20

Friendship Derailed

The train rocked back and forth and echoed in the tunnel under the East River as it headed into Brooklyn. Passengers rested their heads in their hands or read newspapers. Two friends argued at the front of the train car. Sebastian held the pole and tried to balance while Maria positioned herself with her back against the door.

“W-w-what’s going on?” Sebastian asked.

“Nothing. I mean … What do you mean?”

“First you make me pack up your apartment as if you’re mov—” Sebastian’s voice was swallowed by the screech of the brakes when the train pulled into High Street. “And there’s nothing but junk food in your place! I packed candy and beef jerky.”

“So?” asked Maria, gripping the pole as the train started again.

“Okay, well, what’s with the prison quarters inside the closet?”

“What prison quarters?”

“Aw, come on! That little mattress and gray blanket under your mother’s coats! Is that where you sleep?”

“Of course not!” Her eyes darted away from Sebastian’s gaze. She couldn’t look at him and lie. Telling him about Edward had been a big mistake. If Maria ratted her mother out by sharing her family’s schemes, she knew she’d have to pay for it. She moved away, but Sebastian cornered her in front of a passenger with headphones.

“I’ve seen your whole apartment. There’s nowhere else for you to sleep. That was your bed! And why did your mom force you to pack?”

“I told you! She’s busy.”

Sebastian shook his head. “And the ghost? How come you never told me about him?”

“It never came up.”

“Do you talk to fairies too? Was there ever even a treasure?”

“I told you. It’s just Edward, and he asked me to help Mrs. Fisher find her treasure. I’ve been relaying the clues to her so we can locate it.”

“I don’t believe anything you say. It all sounds made up!”

“I’m telling you the truth.”

Sebastian slapped the door. “The truth! Your mother’s both a psychic and a social worker, but she hates visitors, and the only time you call me is when she’s gone. But you’re always scared she’ll return. No one should be afraid of their mother!”

Maria couldn’t handle Sebastian’s questions, and there was nothing she could say that would pass for real with him. She’d seen how he lived. HIS life was normal. If she told him everything, he might tell his mother, and social services would be outside her door. They would take her away. What would her life be like, then? She had a good system living in the closet tucked away from everyone. There she could keep her secrets—like Edward—hidden.

The train pulled into Hoyt–Schermerhorn. Maria decided to change trains instead of continuing with Sebastian, but he hopped off with her.

“We had to leave Mrs. Fisher’s place so soon. And what will your mother do if she gets home before you do? It’s not even dinnertime.”

Maria couldn’t stand the idea of waiting on the platform for the G train, for who knew how long, with Sebastian pelting her with angry questions! He needed to shut up. She darted back onto the C train before the door closed.

The train stalled, and the doors opened again. Sebastian slid in through the partially opened door, his face raw and agitated.

“Don’t squirm out of this like you always do! Like you did at the library with Ms. Madigan! You’re always running away!” Sebastian was yelling at Maria. Passengers looked up from their reading.

“Mind your own business, Sebastian!” She pushed him in the chest, and he fell back. “Quit following me! You tag along asking me annoying questions. It’s none of your business!” She pushed Sebastian again so that his back hit the door. “I LET you come over because you begged me. I LET you tag along to Mrs. Fisher’s to find the treasure that YOU wanted to find. I didn’t have to do that.”

Sebastian raised his eyebrows before his eyes grew moist. Then he looked away.

“And furthermore, if I say to mind your own business, you need to do it! If you want to be my friend, you do as I say, or we’re not friends!”

The train pulled away from Lafayette. There was only one more stop before she could get off.

“But I AM being your friend!” Sebastian said. “I’m trying to help you. Why did you run away from dinner at my house?”

Maria turned and faced the door that would be opening at her stop. The lights from the Clinton–Washington station grew brighter as the train approached.

Sebastian grabbed Maria’s arm. “Just tell me what’s going on so I can help! You’re going to leave me, and you won’t even talk about it. You just pretend like nothing is happening while all this weird stuff is tumbling around you!” Sebastian’s voice cracked.

She had to protect herself.

The train screeched to a stop at the station, and the doors opened.

“Go away, Sebastian! We’re no longer friends!” And with that, Maria tore herself away from his grip and fled down the platform.