Darkness Before Dawn Read Online Free PDF

from the collar. His matching slacks were neatly pressed, and he brushed a minute speck of dust from them as he smiled at the crowd with confidence. Mr. Hathaway gave Jonathan a wide, proud grin but, strangely, Jonathan didn’t return his father’s smile.
    Just before the bell was to ring to begin classes for the day, Mr. Hathaway cleared his throat and asked for silence. “I feel that I would be out of place not to mention two members of the senior class who are not here today—Andrew Jackson and Robert Washington. I know that many of you still grieve and that many of you wish that there was something you might have been able to do to prevent their deaths. Please know that I understand your pain, and if you’re ever in trouble, please don’t be afraid to ask for help—from me, or any member of the staff. We walk our paths here together. Please take care of yourselves, and take care of each other.”
    The auditorium was absolutely silent. The ringing of the bell shattered the moment, but the students were subdued as they hurried to their classes. I turned to Rhonda as we walked out together. “I gotta give him credit. Mr. Hathaway tries to have both heart and soul. That’s hard to find in a principal.”
    â€œYou got that right. It gave me chills.” Rhonda shuddered.
    â€œI just hope we can slide through this year with our eyes closed.”
    â€œWhat did you think of his son, the college kid?” I asked casually. I didn’t want Rhonda to think I was interested in the dude.
    â€œThat’s no kid. Kids are what we see every day. That’s a
man.
And a fine one at that!” Rhonda said as she was bumped by the backpack of a ninth grader. The halls were crowded with kids yelling to each other, pushing to getthrough, going two different directions, banging doors of lockers, stopping in groups to have conversations.
    â€œThe whole idea of passing classes in four minutes is nuts!” I grumbled as we made our way down the hall to our first class. “He
is
fine,” I continued, reflecting on Jonathan Hathaway, “but something about him makes me uncomfortable. Maybe it’s those golden eyes.”
    â€œIt’s those eyes that make him look so good!” Rhonda laughed. “Of course, who’s looking? I got my Tyrone and he makes me sizzle. I don’t need any golden-eyed college boys. What about you, Keisha? You interested?”
    â€œNo way!” I said forcefully. “After Andy, I don’t even want to talk to any dudes. They just cause pain.” I could feel myself starting to cry, but I forced the tears back.
    â€œTake your time, Keisha,” Rhonda told me gently. “The hurt will go away eventually. We all miss Andy—and Rob, too.”
    Just then we bumped into a student who was obviously lost. She had her schedule in her hand, and was looking from the paper to each doorway, obviously trying to find a classroom.
    â€œNeed some help?” I offered.
    â€œWhere is Room 199?” she asked in exasperation. “I figured out that the one hundreds are on the first floor, the two hundreds are on the second, which makes sense, I guess. So where did they hide Room 199?”
    Rhonda and I laughed as we fell into step with the new girl. “You must be new here,” Rhonda commented.
    â€œYou a junior?” I asked.
    The girl, who was dressed in a dynamite white cotton pantsuit, looked like a model. Her rich ebony skin and hair were a striking contrast to the thin, light, breezy material. Me and Rhonda eyed her outfit with appreciation. We recognized good taste in clothes.
    â€œNo, actually, I’m a senior,” she admitted with a sigh. “My mom died last year, and I’ve come to live with my dad and his new wife.”
    â€œRough way to start your senior year,” I told her.
    â€œYeah, but my dad is trying to make it easy for me. His wife isn’t bad for a stepmother, and they