We're the Millers

Do you mean M-Ma-Mark?

    Anna was the first to recover from her shock. "How do you know Mr. Conrad? And you know Mark too? Wow, you're so lucky!" she sighed, eyeing me curiously.

    "Oh, Josh and Mark lived next door to my family back in Washington for like nineteen years. Jo-, Mr. Conrad, and my brother Trevor have been best friends for basically their while lives. And Mark, Liam, and Andy, were just as close. But, uh, then the Conrads moved and everyone lost touch I guess," I answered awkwardly, knowing that everyone in the classroom was listening to our conversation.

    "Wow, you guys seemed pretty close..." Anna noted.

    "Well yeah, I grew up with him teasing me, along with my brothers. He's just like another older brother to me. He used to know me better than anyone, even my twin brother, did."

    "That's so cool! Ugh, I'm jealous. You're completely new here and you already hugged the hottest teacher, and you know the hottest guy too?" Anna commented, looking at Josh dreamily.

    "Hottest g-guy? Do you mean M-Ma-Mark?" I choked out worriedly.

    "Duh. Mark is, like, so hot! And his brother is too!" Anna sighed.

    "Oh, but Josh is a teacher...? And M-Mark? Ugh, I haven't really seen him since this party I was at like two years ago..." I told Anna regretfully.

    "Ooh, a party? Hey, I have a friend that's throwing one this weekend, if you want to come I could introduce you to some people. Bring your brothers! And what was the tone I sensed there? Mark is like the epitome of every girl's dream. I mean he's so hot, and he's soccer and track captain, and obviously popular. Oh, and funny! Mark is so funny. Not that I care though, I mean, I have a boyfriend," Anna trailed off, laughing at the end.

    "Thanks for the invite Anna, but I don't know. Parties aren't really my thing. I'll let Liam and Andy know though, maybe they'll still come? Yeah, Mark always seemed to have that affect on people," I respond to Anna, remembering many times when Mark got us out of trouble or would send us all into fits of laughter that seemed never-ending. That was the past though, and I need to move on and forget if I want this fresh start to work according to plan.

    "Ughhhh, I'm so jealous that you know Mark! I mean, I've known him for two years now, but he has never had the time of day to talk to any of us mere mortals or anything. But I have Gabe, and he's so much better than Mark. Right Gabe?" Anna questions louder, turning around in her seat and facing a blonde boy two rows behind us who was staring at her and laughing.

    When he sees that he has been caught listening, he stand up and approaches us, addressing me first. "Hey, I'm Gabe Fallon, this dork's boyfriend," he says while nodding his head towards Anna. "So I hear you know Mark, huh?"

    "Hi, I'm Kaylin Miller. I wouldn't say that I know him, I just, I-I mean, I..."

    "Hey Kaylin, I was just kidding. Is my girlfriend bothering you? I told her mom not to let her out of the house this morning until she took her crazy pills, but it seems like she didn't listen."

    "Shut up Gabe," Anna laughs and hits his arm lightly. "She loves me already, and I see best friend status in our future."

    Gabe, playing along, winces and pulls his arm protectively to his chest, cradling it. "God Anna, you've got to stop beating me up. Soon people are going to notice how abusive our relationship is. Mr. Conrad? Mr. Co-" Anna leaps up and covers Gabe's mouth, laughing loudly along with him.

    "I'm sorry about him. He's actually a great guy," she tells me as she gently pushes him in the direction of his own desk.

    "Goodbye Kaylin!" I hear Gabe says as he moves towards his desk dramatically, as though her push had propelled him the entire way. "I'm sure I'll be seeing more of you, especially now that you have her wanting to be your best friend."

     The bell rings, just as he sits down, prompting all of the other students in the room to stand up and slowly begin to make their way towards the door of the classroom. I follow suit, picking up my backpack from the ground and slinging it over my shoulder. As I reach for the map in the front pocket, Anna pushes my hand off of its course, seeming to know what I was about to do.

    "No need for your map! I'll get you wherever you need to go." Anna links her arm through mine before continuing,  "So what do you have first? I wonder what classes we have together? And I want to meet your brothers! Hey, do you have first lunch?"

    I smile at Josh as we pass him on our way out the classroom, nodding in response to his mouthed 'Good Luck,' not wanting to interrupt my eager new friend's commentary.