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

Chapter 8: Never Have I Ever Been Doubted

The weeks following Devi's emotional breakdown with Ben felt like a delicate balance of managing her worries and embracing the support of her friends. Although she still faced her own struggles, Ben's reassuring presence helped her navigate through the difficult moments. Little did she know, he was grappling with his own set of challenges across the river at Columbia.

As the semester progressed, the pressure of academics began to weigh heavily on Ben. He found himself staying up late into the night, poring over textbooks and drowning in assignments. The once-easy thrill of college life had morphed into a demanding race against time, and Ben was feeling the strain more than he cared to admit.

One evening, as he sat in the library surrounded by stacks of books, he received a text from Maya, his study partner. Hey, I know you've been swamped. Want to take a break and grab coffee?

Ben hesitated for a moment. He felt guilty for needing a break but also recognized that his mind was starting to feel numb. Sure, I could use a breather.

When they met at the campus café, Maya greeted him with a warm smile. "You look like you need this," she said, sliding a steaming cup of coffee across the table. "What's been going on? You've been MIA lately."

"Just trying to keep up with everything," Ben admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "I thought I could handle it all, but it's piling up faster than I expected."

Maya leaned forward, her expression sincere. "You're not alone in feeling overwhelmed. College can be a lot, especially when you're trying to juggle classes, extracurriculars, and a long-distance relationship. You've got a lot on your plate."

Ben appreciated her concern, but the words of reassurance felt like a double-edged sword. He didn't want to seem weak in front of Maya, nor did he want to give her any reason to doubt his commitment to Devi. "Yeah, I just need to figure out how to manage my time better."

Maya nodded knowingly. "You've got this. Just remember, it's okay to ask for help if you need it. I'm here for you, and I believe in you."

Meanwhile, across the river, Devi was dealing with her own insecurities. The conversation with Ben lingered in her mind, and despite his constant support, she couldn't shake the feeling that he might be drifting away. The more she thought about Maya's friendship with him, the more anxious she became. It didn't help that her social media feed was filled with photos of Ben and Maya studying together, their smiles radiating a camaraderie that felt too intimate for her comfort.

One evening, as she scrolled through her phone, a knot tightened in her stomach. "Look at them, all chummy," she muttered to herself, the pang of jealousy rising. What if Maya is better for him than I am? The thought spiraled, leading her to doubt herself and her relationship.

Feeling restless, Devi decided to reach out to Fabiola and Eleanor, needing their reassurance. She called Fabiola first, who was in her dorm working on a robotics project.

"Hey, Devi! What's up?" Fabiola answered, her voice brightening the mood a bit.

"Not much, just... feeling kind of anxious about everything. How's it going with you?" Devi asked, trying to keep the conversation light.

Fabiola hesitated for a moment. "Honestly, it's been tough. School is intense, and I feel like I'm constantly juggling projects. But hey, you seem a little off. What's bothering you?"

Devi sighed, feeling vulnerable. "I don't know. I guess I'm just worried about Ben and Maya. They've been hanging out a lot, and I can't help but feel like maybe he doesn't need me as much anymore."

Fabiola's tone shifted to concern. "Devi, you know Ben loves you. He wouldn't be with you if he didn't. Just because he's studying with Maya doesn't mean anything. You're still his priority."

"Yeah, I get that, but it's hard not to feel like I'm being replaced," Devi admitted, biting her lip. "It's just... everything feels so uncertain right now."

"Listen, you have to trust him. You two have built something real, and that doesn't just disappear overnight," Fabiola reassured her. "And if it helps, I've been feeling pretty lost too with everything happening at school. You're not alone in this."

"Thanks, Fabiola. I really needed to hear that," Devi said, feeling a bit lighter.

After hanging up, she thought about what Fabiola had said. Maybe it was time for her to have an honest conversation with Ben about how she was feeling. She didn't want her insecurities to fester, especially if they could impact their relationship.

Later that night, Devi called Ben, feeling both nervous and determined. When he picked up, she could hear the exhaustion in his voice. "Hey, Devi. How are you?"

"I'm okay, but I really need to talk," she said, her heart racing. "Can we meet up tomorrow?"

"Of course! I'll make time," he promised.

The next day, Devi arrived at their usual café, her stomach churning with anticipation. When Ben walked in, she felt a rush of relief at the sight of him, but the anxiety lingered in her chest. They settled into a cozy booth, the aroma of coffee surrounding them like a comforting embrace.

"Hey, you okay?" Ben asked, concern etched on his face as he took her hand.

Devi took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "I wanted to talk about Maya. I've seen you two together, and it's been messing with my head. I just... I guess I'm feeling insecure."

Ben frowned, confusion flickering in his eyes. "Devi, I understand how you might feel, but I promise you, there's nothing between us. I care about you, and you're the one I want to be with."

"I know, but it's hard not to doubt sometimes," Devi admitted, her voice trembling. "I don't want to feel this way, but I'm scared of losing you."

Ben squeezed her hand gently, his eyes locking onto hers. "You're not losing me. I'm here for you, and I love you. Let's tackle this together, okay? I want to be honest with you, too. I've been struggling at school, and it's been overwhelming. Maya's just been helping me study. It's not anything more than that."

Devi felt a wave of relief wash over her, but the nagging doubts still lingered. "I know you're loyal, but I can't help feeling like I'm not good enough for you sometimes."

"You're more than enough," Ben reassured her, his voice steady and warm. "You bring so much to my life, and I want you to believe that. I'm not going anywhere."

In that moment, Devi realized that her insecurities stemmed from her own fears, not from Ben's actions. She needed to trust him and herself more. The conversation was a step in the right direction, and she felt a renewed sense of hope as they talked.

As they left the café hand in hand, Devi felt lighter, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead—together.