"Simone!" Mother Immaculata spat out the name in shock and disgust. "I want to see you in my office….RIGHT NOW." The sharpness of her words and the loud stomp of her heels were still reverberating around the room as she walked out, closing the door behind her.

Horrified by the scene that just took place…Simone, her body stiff with fear could barely breathe. "That did not just happened," she said quietly, desperate to believe that if she spoke the words out loud it would make them true. Finally, releasing the air caught in her chest, she quickly pulled her shirt over her head.

"It’s going to be okay," Annabelle said, hoping Simone would hear the sincerity and encouragement in her words. She too was frightened by the steel in Mother Immaculata’s voice. However, unlike Simone, Annabelle was use to being around people who held a great deal of power and liked to wield it whenever they could. She also had learned how to get around that power as well, so even though she was scared, she knew somehow they would find a way through this. She raised her arm, wanting to comfort the woman she had fallen in love with, but felt Simone’s body stiffen in anticipation of her touch. That reaction, as well as the older woman’s next words hurt, but again Annabelle understood. She had always understood. By loving her, Simone stood to lose everything…except her heart. Her heart would always be safe with Annabelle. Simone just didn’t know that yet.

"You better go," Simone whispered, unable to look at the young woman she had spent hours making love with.

Staring at her lover in profile, Annabelle stood still one moment longer, hoping Simone would turn her way. When she realized that wasn’t going to happen, Annabelle picked up her clothes, and then standing one more time in front of Simone she stopped all movement…forcing Simone to acknowledge her. It worked, although the reaction was not what she had hoped for. The look Simone gave her was empty of emotion, her eyes moving away quickly, clearly distracted.

Annabelle walked out, and the room suddenly felt cold…devoid of all the warmth and love that had filled its walls just moments before. Slowly making her way over to the desk, Simone lowered her still stiff body into the chair trying to reign in her out of control thoughts as they careened through her brain at breakneck speeds.