Never Have I Ever Spinn off Concept Season 1 (FAN MADE)

Chapter 7: Never Have I Ever Had a Breakdown

The days following Devi's heartfelt conversation with Maddie and Sofia were both enlightening and exhausting. She had opened up about her struggles, but as the semester wore on, the pressure to keep it all together began to mount again. Each day brought new assignments, exams, and an ever-growing list of worries about Pati's health.

One rainy afternoon, Devi sat at her desk, staring at her laptop screen, but her mind was far from her studies. The weight of her grandmother's declining health loomed larger with each passing day. She had received a call from her mom earlier, and the conversation had left her feeling even more unsettled.

"Devi," her mom had said, her voice strained, "Pati isn't doing well. I think we need to start discussing some care options. I hate to say it, but... she may not have much time left."

Devi's heart sank at her mother's words. The anxiety that had been simmering beneath the surface suddenly erupted. As the phone call ended, she felt the tears start to spill. She hurried to wipe them away, not wanting to give her mom any more reason to worry. But the dam inside her broke, and she found herself sitting in silence, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

After some time, Devi realized she couldn't face this alone. She texted Ben, her fingers trembling as she typed: Can we talk? I really need you right now.

Within minutes, her phone pinged. Of course! I'll be right there.

Ben arrived at her dorm a short while later, bringing with him a sense of calm that Devi desperately needed. He knocked gently before entering, his expression immediately shifting to concern as he saw her red-rimmed eyes.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked softly, closing the door behind him.

Devi shook her head, unable to articulate the storm brewing inside her. Instead, she felt her emotions surge again, and before she knew it, she was crying, the tears spilling over as she sank onto her bed.

Ben moved closer, sitting beside her. "Hey, it's okay. Let it out," he said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. The warmth of his presence was comforting, but Devi still felt overwhelmed.

"It's just... everything is piling up. My grandma... I don't know how to deal with it," Devi confessed between sobs. "I'm scared, Ben. What if I lose her? I don't want to be alone. I feel like I'm failing at everything." The thought of losing Pati sent shivers down her spine, reminding her painfully of losing her dad during her freshman year of high school.

Ben's brow furrowed with empathy. "You're not failing, Devi. You're doing the best you can. It's okay to feel scared. We all do, especially when it comes to family."

Devi nodded, her heart racing as she spoke. "I just keep thinking about the future. What if I can't handle it? What if I don't know what to do without her? She's been my rock... I don't know how to live without her." The fear of losing Pati felt all too real, echoing the trauma of her father's passing that had left her feeling shattered.

"Hey," Ben said gently, pulling her closer. "You don't have to think about all that right now. Just take it one step at a time. You're not alone in this. I'm here with you, and I'll always support you."

His words wrapped around her like a lifeline, easing some of the heaviness in her chest. Devi leaned into him, grateful for his presence. She realized that having someone by her side made the uncertainties feel a little less daunting.

After a while, Devi took a deep breath, the initial rush of tears giving way to a quieter sense of vulnerability. "It's just hard to see everyone moving forward with their lives. I feel stuck, like I'm in a never-ending loop of worry and school."

"I get it," Ben replied. "But you can't compare your journey to anyone else's. Everyone has their struggles; they're just not always visible. You're doing great in school, and you're building strong friendships. It's okay to feel overwhelmed sometimes."

"Thanks, Ben," Devi whispered, wiping her tears. "I don't know what I'd do without you. You make it feel like maybe I can actually handle all this."

Ben smiled gently. "That's what I'm here for. You've got a lot of people who care about you, Devi. Don't hesitate to lean on us when you need to."

As the rain pattered against the window, Devi found comfort in the moment, feeling grateful for Ben's unwavering support. They sat in silence for a while, the weight of her worries still present but a little more manageable with Ben by her side.

After a time, Devi looked at him. "What if I really do lose Pati? What will happen then?"

Ben paused, his expression serious but compassionate. "I can't pretend to know what that feels like, but you'll have your mom and your friends. And you'll always have the memories of her. That will never go away, Devi."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," she said softly. "It's just... I wish I could make everything okay."

"Sometimes, we can't control what happens, but we can control how we respond. You'll find a way through this," he assured her.

Feeling a renewed sense of determination, Devi nodded. "You're right. I just need to keep pushing forward, no matter how tough it gets."

As they sat together, Devi felt a sense of hope growing inside her. She still had a long way to go, but she realized that she didn't have to navigate this journey alone. With Ben and her friends beside her, she could face whatever challenges lay ahead.