Days of mourning.

it has been four days since Brenda died. her death was told to be cause by organ failures. no one could explain the reason behind her organs failing. 

Grace goes back to school. she is back to her old self. she shows no emotions. she speaks in an emotionless tone. Grace is tired. she knows that Pierre did what he did for her. but she can't erase the feeling that she feels deep within herself. the feeling that he is playing with her.

Bernard approaches Grace. his eyes are red. it is clear that he has been crying. he smiles with sadness reflected on his face. he talks to her. she mostly ignores him. they walk around the corridors of school. the echo of their steps camouflages Bernard's heart singing at the rhyme of Grace's every word.

Pierre is somewhere in the shadows observing them. he walks in silent steps. there is something sinister going on inside his mind. it is unclear what he is planning to do. its believe that he was send there by the Dictator. but if that is true, why is he helping? why does he not oppose them? is he playing with them?

Hanna and Alice are coming from the opposite side. they salute Grace. they are a mess. Josh out of air comes behind Alice. he hugs her. he says hello to Grace. he holds his girlfriend carefully as he covers her from the world. he kisses her neck. they keep walking. Hanna walks slowly after them. they ignore Pierre on their way.

"The people on this world are funny." whispers Pierre with a sinister smirk.

Grace and Bernard keep walking holding hands. Bernard wants to be her guard. he wants to be the shield to protect her from the outside world. he wants to save her from all kinds of horror or pain. Bernard can't tolerate the pain so detailed on her face. it hurts like hell to see her so emotionless. Bernard's tears weren't for Brenda. but for Grace. whenever Bernard finds himself alone, he cries thinking about her pain.

Jack approaches them. he is not his usual bully. for once he is sensible. he looks down at the floor after every step he takes to get closer to them. Jack lets them know that he is sorry. Jack tells them that he wants to talk with Bernard alone. he then walks away.

Grace and Bernard get closer to their next class. Bernard opens the door. he is about to get inside when he is received by a kiss. the kisser was Chloe. she asks him for some time alone. she winks as she lets him know that she is interested in some private anatomy classes. Chloe then walks back to her seat. Bernard is confused as hell.

this time Grace went back to her actual seat. she sits down. Patricia is sitting next to her. Grace asks her why she isn't in her seat. Patricia points at Timothy sitting next to Bernard. also, these days are too gray to waste breathe fighting. 

Timothy is silently staring at the board. Bernard asks him if he wants to play games later. he feels the need to get distracted from the world. there is a severe feeling of emptiness. the classroom is mostly full, but it feels so empty.

"You filthy dog. I saw you flirting with your bully's girl. you know how to exploit the best of the worst of times." said Timothy half joking. 

"She used to be especial to me. but no more. I don't care about her. or you Tom. I don't care about anyone else, but a certain especial lady. the world can burn in hellfire, but as long as she stands at my side. my heart would melt in the warmth of her smile." said Bernard.

the two friends keep talking for a little while. they haven't been talking much lately. for the past few days Bernard has dedicated most of his time to Grace.

Mrs. Bank gets inside the classroom. she opens her book. she looks at the students. she writes on the chalkboard. Mrs. Bank ask them to write either a story or a poem about the following subjects: mourning or hope. she wants them to express themselves. they need to get those emotions out one way or another.

Grace starts to write in her notebook with passion. she keeps writing without stopping. there are so many things she wants to put on ink and paper. she sighs. she erases some parts. there are no emotions shown, but you can feel them as she writes. she erases. she writes again. she shows her true self in that piece of paper.

Pierre gets inside the classroom. he is late. the teacher ignores him. Pierre walks silently towards his own seat. no one pays attention to his movements. he is like a rabid dog pretending to be invisible.

"Now kids. whoever feels ready. please walk forward and tell the class how you feel. nobody will mock you, nor criticize your heart." said Mrs. Bank with an empty smile.

some students are doubtful. a student decides to go first. then another one goes. like that most of the students go. some at first don't know how to open that gates of the heart. but eventually they all speak up. some with tears. others with sadness detailed in the voice. 

most people go. but Grace stays in her seat. she doesn't move from there. she doesn't look at the others now. she listens, but most of her attention is on the words she wrote. she can't find the courage to explain those emotions.

Bernard listens to every poem. every short story. but his eyes don't find a precise focus. he looks at some students. he looks at the teacher. he then looks at Chloe staring at him. he then looks at Grace. he notices a tear that falls from Grace. he makes a fist out of desperation. he wants to approach her. he wants to let her know that he is there for her.

some students felt better once they heard or told their poems. Pierre was having fun listening to their pathetic cries for attention. he felt disgust towards humanity.

the class eventually ends. some students leave right away towards the next class. others go to the bathroom first. others stay inside a minute or two to organize their thoughts. after all, today was quite the eventful day.

Bernard follows Grace. he walks faster as he feels her so far away. he holds her hand abruptly in the middle of the corridor. she reacts by throwing him midair before kicking him in the stomach against the wall. 

Grace is shocked by her own actions. she walks towards Bernard. she helps him to stand up. Grace feels the stares of others. she asks if he is fine. Bernard smiles missing a tooth and with some blood in his mouth. he nods peacefully hiding the pain.

"What do you want? you fool." asks Grace annoyed.

"You, I mean. I want to hear your poem. I know you wanted to read it. if you don't feel ready for others. then let me hear it. I won't judge. let me listen to the purest words that come from your heart." said Bernard with teary eyes.

Bernard kneels in front of her ignoring the eyes of the public. he then grabs her hands. he kisses her hands. he keeps her hands close to his face.

"I am no more than just a friend. but at least let me be someone worthy of been there at your side when you are on your darker days." said Bernard.

You want to know what I wrote? okay. let's just go somewhere less crowded. I want those words to be for your ears and eyes alone." 

Grace and Bernard, walk together. they go towards to the baseball field. once there alone. Bernard takes her notebook. he opens it. he finds the paper. he then reads it.

"I had known death before. I had lost those dear to me before. I was told attachments are a detour to an early grave. I was told how to be cold. how to be a machine capable of taking life and observing life leaving bodies as I come to become the perfect gun. but even after all my training I can't get use to the pain. the sorrow of losing someone important. the pain that comes with losing those important to me." said Grace. 

hidden behind a tree is Pierre. he hears the rest of the conversation. Bernard hugs Grace. the two of them are crying loudly. Pierre has a peculiar facial expression. it isn't sad or sorrow. it is more like a question created after some inner conflict. a tear falls from his eyes. 

"Grace mon amour, had you chosen that boy over me? I see. once more I am too late. wretched heart that stings whenever she feels distant." whispers Pierre.