Compare Deepa's friendship with Paco to Maya's with Ashley. Where does each friendship stand by the end of the novel?

Compare Deepa's friendship with Paco to Maya's with Ashley. Where does each friendship stand by the end of the novel? What do you think would happen between them over more time?

Deepa's friendship with Paco was the real deal. They each respected and appreciated each other. As a result they were each able to see each other's "world". Deepa was able to appreciate her family situation more, but also willing to push back when they dismissed how others not as fortunate as them lived. Paco knew that Deepa was a true friend even though there were times she didn't really understand how he felt.
On the other hand, Maya had fallen victim to becoming an assimilationist and therefore rejecting her standing as a child of immigrants. She wanted to be accepted by her "white popular friend" and therefore did whatever she could to please her. In the end she came to realize that Ashely never saw her has a true equal.

Deepa’s and Paco’s was a deep caring friendship, a true friendship. They will still be friends at the end of the novel. Maya and Ashley had a superficial friendship. After what happened at the dinner and with Maya moving away and attending a different school they will no longer be friends.

Deepa’s and Paco’s friendship seemed a very realistic teenage friendship. When they were annoyed with each other, they would take a break. And they could talk each other into doing things—the protest at the border for example. But they were ultimately always there for each other.

Not at all like the superficial relationships Maya had.

I think Paco had some difficulty with Deepa's lack of understanding of his circumstances - as he noted it was hard to hear her chasing her dreams when he felt like his had been crushed. She also had little regard for the danger she put him in by insisting he accompany her to the protest - his mother could have been deported.

Maya also didn't really appreciate Ashley (and her mother) and their generosity in including her and helping her. Her stealing the necklace to give to Ashley was not so much an effort to repay her as it was to demonstrate that she was an equal (something Ashley never questioned).

It was also interesting that Ashley's family was portrayed as being responsible for Paco's father's death and subsequent poverty - however when Ajay mentioned the situation, Ashley's father immediately acted to provide the settlement to Paco's mother. Could it be that he actually wasn't aware of the holdup of the settlement until then?

So, on the one hand, we have Deepa - who considers herself some sort of social justice warrior - who actually helps no one (and who hurts and endangers her "friend.") and on the other Ashley's mother - who just considers herself a mom helping her daughter's friend. Hmmmm. Maybe another lesson for all of us when it comes to judging privilege?

I think Paco wanted what Deepa had and Maya wanted what Ashley had. I don't think either was exactly jealous, but needing to feel equal to and as privileged as they thought their friends were.

I agree with Lyris. Paco and Deepa were true friends, even though Paco felt that Deepa didn’t understand the responsibilities that he had to his family. They should remain friends for many years. Maya used Ashley as a way to increase her position at school. It seems that Ashley had lost friends due circumstances not disclosed, so Maya helped fill that hole. They would no longer be friends with Maya moving back to her old school. This will give Maya a new start to be herself.

Deepa's friendship with Paco was genuine. She tried to understand him and be there fore him. She was the one who stood up for his family so that they got their settlement. Maya's friendship with Ashley was more about trying to fit in than friendship. Maybe it would have continued given their love for their sport, but it seems like Maya would have gotten hurt in the end, maybe even ended up in jail if she had continued trying to impress Ashley.

Deepa and Paco's friendship was real, through fights and reconciliations and good times, and I'm sure they will find their way back to each other. Maya and Ashley were friends because of circumstance (school & sports).

I think the two friendships were opposing. In Deepa's relationship with Paco, Deepa is the one with affluence. She was always trying to help Paco. In Maya's relationship with Ashley, Ashley was the more affluent friend and Maya was trying to keep up with her. At the end, Paco and Deepa understood each other better and I believe Maya and Ashley's friendship did not seem destined to be lasting.

Deepa and Paco have a deep, loving relationship that has developed over time. That growth in their relationship can be seen throughout their scenes together. Maya and Ashley seems to be a more superficial relationship. Born of their soccer play. Maya feels she needs to impress Ashley and be someone she is not.

Deepa and Paco had a mature teenager relationship, built on trust and acceptance. Maya and Ashley, on the other hand, had an immature, early teen friendship, based on superficial items like looks, status, weath. It is interesting, though, that while Deepa and Paco had a deeper friendship, it took Deepa some time and misunderstanding to fully understand Paco, his life, his hardships. Maya was more concerned about appearances and wanted to be accepted by those who had no understanding of where she was coming from, her family, her life. Unsurprisingly, Deepa and Paco remained friends and Maya and Ashley lost their connection once the family dilemma and drama unfolded.