A Love of Steel

Anticipation

Neha and Adrian couldn't put their phones down, they liked texting so much. They liked getting to know each other.

The Steelers definitely play some part in us getting together. -Neha

Yeah they definitely get some credit. -Adrian

So now that we're officially together, remember when we went out with Ms. Payne one time... when you got me all that Steelers gear. Did you like me then? -Neha

I was getting there. I just wanted to make sure you would stay a loyal fan. I mean it's your first year watching football and you chose my team. I had to make sure you'd follow through. -Adrian

Dude... but a whole jersey with a wrist band and books and a terrible towel you got at an actual game. You definitely liked me then haha. -Neha

Ok maybe I did. I just hid it deep inside. I just didn't think anything could happen because of the intern mentor thing. Can we meet for the basketball game today? -Adrian

My parents aren't going to let me out, weekends are harder. I need to come up with excuses to see you. Let's try on a day after school? -Neha

What about February 3? -Adrian

That should work. I'll say my mentor's making me stay longer at my internship. Technically it won't even be a lie. -Neha

It's a date. -Adrian

You have no idea how long I've been waiting to hear that. -Neha

The first days of February passed by quickly. The third was already here. Neha was nervous, not only because she had no idea how they would both act. But also because she had no idea how her parents would react to her being out later than normal. Even if it was for school. They would have to get used to it soon anyway. She had less than a year left until she was going to be a real teacher with her own classroom. That would require some late nights anyway. Hopefully they'd be more open to it. Being Pakistani, the relationship would have to stay secret. That's why Neha was afraid.

They were meeting in less than an hour at the student center. While Neha was teaching the group of second graders in front of her, her mind couldn't stop thinking about Adrian. The time passed by slowly, waiting was excruciating but it did pass.

"Ms. O'Hara, I have to leave today, but I can send you my lesson plans for the day as soon as I get home. Is that ok? Do you need me to do anything before I go?" Neha asks her mentor after the students leave.
"Sure, no worries" Ms. O'Hara replies, but her look says the opposite. Neha's senior year mentor was too hardcore. It seemed as if she had no life outside of school and that didn't seem like the right way to go about life. Neha missed her internship with Mr. Grayson and Mrs. Payne. They both had a life. Neha waves to her current mentor and heads out with her head still spinning in disbelief that ADRIAN GRAYSON would want to be with someone like her.