The two women ate there breakfast outside so they could enjoy each other’s company and avoid a very grumpy cook. Breaking her slice of toast in to tiny squares Annabelle started up the conversation.

“Why did it take you so long, after the beach house you just ignored me.” The truth hurt Simone, the fact that she had treated Annabelle so badly whilst battling with her conscious.

“I had some many walls I had to break down, it took time. After the beach house they started to go back up again until you and Cat had that fight and I could see how hurt you where. I just wanted to hold you, kiss you but you pushed me away…”

“Only because I was angry I couldn’t your wanting me one minute then pushing me away the next. Hearts are fragile things.”

With a little laugh “I know and I’m sorry but you have to understand, after Amanda I tried to make my life normal, with Michael,”

“The man you were dancing with, I hate him.”

“I actually quite like him” Annabelle’s eyes flashed with hurt and jealous at the thought Simone was not hers, she was with someone else. Seeing Annabelle’s look Simone felt loved at the thought of this young girls jealousy. “But I don’t love him, I had to be false around him, I had to pretend.” Annabelle catching the meaning of Simone’s word gave a proud little smile, there’s no way in hell she was pretending last night as she rubbed her hand over Simone’s teeth marks. “But then you came along, with those blue eyes that are like an ocean of beauty you made me remember who I am, question what I had become, and inspired me to change. Plus I had to get over the fact I had fallen in love with a student 12 years my junior.”

Putting her hand on Simone’s thigh, looking deep into her eyes the only answered Annabelle had was three little words, but when said the conjured so much emotion for the two women.

“I love you” tears filled both their eyes; Simone wiped Annabelle’s away with her thumb. But the younger of the two was interrupted before she had the chance to do the same. Sister Clair walked up to them, after showing her concern for Simone’s black eye, which made Annabelle feel guilty all over again. Finally told them Mother Immaculata had finished with Cat, that she would be moving dorms and had one last chance. It was now there turn.