DINING ROOM

Annabelle sits next to Colins. Cat sets her tray down, sits. Annabelle glares at her, then gets up and walks away.

HALLWAY OUTSIDE OF IMMACULATA’S OFFICE

Annabelle hears muffled voices from inside, and stops near the door to listen.

MOTHER IMMACULATA
I’m sorry that it had to end this way, Simone. Are you sure that I cannot change your mind?

SIMONE
[brief, unintelligible]

MOTHER IMMACULATA
Very well. I shall make the announcement after classes are finished this afternoon. You will be able to complete your duties today, I assume?

Annabelle moves away from the door as footsteps approach. The door opens and Simone steps out with Immaculata behind her. Immaculata puts her hand gently on Simone’s upper arm. Simone smiles briefly, and then walks away.

SIMONE’S ROOM

She is packing. Photos of Annabelle from the beach are on her desk. Simone picks them up and pauses, lost in the image. A voice interrupts her.

ANNABELLE
What are you doing?

Simone’s head snaps up – afraid she’s been caught. It’s only Annabelle; she closes her eyes and exhales the breath that caught in her throat.
Annabelle moves closer.

ANNABELLE
Why are you leaving?

SIMONE
I have to. I can’t stay here and be your teacher –

ANNABELLE
[cutting her off]
Yes you can!

SIMONE
Annabelle, please.

ANNABELLE
Is this about that night? Because I – I don’t care. I’d do anything but I won’t change what happened. I can’t go back to being without you.

Simone turns away and puts the photos on top of other papers in a box.
Her back is to Annabelle, who looks at the photos and then at Simone. Confused, she moves to her.
Annabelle reaches out to Simone, but is unsure of where to put her hand – on Simone’s back, her waist? Her hand flutters for a moment before dropping to gently take Simone’s hand.
Simone’s other hand instinctively reaches for her cross.

SIMONE
Do you… Do you know how hard this is for me? To see you every day and have to pretend that I am your teacher? To pretend that what I feel isn’t wrong?

ANNABELLE
It isn’t wrong!

SIMONE
You are seventeen

ANNABELLE
For two more weeks!