her around, introduce her to Bailey and stuff?" She suggests. Bailey, as I'll find out later, is the pet bunny in the class. Pony nods, and takes my hand, telling me all about the class.

"Hi! I'm Ponyboy Curtis. What's your name, Lydia?" He asks. I'm not sure if he was being serious or not, but I giggle.

"So why did she make you show me everything?" I ask, instead of answering his question He just shrugs.

"I guess cuz I'm smart?" He says, almost questioningly. I shrug, too. Maybe he was smart.

Anyways, later on, he invited me to come over after school was over. I said no, because my mom would be here to take me home. Except she didn't show up. I stood there in front of my entire class, watching them all as they got into their cars. It seemed like the most embarrassing thing ever at the time, but it happened all the time later on.

After I thought everyone except my teacher had left, I sat on the ground, bringing my knees up to my chest and started crying. She had forgotten about me... I vowed right there I would never forget about my child, when I had one, no matter what. That was when Ponyboy came over to me.

"Hey," he said quietly, putting his arm around me. I look up, quickly wiping my tears.

"What are you doing? I thought everyone went home," I tell him. He tilts my chin up so I'm looking him in the eyes.

"Lydia, I would never leave you alone. I told my mommy to wait to make sure you're ok. Do you need a ride home?" He asks me. I smile at him and nod.

"Really?" I ask him. "Yeah," He whispers, taking my hand and helping me up.

I didn't even think anything of it, two little six year olds who just met today, having a deep moment like that. I just thought it was a bit surprising, nobody really cared about me. I now don't think it's at all surprising, that's just the way Ponyboy is. But it was the first time I've really felt wanted, with Ponyboy Curtis.

That day I went to his house, and when we called my mom to pick me up, she wasn't there. I spent the night at Pony's, and went to school the next day wearing his clothes. We stayed together the entire day, I wouldn't leave his side. Ever since that day we've been inseparable.

A/N: So if you're confused, all of this is in the mom, Lydia's POV. The next chapter will be she and Hope talking. So what do you guys think? Do you like it so far?