Disclaimer: Don't own
"Shit! How did you get those bruises?" Shay exclaimed as soon as Tanaya stepped into maths the next day. So much for not being noticed, Tanaya thought.
"Well, I was re-organising my bookshelf and the top row of books fell down onto my face. Pretty impressive thing to manage, in my opinion." Shay seemed to buy it, and moved onto another topic pretty quickly.
"Hey, you are going to need to catch up on everything important that you've missed in maths, aren't you? I can help you if you want." Shay seemed uncharacteristically nervous, and Tanaya was trying not to sound too eager when she replied. "Yeah, that would be great, if you are offering" Shay nodded happily and they finally turned their attention back to maths. Tanaya kept stealing sideways glances at Shay, realizing just how much she had already fallen for her.
"So, why aren't you sitting next to your friends anymore?" Tanaya asked that lunchtime, she had been feeling guilty about taking Shay away from her friends.
"Well, to be honest, they are pretty bitchy and way too obsessed with fitting in. I was always a bit too weird for them to understand." Tanaya simply nodded and they both went back to eating their lunch. They decided to stay after school and work in the library, so Tanaya sent a quick message to Natasha and tried in vain to stop her growing excitement.
Tanaya and Shay sat closely in the library after school, as Shay talked her through the things she had missed.
"Excuse me ladies! The library is closing and I do not want to stay any longer than I must, so please pack up and leave!" The shrill voice of the librarian interrupted them half way through the work. She continued to look disdainfully at them both as they packed up as quickly as possible. "Yes Mrs Hale, we are going now-" Shay attempted to say before she was interrupted. "It's MISS Hale! Now go!"
Shay cringed once they got outside, "I, uh, forgot that she and her husband got a divorce recently. Obviously it's still a sore subject."
"You know, maybe next time we should to the work at my place. I'm sure Tony won't mind," Tanaya suggested. Shay looked shocked, then horrified. "No, I don't want you to think that the only reason for me helping you is to meet Tony Stark. Maybe we should do it at mine."
"No. I insist that we do it at my place, I know that you are genuine. Please"
Shay finally agreed, and they both waited together to be picked up, Natasha arrived first, and Tanaya reluctantly left Shay. As she was opening the car door though, Shay ran up and pushed a piece of paper into her hand and whispered in her ear, "call me tonight." Tanaya blushed and stuffed the paper into her pocket as she hopped into the car.
Natasha raised her eyebrows as they drove off, "Want to explain what that was?" She asked, amused.
"That was Shay. She was helping me catch up on work I missed." Tanaya said with attempted nonchalance. "And?" Natasha prompted, "And she just gave me her number."
"And?"
"And I may have a huge crush on her now." Natasha nodded, satisfied. "Are you going to tell the others? They won't mind."
"I think so, eventually. I have to ask Tony if Shay can come over to study sometime soon." Once again, Natasha nodded and continued driving back to the tower.
Arriving there, Tanaya went straight to the workroom to talk to Tony, finding him fixing his armour once again. "Hey Tony, can I ask a question?" Tony looked up and nodded, smiling at her. "Is it ok if my friend comes over here to study after school sometimes? She's trustworthy."
"Of course, what's her name?" Tony responded.
"Shay." Tanaya said with a smile, remembering the number in her pocket. Tony nodded once more, and went back to work smiling to himself.
After dinner, Tanaya was sitting on the floor with her back against her bed, fiddling with her phone in one hand and the piece of paper in another. What if she is busy? What will we talk about? Taking a deep breath, she dialed the number and listened as it rang. Shay picked up on the second ring, sounding out of breath "Hello?"
"Hey Shay, it's me. Tanaya." Shay responded quickly, "I'm glad you called! I really enjoyed this arvo, have you asked about me coming over there sometime?" Tanaya smiled, and started talking to her.
Natasha opened the door to Tanaya's room, ready to ask if she wanted to join them all in a movie when she found her on the phone.
"You haven't played an Xbox before? Why not? Never mind, you must come play it with me sometime!" Natasha smiled and backed out of the room before she was noticed, then went to the guys in the living room and announced, "She is talking to a friend, so she won't be joining us." Most of them just nodded and continued to stare at the screen, but Natasha saw Tony smile at her, and returned it.
