Never Have I Ever Season 3: an alternative theory

Chapter 8: Part 2

Devi didn't know how to approach this... she was for sure already preparing herself to try not to 'Devi' this up... even if her mind wanted desparately to think of Ben- she would forcibly shut it up with thoughts focused mainly on Paxton.

She wasn't even sure what Paxton wanted... though through his most recent text to her, it had seemed he wanted to give it another try... see where things may go... but clarified he didn't know how he felt... how long it would take for him to change how he would see things between them, or how he felt about things... and he would only stay with her as long as she kept what Ben and her had done a secret.

When Paxton had greeted her in the morning... he had barely even touched her.

She thought this was highly fair... she did deserve it, she knew...
But she were, in fact, suprised he were so quick to respond, reply and text her back at all with all the things that had happened...
But even then, she hadnt expected something... to hear something... something that would inadvertantly cause more stress and trouble between the two... and it were something she cant just ignore...

As it happened that as she had been fleeing from Ben after they had had their emotionally quarrelsome exchange in the school corridors, she had fled to the bathrooms to hide her tears and escape any prying eyes and had locked herself into one of the stalls to keep away from anyone... when it had happened- she had overheard something she hadnt expected... Zoey and Shira as they next walked in. They must of not noticed Devi, completely detached to the fact there may be others in the bathroom and not just themselves, highly focused on trying to fix up their makeup using the bathroom mirrors...
Shira (laughs): I can't believe you did that.
Zoey: Did what?
Shira: You know his with Crazy Devi, right?
Zoey (laughs): Oh yeah, I forgot we use to call her that.
Shira: I mean, I can't believe he cracks so easily.
Zoey: Ofcourse, I'm Zoey, everyone loves me.
Shira (chuckles): Yeah... I guess you are like the girl version of Paxton. But you went to his garage and flirted with him some more after what happened yesterday? And you said he kissed you back the other night too, right? That's twice Zoey! Imagine if Devi found out.
Zoey: Does it matter? Paxton was supposed to be mine! She stole him from me... do you know how long I've worked him up to getting him to ask me out?! I swear, guys never get the point! I wasnt flirting with him for nothing... Then along comes Devi and ruins it all up for me-"
That was when Devi had to do something, slamming the bathroom stoll door open, glaring at both the girls, startling them... and from there, basically happened an awful exchange of words that is not worth Devi recalling.

Devi presses her lips together, agitated, as she tries pushing all those memories to the back of her mind... even if it were barely an hour ago... but she needed to find Paxton... focus on him and ask him to explain...

She finds Paxton as he juggles a football with his feet and knees on the luscious green lawn close to the sports fields.
But what is odd about today... his with Aneesa... only Aneesa.
Aneesa were in her football uniform, and she beams him a bright smile when he passes the ball back to her, and she demonstrates her moves, making him laugh, impressed, when she catches it with her knee then begins to bounce it effortlessly with her head.
No wonder Mr.K wanted her joining their girls football team... Devi were suddenly impressed too... the ball bouncing around almost hypnotically.
But Paxton's even louder laugh after she does something even more impressive breaks that trance... and something strikes her... something else baffles Devi... she had not expected the two to hit off some kind of close friendship... but here they were hitting it off really comfortably.

As Devi approaches closer toward Paxton, Paxton turns to her, and his grin falters... Devi feels the sting.
"Hey." He greets her strangely at first, but then trails over the rest of the way, before awkwardly planting a reluctant kiss to her cheek.
Devi tries her best to return a faint smile... but as he pulls back, she doesnt want to pretend anymore and can't hold back how she feels... her eyes roam back to him, laced with some suspicion, which Paxton chooses to ignore. He watches her, tight lipped, picking up on how her eyes seemed slightly puffy and red.
"Were you crying?" his tone sounds quite dry.
Devi drifts her gaze away, having not expected him to ask that question, tucking a strand of hair back behind her ear as she tries controlling her breathing.
"I-I... yeah," she says, her voice a little tremorous. She couldn't help feel emotional after all that had happen... Ben... then Zoey and Shira... She shrugs her shoulders weakly as her gaze lifts up to meet his again. "I had a talk to Ben and let him know how he shouldn't have done what he had-"
Aneesa scoffs, purposely interrupting Devi, and Devi's eyes lock onto her from the corner of her eyes, annoyed.
"Its about time, you two flirting around like no one will get hurt-"
"We werent flirting-" Devi chokes back on her words, suprised and catching her off guard, but yet astonished. "Aneesa, please, let me just explain-"
"Well, she's not wrong, she's only pointing out the truth Devi-" Paxton chimes in, his jaw tightening but eyes roaming away from Devi's gaze.
"Paxton can I talk to you?" Devi cuts in, clutching at his hand and dragging him a few steps away. Paxton watches her, his brows furrowed deeper and face contorting with confusion... she could see there was still the bit of bitterness lingering and glinting in his eyes from the other day when she had told him what she had.
He waits for her, folding his arms in front of him as she lets go of his hand.
But Devi is struggling... struggling with what she wants to say or wants to ask... her mouth opening... then closing again.
Paxton rolls his eyes as his lips curl bitterly and face scrunches up into a 'not so suprised' look.
Devi pushes herself.
"I-I... I was crying", she says as she twists her fingers nervously around in her hands. "And... I hid in the bathrooms... to wipe away my tears... or let anyone see I was... crying..." She looks at him with an uncertain glance, like she weren't sure how to question him then. "And... I heard Zoey... and Shira. And I know you've told me this before...that you never kissed Zoey... but they said otherwise." She takes in a deep breath before continuing. "They said exactly what Ben said so I need to know who is telling the truth and what is going on-" she breaths her words out faster than intended, like she had barely any air to release them on, the last part coming out desparately, feeling as though she could loose her ability to control her breathing.
"Ask me again?" Paxton scoffs frustrated, throwing his arms to his side, letting them dangle there like he were tired... tired of all this. "I've told you before... I didn't, but what does that matter."
Devi watches him, eye flickering over his face, trying to read him.
"W-well Zoey said-"
"Stop, Devi, just stop." He snaps, turning himself away. "Just listen to yourself... this is crazy? Do you want to break us up, is that what you want?-"
"T-That' s not what I want! But I need to know- need to ask" she says desparately. "I cant just hold that in! I can't seem to question you about Zoey but you can question me about Ben? How am I supposed to deal with that-"
"I never questioned you-" he scoffs, astounded. "I questioned Ben... I mean, why are you like this? Your not the only girl I ever kiss? Im not bounded to you, am I? Like, I don't see some sort of ring?... Do you want me to kiss Zoey? Is that what you want me to do? So that I can finally just say yes?" he rasps angrily, trying to keep his tone and voice as quiet as he could so no one else could listen into them as they argued. "Ive kissed so many girls before you Devi... I have kissed hundreds... Ive even kissed Zoey many times before... if you really want to know, we have even gone beyond than just kissing... do you like how that sounds? Do you want to know more details? Your no more special than all the others... but if you want to keep us something actually special, don't go round playing me like some sort of fool... and if you do kiss Ben again-." he laughs, not able to complete that sentence.
He turns abruptly, without glancing her way, and posing as though everything were fine and jogs over to Aneesa, who mirrors his grin.
She knew his words were brought on by a bout of sudden resentment... resentment he carried with what had happened... but it still didn't stop the curlding hurt that his words had utterly inflicted...
In fact, a cold chill ran down her spin as she reflected on him... what he had said... hurting her even more...
He almost made it sound like she were nothing more than just some other girl to him... like what they had were nothing new... nothing pure and special and fresh and beautiful between them... like she was nothing... and that made her eyes want to rim with tears all over again...
She were upset... she were more than upset, his words were so unexpected goosebumps erupt on her skin...
She swallows hard as her eyes lift to see him playfully nudging Aneesa with his shoulder... like nothing had just happened...
"Paxton?" Devi's words die in her mouth, but somehow he had sensed she may have said something...
He waves her off with a hand, his brows slight furrowed as he glances at Devi.
"Aneesa and I were just going to do some stretches before her game. I'll see you later."
Devi stands there gazing after them... worry scored to her features... his words echoing repeatedly in her mind... hurting more deeply... she's unsure what she to do.

☆---------------------------------------------------
Hi Guys! Sorry again for this chapter... again let me know if there is anything I could change! I have been intensely busy so apologies for the quality of this part! I may take just as long with the next because I still have a lot on but I am determined to complete this story guys... I will get there! Sending you all love and hugs, and always thank you all for reading always!♡♡♡♡ Xxxx all♡♡♡♡