“This is NOT right!” exclaimed Mother Immaculata, staring fiercely at Simone.

“I don’t expect you to understand, but I love her,” whispered Simone, clearly feeling wretched at the comment.

A dead silence followed.

“You better quit your job at school before I change my mind. I’ll find someone to take over your classes.”

Simone walked out of the room, feeling herself beyond any hope. She has never thought that being a prized poetry teacher in a Catholic Boarding School would led her to an affair that could cost her everything.

 

 

Back to her bedroom, Simone took out a suitcase from under her bed and threw her things in. Glancing over the room, where she had lived for years, Simone was about to leave, from school, and Annabelle. Before she closed the door, she thought back about this was once the place where settled into a life of comfort and purpose of educating her well-behaved students. Who would have the slightest idea that within the girls’ boarding school’s walls, she could entangle herself with an affair with Annabelle?

She decided to leave all that behind and closed the door shut. Hopefully by closing the door, it would close all association that would lead her to thinking about it anymore.

 

 

After class, Annabelle ran frantically to Simone’s bedroom, worrying about her. Annabelle hoped that everything would be okay. She desperately hoped that this was just a fairytale at its climax, where Simone and her ‘happily-ever-after’ ending was right at the corner. Opening the door, she found the room empty. No Simone in sight, nor any of her belongings. Annabelle was struck blank. She couldn’t, or perhaps didn’t want to believe that Simone had left.

 

 

Annabelle immediately rushed into Mother Immaculata’s office. She found her mother there too.

“Where is she?” demanded Annabelle, neglecting her mother’s presence.

Her mother was clearly offended by her daughter’s impulse and neglect. “This is enough, Annabelle. You -?”

“Shut up.” Annabelle simply cut her off. “I am asking you, where is she?” Annabelle demanded again, nearly going insane.

“Miss Bradley will not be teaching you anymore.” Mother Immaculata let out the words slowly and solemnly.

Annabelle finally heard the truth. She gave Mother Immaculata a brutal stare before leaving the room and slamming the door shut behind her.