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Flashbacks in italics.

The even pace of her feet hitting the black rubber belt turning beneath her gave her a much needed sense of peace this morning. That and her favorite electronic device giving her the internal calmness with all of the sounds of the guitar, piano, bass and drums all in perfect rhythm as she hums along to "Take Back the City" by Snow Patrol. Annabelle looks down at the red digital numbers realizing she only has five minutes left before she has to relinquish the treadmill to the next person waiting to get their endorphin fix for the morning. Annabelle had decided to replace her love for alcohol with a new addiction, exercise. She never knew about the natural high that came from exercising, her favorite being running. She did prefer to run outside, however, she was not well acquainted with the campus and its surrounding area as of yet so she decided to head over to the Fitness Center to get her workout in. Pretty soon she noticed the belt beginning to slow down on its own as well as the beeping noise it was now emitting letting her know that her time was up. She came to the cool down level and stayed there for about one minute until the belt came to an eventual stop.

While she was busy wiping down the hand rails and grabbing her water from the spot designed for such items on the treadmill, she looked up to see who was next in line and noticed it was her English professor, Simone Bradley. Annabelle had learned very quickly to be on time for her class after their first couple of encounters in the lecture hall.

However, the last few times in Professor Bradley's class Annabelle noticed herself paying attention throughout most of the lecture, which for her was completely out of character. If she wasn't paying attention it was because Collins was scribbling in her composition book and a curious Annabelle always took interest in what her friend was writing.

During the lecture last week, Annabelle began to ask Collins about what she was working on when a voice coming from the front of the room snapped her out of her banter when she heard, "Ms. Tillman, would you care to share your thoughts with the rest of the class"? Of course when she looked up, she noticed the steely glare coming from the blue eyes belonging to her professor and stated, "Um, no ma'am, sorry". As soon as those words came out of her mouth, Annabelle thought what is wrong with me?

Annabelle always had a smart remark for any teacher who decided to stop class and confront Annabelle with her speaking during the lecture, passing notes or otherwise anything but paying attention.

This time, in this class, with this professor, she had no remark, well at least none that would come out of her mouth. Collins had already noticed Annabelle's stuttering or silence when Professor Bradley spoke to her for any reason whether it be to say good morning or to chastise her for talking during her lecture. Collins just figured that she had just matured a little since high school.

Annabelle looked down and pretended to be fiddling with her towel and water bottle when she heard, "Hello Ms. Tillman" coming from the blue-eyed, blonde-haired woman now standing in between Annabelle and the exit of the Fitness Center. Annabelle released the breath she didn't realize she was holding and said, "Oh, hi, um, Professor Bradley". With that, all she could do was stare at her professor with a dazed expression when she heard, "Good seeing you Ms. Tillman, I will see you Wednesday in class, and on time won't I"? Simone demanded with a little smirk. "Uh, yeah, see you then" was all Annabelle could reply. After nearly running into a group of students coming in through the entrance of the Fitness Center, Annabelle again thought to herself, what is wrong with me?!

"Hey Annabelle"! Collins shouted across the student union. Annabelle quickly saw her friend over by the display of every single kind of muffin you could possibly imagine. Annabelle quickly moved through the throng of students getting their caffeine and sugar fix before the day's classes begin. "Where were you yesterday, I left you a couple of messages, are you alright"? Collins questioned. "Well, yesterday was my first day in my rehab group" Annabelle sighed out. "Oh, I'm.. Collins was cut off by Annabelle saying, "Its o.k., really, its just that sometimes these meetings go well and sometimes I just find myself dwelling on the past and the things that I have done, especially to those I care about". Annabelle was now looking Collins directly in the eye.

"Collins, I can explain"! Annabelle breathed out. Collins was already sitting hugging her knees to her chest with tears falling from her eyes after what she just witnessed in the library.

Collins had already known about Annabelle and her sexuality, so the fact that she was fooling around with that girl was not a shock it was the fact that she was fooling around period. Annabelle had told Collins this fact about herself after just a little over a month into their junior year.

One year earlier…

They were sitting in their usual spot under the tree when Collins noticed Annabelle checking out Lacey Thompson as she walked from the gym to the lunch area to sit with her friends. "Annabelle, Annabelle," Collins was now trying to get her attention to no avail. "Annabelle"! Collins said forcefully. "What"?! Annabelle spit out. "Do you need a drool bucket or would you prefer binoculars to get a better look" Collins said with a smirk on her face. "What are you… Annabelle was cut off by Collins by her saying "Annabelle, um, you like girls don't you. I had my suspicions when you would always talk about your parties with your girlfriends and you never really mention any guys you used to hang with or any ex boyfriends so. And, that was no subtle glance you just threw Lacey's way". Collins was now realizing her own words and bent her head down to look at the ground. "Um, Collins, um, what if I told you yes, that I was gay"? Annabelle whispered hoping to get her friend to look at her. "It doesn't matter to me Annabelle, I like you no matter what, you are a true friend first and foremost and who you love is just a part of you, doesn't make you a good or a bad person you know"? Collins stated matter-of-factly.

"Thanks Collins, really, I was going to tell you, but I was just waiting for the right moment" Annabelle said shyly. "Like when, when I catch you kissing Lacey in the locker room"? Collins chuckles. "Collins, I wouldn't get caught in the locker room, that is too obvious of a place" Annabelle said rolling her eyes.

The girls continued with their banter and giggling until the bell rang signaling they had six minutes until their next class. "Annabelle, Collins said with a whisper. I am glad we had this talk, and I hope you know you can trust me with anything". "I do Collins, and same goes for me, you can trust me with anything" Annabelle responded. "Good, because I have a favor to ask you" Collins said hesitantly.

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