Chapter Text
Nobody ever thought they were soulmates.
They had known they were each other’s soulmates since Paxton moved to Sherman Oaks in the third grade. They had met on the playground when Devi had fallen off the swings. Paxton had run over to her to make sure she was okay and had said ‘let me help you’ and she had replied ‘I’m Devi’ in a mesmerized daze.
They were the first kids in their school to meet their soulmates. As they say, kids can be cruel. Eventually, their parents and teachers had to step in, but the damage was already done, Paxton learned to keep his distance and little Devi learned not to be hurt by it.
Now 8 years later, Paxton and Devi were practically strangers at school. Their parents had forced them to spend time together as kids outside of school to try and form a bond. Both of their parents had married their soulmates, but Devi’s parents were much stricter. They believed that you had to marry your soulmate to be accepted into the afterlife. Paxton’s parents were much less traditional, but they still wanted their children to have soulmates.
They would be forced to hang out at least once a month and their families would spend major holidays together. They would have family barbecues and beach days during the summer. Paxton’s mom would go to Devi’s academic competitions and Devi’s dad would go to Paxton’s swim meets. To Devi, Paxton was just a childhood crush turned obligated friendship.
It wasn’t hard to avoid each other at school when they were in different classes. People knew she was Paxton Hall-Yoshida’s soulmate but only because they had all known each other since childhood. People who didn’t know them had no idea. They would pass each other in the hallway with just a glance as sufficient acknowledgment of the other’s existence. Paxton would regularly drive Devi places, but people just assumed it was like a make-a-wish type of deal.
It was much harder to avoid each other when they were in the same class. Devi had tried not to make fun of Paxton when he had failed History last year, but she may have snorted when she heard the news. Paxton had gotten this look in his eyes that Devi was very familiar with. They had gotten in trouble too many times for fighting, but they hadn’t had a physical fight since they were kids. Paxton looked like he was seriously considering giving it another go.
It was the first day of Devi’s Sophomore year and she had one goal: become popular. Her easiest way to do that would be to use Paxton as a steppingstone but she had a feeling that was a non-starter. Ironic, considering her soul mark. She had spent all morning picking the perfect outfit and she had even prayed this morning to get a hot boyfriend. Non-soulmate dating was pretty common but usually only before people met their actual soulmates. But most of the popular kids didn’t know about her soulmate situation so she may be able to secure someone before they found out.
Paxton was sitting in his car texting when she came out of her house. He barely glanced at her as she got in the car.
“You ready to go?” Paxton said and Devi nodded before Kamala came racing out of the house.
“Devi! Your lunch!” She called and Devi glared at Paxton as he ogled her.
“I don’t bring lunch on Tuesdays.” Before Devi could continue Paxton had leaned across her and was grinning at Kamala.
“Hi Kamala!” Paxton said and reached for her lunch through the open window. His hand lingered on hers and Devi shoved him.
“Let’s go.” Devi said as she took the lunch from him. He waved at Kamala who smiled back at him.
“Ew. Do you understand how gross that is?” She asked as she shoved her lunch into her bag.
Paxton just shrugged and let her chatter for the rest of the ride. She had a feeling he never really listened to her when she talked to him.
When they got to school, Paxton parked in the back of the lot like he usually did so that people didn’t see them together. Almost immediately, Paxton acted like she was invisible. Devi was happy to leave Paxton with his stupid friends as she went to find her much better friends.
She found them standing together in the quad and she was happy to tell them her plan to make them cool this year, starting with getting boyfriends.
“Why don’t you just date Paxton?” Eleanor asked.
“Not going to happen.” Was Devi’s only response. Of course, Paxton was hot and popular, but he was also the king of indifference when it came to her.
“He is your soulmate.” Fabiola said sharing a look with Eleanor.
“No, I’ve already decided who we’re dating. Now, go sit down with your marks, and lock em’ down.” Devi said stubbornly as she ushered them to separate parts of the room. Devi didn’t mind being a beard if it made her popular, so she put on her best game face and tried to flirt with Jonah.
When Paxton rolled into her AP History class after the late bell had already rung, Devi just rolled her eyes at him. That’s probably one of the many reasons he is barely passing any of his classes. He didn’t acknowledge her as he sat down in the only open seat which was in front of her. She kicked the back of his chair and he whipped around to start a fight with her. The whole class looked at them and Paxton gritted his teeth before turning back to the front of the class. It pissed Devi off that he would rather take her shit than tell her off in front of everyone.
Luckily for Devi, Paxton wasn’t her only enemy in that class. She also had the pleasure of fighting with Ben on the regular. So, when class ended and Paxton brushed passed her without a glance, she didn’t get a chance to tell him off before Mr. Shapiro called her back into his class.
Devi left the classroom with Ben following close behind. She was sure Ben would have something rude to say to her and she was trying to avoid it.
“Man, David, watching you flirt with Jonah was just about the saddest thing I’ve ever seen, and I saw my dad run over our cat. You know he’s gay right?” Ben asked and Devi didn’t let her face give anything away.
“Your cat? No, I didn’t. That’s so cool.” Devi replied sarcastically.
“Word of advice: just give up. Plenty of amazing people have died as virgins. You and the rest of the UN are in good company.” Ben sneered and that pissed Devi off. It was one thing to be mean to her but being mean to her friends was off the table.
“You shouldn’t call us the UN. It’s racist, and offensive, and-” Devi was just getting started when Ben interrupted her.
“What? Oh, like the United Nations? No. We call you the UN because you’re unfuckable nerds. I mean even your soulmate wants nothing to do with you.” Ben laughed as he left Devi to deal with the shock of that revelation.
After her disastrous encounter with Ben Gross, Devi’s self-esteem for the day was pretty shot. She tried to avoid Paxton because they both knew a fight was brewing between them. She wondered if he knew what the cruel nickname meant considering she had heard many members of the hot pocket use it.
By the end of the day she accepted her fate and grumbled to herself as she got into the jeep. It pissed her off that he was a year older than her so had gotten his license and car before her. She knew that her parents would never get her a car for her sixteenth birthday, especially when both of their parents expected Paxton to drive her and Rebecca wherever they needed to go.
Paxton was sitting in the jeep waiting for her and was already looking pissed off.
“Could you take any longer.” Paxton said as he threw the car in drive and peeled out of the parking lot. Devi was already pissed too, and she wanted to fight with him. The good thing about their situation is that she always had a punching bag and he had no way of getting rid of her.
“Why was everyone talking about how you were flirting with a gay guy today?” Paxton asked as his hands tightened around his steering while.
“You don’t know he’s gay. Why do you even care?” Devi asked aggressively.
“Do you know how embarrassing it is to hear that your soulmate is so desperate, she will throw herself at anyone?” Paxton said and Devi glared at him.
“Do you know how embarrassing it is to have a soulmate that can’t even pass sophomore History?” Devi asked as he glared right back at her.
“I would leave you on the side of the road if I could.” Paxton muttered.
“Go ahead. I’ll walk.” Devi said looking at him defiantly. Paxton’s mother would kill him if she caught wind of him leaving Devi stranded.
“You’re annoying.” Paxton said instead and sped up a little more.
“You’re an idiot.” Devi said and Paxton’s looked at her angrily and just a little hurt.
Paxton stopped talking after that and Devi didn’t mind, she had managed to get some of her anger out. She looked over at him again to look at the soul mark on his arm. Usually he wore his flannels to cover it, but he had rolled up his sleeves due to the end of summer heat. Seeing his mark on full display made her reach for hers. It was on the back of her neck so she usually kept her hair down so people couldn't see it.
Paxton looked over just in time to catch her touching her mark and his eyes softened for just a second before he turned back to the road. He pulled up in front of her house and didn’t say anything as she got out of the car.
“I wish I never met you.” Devi said as she slammed the door behind her. Paxton sped away without even a glance at her. She angrily stuck her middle fingers up at him and she hoped he had at least seen it.
She stormed into her house where she saw her father sitting at the dining table doing some paperwork.
“Paxton is a jackass.” Devi said she threw her bag on the floor. She didn’t want to tell her dad about what Ben had told her, but she could still talk shit about Paxton.
“Kanna, we do not say such things.” Her father said as he pulled off his glasses.
“Well he is, he was so rude to me today.” She said and sat down next to him. She was hoping for his sympathy, but he knew her too well.
“And what did you say to him?” He asked and Devi pouted.
“You’re supposed to be on my side.” Devi said crossing her arms.
“I will always be on your side, but you must be kind to each other.” Her father’s unspoken words were always ‘you are stuck with each other for the rest of eternity’.
“Him first.” Devi said in response and her father smiled at her.
“Go help your cousin make dinner.” He said tapping her hand. She groaned and dragged herself to the kitchen.
The next day, Devi was going to make Ben eat his words. Her parents had already left for work, so she was happy to wear her hot girl outfit out of the house. She was feeling pretty confident as she got into Paxton’s car but that was quickly shut down by the look on his face.
“Why are you dressed like that?” Paxton asked confused.
“I look hot.” Devi said ignoring his stares. He gave her a skeptical look before driving them to school.
When they pulled up to the school, Paxton stopped her from getting out of the car.
“Can you please put something else on?” Paxton asked angrily and Devi was starting to feel smug again.
“I don’t have anything else.” Devi said as she crossed her arms.
“You can wear my shirt.” Paxton said as he started to take his top layer off.
“I don’t need it.” Devi said and Paxton reached over to put his hand around the back of her neck. He didn’t touch her soul mark often, but it always made her whole body feel electric when he did. Since they were kids, he would do it when he wanted her to do what he wanted. Like he was trying to remind her that they had those stupid soul marks, so she had to listen to him.
“Can you not be stubborn just once?” Paxton asked forcing her to look at him and Devi shoved his hand away from her. Paxton sighed as he gave up on the issue.
“I’ve got practice tonight so don’t be late.” Paxton told her sternly as she gathered her things.
“Chill.” Devi said as she pulled down the mirror to check her makeup. Paxton rolled his eyes as he got out of the jeep.
“Get out of my car.” Paxton said as he closed the door in her face. She was not concerned about his angry tone, so she took her time before flipping the mirror closed and exiting the jeep.
Devi was surprised to see Paxton was waiting for her when she got out of the car. She looked at him confused for a second before walking into school. Almost immediately she noticed him walking way too close behind her.
“What are you doing?” Devi asked as she put his hand on her chest to push him away.
“Just keep walking.” Paxton said and grabbed her hand from his chest to turn her forward again. His hand pushed her lower back and she tried to turn again to tell him off, but he just shoved her harder.
“I don’t need you being my bodyguard.” Devi said as she kept walking.
“Can you please just shut up for once in your life. I am so tired of your constant talking.” Paxton said and Devi suddenly stopped so he ran into her back.
“How about you leave me alone. Then you won’t have to listen to me at all.” Devi said, and Paxton frowned before walking around her to go into school.
Devi wasn’t going to let Paxton’s sour mood, ruin her confidence. She walked into the school like the bad bitch she was but was quickly disappointed to see Fabiola and Eleanor’s outfits. This is not what she expected when they agreed to dress hot.
Despite the setback, Devi was confident she was well on her way to getting a boyfriend. That was until she turned around to see Paxton staring at her from across the hall and she fell on her face.
When Devi looked up from her place on the floor, she saw Paxton standing over her.
“Jesus Devi. Can you please take those shoes off?” Paxton said as Devi quickly flipped her skirt down.
She glared at him but didn’t resist his hands pulling her to stand up. Again, his hand was on the back of her neck forcing her to look at him.
“Please just listen to me. You don’t need to wear this shit.” Paxton said. Despite years of fighting, Paxton was always the first one to pick her up after she fell. Usually, he was also the one pushing her down but still.
Devi just nodded before Paxton pulled off his shirt and handed it to her. Paxton’s mark was on full display and Devi knew it made him self-conscious. It was like they were both thinking the same thing as Paxton went to cover his mark with his hand.
“You’re bleeding.” Paxton said.
“It’s fine.” Devi said as she went to the nurse’s office to get a band aid.
Devi was happy to forget her weird encounters with Paxton by attempting to flirt with Jonah again, but she was quickly shut down by Ben.
They were fighting again, and Devi noticed Paxton stiffen in front of her. She would have been embarrassed to have Paxton hear this argument but usually in private, they were the one’s arguing.
“Excuse me?” Paxton interrupted their arguing to turn to Ben.
“It’s just a joke dude.” Ben said smugly and Paxton turned his body towards Ben.
“No man, you don’t talk to her like that.” Paxton said and Devi was confused. This was pretty public outburst for him.
Ben rolled his eyes before turning to the front of the class. Paxton gave her a once over before turning to face Mr. Shapiro again. Devi noticed Paxton cover his soul mark again and she realized that his protectiveness had more to do with his own reputation than hers.
That night Devi was thinking about what Paxton had done for her today. It was the first time in a long time that he was publicly kind to her. She checked her phone and realized that his swim practice would be over soon. Their drive home had been quieter than usual, and Devi desperately wanted answers.
She managed to convince her dad to let her leave the house to meet Paxton because well, it was Paxton. Paxton had become the son he never got to have. Her dad got super into swimming when they found out Paxton was a natural at it. He was happy to drive him to swim meets when his parents were busy at the shop and even bought Sherman Oaks swim team merch that he wore on a regular basis.
Devi walked into the school pool and sat on the bleachers to wait for Paxton. Most of the swim team either already knew about their soulmate situation or didn’t care so she knew Paxton wouldn’t mind her waiting for him.
Paxton finished the last of his laps and stopped at the edge of the pool. He looked at her confused before lifting his hand to tell her to give him five minutes and Devi nodded.
She watched as the team cleared out of the pool and Paxton was talking to the coach. Eventually, coach left too, and it was just Devi and Paxton. She knew that as captain, Paxton had keys to the pool and would often keep training even after practice had ended.
Devi made her way to the pool where Paxton was floating. He patted his hand down on the ground for her to sit on the edge of the pool.
“What’s wrong?” He asked as she sat cross legged on the floor. Her pants were getting wet, but she didn’t care.
“One of those days.” Devi said and Paxton nodded.
“You wanna talk about it?” Paxton asked and she shrugged.
“I guess.” Devi said as she looked down at his arms next to her. This was the most she had seen his soul mark in a while. She gently touched where her name on his forearm. Paxton never stopped her from touching that spot. “Ben Gross is a dick.”
“I know.” Paxton said like it was old news.
“Do you know what UN means?” Devi asked and Paxton rolled his eyes.
“How stupid do you think I am. Of course, I know what the United Nations is.” Paxton said annoyed.
“Not the United Nations. What Ben Gross calls us.” Devi said as she got the courage to look in his eyes. He looked confused which made Devi feel better. “It means unfuckable nerds.”
Paxton’s eyes lit up and Devi knew that look. Usually it was aimed at her. He clenched his fists in anger and Devi saw his jaw tick.
“He said I was an unfuckable nerd and that even my soulmate wanted nothing to do with me.” Devi said as her eyes started to water.
“Don’t listen to him.” Was all Paxton offered.
“Thanks for that insight.” Devi wiped her eyes and laughed tearily.
“Come here.” Paxton said he motioned for her to lean closer to him. Their faces were close together, but it didn’t feel weird to be this close to him. Devi wasn’t sure if she had to learn to be this comfortable or if it was the natural result of being soulmates.
“You’re not- You’re not whatever Ben Gross thinks you are.” Paxton had never been great at words, but Devi always knew what he was trying to say.
“I just want to be someone’s girlfriend. I want someone to want me.” Devi said and Paxton looked at her sadly.
“You don’t need to be anyone’s girlfriend.” Paxton said and Devi noticed his face was getting really close to hers. Holy shit! Was he about to kiss her? Devi closed her eyes and waited for his lips to touch hers, but they never did. Instead she was pulled into the pool fully clothed and flailing.
“You asshole!” Devi screamed as she pulled herself to the edge of the pool. Paxton laughed as she struggled to pull herself up on the ledge and he held her steady so she wouldn’t fall back in.
“You wanna race?” He asked and Devi glared at him. It was never a fair fight, but they had both been extremely competitive with each other since childhood. Devi struggled to get her hoodie off, and Paxton yanked on her sweatpants, so she was in her bra and her shorts.
“If we’re gonna race than you have to give me a head start.” Devi said and Paxton shook his head.
“No way! That’s-” Paxton was cut off by Devi jumping in the pool and swimming ahead of him.