Chapter 4: Never Have I Ever Been Jealous

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Devi woke up the next morning feeling a renewed sense of purpose. The call with Fabiola and Eleanor had reminded her of the importance of nurturing her friendships, no matter how far apart they were. She was determined to strike a balance between her new college life and her old friends. After a quick breakfast, she grabbed her phone and texted Fabiola and Eleanor: "Excited for our call tonight! I miss you both!"

As she packed her bag for class, her phone buzzed with a new message from Ben. "Hey! How's your day going? Just met someone interesting in class today!" Devi's heart skipped a beat. She felt a mix of excitement and apprehension at the thought of Ben making new friends at Columbia.

"All good! Just finished my morning classes. Who did you meet?" she replied, trying to keep her tone light.

As she walked to her first class, Devi's mind wandered. She couldn't help but wonder about this new person Ben had met. The thought gnawed at her. Would he start to form a deeper bond with someone else? Was she losing him to the whirlwind of college life?

Later that afternoon, while sitting in the campus café with Maddie and Sofia, Devi's phone buzzed again. It was a group photo from Ben featuring him with a girl with dark hair and a bright smile. The caption read: "Had an awesome time in class today with Maya! So much fun!"

Devi's stomach twisted as she looked at the picture. Maya. The name echoed in her mind like a drumbeat, stirring a sense of jealousy she thought she had left behind in high school. The girl looked friendly and engaging, and Devi couldn't shake the feeling of insecurity creeping in.

"Everything okay?" Maddie asked, noticing Devi's silence. "You look like you just saw a ghost."

Devi forced a smile. "Yeah, just got a text from Ben. He met someone in class."

Maddie raised an eyebrow, catching the undercurrent of tension in Devi's voice. "Is that a bad thing?"

"I don't know," Devi admitted, stirring her coffee absentmindedly. "It's just... I don't want him to get too close to anyone else. I mean, what if she's really cool? What if he likes her more than me?"

Sofia leaned in, her expression sympathetic. "It's normal to feel a little jealous, especially in a long-distance relationship. But you guys have something special. He chose you, right?"

"Yeah, but it's easy for him to get swept up in everything here," Devi replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "What if he finds someone who understands him better?"

Maddie placed a reassuring hand on Devi's shoulder. "You can't control who he meets, but you can trust him. You two have a solid foundation. Plus, communication is key. Talk to him about how you feel."

Devi sighed, knowing her friends were right. She had to confront her insecurities rather than let them fester. "You're right. I should just talk to him."

Later that night, after dinner, Devi settled into her bed with her laptop, preparing for her FaceTime call with Fabiola and Eleanor. As she waited for them to join, she took a deep breath, resolving to share her feelings about Ben and the insecurities plaguing her.

When the screen lit up with Fabiola's and Eleanor's faces, Devi smiled, but her heart felt heavy. "Hey, guys!"

"Hey, girl! Ready for our weekly catch-up?" Fabiola chimed in, her energy infectious.

"Yeah, but I have something on my mind," Devi said, her tone shifting. "I found out Ben met someone new, and I'm feeling really... I don't know, insecure?"

Eleanor leaned closer, her expression serious. "What's going on?"

"His new friend is a girl named Maya. I saw a picture of them together, and I can't help but feel jealous. I mean, what if she's better than me?" Devi confessed, her voice shaking.

Fabiola furrowed her brow, concern evident in her eyes. "Devi, you can't think that way. Ben chose you. You're amazing, and he's lucky to have you. But you should talk to him about how you feel."

"I know, but it's just hard," Devi admitted. "I don't want to sound insecure or possessive."

"Talking openly about your feelings is healthy in a relationship," Eleanor said. "It shows that you care. Besides, if Ben really cares about you, he'll want to know what's bothering you."

Devi nodded, feeling a little more reassured by her friends' words. "You're right. I just need to be honest with him."

As they continued to chat, the laughter and lighthearted banter helped lift Devi's spirits. She felt grateful for their support and reminded of the strong bond they shared, even from afar.

The Next Day

After her classes, Devi sat outside on the campus lawn, the sun warming her face as she waited for Ben's call. She had decided it was time to address her feelings head-on. When her phone rang, she took a deep breath and answered.

"Hey, Devi! How's it going?" Ben's voice was cheerful, instantly putting her at ease.

"Hey! I wanted to talk to you about something," Devi said, her heart racing. "I saw that you met someone new in class."

"Oh, you mean Maya? She's really cool! We clicked over our shared love for art and history," Ben said, his enthusiasm evident.

"Yeah, I could tell from the photo," Devi replied, feeling a pang of jealousy resurface. "I guess I'm just feeling a little insecure about it all."

Ben's voice softened, and he paused for a moment. "Devi, I promise you, you have nothing to worry about. Maya is great, but she's not you. I'm still all in on our relationship, no matter how many friends I make here."

"I know you're committed, but it's just hard being so far apart," Devi admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "I don't want to lose what we have."

"You won't," he reassured her. "I understand how you feel. Long-distance is tough, but it also makes our connection even more important. You're my priority."

His words warmed her heart, and the tension that had built up inside her began to fade. "Thanks for being so understanding. I just needed to hear that."

"Always. I'm here for you," Ben replied, his tone sincere. "And I'm excited for you to meet my new friends too! You'll see that they think you're amazing, just like I do."

Devi smiled, feeling a surge of gratitude for his reassurance. "I'd like that. Let's plan a time for you to introduce us!"

As they chatted more, Devi felt a renewed sense of confidence wash over her. The jealousy that had threatened to consume her faded as she realized that their relationship was strong enough to withstand the changes that college brought. She was ready to embrace both her new life and the friendships that came with it, knowing that her bond with Ben remained unwavering.

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