Devi Vishwakumar

Growing up… in Sherman Oaks, California. Her mother and father immigrated from India, and they used to have a happy family of three. But everything changed at her orchestra concert when she was playing her harp solo. Her father dropped dead from a heart attack. Devi was so traumatized from his sudden death that she couldn’t walk and used a wheelchair for three months. But the sight of her crush, Paxton Hall-Yoshida, got Devi back on her feet.

Living… with her mother, a dermatologist, and her cousin Kamala who is getting her PhD at Caltech. But nothing is the same at home since her fun-loving father died. Devi dreams of running away to escape from her strict mother who won’t let Devi go to any parties and insists on Indian traditions. 

Profession… sophomore at Sherman Oaks High School. Devi is a star student and is destined for Princeton. The only one who might get in her way is Ben Gross, who is her academic nemesis. Although Devi does well academically, she longs to become popular. She has come up with a 10-step popularity plan that she calls her “rebrand.”

Interests… hanging out with her two best friends: theatre nerd Eleanor and robotics genius Fabiola. Because of their ethnic backgrounds, their group has gotten the somewhat racist nickname of the “U.N.” at their school. 

Relationship Status… single, much to Devi’s dismay. Devi doesn’t want to settle for a nerd in one of her A.P. classes. She dreams of losing her virginity to “a stone-cold hottie who can rock me all night long.” He can be dumb—she doesn’t really care. She has her eyes on Paxton Hall-Yoshida, a swimmer at her school who has six-pack abs. 

Challenge… processing her grief in a number of misguided ways. Devi can’t get her father out of her head. 

Personality… hotheaded, feisty, and awkward. Despite her plans of becoming popular, Devi is a nerd through and through. Her awkwardness can be refreshing, and you have to admire her energy and drive. But just don’t cross Devi. She has quite a temper and is known to blow up at her friends and relatives.