Narrator: You know in a rom-com when the main characters tearfully confess their feelings to one another and say, “It’s always been you!” This is not that. I am not sports icon John McEnroe, I just work for Netflix. But I am here to tell you the story of how two very smart teenagers from Sherman Oaks, California, went from academic enemies to lovers. This is the relationship rewind of Devi and Ben.

[TITLE CARD] RELATIONSHIP REWIND - NEVER HAVE I EVER: DEVI AND BEN 

[upbeat music playing] 

Narrator: Devi and Ben were very cute when they met because they were literal children. Children who divided up every club in middle school so they could each excel for their college applications. A few, OK, more than a few years later, it’s sophomore year of high school, and Devi and Ben are working together for the very first time at Model UN. Told you. Nerds.

[CLIP] Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (as Devi Vishwakumar): I yield to the chair.

[clip] [gasping]

Narrator: Sparks are flying, and they pull off a successful alcohol heist.

[tense music playing] 

[CLIP]  Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (as Devi Vishwakumar): Happy birthday, Ben. 

[CLIP]  Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (as Devi Vishwakumar): Whoa! Were you just trying to kiss me? 

[CLIP] Jaren Lewison (as Ben Gross): Uh … No.

Narrator: But then Devi goes nuclear and cuts off their budding friendship. It’s kind of a long story.

[buzzer sounding]

[upbeat music playing]

Narrator: Enter Paxton. Paxton Hall-Yoshida, the hottest guy at Sherman Oaks High.

[CLIP] Darren Barnet (as Paxton Hall-Yoshida): But, uh … I just wanted to make sure … you were OK.

Narrator: Wait, we're back on! 

[CLIP] Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (as Devi Vishwakumar): Oh my God. I have two boyfriends.

[rock music playing]

Narrator: Not for long though, because, no offense Devi, someone listed in the yearbook alongside the teacher still isn’t smart enough to figure out how to date two at once. Especially two people she has a lot of feelings for. 

[CLIP]  Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (as Devi Vishwakumar): I just like you both so much.

[CLIP]  Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (as Devi Vishwakumar):  I swear, I didn’t mean to hurt you! 

[CLIP] Darren Barnet (as Paxton Hall-Yoshida): Get over yourself, Devi! 

[CLIP] Jaren Lewison (as Ben Gross): We’re not friends. So stop pretending like we are.

[mellow music playing]

Narrator: The clock’s ticking, so we’ll skip forward. Ben starts dating Devi’s new friend Aneesa, and Devi tutors Paxton until he realizes he actually forgives her for two-timing him, and accidentally getting him hit by a car. She must be a good tutor, because they kiss, they date in secret, and then they date in public because Devi deserves to be someone’s public girlfriend. But Devi is still too insecure to trust that Paxton likes her, and besides, Ben definitely still has a thing for her. 

[CLIP] Jaren Lewison (as Ben Gross): It’s always been him. What?

[tires screeching]

Narrator: Oh, we’re not there yet. Devi meets Des, and starts dating him behind their parents’ back, and later with approval. It doesn’t last long. Des ghosts Devi after his mom asks him to break up with her. Rude! 

[CLIP] Sarayu Blue (as Rhya): I want you to end things. And I’m not gonna change my mind.

[woman gasping]

Narrator: Ben is still there, and he and Devi bond over how turbulent their years have been. For nerds, that’s hot. Finally, actually, Devi has sex for the first time. With Ben! It’s his first time too, by the way.

[mellow music playing] 

Narrator: Academic superiority does not correlate to emotional maturity, and Devi and Ben don’t really know how to handle their feelings. 

[CLIP] Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (as Devi Vishwakumar): OK, well, uh … [snaps fingers] Catch you on the flippity-flip.

Narrator: So, naturally they don’t talk all summer. 

[CLIP] Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (as Devi Vishwakumar): Oh [bleep], there’s Ben. Hide me.

[school bell ringing] 

[CLIP] Girl: He’s gone.

Narrator: Ben comes back to school for their senior year with a new girlfriend? 

[CLIP] Jaren Lewison (as Ben Gross): I need a girlfriend who makes me feel … I don’t know. More, like, at ease, or, like, happier with myself?

[ominous music playing]

Narrator: Two can play at that game. Devi starts dating class bad boy, Ethan. 

[CLIP] Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (as Devi Vishwakumar): I need to be with someone who knows right from wrong. That doesn’t seem to be you. 

[CLIP] Michael Cimino (as Ethan Morales): So you’re dumping me.

[sighs]

Narrator: When you dedicate your life to school, then don’t get into college, it’s kind of a big deal. The only person who can understand just how big a deal it is, is Ben, who comforts Devi when he finds out she was lying about getting into Princeton. He knows how hard she’s worked and wants to push her even harder. Guess what? She gets into Princeton!

[screaming]

[joyful music playing]

Narrator: Ben’s already doing an internship in New York, but flies back for Devi’s grandmother's wedding. That’s right, people, it’s the grand gesture, and it totally works! 

[CLIP] Jaren Lewison (as Ben Gross): I love you. 

[CLIP] Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (as Devi Vishwakumar): I love you too, Ben.

Narrator: At last! Devi and Ben finally realize they are meant to be and decide to make their super long distance relationship work. New York City and New Jersey, so close yet so far. They live happily ever after.

VO Man: For now.

Narrator: Wait. What the [bleep]?