"The worst memories stick with us, while the nice ones always seem to slip through our fingers." ― Rachel Vincent

(Ponyboy's POV.)

When I woke up, everything was bright. And I mean everything. I had to blink about twenty times to get my eyes readjusted to the light in this room. I sat up groggily, wiping my eyes to get the sleep out of them. Where was I? Nothing looked familiar. At all. Everything seemed brand new, except for me. I was just plain old Ponyboy. That's all I could remember. I couldn't even remember why I thought I was plain. I shook my head slightly, finally realizing I was in a hospital. I was the only one in the room, so I felt comfortable enough to look around closely to my surroundings. On my right side, there was a heart monitor. Beep beep beep. It kept a somewhat steady rate and it seemed to be connected to me. 'Well,' I thought, 'this is a good sign. I remember the basics. I just can't remember memories. Or people in my life. Seriously, have I ever had a birthday party? How old am I?' I looked down at the IV connected to my wrist and I yanked it out, screeching a bit in pain. I never liked hospitals. I'm not sure why, I just know I hate them. I pulled both legs over the left side of the hospital bed, placing them on the cold hard floor. At first, my legs wobbled from my own weight, and then I got used to it. I hobbled around my hospital room for a minute or two before staggering over to the door. If no doctor would come to me and tell me why I was here, I would find out myself. I walked around aimlessly until I found a doctor. He was tall and lanky, and he was speaking to a whole bunch of men who looked like they hadn't showered in days. Their hair was greasy. And when I say greasy, I'm not talking about just a little bit to help the end stand up straight, I'm talking about the grease was everywhere. From the top of their heads to the back of their heads. All of their hair was long, too. They looked like they were all related. I didn't want to interrupt but I couldn't help it, I jumped into the doctor's conversation. He obviously had just started speaking because his exact words before I interrupted him were, "I have the news on your brother." As soon as I broke up his conversation, all men in the room, including the clan who didn't shower, looked over at me, bewildered. The doctor had a look of shock and anger on his face, meanwhile the clan looked happy as well as relieved. Before I knew it, I was being lifted up into a bone crushing hug from someone I had never met before in my life. "Put me down! Someone help me!" I shouted at the top of my lungs yet the man didn't let go. He was tall and broad-shouldered. Very muscly. His hugs almost hurt. The man stared at the doctor with a look that seemed to say, 'Speak up. Now.' He set me back down and I stepped back a few paces. Slowly, and uncertainly, the doctor began to speak. "As I was saying, Mr. Curtis, your brother seems to have a severe concussion along with post-traumatic amnesia. I'm very sorry to inform your family like this."

It felt mighty awkward being here in this family's probable darkest moment so I spoke quietly, " I'm sorry about your brother." As soon as I said it, I regretted it instantly. I soon felt four pairs of eyes trained on me. The handsome boy with the dark-gold hair eyes brimmed with fresh tears. I felt awful for even speaking up. I looked over at the doctor and spoke softly, "So, what's wrong with me? Why am I here?" The doctor looked from me to the big, strong-looking boy. The big man finally approached me and gently placed a hand on my shoulder, "You really don't remember, do you, Ponyboy?" I immediately started panicking, "How do you know my name?" He suddenly looked years older than he was. I could tell this man had gone through a lot in his lifetime. He looked over to the golden haired boy and he walked up also, "Ponyboy, I'm your brother Darry. And this is our brother, Sodapop." "Sodapop? Ain't that kinda a funny name?" They only grinned in response to that. I didn't mean to say that out loud, but it was too late. I quietly said sorry before looking down at the carpet, embarrassed. The doctor then stepped up and placed his hand on my shoulder, "Well, Ponyboy needs to rest. You can visit him tomorrow. Visiting hours are between 6:00 AM and 4:00 PM." Suddenly, this supposed brother of mine, Darry looked at the doctor, almost with a threating type of look. "This," he motioned to me, "is my kid brother. I'm not leaving. Neither is Soda. Aren't you, little buddy?" The golden haired boy nodded in agreement, crossing his arms. He then turned back to a boy about the same age as him and to another with long, rusty colored sideburns. Man, he sure had a toothy grin. "Sorry, you guys. You'll have to leave. See you tomorrow though." The boy the same age as Sodapop grimaced and Soda spoke up again. "Oh, cool it, Steve. My brothers need me." Steve then gave Soda an apologetic look before embracing him. Darry then walked over to old rusty, "Sorry, Two-Bit, 'bout all this. You'll come see Pony tomorrow won't you?" Two-Bit only smirked before shrugging, "I'll come if I ain't too boozed up!" Darry punched him playfully on the shoulder before Steve and Two-Bit, also known as Rusty to me, left. 'Huh,' I thought, 'So we have Darry and Sodapop, my brothers. I'll have to check up on that one. We don't even look alike.' I looked at Darry and Soda before going back into thoughts, 'and there is Steve and Two-Bit. Steve doesn't seem to like me much. Two-Bit seems alright. I'd like to get to know him. I wonder if his real name is really Two-Bit.' I shrugged to myself before the doctor escorted me back to my room along with my newly found brothers.

A/N: So, this is chapter 3! Enjoy! Read and review! Also, to my first reviewer, TheRowanBishop, I will do something, later on, about life without Dally and Johnny, both! I'm a fangirl, too, don't worry! :)