The first thing I hear in the morning are birds. The birds are wrong. This bed is wrong. The air is wrong. I don't belong here.

I managed to make it half way through the semester. Attending classes I've already taken, taking test I've already written. I didn't expect Haven and Beacon to share curriculums this closely.

I hate this place. I hate this school. I hate this plan. But most of all, I hate her.

Then why are we sharing a bed.

"What. The. Hell." A livid Emerald exclaims in a deep voice.

Oh right, that's why.

I sit up, exposing Cinder's and my body to make it very clear to Emerald what we did. I hate Cinder, but I wanted to piss off Emerald so much more. Plus we were drunk out of our gourds during last night's post midterm celebration.

I flash the thief a smug smile before getting up and projecting a nightgown for myself as I walk to the showers. I can faintly hear Emerald trying to get words out and Cinder telling her to settle down. I make sure I'm alone in the shower before dropping my illusion. Once I'm under the water I start to let my mind wander.

This morning almost felt right. Feeling a warm body next to mine again. If it wasn't for those damn birds ruining the illusion. I thought for a moment I was back. I miss my old team. I miss…her. I wonder if she's moved on yet. Probably.

I clench my fist and let the shower hide the few tears I let out.

I don't know why I care. Roman called about the biggest score in the world and I made the plan to fake my death within an hour. If I loved her I wouldn't have hurt her so easy. It doesn't matter now. There's a job to do.

"I don't care! You promised me you'd have twice this much by now!" Cinder is yelling at Roman over her scroll. It makes me want to stab her a lot more than normal. "There's a large shipment coming to Vale in a few weeks alongside the Vacuo students. Round up as many local White Fang as there are available and get that warehouse filled." She didn't wait for him to respond. If I know Roman he slammed the scroll down, himself.

Cinder took a deep breath before turning to us. "We're heading back to Vale a bit ahead of schedule. However, I want you two to keep your hands clean until we set back up in the dorms."

I can't help but smile widely. I wouldn't need to stay trapped at Beacon, I could head out to Vale and stay with Roman most of the time.

"I'll make the arrangements. You three prepare to qualify for the tournament. I've uploaded the short list of teams I want joining us in Vale…Emerald will ensure all others fail to perform at their best." Cinder instructed as she went back to fiddling with her scroll.

I really couldn't care less about all this, but I have gotten to know how these three fight. I feel that might be useful down the line. I've also pieced together Emerald and Mercury's story but I still have no clue about Cinder. I can't get even a hint at who or what she was a couple years ago. She knows Mistral well enough, but that's about all I can deduce. It bothers me, not knowing someone. Especially someone who could easily stab me in the back.

"Neo." I perk up at the sound of my name. Cinder sat in her bed, wearing a silk gown, staring at me. "I need to unwind." She says very directly. I can see Emerald seething from behind Cinder. I roll my eyes and crawl out of my own bed. I don't mind that much. It pisses off Emerald and I don't like sleeping alone.

Time passes and we have our fun. I think Emerald cried herself to sleep. Cinder isn't too big on reciprocating, but I get enough. Still. I hate her. I hate this plan. I hate this school. I hate this place.

The last thing I hear before falling asleep are birds. The birds are wrong.