Simone took a seat next to Annabelle on the luscious green grass, and neither spoke for a few long seconds. They both watched the multitude of girls continue to gossip, all in their tiny cliques separated from each other. None of the girls seemed to notice that one of their classmates and one of their teachers were sitting off by themselves under the great oak.

“It’s almost like it’s two different worlds,” Simone commented first, breaking the silence. She continued to stare at the groups of girls as she made the statement, and Annabelle continued as well. Simone stared down for a moment, then looked over at Annabelle before continuing.

“It can’t happen again,” she said, waiting for the backlash from Annabelle that she knew would come.

“Why not?” Annabelle asked forcefully, though obviously calmer than Simone had expected. Simone looked at Annabelle, rather surprised at her reaction. Then she smiled, as she realized that it really wasn’t so strange after all. Annabelle was outgoing and blunt at times, but Simone had seen, especially the night before, that she was also patient when need be. Still, the smile disappeared from her face as she looked Annabelle directly in the eye.

“It doesn’t have to end. But it just can’t happen now. Our worlds here, they’re just too different. Even though maybe you don’t belong there,” Simone said, motioning toward the giggling groups of girls still chatting away, “it’s not time to for our worlds to collide, at least not yet.” Simone paused for several more seconds. “We’re not doing anything wrong,” Simone reiterated Annabelle’s plea, “but it will never be right here.” Simone swallowed and sniffled. She kept any and all tears inside, not wanting an entire courtyard full of girls wondering why she was crying next to Annabelle. Annabelle, on the other hand, showed no signs of tears or objections. She continued to stare at the girls in front of her, barely moving.

“I know,” she said suddenly, face still devoid of emotion. But the whisper of Annabelle’s voice told Simone all she needed to know. “I love you.” Simone didn’t seem surprised by Annabelle’s confession. Nor did she seem upset or saddened. But she still chose not to respond, and Annabelle looked over and saw that Simone was wearing her Buddhist prayer beads. Annabelle smiled, and turned back to watch the girls in front of them. They stayed that way for what seemed like forever, watching their lives unfold in front of them.