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tashas-life · 4 years ago

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Summer Shenanigans

Paxton and Devi spend the summer together and have a banging playlist

“Hey, what are you doing?”

“Nothing really.”

“I’m outside, let’s go to the beach.”

Devi threw her bag through the back window of Paxton’s jeep and jumped in the front seat.

“Did you bring my suit?” Devi asks as she pulled on her seatbelt. Devi’s mom would never let her wear a bikini so she had to save up her money from working at the summer camp to buy it. She usually hid it at the back of her underwear drawer but since she’d been going swimming with Paxton more days than not, she just kept it in his car.

“Yep, I threw it in the laundry.” Paxton pulled out onto the road and Devi started messing with the music.

Her and Paxton were both working at the same summer camp so they spent most days together. Paxton had spent the last two summers working at the camp and Devi wanted to make her own money so she had applied too. It was also convenient because she always had a ride to work instead of asking her mom or Kamala. Paxton had promised to teach her to drive this summer but she always chickened out whenever he offered.

Devi always insisted on picking the music when they went anywhere and Paxton didn’t mind. She settled on Ariana Grande’s album and turned up the volume as Motive filled the car. Paxton rolled down all the windows and stuck his arm out to feel the breeze. It was one of the hottest days of the summer so Paxton’s shirt was mostly open and Devi had her new sunglasses on. This was the first summer that Devi was making real money and she tended to spend most of it by the time the next pay day had rolled around.

Once they got to the beach Devi jumped in the backseat and Paxton got out to stand guard. Devi was a pro at the quick change at this point and quickly shimmied into her bikini without having to take off her dress completely.

Once Devi hopped out of the backseat, Paxton grabbed the drinks cooler and Devi grabbed their towels and a speaker. Usually the beaches were packed on hot days but Paxton had a special super power of finding an empty part of the beach to spend the day. They found a spot to settle and Devi started applying sunscreen.

“Did you hear Kenny is sick again. Mono.” Paxton said with an eye roll and Devi groaned.

“You think he’s going to be out all week again? Taylor should just fire him and hire someone else at this point.” Devi tossed Paxton the sunscreen and laid down on her towel.

“Yea right, Taylor probably gave him the mono. He’ll never fire him.” Devi laughed and closed her eyes.

“I don’t even understand how they find the time to mack. Those kids never stop.” Devi said.

“Yea well, next week they’re going to be our problem again.” Usually each camp leader had about 5-10 kids to watch but with Kenny constantly gone they always ended up with more kids.

“Honestly, fuck Kenny.” Devi grumbled and Paxton nodded. “Did you see Eleanor’s insta post? Her and Trent are like embarrassingly in love.” Devi asked as she pulled out her phone to show him a boomerang of them kissing on some hike.

“I think it’s cute.” Paxton grinned as Devi made a vomiting face. “I invited them to come today but apparently they would rather be aloneeee.”

“That’s so nasty.” Devi said and Paxton laughed.

“I’m going in, you coming?” Paxton asked but Devi shook her head.

“Nah man, I’m working on my tan.” Devi said but really she just preferred laying on the sand and watching the water than actually being in it.

“Your loss.” Paxton replied, shoving her as he got up to go swimming.

……

“Okay, the thing is that I just don’t think I’m coordinated enough for this.” Devi said as she stood on Paxton’s skateboard. She felt a little embarrassed at how wobbly she was and that she was wearing her bike helmet that she got when she was ten. Paxton had his car door open and Lizzo’s album was playing. Juice blasted into the street and Devi knew people would complain soon.

“I’m literally holding on to you. You can’t fall.” Paxton said as he led her down the road.

“I feel like I could still fall.” Devi said as she started tipping back and Paxton’s grip tightened as he pulled her forward.

“I won’t let you fall Devi. Would you just trust me for once?” He asked playfully annoyed.

“Shut up, I literally trust you all the time.”

“You shut up.” Paxton countered.

“Wow, real mature.” Devi replied sarcastically.

Devi was too busy arguing to notice them start to go faster. Of course that is until she did notice. Then she was falling again and she was falling fast. Paxton managed to grab her before she fell on her face and swung her off the skateboard. Devi held onto Paxton as the skateboard started rolling down the street without them. They looked at each other and immediately started laughing.

“I think you might be right about the coordination thing.” Paxton said and Devi shoved him away from her.

“Or maybe you’re a bad teacher.” She grinned at his shocked face as she ran to grab the skateboard.

“I’m never teaching you anything ever again” he retaliated.

“Come over here and help me loser.” Paxton crossed his arm in defiance.

“Tell me I’m a good teacher.”

“Stop being a baby.”

“Wooooow, even more insults. Bad teacher and a baby.”

“Fine, you’re a good teacher. Now let’s get on with this.” Devi said as she started to get on the skateboard again.

“Thank you.” Paxton replied satisfied. He grinned and went to help her again.

……..

Usually, they were separated during their days at camp since each group rotated through activities but on Fridays all of the kids got to go to the community pool. Those were obviously Paxton’s favourite days because he got to hang out with Devi but he also loved getting to teach some of the kids how to swim.

Usually, Paxton stayed in the shallow end with the younger kids and Devi sat at the deep end with the older kids. Vacation by Dirty Heads was playing over the pool speakers and Devi had her legs in the water as she chatted with some kids.

“Yea, high school kind of sucks. What you gotta do is find a popular kid and force them to be your friend.” Devi told some kids who were going to be freshmen in the fall.

“That’s terrible advice.” Paxton laughed as he came to stand next to her in the pool. He had switched with Kenny who was now watching the younger kids. They had given up on learning to swim and were mostly just playing and splashing water at Kenny.

“Really? You got anything better?” Devi asked crossing her arms.

“Yes. Find something that makes you excited to go to school, for me that was swimming, for D it was being my best friend. And also don’t give a shit about what other people think of you.” Paxton told the kids and Devi kicked his arm. “Oh shit, I mean just don’t care what other people think.”

“I meant the best friend thing.” Devi rolled her eyes.

“You were literally obsessed-“ before Paxton could finish Devi had jumped in and shoved Paxton’s head underwater.

Paxton managed to push Devi away from him and had his arm out separating them.

“Hey, you better stop or your top is going to fall off again.” Paxton laughed and Devi’s face started burning up. Yes, the bikini was cute but it wasn’t the most reliable bathing suit she had. Rough housing had led to a very embarrassing incident that Devi was trying to forget.

“I’m going to kill you.” Devi lunged at him and Paxton managed to grab her arms.

“Hey anger issues, chill out.” Paxton said with a grin. Devi managed to pull her arms away and splashed Paxton.

“Go do your job loser!” Devi yelled as she turned to go back to her post.

……

Devi swung the door open and was surprised to see Paxton. Usually he just texted her when he got to her house.

“Let’s go for a drive.” Paxton said as he held up his car keys.

“Okayyy.” Devi said as she grabbed her backpack from the door.

“Here ya go.” He said as he tossed the keys to her. She just about dropped them and didn’t move from her front door.

“Naaaa, I don’t think today’s the day.” Devi said nervously. She had failed her drivers test last month because she hadn’t practiced enough. It was the first time she hadn’t prepared and it was also the first time she had failed a test.

“Come on D, your test is in a few weeks and don’t you want to have your licence by the time school starts?” Paxton asked as he opened the drivers side door. He motioned for her to get in and she groaned before going to the car.

It wasn’t legal for Paxton to teach her how to drive but her only other option was her mother which hadn’t worked out. Devi was pretty sure she failed her test because driving with her mom had made her so anxious that getting behind the wheel made her want to throw up even when her mom wasn’t around. She had even done drivers ed but that apparently wasn’t enough because she still failed.

“Are you sure? What if I scratch your car or something?” Devi asked as they both got in the car.

“Then I’ll literally kill you, so don’t scratch my baby.” Paxton said as he gently caressed his dash.

“That’s not really helpful.” Devi muttered as she nervously changed the seat settings.

“We’ll go to the school parking lot. It’s just down the street and the lot will be empty.” Devi nodded as she turned the car on. She kept her foot on the brakes as she looked at Paxton desperately.

“Listen to Tai, you’re going to be A-O-K.” Paxton said as he turned up the music. “Also, don’t forget to signal, you lost so many points for that.”

Paxton didn’t look nervous at all which made Devi feel a little bit better. If he could be confident in her driving skills than so could she. Devi signalled and did a very exaggerated shoulder check before she pulled onto the road. There were no cars around the whole way to the school so the only thing she had to deal with were some stop signs and one set of lights. She totally could do this.

Devi’s whole body relaxed once they pulled into the parking lot and she didn’t have to worry about hitting things or people anymore.

“That was pretty good actually. How did you fail?” Paxton asked.

“Probably because I suck at driving?” Devi told him as she put the car in park.

“Shut up, you had issues with the parallel park right?” Paxton asked as he got out of the car.

“What are you doing?” Devi asked as he closed the door.

“Im going to teach you how to parallel park.” Paxton grinned sticking his head through the window.

Devi waited as he grabbed stuff from out of his trunk. A bin full of blankets and an empty cooler he had forgotten about. He set them up as pretend cars and he went to the drivers side.

“Okay, line yourself up.” Paxton said as Devi slowly moved the car so the bin of blankets was lined up with the back of the jeep.

Paxton gave her instructions and ran around indicating for her how far to back up and how much to turn the wheel and eventually she got into the spot.

“I don’t think they’re going to let you guide me into a spot on the test.” Devi said annoyed that it took so long.

“You just gotta keep practicing, eventually it’ll just be second nature.” Paxton said as he got back in the car. “Pull out and this time I’m not going to help you.” Paxton said as she groaned.

“I hate this.” Devi said getting frustrated.

“You won’t hate this once you can drive yourself anywhere you want. Now start moving before I force you to practice highway driving.” Paxton said as he relaxed into his seat.

Devi wanted to hit him and get angry but she knew he was her only hope of passing her test in a month so she contained herself and kept practicing.

When the day of Devi’s test came around she felt pretty confident she was going to fail again. Paxton had given her a pep talk before he left her house the night before but it hadn’t helped with her nerves.

“You got this, okay? Just make sure you signal, and don’t forget the emergency brake when you do the hill park.” He told her as he held her shoulders. “By this time tomorrow, you’re going to be fully licensed because you’re a great driver.”

Devi was just as shocked as her mother when she pulled into the DMV and had almost no deductions on her test. Nalini didn’t know about Paxton teaching her to drive but she managed to convince her that is was because the tester was a lot nicer than the last one. She had smiled the entire time she got her new license and had raced back to the car. She knew Paxton would be waiting for her at her house and she was beyond excited to tell him that his methods had actually worked.

Paxton was leaning on his car checking his phone when they got home. She had to stop herself from running to Paxton to tell him the good news. She got out of the car and Nalini kissed her head before going into the house.

“How’d it go?” He asked as she crossed her arms and pretended to look disappointed.

“I passed babyyy!” She screamed as she whipped out her temporary license.

“I fucking knew it! You never trust me.” Paxton grabbed her and spun her around.

“Where do you wanna go? I’m driving.” Devi said and Paxton laughed as he got in the passenger seat.

…..

“Can you spot me ten bucks?” Devi asked as she searched through her backpack for some money.

“You have literally worked all summer, how are you always broke?” Paxton muttered as he pulled out some change from his console.

“I just don’t have any cash on me.”

Paxton gave her a handful of change and Devi looked at him annoyed.

“Quarters? Really?” Devi struggled to hold all the coins and Paxton shrugged.

“Take it or leave it, but if you want boba I suggest you take it.” Paxton grinned and Devi rolled her eyes as she realized she couldn’t open the door holding all the change.

Paxton laughed as he leaned over to open the door for her. “Get me a milk tea.” He said as she hopped out of the car.

“If I even make it there without any hands.” She grumbled.

By the time she got back with their drinks, Paxton had all the windows down blasting Young Dumb & Broke by Khalid.

“Really?!” She had to scream for him to hear her over the music. He lip synced to the lyrics as he pointed to her and dramatically danced to the music. “You’re so annoying!” She screamed as he took a big sip of his tea. He pointed at the drink as if to say that it tastes good and gave her the ok sign with his fingers. Devi just rolled her eyes and sipped on her mango slush. She guessed it was worth the embarrassing amount of quarters she gave to the cashier and having to listen to Paxton call her dumb and broke.

“Are you going to make it to Trent’s this weekend? Last party of the summer.” Paxton asked as he turned the music down.

“Have you met my mother? She’s not going to let me go to Trent’s house for a party.” Devi replied looking through Paxton’s Spotify.

“Since when do you tell your mom about going to parties?” Paxton asked snorting.

“I’m trying to turn over a new leaf this year. No more lying, especially to my mom.” She said as she put on Savage by Megan Thee Stallion and Beyoncé.

“What if she knew I was taking you?” Paxton knew the party would suck without Devi there.

“Yeaaaaa, my mom might like you now but not that much.”

“Come on D, it’s the last party of the summer. You have to go!” Paxton pouted as he pulled out of the parking lot.

“Fine, fine, I’ll figure out a way to go out but there’s no way she’ll let me stay out past 11.” Paxton smiled at her and agreed to be DD so he could get her home by 11.

By the time the weekend rolled around, Nalini didn’t even seem bothered by Devi leaving. Her and Kamala had been going crazy planning her wedding and Devi tended to be unhelpful in that area. She was only good for the grunt work, which she was sure there would be a lot of once it got closer to the day.

All she had to say was that she was going to Eleanor’s house for a back to school hangout and Nalini quickly agreed to get her out of the house. Technically she wasn’t lying because they had to pick up Eleanor at her house and they were having a back to school hangout. It was just a hangout with most of the school and alcohol.

Devi acted as casual as possible as she closed the front door but she sprinted as soon as the door closed. She didn’t want to risk her mom seeing her actually getting in Paxton’s car instead of Fabiola’s. Devi had been asking her mom for a car for weeks but still nothing. Her mom was convinced that she should have enough money saved since she had a summer job but summer camps didn’t exactly pay top dollar and Devi was pretty irresponsible with her money this summer. She figured she had two more summers to hustle before she went to Princeton.

“You look so pretty in that dress.” Paxton said as soon as she got in the car.

Devi blushed and couldn’t control her smile. “Shut up loser.”

Paxton smiled back at her as they went to pick up Eleanor and Fabiola.

Trent’s house was packed full of people but he was standing at the door waiting for Eleanor. He hugged her tightly and dragged her off to the back of the house.

Paxton went to grab them some drinks and handed Devi and Fabiola beers. “Bread soda.”

Devi rolled her eyes and shoved him away. Fabiola had learned a long time to ignore their inside jokes and she wandered off.

Paxton was always treated like a god at parties and everyone wanted their time with him. Paxton gave people his typical cool guy head nod and pulled Devi outside where it was less crowded.

“So, you excited for school to start?” Paxton asked and Devi looked confused.

“Sure, I guess.” Paxton looked nervous which made Devi more confused. “Why are you making weird small talk?”

“I just guess this is the last time we’re hanging out before school starts.” Devi’s confusion became anger very quickly.

“What is that supposed to mean? Like things are going to change when school starts?” Devi questioned starting to get upset.

“No, chill Devi. I mean I do want things to change but not the way you think.” Now Devi was back to confused.

Paxton looked frustrated and looked around them. No one was around or paying attention to them. Paxton turned back to Devi and got way closer to her than she was used to. Kiss Me More by Doja Cat and SZA was playing in the house but it sounded far away.

He touched her cheek and lifted her mouth to his. “Is this okay?” He asked nervously.

Instead of answering Devi pushed her lips against his. Paxton smiled against her and pulled her tight to him.

……

“You want me to pick you up tomorrow?” Paxton texted and Devi smiled when she saw the message.

“Sure, if you don’t mind.” She replied quickly.

“No worries, we’re both going to the same place. Better for the environment and all that”

“I’ll make a driving playlist.” He sent back a smiley face and an ok hand.

Devi couldn’t wait for tomorrow. This was going to be the best summer of her life.

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egyptian-sun-god · 3 years ago

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NHIE S3

MINDY KALING I’M SORRY I DOUBTED YOU.

God it’s like someone read my criticism of every single season and actively fucking strove to fix it with each new season. God I love this show. God I love Devi. I’m like attached to every single character. I feel like I can see them in high school with me.

One of the biggest high school lies to me was that movies set me up to believe that there was this like undividable hierarchy with like popular kids and like unpopular nobodies in like American high schools. (mind you stupid me had never had any US education before this, so all my knowledge on high school usa style was Hollywood) I fucked up my first two years with like a whole insecurity complex where I was like, damn these people are so out of my league. And in my 3rd year I realized, that’s bullshit. There’s no hierarchy here. All of us are just in friendgroups and everybody intermingles and dates. Like fuck high school tropes. I can be best friends with an arguably popular group of girls and not have it be weird. As a dorky minority Indian girl, I needed two years to boost my confidence to I am just as good as anyone here. I

NHIE initially felt to me like the same type of show, that propagated that there were popular kids and losers instead of the fact that everyone is on the same level. And that felt disaunthetic to the growth. But now in S3 as Devi has reached the same age as I was and Ms Kaling portrays the school as more equal where “popular” kids date the “losers” and people from all cliques hang with each other with no feeling of animosity. Here I realized, Oh my god, Devi has literally had exactly the same growth as I had. The first season felt so segregated BECAUSE of Devi’s internalized insecurities.

Another win, all the characters and their developments. Literally Devi herself shines so much from the last two seasons. In S1 she ignored all her friend’s problems and centred all of her life around her. In S3 even after she just has a breakup with Nirdesh, when Eleanor says she and Trent got to it, she only was happy for her and was overall so much of a better friend. Like Ms Kaling has literally made every single one of these characters grow and learn so much more. Paxton although taking a side track is still lining up with all the growth from his last season episode with him taking a stronger interest in grades and keeping up for college and apologizing for who he used to be. He’s pushed by Devi to be a better person and I felt so happy to see him apologizing and reconnecting. With his potential exit from the show, i feel like he’s so much more than the 2D pin up of washboard abs that he was initially and that also comes from the fact Devi has seen him as so much more of a developed 3D person. Also...Nirdesh. I’m really happy to see a brown boy shown as properly attractive and not just the basic Baljeet stereotype. Like he’s so integral to Devi’s viewpoint of herself to overcome her insecurities and for us as well to see ppl like us portrayed as normal teenagers that can look cute and not just be a 2D cartoon.

Nalini also maintains so much of her growth and development from last season and just works so much better at being a parent to Devi and all of her mess that comes with it. I love her, she’s a gem. I’d wanna see so much more from her. I’d take like a whole fucking spinoff show about her life.

Kamala and Manish, I love this shit. Kamala’s moving out and like actually getting independent. I’m so confused how her parents have not lost their collective shit yet though. But wow this is one extremely liberal family, especially considering Kamala’s parents are from the motherland. When she called it off with Prashanth, and Paati was threatening her with the knife I was like ah yes, we’re in more familiar territory. This is accurate. I was also like there’s no was Paati is gonna fucking honour kill Kamala rn, they don’t even show caste in this Hollywood series. But the knife triggered the memories so I was like 100% sure I was gonna see the gaslighting and emotional blackmailing sequence I’ve seen happen to like every single one of my friends and cousins. And thankfully once Nalini comes I’m reminded that this is thankfully Hollywood and somehow parents/grandparents here are more chill. Her and Mr Manish though, they kinda cuteeee, ngl. Like the vibes be on point. Like we didn’t get much but I can definitely understand and appreciate the fact that Manish is trying and the fact that this lets them connect with a culture. Because let’s be real, Manish sir’s last name is fucking Kulkarni....THERE IS NO WAY THIS (Tamil culture) IS HIS CULTURE. Shit’s like barely comparable, completely different in every way.

But also just in general culturally I feel like there’s so much more authenticity and naturalness in how Tamil and American their family is. Nalini talking about Mohan and her’s arranged marriage felt accurate and real. Paati talking about Thatha felt real and I could feel her worry so hard cause my uncle was that way and it felt like such a connecting thing. And on like the last episode I heard like Tamil lyrics in a song and I PERKED THE FUCK UP. Thank you Ms Kaling for finally adding stuff from my culture. And please do it more. Like wow, there could be so much more you know. I mean I’ll always be greedy for more, but i’m happy that at least girls like me have this much.

Overall, splendid characters, great development, such a realistic and true potential of high school and the development of a high school girl and how the characters and social space change to reflect that growth. WIN show, 100% recommend watching and I’m looking forward to all of the characters next season.

#never have i ever #nhie #nhie s3 #nhie spoilers #nhie s3 spoilers #devi vishwakumar #paxton h y #ben gross #tv series #tamil

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cupcakesandtv · 5 years ago

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Never Have I Ever Thrown a House Party on Accident

Slower going but still trucking, enjoy this part which is absolutely, entirely FULL of domesticity and fluff. I had to cut some domesticity because it was just like TOO much sugary sweet stuff. But also like plot and movement in the story I promise.

start the series here read it on ao3

McEnroe here, Devi had won. She’d pulled off the Mom Con! Paxton’s mom was fine with the short meeting, Trent and Eleanor had escaped Target and not been banned by the employees for their minor infractions, and even though Devi had messed up and hurt Paxton, she apologized and handled it before it got too bad. By the time she made it home that day, she was walking on sunshine. Oh that’s fun, I’m walking on sunshine, wooooah! And don’t it feel good!

“Devi!”

McEnroe: uhhhh, that doesn’t sound great.

“What?” Devi shouted back, annoyed.

Nalini came rushing to the door, ready to fight. “Why did I run into that boy’s mom at Target?”

“Who?” Devi played dumb but her heart rate went up and her hand clenched around her phone.

“Paxton Hall-Yoshida, his mother was thrilled to run into me at Target, wanted to chat and then suddenly ran out of the store. What’s going on?” She narrowed her eyes at Devi.

“I don’t know, Mom, maybe she just likes Target?”

“Everybody likes Target, that’s not an excuse! And then Fabiola’s mom was there, it was fishy!”

“You can’t yell at me because you ran into people you know at Target, Mom! That’s ridiculous! You’re paranoid!” Devi considered the escalation as an easy way to distract from the real issue.

Nalini stood with her hands on her hips and looked at Devi, skeptically. “What’s going on with you and that boy?”

“He’s my friend,” Devi answered quickly.

“Give me your phone.” Nalini held out her hand. “Why?” Devi wasn’t just panicked now, she was angry.

“I’m going to look at your history, calls, texts, I pay for it, I’m entitled to do that.”

“No!” Devi felt her face get hot. She had to get out of there before she did something that would get her in trouble. Losing control with her mom would not be good.

“Devi!” Nalini shouted and Devi shook her head. “You’re being stupid!” Devi shouted back before heading up the stairs.

“Yeah, go to your room! Don’t plan on leaving it anytime soon!” Nalini yelled after her.

Things were not going so well post con, it turned out.

Devi to Paxton: Turns out the con only half worked. My mom is suspish AF and wants to search my phone

Paxton to Devi:

Fuckkkkk

Download Whatsapp. I was gonna tell you to do it earlier because that’s what I use to text people when I’m in Japan. Then just hide it in a folder idk like where your food apps are

Devi went to work downloading the new app. Paxton reminded her he was going to Japan in two weeks, it was coming up fast and she didn’t love that.

Paxton to Devi:

You’re not gonna like this but…maybe we should tell your mom

Devi immediately started to type.

Devi to Paxton:

I don’t want to hurt your feelings because I know you’re just starting to get some confidence in your intelligence but please know i mean this in the kindest way possible, that’s the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard

McEnroe: But thankfully, again, she had the restraint (she was getting so much better!) to backspace all that text and not actually send it. Devi to Paxton: Yeah, we can’t do that.

Paxton to Devi: It feels bad not telling your mom! I’m constantly stressed that she’s gonna find out and what is really the worst that can happen? And what’s the best that happens? We really never tell her? You wanna be getting married 10 years from now and what? Send her an invitation?

Devi to Paxton: We can’t tell her. I’ll never be able to leave the house again. She’ll probably pack me up and drag me to India like she tried last year, my tenuous at best relationship with her will be sunk. It’s fine. I’m gonna go downstairs and apologize for yelling at her and idk make up some excuse about your mom and then we’ll be fine again.

Devi did not want to even consider the bad things that could happen if her mom found out. She couldn’t imagine anything good coming from it. So it was still best to keep lying. How long could this relationship possibly last?

Oh.

Okay she didn’t want to go down that rabbit hole. Because it turned out she was probably in love with Paxton and then she was back to thinking about what Eleanor said. High school relationships didn’t last forever. Shit. Was that thought worse than her mom finding out about her relationship? Paxton to Devi:

Please don’t get grounded. I leave in two weeks and it would suck ass if we couldn’t hang out

McEnroe: aw, that’s a nice thing for Paxton to say.

Devi waited about an hour and then went downstairs ready to repent and make up with her mom. Nalini was doing the dishes so Devi picked up a towel and started to dry the clean dishes. Her mother didn’t say anything, just kept washing. They worked like that, together, for a few minutes before Devi spoke up. “I’m sorry I yelled.”

Nalini kept scrubbing the pot in her hands. Devi glanced over and her mother’s eyes were focused on the pot, Devi looked away and tried not to get annoyed. If Devi had a temper, her mother was incapable of admitting she’d gone too far. (Which she did often but never apologized for.)

“I don’t need to see your phone,” Nalini finally said, handing the clean pot to Devi to dry.

“I think Paxton’s mom just wants you to join her book club.”

“What a nightmare,” Nalini said, a laugh in her voice.

“Yeah, that didn’t sound like something you’d like.” Devi put the last pot away in the cupboard.

“Denise would like that. Hopefully she’ll ask her so I don’t have to politely decline.” Nalini dried her hands on her apron.

Before, the idea of telling her mom was terrifying. But maybe at some point, maybe Devi would feel like she could tell her? It felt uncomfortable to think about how long she’d been lying about Paxton, but it would hurt her mom when she found out so now Devi was in a gray area. She felt like shit lying but she knew it’d be a disaster to come clean and tell the truth. Oh no. This was bad.

The best part of summer was the fact that Devi’s mom was at work all day and that meant that she could pretty much do whatever she wanted. Sure, her mom had various chores that she wanted done and Kamala was always around, but overall she could tell her mom she was studying and as long as she was home for dinner or had some reasonable excuse, she could do whatever she wanted. That’s why it had been easy to hang out at the pool with her friends all summer. (Even if she was still only putting her feet in the pool.) So going over to her secret boyfriend’s house in the afternoon? Totally fine! Her mom would never know!

Paxton let Devi into the house and headed for the kitchen. “Sorry about the smell. My dad cooked and-“

“Smells good.”

“You think?” He asked, surprised. “You want to try it?

“Sure, what is it?”

“It’s kinda weird,” Paxton seemed nervous.

“I’ll try whatever.” She sat on a barstool at the end of the kitchen island.

“It’s takoyaki, uh best way to describe it is uh kinda an octopus pancake ball? It’s one of my favorite foods but my dad doesn’t make it often.”

“Sign me up, let’s go. I didn’t have lunch.”

Paxton smiled, before he opened the fridge and started pulling stuff out. “You don’t have to try it if you don’t want to.”

“I just said it smelled good in here and I want to try it.” Devi tilted her head, Paxton avoided her.

He pulled out a couple of Tupperware containers and some sauce bottles and laid them out across the island.

“It’s weird.”

“Paxton, eating eggs at my house is controversial but we figure it out, I don’t think your favorite food is weird.”

“I don’t think any girl I’ve dated has tried it,” he explained, still not looking at her, his cheeks barely pink.

Devi reached across the island and covered his free hand with hers, hoping the touch would get him to look at her. “Have I ever met a food I didn’t like?”

He looked up at her and let out a short laugh. “You really love food. I’m pretty sure you’ll never love anyone as much as you love chili cheese fries.”

“Hit me with the octopus balls,” Devi said, but Paxton raised an eyebrow and gave her a sly smile. “The taco thing.”

“Takoyaki!” Rebecca shouted, coming into the kitchen. “Make me a couple too, I’m on my way to work but you’ll eat all the leftovers if I don’t get some now.”

Paxton rolled his eyes at her. “Make them yourself.”

“You have all the stuff out, just make me a couple!”

“Am I supposed to take you to work?” Paxton asked, still making the food for Devi but not his sister.

“No, you’re supposed to make me a plate though,” she said, pulling a paper plate from the cabinet and putting it next to where he was working.

“Fine,” he said.

Devi smiled at Becca. “See, I’ll like it, Becca likes it!”

“Mmmmm,” Rebecca started. “Some people don’t like it.” She turned back to her brother. “C’mon, Samantha will be here to pick me up in 10. Just put some on the plate, dude.”

Paxton side eyed her but put a few balls on her plate. “I’m reheating these in the oven, if you need yours now, put them in the microwave.” “Ew, I’d rather eat them cold.” She took the mayo bottle and a dark sauce bottle and added the condiments. “I’m gonna stay over at Samantha’s tonight. We’re closing and she wants to show me a new sewing trick she learned on her serger.” “Did you tell Mom?” “Did you tell Mom Devi was coming over?” Rebecca parroted back.

“No,” he sounded like a little kid.

“I feel like I’m missing something,” Devi said.

“Our parents are gone. He wants you to stay over and I’m not gonna be around for that, no thanks!” A horn honked and Becca took her paper plate of food and waved. “Stay out of my room!”

“Why would we go in your room?” Paxton asked, but Becca was already out the door.

“Your parents aren’t home?” Devi leaned on the counter further and wagged her eyebrows. “My dad surprised my mom with an anniversary trip, I think he actually forgot the anniversary, it was yesterday, so he had to go overboard and they went away for the weekend.”

Devi cringed. Her dad never forgot her parents’ anniversary. He did once forget her mom’s birthday but it happened so long ago that it was more of a joke now. Well, not nearly as funny a joke when he was dead.

“You should have told me! I would have come prepared! I gotta figure out a lie to tell my mom.” Devi picked up the brown sauce bottle and put a little on her finger and then tasted it. “You wanna have a party or something?”

“Hell no,” Paxton said, putting a tray into the oven. “My mom just got a new rug in the living room and the last time I had a party when they left I was grounded for a month and my mom used a broken laminate countertop as an excuse to get the granite you’re leaning on. I do not throw house parties at my house anymore.”

“Is that the party where Marcus broke his arm last year?” Devi asked, looking at the granite countertop differently.

“Yeah, it was bad. Why do you think I rushed to get you to the hospital when you let a coyote attack you? I was not having another Marcus in the ambulance situation.”

Devi tried not to laugh. “I thought you took me to the hospital because you liked me.” “I did. Well. I did but,” Paxton stammered for a second before Devi put him out of his misery.

“I’m joking.”

“Oh.” Paxton gestured to the living room. “So we haven’t actually ever had an official date and I want to do that tonight. Not a party. Just you and me and the couch and popcorn and Great British Bake-off and we can have sex in my bed instead of the garage.”

“We’ve been on a date,” Devi argued.

Paxton shook his head. “No, we haven’t.”

“What about prom?”

“I tried to ask you but you couldn’t go, remember?”

“Wait you tried to ask me?” Devi looked at him unsure. “No you told me to come to prom after the musical stuff started and we went to get food and you paid and then we danced to Carly Rae and you told me you’d been pining. That was a date.”

“I tried to ask you but you didn’t even notice. I mentioned prom and tried to ask and you said your mom wouldn’t let you go anyways because you’d been in trouble so much.” Paxton walked around the island to stand next to where Devi was sitting, leaning back on the countertop so he was facing her. “And me buying you chili cheese fries does not count as a date.”

“I’m a slut for chili cheese fries, I’m pretty sure that does constitute a date.”

Paxton shook his head, he leaned forward and kissed her, just a peck. “You are a slut for chili cheese fries. It’s adorable.”

Devi preened, shrugging one shoulder and putting her hands under her chin. “I am adorable. Thanks for noticing.”

The oven timer went off and Paxton went to pull the food out. He tossed the oven mitt behind him without looking and Devi rolled her eyes. He was showing off but there wasn’t much to show off, but that was who he was. He was maybe as dramatic as Eleanor if he wanted to impress. He pulled a pair of chopsticks from the drawer next to him and started moving the takoyaki balls from the pan to the plate.

“You can’t reheat them too long or the octopus gets chewy.” He grimaced. “It’s already a little chewy but they’re good, okay. I hope.”

“Why are you so nervous for me to try the food?”

“I’m not, I’m not!” He doused mayo all over the dish, then added the other sauce.

“What is that one?” Devi asked, her chin pointing to the bottle.

“Bulldog sauce, kinda like barbeque sauce I guess, there’s another sauce you’re supposed to use but this is what we have,” he explained.

“Well, put the ball in my mouth, dude,” Devi said, but she couldn’t keep a straight face.

Paxton closed his eyes and laughed, barely. “Devi!”

“I will not be doing that later, by the way, I’m strictly speaking about the octopus balls.”

“Shut up,” he said, still laughing. He pulled a fork out of the drawer and handed it to her. “I don’t get chopsticks?”

“You want chopsticks?” He offered her the ones he’d been using.

She took them and tried to hold them a minute before giving up. “Fine I’ll use the fork.”

“Thank god, because I do not want to spend 20 minutes trying to teach you how to use those just for you to eat this food.” “Forget the fork, just put the ball in my mouth.” She couldn’t even look at him when she said it. She was looking only at the food. “Make me the perfect bite.”

He tried not to laugh at her while picking up the perfect bite, one takoyaki ball with all the fixins on his chopsticks. He put his free hand under the food to protect from spills as he lifted it to her mouth.

Devi took the bite, and immediately covered her mouth as she chewed. Paxton watched her expectantly.

“It’s okay if you don’t like it,” he said, reaching around for the trashcan. “You can spit it out if you want.” She held up a finger to get him to wait while she chewed. Paxton bit his lip. Devi kept her mouth covered, but started to speak, still chewing. “This is so good! I like it,” she said, and Paxton smiled, relieved. “But can I get a napkin, that’s a big ball that was just in my mouth.”

He handed her a paper towel. “Are you done making ball jokes?” He rolled his eyes just barely but he was smiling.

“Maybe? I don’t know. Depends on how the sex goes later.”

McEnroe: Devi literally winked at Paxton. This is cheesy as hell.

“Eat your food, Vishwakumar,” he said, picking up her fork and handing it to her before picking himself up a bite with his chopsticks.

McEnroe: Devi came up with an excuse for her mom, she was spending the night at Eleanor’s (always the best excuse because Nalini was friendly with Dr. Wong but not friendly enough to call and check out the story) and soon, Devi and Paxton were comfortably ensconced on the sectional watching season (or series for you Brits) nine of The Great British Bake Off.

Devi was sitting criss cross applesauce in the corner of the couch, a bowl of popcorn in her lap and Paxton had his head on her knee, the rest of him sprawled across the couch, like he lived there. Because he did. I should also mention that they took a break between episodes three and four because for some reason, bread week got them hot and bothered. I don’t understand teenagers these days but whatever. I only mention this because you guys need to know that their state of dress was...one of undress. Less dressed.

Devi pulled the strap of her tank top up on her shoulder.

“I want Kim-Joy’s earrings.”

“You could totally pull them off,” Paxton replied, reaching his hand over his head, into the popcorn bowl.

“Oh my god!” Devi pointed, excited.

Paxton groaned as a fluffy orange calico with one eye strut in front of the TV. “Berkeley, get out of the way.” “I’ve never seen your cat!” Devi said.

“She’s skittish,” Paxton explained. “Unless you’re trying to watch TV.” “Is she skittish because you shot her eye out?” Devi asked, but the cat made her way over to Devi and sat next to her on the couch, and Devi was completely focused on the cat. “Can I pet her?” “You gotta ask her,” Paxton said, unbothered.

Devi gently offered her hand but the cat got up and ran. “Ugh. I want her to like me!” “That was her liking you. She never comes out.”

Devi sulked for a minute but the technical challenge on GBBO pulled her in.

“Can someone please give Rahul a hug?” Devi’s phone dinged and she picked it up to read the text from Eleanor.

“I will hug Rahul just tell me where I gotta be to support the guy, he deserves it,” Paxton said, his phone going off too. Then the doorbell rang.

“It’s like 10, who is here?”

“Sometimes my mom has a neighbor check on us, but it’s really late. Why is Trent texting me he’s…” “He’s here?” Devi finished reading the text from Eleanor. She sat up so fast Paxton’s head hit the couch and started looking around the room frantically. “What?” Paxton stood up and grabbed his t-shirt from the back of the couch and pulled it over his head. “I can’t find my shorts! Where did you throw them?” Devi’s voice was a pitch that she almost didn’t recognize herself.

“I don’t know!” Paxton looked around, picked up his flannel and threw it at Devi. “Make a skirt or something, I don’t know, I’ll keep him at the door.”

Devi caught the button up shirt and stretched it as wide as her arms could go, looking at it like it was a puzzle. It was. How was she supposed to cover her ass with this? She tied it around her waist and did some buttons up hoping that would work as Paxton answered the door.

“What are you doing here?”

“Your parents aren’t home,” Trent said, like it was the most obvious response. “I made rice krispy treats!” Eleanor said from behind Trent. “Oh, let her in,” Devi shouted as she made her way to the door.

Eleanor elbowed her way around Trent and under Paxton’s arm that was holding the door jam, creating a barrier between Trent and the house.

“I’m not having a party! My mom just got a new rug!” “Then your dad will buy her a new one when we ruin it and she’ll be happy, like the countertops!”

“I had to pay $200 of the countertops on top of being grounded,” Paxton argued.

“Well, this is gonna be awkward, man,” Trent said, trying to get around him and into the house, but Paxton was not budging. “Your fly is undone.”

Paxton zipped it without looking at Trent. The state of undress shifted to now mostly fully dressed. “What’s gonna be awkward?”

Devi was already digging into the plastic baggie that Eleanor brought of rice krispy treats when Eleanor spoke up. “He invited pretty much all of school to show up here.”

“You did what?” Paxton almost yelled.

Trent took the outburst as an excuse to slip past Paxton and get into the house, which Paxton allowed merely so he could shut the door. “Why would you do that?” Paxton turned, more panicked than mad now. “You said your parents weren’t home!” Trent tried, sitting next to Eleanor on one of the kitchen barstools.

“I specifically said Devi and I were gonna watch Bake Off!” Paxton put his hands in his hair, frustrated. Trent may have cowered a little behind Eleanor. Paxton mumbled, “Watch TV and actually have sex in my bed instead of the futon in the garage!”

“I thought that was just part of the party fun!” Trent looked at his feet, picked up Devi’s shorts, holding them by the belt loop, and offered them to her.

Devi’s eyes widened just before she snatched the shorts from him. “Guess they already had sex in here,” Trent whispered to Eleanor, but she shushed him. “You guys gotta go. And text everyone else that this isn’t happening.”

But the doorbell rang again and Paxton hung his head. “I’m ready to get my arm broken again!” Marcus hollered from the other side of the door.

Paxton went to open it but he could not stop the sea of people coming through the door the way he stopped Trent. A couple of football players were hauling a keg, no one was taking off their shoes and they were all heading for the new rug.

Everyone was shouting, someone had a bluetooth speaker and music was booming through the house now. Someone was shooting a Nerf gun. (Who was that kid and why did he keep bringing Nerf guns to parties?) A cloud of smoke followed a kid who had a lit joint in his hand which Devi thought was very brave because it seemed in the crowd and chaos a person could easily drop it and start a fire.

Within seconds, people were opening kitchen cupboards, pulling dishes out. Someone tried to shove Devi out of the way to make room for a bar to be set up at the kitchen island but she shoved back. McEnroe: It was out of control. There were too many people and Devi could see Paxton across the room starting to spiral. He wasn’t mad but it was clear he didn’t know what to do. He kept looking around at every person doing something awful and he couldn’t stop it. But Devi could fix this. She was coming to his rescue this time. (And the new rug, who buys a cream colored rug? Who does that? Mrs. H-Y, I guess.) Devi shouted at Paxton to get his attention, her arms waving in the air. He looked at her and frowned, but she smiled wide, pointed to herself and mouthed “I got this,” and his face changed just barely. He nodded, and Devi stood on top of the island and started shouting. “Hey! Get the fuck out! You were told there would be a party but Paxton’s parents just texted and said they’d be home in 10! They’ll call the cops so get out and get out quick!”

McEnroe: It wasn’t as loud as I can yell, but it was pretty close. And the minute she said cops, kids started pushing to get out as fast as they could. One kid almost got trampled.

“And get off the white rug, you monsters!” A bunch of kids shifted off the rug while still trying to rush out the door and Devi nodded, proud of herself.

As the crowds thinned and exited, Ben Gross and Shira were waiting for the door to clear enough to leave. Paxton made his way to Devi who was still standing on the island and reached for her hand to help her down. She stepped on a barstool and then jumped off from there, still holding Paxton’s hand for balance. “Are you wearing a shirt as a skirt?” Shira asked, confused but intrigued. “Yes!” Devi said enthusiastically, as Paxton pulled her closer and kissed the side of her head in thanks.

Ben just stared at Devi slack jawed. “That was a lie, they’re not coming home are they?”

“Go home, Gross,” Devi said. Shira took Ben’s hand and walked out the front door that was finally clear. “Good luck cleaning up before your parents get here!” she shouted over her shoulder as they left.

Paxton waved and gave a tight lipped smile. “She could do better than him. She’s way nicer.”

Devi snorted and turned back to Eleanor. She took the baggie of rice krispy treats and pulled out a few and put them on a plate. Then she went to work on gathering the cups that had been pulled from the cabinet. Trent was already doing penance. He’d pulled a big black trash bag from under the sink and was gathering solo cups that had been abandoned in people’s quick escape. “Yeah, pick that up and then leave. And please remember we are never doing another party here. I will help you clean all kinds of shit up but not at my own house, bro,” Paxton told Trent.

Devi was almost asleep, on her side, Paxton mirroring her, when she felt him push some errant hair behind her ear.

“Vishwakumar,” he whispered, so he wouldn’t wake her if she was already asleep. Devi kept her eyes closed but she nudged his knee and put her leg between his. “I already peed for the last time tonight so I am not up for having sex again.”

He snorted. “Are you ever not thinking about sex?”

“Are you filing a complaint?” she asked. “Nope.”

She liked being in this space: floating, warm and cozy and feeling like maybe the other stuff in life wasn’t so loud. It was probably stupid and would bite her in the ass later but she liked sleeping next to Paxton. It wasn’t awkward like she thought it might be. It probably wasn’t the best sleep she got either though because she found herself waking up several times throughout the night checking to see that he was still there. But she liked it.

Paxton whispered again, “Devi.” And she finally opened her eyes.

“What?”

“Nothing,” he said, smiling and then closing his eyes, like he hadn’t bugged her into opening her eyes.

“Paxton!” she whined. “You think Rahul is having a good day? I hope he is.”

“Do people know you’re actually a giant nerd?” Devi asked, adjusting the Sherman Oaks swim team t-shirt she was wearing. She closed her eyes again.

“You lo-,” he stopped and started again quickly. “You like that about me.”

McEnroe: Holy shit! Did Paxton Hall-Yoshida almost say the L word? About Devi? Or suggesting that Devi loved him? Was Devi not the only one thinking about this? No. Surely not. They hadn’t been dating that long! Sure, it turned out Paxton had been pining since the day she kissed Ben Gross in Malibu but no. This couldn’t be it. She was exhausted and floating in her happy place and she misheard.

“Thanks for rescuing me and my mom’s rug tonight,” he said, interrupting her thoughts, his eyes still closed. “Love when the moment presents itself because it’s so rare,” Devi said. “Are we even now?”

He opened his eyes and smiled. “You don’t ever owe me when I rescue you.”

Unexpectedly, Devi felt like she might cry. She closed her eyes tight, willing the tears away. He was so earnest and kind and she wondered what she’d ever done to deserve that. Before she could say anything, she felt Paxton lift the sleeve of her shirt (well his shirt that she was wearing) and rub his thumb across her shoulder. Very quickly he found the scar from the coyote. It was small, the doctor said she was lucky it didn’t need stitches, but there was the smallest indent. Paxton found it easily and then leaned closer and kissed it.

“Night, Devi,” he whispered. Then she was left trying to figure out what exactly had just happened.

#never have i ever #daxton #daxtonet #devi x paxton #nhie fic #daxton fic #Never Have I Ever Actually Fallen In Love series #fic #seriously many times i was like 'is this too much?' because it was #it was too much #the domesticity was out of contROL

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cupcakesandtv · 5 years ago

Text

Never Have I Ever Lost a Student Council Election Uhhhh so this is a series now! Surprise! How long will it go? Like a rage clean, we’ll just have to see how far it carries me. But so far I have plans to hit every one of the original points made in the intro of the last fic. Now I move onto Fabiola’s minor robot rebellion. Ao3 link Ao3 link for Never Have I Ever Had Bad Sex

It’s me, John McEnroe, and I have devastating news. Devi Vishwakumar just lost a heated student council race. Six weeks ago everyone, including her own mother, told her that despite the way Student Council President might look on a college application, it was not worth running the race against her sort of boyfriend, Ben Gross. But like my loss to Jimmy Connors at the Wimbledon final of 1982, it was a nasty loss that ended more than her political career.

So that’s why we’re now visiting an out of control Devi, ripping posters of Ben Gross’ smug face off the walls of Sherman Oaks High. Is someone playing Dancing With Myself by the Donnas in the school? Where’s that music coming from? Turn it off, she’s having a moment! Billy Idol did that one better anyway. Sorry, back to Devi.

She could feel the tears threatening to build but every poster she could pull off a locker gave her the smallest bit of satisfaction. His face! He just looked so sure, so arrogant, of course he’d be voted in over her. He spent more money than should be legal in high school politics. And for what? To win an election? To piss her off? To ruin whatever they’d had going on with their stupid feelings? Ew! Feelings! She pulled a fresh poster whole from a locker and screamed as she shredded it into several pieces.

“You missed one,” the voice startled her. She was still seething and probably looked kind of feral when she turned to see Paxton Hall-Yoshida pointing at a large poster on a pristine bulletin board. “I did the mustache. Not like he can grow one so really I was helping him out.”

Devi snorted, seeing the sharpie mustache on Ben’s dumb face. “You did that?”

“I’m quite skilled in the finer points of vandalism.”

He leaned his shoulder against the bulletin board and Devi took a moment to try to tame her hair, wild from her meltdown.

“I voted for you.” He gestured to another full size poster next to the Ben Gross one. It was Devi’s poster but with a crown over her head drawn in sharpie. “I also added the crown. Trent did the little coyote and stars in the bottom corner.”

Devi turned to examine the poster more fully, touching the crown softly. It was the kindest act of graffiti she’d ever seen. She smiled.

“I don’t usually vote in student elections. They’re dumb and student council president is really just a figurehead, a propaganda arm of the administration, if you will.”

“Huh?” Devi tilted her head confused.

“So I don’t usually vote,” Paxton went on. “But I voted for you. You would have at least been a cool figurehead.” Paxton shrugged and turned so his back was against the bulletin board now, leaving the offending Ben Gross poster wide open.

“Thanks.”

“Well go on, rip the big one down, it’s making you feel better, right?” he asked, glancing at her quickly before looking back down the empty hallway.

She nodded, before moving to stand in front of the poster and pulling from the top down, tearing it in half, grunting in the process. She took the pieces and ripped them further, in half and half again, a small pile of debris falling at her feet. It was making her feel better.

“So if you lost to him, uh, is this about more than just the election,” Paxton asked, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Like uh, are you guys still, uh…”

“Fab and Eleanor both told me that this would spell the end for that, especially as the second time I broke the extra curriculars agreement,” Devi said, mirroring Paxton’s lean against the bulletin board so she didn’t have to look at him. “But yeah, no. Yeah.”

Devi didn’t actually know what was happening but she could say she was angry and didn’t think it would subside any time soon. She was so angry she didn’t even realize or consider why Paxton might be asking.

“You need a ride home?”

“No, I’m gonna walk. Hopefully it will chill me out.” She stood up straight, brushing the bits of paper off her clothes. “Can I ask a favor?”

“Hit me.”

Devi looked away, then at her feet. Unsure she should even ask, but figured what the hell. “Can I have a hug?”

Paxton took a step closer, his arms coming around her as the words were barely out of her mouth.

“Yeah,” he said into her hair. “Of course.”

That’s when Devi started her second breakdown of the day. The kind she rarely had. A kind more reserved for Dead Dad ™ feelings. She started crying against Paxton’s shirt. Ugly crying. To his credit, he moved an arm from her back to sort of pet her hair. She didn’t mind, she was too busy sobbing.

Devi wanted to be student council president and she was upset that Ben didn’t understand why she wanted to do it and that he went into it like it was one of their regular competitions and maybe she didn’t even want to be the president? Maybe it was a stupid popularity contest that she didn’t win. She wasn’t cool enough to win.

“I’m sorry,” she sniffed, pulling away just barely to wipe at the spot on his shirt that was definitely wet from snot and tears.

“It’s cool, it’s moisture wicking. It’s fine.” He sounded vaguely uncomfortable but then he hugged her a little tighter and she thought maybe that was okay.

McEnroe: Devi was a mess but Paxton really took one for the team and covered her with the light vandalism and the hug thing. He didn’t let her know that there was a Devi 4 Prez campaign poster hanging in his locker. It didn’t seem important. He’d probably keep it there for a while. It was a good picture of her and you know he just liked the design. It was good graphic design. It didn’t really matter what was going on with her and Ben Gross. Or what wasn’t.

Devi pulled back, finally, swiping furiously at her face. “Damn, that’s so nasty. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” he offered again. “Are you sure you don’t want a ride home?”

“I got this.” She straightened up, ready to leave.

“Wait!”

Devi stopped, looking at Paxton for explanation.

“Let me take a picture of you for instagram. In front of the poster. I’ll tag you in it.” He pulled his phone out of his back pocket and gestured for her to stand next to her campaign poster.

“Are you sure? I’m a mess right now.”

“You look great, I’ll put the San Juan filter over it and you smile big and it’s gonna piss off Ben Gross so much.”

Devi rubbed at her eyes again, and fluffed her hair. “Yeah, you’re right. Okay.”

“And done.” Paxton flipped through the filters and then added an animated emoji crown to Devi so she matched the poster. “Gonna hashtag it ‘khaleesi’ because you got the whole vibe. I like it.”

She stood next to him to inspect his work. “You can just send it to me so I can post it.”

“I can.” Paxton looked at her and pursed his lips. “Or I can post it and tag you and that could make Ben rage, huh? He’ll be feeling as mad as you were, ya know?”

“Damn. That’s good.” Devi smiled. “What are you going to caption it with?”

Paxton looked back to the poster and then at his phone. “Still on top?”

“Yeah, that’s good. I’m not bothered. I’m fine.”

McEnroe: that was of course a lie, but it’d be a good lie for Instagram, the social media platform full of pretty lies, amirite?

“Okay, I’m really going home now,” Devi said, her phone dinging with the notification that Paxton had just tagged her in a photo.

“See you on Monday, Devi,” he said as she walked away.

And Monday would be better. Maybe. Probably.

#daxton #daxton fic #devi x paxton #Never Have I Ever #nhie fic #Never Have I Ever Actually Fallen In Love series #fic

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