A Person I Never Knew

A Person I Never Knew

Written by Chelsea D. Rivera

            My best friend, Maggie was always popular, getting invited to every party, knowing everything about everyone, and everyone liked her. She was the girl-next-door type, good grades, and gorgeous. I had no idea that we’d ever be this close because we’re so opposite. I was the most invisible person at Blakely High and the only time I was noticed was when I was being made fun of. Being Maggie’s best friend has its perks. A lot more people notice me and I’m not made fun of as much anymore. Maggie and I became best friends a little over two years ago and have been inseparable ever since. She always stood up for me when I was being made fun of. She was really strong. I can tell she’s been through a lot and she didn’t want people knowing. I wish I were her sometimes. She always told me that I could tell her anything and I did, although Maggie was the secretive type. She never told me anything about what happens at parties, her other friends, where she goes or what she does when we’re not hanging out. Maggie always said that I don’t need to be bothered knowing about her life. We’re there for each other and that’s all that’s important. Sometimes I think she felt sorry for me in a way. That’s way I am. But she was the only friend I had so I wasn’t going to mess up being friends with the most popular in school.

            Though one day at school, I saw her talking to one of her friends in the cafeteria. So I decided just to listen in, not for any particular reason either.

 “Did you get it?” Maggie said. She was real fidgety playing with her thumbs and looking around. I hid behind one of the brick pillars that held up the ceiling so she wouldn’t notice me. Maggie didn’t look herself, come to think of it, she didn’t say hi to me at my locker like she always does before her Chemistry class with Mr. Fitz. I wondered if everything was all right.

“No, you didn’t pay me for the last five rounds and talking to me here isn’t a good idea. People are starting to look and he’s going to get someone to come after you if you don’t cough up the money.” She was talking to Jeremy, captain of the chess team. What was she doing talking to him? She never had any interest in him. Maggie looked desperate and in need of a friend. That’s what my role was so I walked up to her after she left Jeremy at the table.

“Hey, what’s wrong Maggie? I didn’t see you before first period.” I can see she was startled by me coming up to her; she didn’t even put makeup on.

“I’m good, I-I-I just, I just had a bad night last night and, uh-uh I-I I have to get to my next class. Want to go to the mall later? I could use a little shopping therapy.” Maggie said.

“Yeah sure definitely. Text me when you get home. Talk to you later.” Maggie left my sight, but I still didn’t understand why she was acting the way she was. I mean we were hanging out all night at her house watching chick flicks and watching YouTube videos. Maggie was getting a lot of text messages though; I did notice that.

           I met up with Maggie at the mall and she was looking like her normal self, wearing a casual yellow dress, a knitted gray cardigan, and 5-inch black leather heels. Maggie is 5’2” so she always feels the need to boost herself up a couple inches. I came in my dark blue skinny jeans, black flats and a pink sheer button-down tank top. The whole time we were at the mall though she was looking around as if she were trying to hide from someone.

“Maggie, does this top look nice?” She didn’t notice I said anything. “Maggie what’s up? Maggie what are you looking for??” I practically yelled at her.

“What? Oh, the blue lace looks pretty.” She was obviously wasn’t all here. “Hey I’m gonna go get a soda, you want one?” Maggie asked.

“Yeah, diet Cola please.” I had no idea what’s been going on with Maggie.

“K, I’ll be right back.” Maggie walked off to the food court over to Johnny Rockets and I saw Jeremy sitting at the counter. Maggie sat next to him and handed him an envelope; what was inside I had no clue. Then I saw Jeremy drop something in her bag and Maggie got up and walked away to get the soda.

            We sat at the food court to drink and take a load off. Shopping with Maggie was a sport I still will never be able to master. Carrying ten bags in one hand and texting on her phone in the other hand, all the while keeping up a conversation.

“Hey, I’ll be right back I have to use the bathroom, watch my stuff?” Maggie asked. I nodded my head. There it was, Maggie’s bag. I had to look inside it, I just had to. I got up really quick and opened it up. I saw the usual belongings of Maggie in her purse. Lipstick, brush, face mirror, and there it was. I saw a small bag of cocaine tucked away at the bottom of her bag. I couldn’t believe it. Here’s my best friend buying cocaine; from the captain of the chess team no less and she is in debt for someone who’s coming after her. Who knows what that person will do to my best friend? How long has she been addicted to cocaine? She seemed so fine and things went just as usual, how could I have not seen this? Then again, Maggie didn’t want me knowing about her life. I guess because everyone else is so involved in her life with her being so popular. It would make sense, befriending someone and not telling them about your life, just to have a friend for that specific reason, to be a friend; someone who can’t judge you for what you do or who you see because they don’t know. It makes sense to befriend the most invisible person who’d do anything to be popular.

            Maggie manipulated me into thinking that she actually cared about me, but really she was using me. How could I be so stupid not to see this? Maggie comes back from the bathroom and sits across from me.

“So, what happened while I was gone?” Maggie asks.

“Oh nothing. Listen, do you think I can come to one of the parties next time?” I ask Maggie.

“There aren’t any interesting parties happening, let’s just hang out at your place and watch Netflix.” I wanted to bring up the cocaine. She looked so exhausted. I dropped her off at her house and before she went in side I got out of the car. I have to, I have to or else…

“Maggie, I found this in your bag. What’s wrong?” I showed her the bag of cocaine. “I can help you, we can get through this Mag.” Maggie starts crying. She looked so limp and helpless. The strongest person I know, the person that can get through any rumor that’s thrown at her is falling to pieces right in front of me.

“Don’t tell anyone, please? I want help. I can’t take this anymore.” Maggie was indeed broken and I had no idea why. I didn’t know who this person was. I’ve never seen this side of Maggie before, ever. I didn’t care though. She’s my best friend and I wasn’t going to lose her.