Tuesdays don't arrive any time sooner.

Grace sits down on her desk. she looks at Bernard walking inside the class. he steps in the wrong place and falls face first. he stands up with a bleeding nose. he walks towards her. he sits next to her carefully. they look at each other. 

Grace senses a strange soft aroma. she approaches Bernard's neck to smell his cologne. the smell is so gentle that she stays in that position for a whole minute with her eyes close. the rest of the class was staring at them. 

Bernard was blushing furiously. he was swallowing saliva. her breathe tickles him. his eyes can't look away as her face looks angelical. a tear falls from his eyes. he felt like the heavens had heard him for once on his life. her lips look delightful. he bites his lips trying to avoid naughty thoughts. he then stares at her neck. he feels something livid on his body. he feels shame to feel like that in front of her.

Grace pushes him away. with a genuine smile she thanks him. she asks him to keep that smell as it brings her peace of mind. the rest of the class is still staring at them. some are even making bets in a corner. others pretend to be studying with their eyes glue to the scenario.

finally, Mr. Bark gets inside the class. he looks at the blushing faces. without asking questions he could tell it was because agent Grace must had done something strange. 

"Okay annoying brats, open your books in page 12. as we were discussing previously on class. we are... Patricia what the hell are you doing standing there. and you Jim wake your ass up. Christ, we're on class. can't you kids respect me? for once."  yields Mr. Bark furiously.

Patricia points at Grace sitting on her seat. she gives up and goes to sit somewhere else. as for Timothy, he wakes up only to argue that his name isn't Jim. but no one listens to him. he then goes back to sleep. the class as warm and loud as ever.

Mr. Bark looks at the blackboard. he writes down some things related to Dumas and the Count of Monte Cristo. he then points at one of the students. the student is nervous as he reads. Mr. Bark took his job too serious. he is actually trying to be a good teacher. he had done all kinds of dirty jobs that could bring any soul shame. he has gotten his hands dirty. but for once the job in question is peaceful and the realization of what he has to do is heavy.

"Aside from the story and themes. what else do you think was Dumas' vision? what he wanted to explore with a story of vengeance and stolen identities." asks Mr. Bark in a serious tone.

"How to take your friend's girl probably?" yields some random extra.

"I feel like the intend was to remind the reader that don't matter how fuck up life can be seem from the perspective of the one suffering. there is always a way out. there is always something better waiting for them. it's all about facing struggles and never giving up." said Bernard proud discussing one of his favorite books by his favorite author.

"Yes. I like that perspective. anyone else who wishes to bring some light to our little discussion?" asks Mr. Bark smiling.

"The power of money and good looks perhaps?" yields the same random extra.

some people raise their hands. they all have different opinions to offer. some great. other are stupid or mediocre. Mr. Bark nods as he feels satisfaction to see his students trying. he for a second forgot that he is pretending and not an actual teacher.

Bernard is sweating as he tries to pay attention on class. Count of Monte Cristo wasn't just a piece of literature that he loves. but it was a reminder of a sin. a sin that eats him alive. a stain from the past whispering dreadful things on his ear. the voice of phantoms approaching from behind as of reminder of past transgressions. he feels hands grabbing his shoulder. he falls on the ground sweating. he trembles with teary eyes. he pronounces a name.

Grace looks confuse at Bernard. she stands up. she grabs him by the shoulder. she releases him as she looks at the class waiting for an answer. someone mentions the school's infirmary. she then nods and walks out of the class dragging Bernard from an ankle.

"You're more high maintenance than have any right to be. I guess this happens when I don't watch the landing." whispers Grace to herself.

Grace keeps walking as some students and teachers alike observe her dragging the poor boy. for a moment she felt a familiar presence. she looks around without finding a hint. she keeps moving until she reaches the infirmary. she throws Bernard at the bed like dirty laundry.

Bernard was unconscious for the most part of the journey. he barely opens his eyes once he is inside the infirmary. he is laying on a warm bed. Grace is staring at him with a furious face. she punches him in the face twice.

"I get it that you are sick. but you need to be honest with me. if you feel sick or have issues, you have to tell me. otherwise, how can I trust you with protecting my back. we need trust between us if we wish for our partnership to progress." said Grace furiously.

"Sorry. I am not ready to share my story, but I will. but please trust me, you can do it." said Bernard in a sorrowful tone of voice.

Bernard cries like a kid as he feels exposed. Grace can't find a way to console him. she looks around before getting closer to him. she hugs him as she whispers that everything will be fine. she doesn't know herself why she feels a strange attachment towards this guy. maybe it is pity as she feels a connection. two souls with a dirty past. maybe it's a bond between souls who can see the dark shades of their souls.

Grace releases him. she walks away from him. she doesn't need to make unnecessary connections with people who she may need to put down at the end of her task. Grace opens the door to see a girl staring at her. she smiles full of energy and happiness. 

the girl has heavy blonde hair. she has green eyes. she has a light tan that makes her skin look slightly brown with a touch of red. her nails are green with frogs in the tips. she has a hair accessory that looks similar to fox ears. she has a silver necklace with the design of a fox. her makeup is colorful and bright. with neon pink lips. she has green eyeshadows. 

the girl's name is Alice, when she heard about Grace. she decided that it was her life's mission to be friends with such a bold girl who claimed the nerd as her property. she smiles brightly to meet her role model face to face. she asks if they can be friends.

Grace nods slowly. there is no reaction on her face. but she feels terrified in front of a girl with such a loud personality. Grace has always been the lone wolf type of person. but now she has a sick pet and worse than all an extroverted friend. things keep running too fast.

"Oh my god. we will be so good friends." said Alice almost yielding out of excitement.

Alice turns at her left and calls for her friends. a girl with pigtails comes running. she has thick glasses with a black frame. she has freckles. she has braces. she presents herself as Brenda. she is nervous as she presents herself. she needs to be somewhere else. she says hello before leaving almost running. 

the other two friends said hello before leaving. Grace feels awkward. Brenda is one of the names in her kill list. she feels sorry for her. she seems like a nice girl, but a job is a job. she wasn't trained to question orders, but to execute those orders. there is no place in here for emotions or mercy. 

"Are you okay?" asks Bernard as he approaches her.

Grace turns to look at him. a tear falls from her eyes, "No, it is nothing." she said trying to convince herself that everything is fine. 

there was a second of silence. Grace didn't expect to feel any sympathy for her targets. it is more than a job to Erase. it's her sacred duty as an Eraser Agent.