Chapter Text
Ben’s phone pinged with a notification while he was cooking his breakfast. Ah, Devi.
David 🧡, 7:06 a.m.
look who’s already decorating her room!
[image attached]
It was a photo of Devi’s dorm room, more specifically the area above her bed. She had made a heart out of string lights, and filled it with photos of her and all her favorite people. Among these was a photo she had taken with Ben at graduation.
Ben smiled at the photo. He had seen Devi yesterday, but he missed her already.
Gross 💙, 7:06 a.m.
David!
Didn't you say we’d do it together on Friday?
David 🧡, 7:06 a.m.:
Gross, it's not my fault you decided to take an internship the last summer before college.
i love you, but it's the worst idea in the world to spend this summer working.
the suffering is supposed to start in 3 weeks.
God, even a simple “i love you” text from Devi was enough to make his heart flutter.
Gross 💙, 7:06 a.m.
You're right, it sucks.
But I'm done this Friday and then I'm all yours for 2 weeks.
We can go check out those thrift stores you love so much and look for stuff to decorate :)
David 🧡, 7:07 a.m.
seriously?
thanks, Ben <3
i’ll just do my clothes for now then, we can do the rest together this weekend
Gross💙, 7:07 a.m.
Sounds great David.
I have to go to the firm now but I'll text you at lunch time <3
Love you.
David 🧡, 7:07 a.m.
i’ll answer you if i’m not drowning in clothes
this suitcase is so full that i’m pretty sure it’ll explode when i open it
anyways, have a great day gross
be the biggest douche ever, I know you can do it <3
Gross 💙, 7:08 a.m.
Thanks David, I feel oddly inspired.
Have a beautiful day (like you <3)
David 🧡, 7:07 a.m.
oh my GOD
you DORK
but thank you.
Ben read the message and giggled to himself. He loved saying extremely cheesy, sappy stuff to Devi, mostly because her reactions were absolute gold. He also made a mental note to ask her what nickname she preferred when they met up later that week. David, obviously, but what else. Babe? Love? Princess? (probably not that.)
He finished eating his breakfast, grabbed his keys, and headed out.
……
Obi, Jacob, and Alan- three of the other interns- met him for lunch.
"Hey Ben, what happened on Saturday, when you just left? Are you okay? I mean, we all know Jacob is an asshole, but aren't we all when it comes to girls?” he asked, concerned.
Ben sighed in frustration. Why did his intern friends have to be such assholes about girls? (As if Ben hadn’t had enough problems with them already.) He wished they were more like Trent, more supportive.
"Actually, I have to thank him. I told the girl I liked how I felt and now she's my girlfriend."
"What?" the guys questioned.
Ben smirked, and Jacob arched an eyebrow.
"So, you were gone for 24h and suddenly you have a girlfriend? Seems legit.”
“Yeah,” Alan chimed in, “do we know this girl?”
Ben rolled his eyes, "she doesn't work here, if that's what you're asking-"
His phone rang, and it was a video call from Devi. He answered without a second thought.
"Hey, you said you'd call! Thanks for the pizza by the way, it's delicious and I don't think I would have remembered to eat if you hadn’t sent it!"
Ben laughed, "Sorry David, I was talking with the guys about-"
Devi exchanged her pout for a smile, "oh, let me say hi to your coworkers!"
Jacob's eyes went wide. So, Ben wasn’t lying. Obi and Alan smiled politely at Devi.
"Hi, how's it going?" Obi said.
Ben smiled proudly, "Guys, this is Devi, my girlfriend. Devi, this is Jacob, Alan and Obi, they also start at Columbia in September."
"Oh nice, so this is a gathering of future lawyers! I'm going to be one too, I'm studying polisci at Princeton.”
There’s a knock on Devi’s door, and she calls out, “oh, I think Blaire’s here! See you soon guys, and take care of Ben! I have to go."
"See you later Devi, have fun!"
The guys grinned at Ben as he hung up the phone, still smiling even after her face left the screen.
"What?" Ben asked, noticing their grins.
"You really like her."
"Yeah, you should invite her to the going away party."