Alternate Ending

Loving Annabelle

Going back just a bit further than Episode 7 to the beach house, Simone is unable to come to terms with Annabelle reading Amanda’s suicide note and the betrayal of her trust as she sees it.

Annabelle tries to apologize and to convince Simone to talk to her about Amanda but Simone is too angry with her to be open to any comfort or discussion in the moment.

Even though over the past few months of knowing Annabelle she has slowly felt the wall she has built around her start to crumble but it is not ready to collapse in totality yet, as she is still caught up by the fact that Annabelle is a minor as well as being her student, albeit a very mature, intelligent and well adjusted individual.

During the weeks that follow the distance between the two becomes unbearable for both, but Simone is so inured in her detachment, it becomes impossible for her to find a way back to the easy friendship she had started sharing with Annabelle.

Annabelle makes several attempts at healing the rift but gets short shrift as Simone is still clinging to her “safe” space, because in the time that she and Annabelle have been at odds she has come to realize that friendship is not the right word for the feelings she has for Annabelle and being angry with her is the safest option she has.

Annabelle by reading Amanda’s note had found the key with which to penetrate Simone’s emotional prison even though she is not ready to admit to it.

During the weeks leading up to the end of the school year Annabelle turns 18. Simone is unaware of this and Annabelle by now is too hurt by Simone’s repeated rejection of her attempts at apologizing, to share the birthday with her, or anyone else.

Annabelle seeing Simone dancing with Michael at the year end dance decides to let Simone know that she accepts her decision not to be with her, blissfully ignorant of the fact that Simone has finally admitted to herself that she loves Annabelle. 

When Annabelle sees the distress on Simone’s face while she is singing to her she realizes that Simone has at last come to acknowledge the feelings she has for Annabelle and now thinks she has left it too late. Annabelle hurries after her and catches up with Simone making her way back to the dorm.