Hi guys...

I'm soooooooooooooo sorry for not updating yesterday. I've been so busy reading Winter (It finally came in!)

It came on Tuesday, and I've been forcing myself to not read more than 100 pages a day?

It's been torture.

I gave up on that rule today.

Anyway, enjoy the chapter!

POV- Cinder

I walked home slowly after getting my stuff from Scarlet's house. After the emotional trauma from Peony's death, I didn't think I could handle Adri and Pearl. Now, standing outside the apartment door, I wondered why I even bothered coming back in the first place.

Taking a deep breath, I took out my key and unlocked the door; going inside as quickly and quietly as possible. I stopped at the entrance to the living room, Adri and Pearl where sitting on the couch. Pearl was crying into her hands while Adri sat stiffly — as if waiting. When she saw me she stood, at her feet was one large suitcase.

"So you're finally back." She said. "I was starting to wander if you'd even bother to come."

I looked at her, returning the cool gaze. "What do you mean?" I asked emotionlessly.

She kicked the suitcase over to me. "You're sixteen now, that's a legal age to move out."

"You're kicking me out?" I asked in disbelief.

Sneering, she glared at me. "The only reason I even kept you around in the first place was — by some weird miracle — Peony took a liking to you. Now that she's gone, I don't see the point in you staying here any longer."

I couldn't believe it. I knew Adri was cruel, but this was a whole new level.

"I suggest you leave now. I've placed all of your belongings in this suitcase, you can go scan your room for anything I may have missed. But I expect you to be gone by sunset. If not — I'm calling the police." With that, she turned stiffly. She grabbed Pearl's hand and dragged her along into the master bedroom.

I pivoted on my heels, grabbing the suitcase and drag it into my bedroom. I sat on my bed, scanning the small room for anything. Then I slipped onto the floor and stuck my hand under the mattress, slipping my hand in a small tear on the platform. I retracted my hand, holding a wad of money. My life savings.

Every now and then I would sneak a bit of money I earned doing dd jobs around the neighborhood — mostly fixing malfunctioning air conditioners or changing the tires on someones car. Of course, Adri received most of it; but every now and then I would sneak a few dollars and hide them.

Spreading our the money I stared counting — it turned out I had saved almost 500$. I nearly laughed. It was way more than I thought there'd be, but not nearly enough to get an at least decent apartment. And I doubted Adri was going to give me any. I sighed and stuck the money into the outer packet of the suitcase. After I was sure I had all of my belongings, I picked up the handle on the luggage and started rolling it out of the apartment.

I passed Peony's old room, slightly pausing and staring into the room that was once filled with bright posters and furniture. I walked into the room, going to a small board holding several pictures of Kai, then there where the drawings.

They where small, just little sketches hastily colored with hearts glued to the corners and things like Kaider, I ship it! and OTP written in curly letters. There where pictures of Kai and Me (sometimes Kai and her), Thorne and Cress, and Scarlet and Wolf.

It wouldn't be too long till Adri did a sweep of Peony's room, selling anything of value and throwing out childish drawings like these. Without even thinking, I took the photo's and drawings from the wall and placed them in my bag.

...

"Of course! She didn't even leave you any money." Iko was furious. I had been staying in her apartment the last few days, we where currently trying to find any apartments that I could afford in the newspaper. "This is ridiculous! And she just expects you to magically grow a money tree and survive!"

"Just drop it already, Iko. There's nothing we can do about it now." I scanned the paper.

"I'm just saying." She lifted her hands in surrender.

"Iko! Cinder!" Émilie burst in, her phone in her hand and an excited expression on her face. "I found this really nice apartment for super cheap!" She smiled. "Only $600 every two months!"

I sighed. "That would be great, if I had that."

She sighed, placing her free hand on her hip. "You didn't let me finish. The owners of the apartments are the parents of a hood friend of mine. They're willing to lower the price to 500$ for the first few months."

"That's great!" Iko shouted standing to go give Émilie a hug.

"Yeah, except I'm still short around twenty bucks." I placed my head in my hands, groaning.

Iko rolled her eyes. "Don't be so negative, Cinder. I can pay the difference."

I smiled slightly. "I couldn't ask that of you Iko, after letting me stay unexpectedly. And helping me search."

"Well, you don't have a choice in the matter. Come on Cinder, we're going to get that apartment." Iko grabbed my arm, forcing my to stand and follow her.

The way there was filled with several protests from me, and hushes from Iko. When we finally got there I was extremely shocked.

It was in the Rampion neighborhood. "Émilie, what are we doing here?" I asked.

Let me explain. The Rampion is basically this really wealthy area of town, you know the popular people in school who are popular for nothing other than the fact that they live in this really rich neighborhood. This was that place.

Yeah, we where only at the edge. The place with the apartments, but they where really nice apartments.

"Émilie, how much was the apartment originally?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"Only 600!" She said.

I gave her a disbelieving look.

"Okay, maybe it was 12,000 per month. But I told my boyfriend the story and his family insisted that you stay in the apartments, so they lowered the price for you!"

I laughed, giving her a hug. "You're insane! Thanks Émilie!"

Okay, chapter's done. I'm going to read Winter now.

I just passed the part with Scarlet and Winter and the special operatives. Yeah.

Q- What do you like about Winter best so far? (No spoilers!)

A- The way it's written! And how Marissa shows how Cinder isn't invincible *cough* throne room and lake scene *cough*
I also love the way she writes Winter as a character, she is adorable!

Kiki?