The Dark of the Night More Inviting Than the Sunlight

Dawn's Point of View

"Okay class, you won't need your books for today's class," teacher Jeph said as he entered the classroom. "Because today, we're going to watch a movie."

"What movie?" one of the guys asked out loud, sounding sceptic.

"A Knight's Tale," Jeph replied simply, smiling as he held up the DVD cover.

"Sweet!" Quinn exclaimed excitedly grinning widely at me and Sky.

"What's the catch? There's always a catch," Sky asked out loud.

"Well, 'the catch' is that I want you to write a text that has something to do with the movie. It could be about the actor Heath Ledger who plays the main part in this movie, or about the Middle Ages, knights... the band Queen, since they're having one of their songs sung in the movie. The list is long, just be creative and use your imagination," Jeph answered to the whole class.

"So it could practically be about anything as long as we can connect the subject to the film?" Sky asked with a raised eyebrow and a brief smile on her beautiful face.

"Exactly. It's going to take two lessons to watch the movie since it's about two hours long, the lesson after that you're going to start writing on your texts. It's a good idea to start thinking about what to write already," Jeph explained as he turned on the projector with a remote control.

The classroom went dark and the movie started. I leaned forward against the desk and placed my head in my arms to get some well-needed rest. I was exhausted from a whole night of crying violently to myself after I had received a phone call from my father's work, letting me know that he had gotten injured so he was coming back home three weeks earlier than planned. He was coming home tomorrow. Life's so damn unfair sometimes.

From out of nowhere the negative emotions overwhelmed me and silent tears started rolling down my face. Even though the room was dark my instinct told me to quickly wipe them away and for God's sake hold back the pathetic sobs that were threatening to break out. Unfortunately I failed miserably on both parts. Of course Sky noticed, she's really observant. Quinn also noticed as he too was seated next to me.

"Let's go outside," Sky whispered and I nodded shortly. Quinn wrapped his arm around my shoulders and the three of us left the classroom discreetly. As soon as we were out of the classroom my two best friends threw their arms around me.

"Dawn," Quinn whispered softly as he stroke the blonde hair out of my face. "Please tell us what's wrong." I just shook my head and buried my face in the hollow of his neck.

"I can't tell you," I sobbed. "You know I can't... I'm sorry."

"Don't feel bad, we respect your wish," Sky whispered, her blue grey eyes blank with tears as she looked sympathetically at me. "We just feel so damn helpless when you're feeling like this and there's nothing we can do to help."

The classroom door opened and Jeph appeared in the doorway. "Is she alright?" Sky shook her head sadly before I had the chance to say anything. I started feeling dizzy and my vision became blurred, without even realizing it I fell flat forward against Quinn's slender body as my legs gave in. "Dawn, can you hear me?" Jeph's serious voice echoed inside my head as my vision went all black.

"I can't see anything!" I said in a panicked voice. Oh my God, I'm blind! I'm blind!

"Calm down Dawn, you're going to be alright. I'm taking you to the Nurse's office," Jeph's soothing voice said and I could feel how I was being lifted up into a pair of muscular arms. "Sky and Quinn, don't worry she's going to be just fine. Wait outside of my office, I want to talk to you." I had my arms wrapped around Jeph's neck, terrified that he would drop me and I would fall into a whirl of endless darkness. He stroke my back gently and hushed me as he walked down the hallway.

"Dawn, can you hear me?" Bright light was blinding me as my eyes flickered open. I coughed and tried to sit up as my vision was becoming clearer. "Relax Dawn, you're going to be fine. You just need to get some rest," Branden spoke as he gently forced me back down on the couch.

"What happened?" I asked, squinting as I tried to focus my gaze.

"You probably had a panic attack, you lost consciousness for a while there," he explained placing a cool hand on top of my forehead. "When was the last time you ate or drank something?"

"Last night, I didn't have time to catch some breakfast this morning," I explained.

"You're dehydrated, you should take better care of yourself. Next time at least try to drink something, the human body needs liquid and food to function. You're a bright kid, I'm convinced that you already knew that," he said and winked at me.

"I know," I mumbled fixing my gaze on the white ceiling above me. I sighed deeply and covered my face with my hands as another wave of overwhelming feelings hit me. Why did he have to come back? Why? I'm not sure if I can take this any longer. I don't want to live like this...

"Dawn, how are you feeling?" Branden placed his hand neatly on my shoulder, but I just shrugged it off.

"Is it okay if I rest here for a couple of minutes?" I asked, forcing the cry back down my throat.

"Of course, Dawn. I won't let you leave until I know you're alright," he told me. "Please have some water or you're just going to feel even more exhausted." I lifted up my head slightly to drink some of the water in the glass he was holding out for me.

I don't know how much time I spent in the nurse's office before the door finally opened and Jeph walked in.

"Hey Dawn, are you feeling better now?" he asked and kneeled in front of the couch so that we were in the same eye level. I nodded and sat up, rubbing my neck. "Good. I'd like to have a word with you, Branden, do you mind?" Branden got up from his desk and left the office. The whole situation made me feel awfully nervous. I musn't say too much. I musn't say too much.

"There's something I need to talk to you about, something important," he sounded utterly serious. I nodded slowly, praying to God that the beautiful eyes of his didn't see right through me. "Okay, so umm... I just spoke to Quinn and Sky, they're very worried about you. I know I have no right to interfere with your private life, but I'm seriously concerned about those down periods you have sometimes. It's like you're dead inside, your gaze look so awfully empty and... I don't know where I'm going with this. I guess I just wanted to let you know that I really care about your well-being, I'm here for you and I would do anything to make the pain you feel go away. You're a wonderful girl and shouldn't feel like this when you've got your whole life before you."

I looked straight into his honest, soulful eyes and all of sudden something happened. Without effort I even managed to form a smile and hypnotized by his beauty I reached out to stroke his cheek softly.

"That's very sweet of you, Jeph," I said softly. He brought his own hand up to his face and linked my fingers with his. A charming grin spread across his handsome face and I just had to ask what he was smiling at.

"That was the first time I heard you call me Jeph." I couldn't stop myself from smiling at this. "You know, if you ever feel like you want to open up, I'm here for you. Not only as a teacher, but as a friend," he said and looked at me with his hypnotizing beautiful eyes.

"Thanks Jeph, that means a lot for me to hear."