Never Have I Ever Season 3: an alternative theory

Chapter 2: If that's How you want to play it

"I dont know El... it almost seemed... like I had to prove I was worthy of sitting there.. at the hot pocket." Devi groans, as she takes a seat on Eleanors bed.
It had been the very next day, and Devi tries to ignore the fact Ben or Aneesa had both been avoiding her all day... not that she hadnt been practically glued to Paxton's side the entire time and had time for the both since the moment her and Paxton had first started dating. But it still couldnt leave her mind... it had been the reason Devi had come to Eleanor... to see if she could gain some insight... bit of perspective as to why the pair had been acting so differently ever since her previous day. Of course, she knew it would most likely be something to do with the fact Devi were dating Paxton now, but she couldnt be completely sure either. But, even so, Devi struggles to get the question out and ends up getting lost in conversations over Paxton as usual. To which, Eleanor is so glad she had...
Eleanor watches her, eyes flickering about assessing her, intrigued. "And what's worse is Paxton didn't stand up for me!" Devi continues as she complains.
It felt good for Devi to let these feelings out... let them loose... she always knew she could count on her friends when she had needed them most... it had even felt like a little bit of therapy! Letting her clouded mind gain some light into her situations.
"Devi, you don't need to prove anything to anyone." Her friend says calmly, wrapping an arm over her shoulder into a reassuring hug as she sits beside her. "Paxton already knows you. He knows who you are. He fell for you. What are you worried about?"
"Zoey keeps looking at him all funny. It's making me real uncomfortable." Devi rasps under her breath, angrily, picking at her finger nails anxiously.
"Maybe that's because Paxton has never been so committed... his had a lot of relationships before... and this is new for him... because he is taking this serious. He is, right?"
"Yes! Ofcourse he is! I explained that to him already. That I want nothing unless he- I mean 'we' were one hundred percent into this... one hundred percent serious and in a committed relationship-" Devi rambles out desparately trying to convince her friend of her certainty, but then is suddenly interrupted by the sound of the door bell. She stops and turns her gaze to Eleanor, confused. "I didn't know you were expecting someone?"
El's features morph to excitement, turning to Devi cheerfully as she gets to her feet.
"Yes... it's Aneesa." She says, a wide gleeful grin beginning to spread her lips. Devi could clearly see all her excitement there, glistening in her eyes. "We are going to Trent's party together... tonight." She giggles, bouncing on her feet, accompanied by mini claps as she approaches her bedroom door. "And she came to try on some dresses."
"But what about Ben? Why is she not going with Ben?" Devi questions boredly, clearing her throat, trying not to sound the least bit interested... but her mind were swimming with questions and need to know...
El brackets her lips trying to prevent her smirk... a knowing little smile wanting to slip away at her lips.
"Because they may have had a quarrel."
"About what?" Devi lurches forward giving in to her resistance... but then realised she had looked way too invested, and so she scoots back alittle, hunching her shoulders in, trying to conceal how she truely felt.
"Weeellll... let's say he didnt quiet want to go... to Trent's party."
"Ok? But thats a bit boring. I mean, is there more... it's a bit of a dumb reason to argue." Devi retorts, snorting with confusion, hinting for Eleanor to go on.
"That's all I'm going to say." She says, zipping her lips.
Devi gives her a strange look.
"What are you not telling me-"
"Nothing, but I better get that door before my date ditches me." El giggles playfully. "Aren't you going with Paxton?" She questions as Devi picks to her feet and wonders over, following Eleanor toward the stairs, then down them toward the front door.
"Yeah. I am. Yeah, so I'd better go. I don't want to 'intrude' on you and your 'date'. Is there something else your not telling me El?" Devi squints at her with curiousity, a smirk stretching against her lips.
El laughs as she gets the door and finds Aneesa standing there, holding a case of makeup kit in one hand and her bag in the other. But as Aneesa's eyes land on Devi who stands behind Eleanor, the smile in her eyes fade. Her lips begin to part as she tries to find her words, struggling to speak. Devi doesn't wait, feeling the tension beginning to build, and decides she would slip past the two instead, waving as she squeezes through, gaining a strange look from the both as she continues to fly past Aneesa and down the walkway quickly, almost tripping over her own foot clumsily.
"Bye guys. Have fun. I have to go." She says quickly and awkwardly, pointing her way out, as Aneesa watches on, her features succumbing heavily to her confusion. "Nice to see you Aneesa. I'll see you guys at Trent's party... don't drink too much- I mean, drive to much- I mean, drive safe- be safe..." She rambles on nervously, then as she turns the corner her cheeks heat with embarrassment and she cringes, scolding herself as to how awkward she had made that seem.