Loving Annabelle

Annabelle Tillman, the worldly and emotionally mature 17-year-old daughter of Senator Tillman, is sent to Saint Theresa’s, an all-girls Catholic boarding school, after being expelled from two previous schools. Simone Bradley, a poetry teacher at the school, is in charge of her dormitory. Annabelle has roommates Catherine, who tends to bully people, and Colins, a nervous student.

Simone is a dependable teacher who occasionally bends the rules out of concern for her students. She generally abides by the conventions of society and her religion. Annabelle has unrestrained behavior and makes unconventional choices, often defying authority.

Annabelle is rebuked by the principal, Mother Immaculata, for flaunting her Buddhist prayer beads. Simone is told to control her. At first, Simone asks to have Annabelle moved to another dormitory but soon notices the girl’s maturity and sensitivity. She convinces Annabelle to comply with the school regulations. In the process, the girl falls in love with Simone.

Simone ignores Annabelle’s delicate overtures. But when they are alone at the school during spring break, Simone takes Annabelle on a day trip to her beach house. There the girl discovers painful details about Simone’s past, and holds the teacher when she breaks into tears. They form a deep emotional connection.

Simone struggles to resist Annabelle, but is eventually moved by her relentless pursuit. At the annual school dance, Annabelle sings on stage a song she wrote for Simone. The teacher runs outside, but Annabelle catches up with her. They kiss, and then go to Simone’s room and make love.

The next morning Colins wonders where Annabelle is. Catherine has been watching and suspects what happened. Out of spite, she tells Mother Immaculata to check at Simone’s room. The pair are rushing to get dressed as Mother Immaculata walks in on them. She orders Simone to her office, where the teacher admits to loving Annabelle. Police detectives arrest Simone and, just as she is being taken away, Annabelle gives her the Buddhist prayer beads.

For one human being to love another that is perhaps the most difficult of all our tasks…the work for which all other work is but preparation.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:27