The Trouble with Mark Hopper by Elissa Brent Weissman Page A

“Nope,” she said. “I’m going to Kylie’s house after school.”
    Mark snorted. “Fine,” he said. He took another bite of his sandwich and chewed it angrily.
    Jasmina stared at him with her eyebrows raised. “Timmy will be home this afternoon. I’m sure he’ll want to hang out with you.”
    â€œI don’t want to play with your stupid six-year-old brother,” Mark said, spewing turkey and bread.
    â€œSuit yourself.” Jasmina shrugged, turned away from him, and starting chatting with Kylie.
    â€œI’m going to finish my lunch in the library,” Mark said to no one in particular. He packed up and left, making sure to go by Mark’s table and look purposely straight ahead as he passed, as though he didn’t even notice Mark was there.

Chapter 11
    Mark’s Punishment
    The Mark who needed to speak to Miss Payley about his poor test grade would normally have put off their meeting as long as possible. He would have dawdled at his locker, turning the lock slowly and pausing on each number for a few seconds before leisurely selecting the books he’d need for homework and placing them carefully side by side in his backpack. Then he’d have walked at a turtle’s pace all the way around the square-shaped building so as to take the longest path to Miss Payley’s room, probably stopping in the boys’ bathroom—and moving at the same snail-like speed in there—on the way. But today he rushed straight over from art to get it over with as soon as possible. Partly he wanted to be done with it quickly so that he wouldn’t have to worry about it anymore, and partly he wanted to finish in time to go to the art club meeting, since Jonathan was saving him a seat. But mostly he wanted to be in and out before the other Mark Hopper arrived for his detention. He was so relieved to find only Miss Payley there when he arrived that he realized he was more upset about the other Mark than about his grades.
    â€œMark,” said Miss Payley. “What happened on that quiz?”
    He took out his test so quickly he almost ripped the paper. “I don’t know,” he whispered, his large blue eyes apologetic. “I think I’m just off to a shaky start, but I will get better. I’m trying.”
    â€œI understand.” Miss Payley smiled. “It is a big adjustment from elementary school to middle school.”
    Mark nodded. She sounded like his mom. It is a big adjustment, she’d said, and you’re going to have to work very hard, especially in honors classes. He was not looking forward to showing the test to his mom that night. “I think I will definitely do better next time,” he promised. “My sister is going to help me. She’s really smart.”
    â€œBeth?” asked Miss Payley.
    â€œYeah,” said Mark, wondering if Miss Payley was thinking of his sister or the other Beth Hopper, and if the other Beth Hopper was as awful as her terrible, life-ruining brother.
    â€œIn class,” Miss Payley said gently, “do I go too quickly for you sometimes?”
    Mark didn’t know how to answer. If he confessed that she did, she might suggest that he move down into the regular class. But maybe she thought she was going too quickly for everyone, and she wanted to know so that she could slow down. “A little,” Mark said, compromising. “Sometimes.”
    At that moment the other Mark entered the room. “Miss Payley, I want to apologize,” he announced loudly.
    Miss Payley turned. “One moment, Mark. We’re talking here. Take a seat.”
    Mark slumped down into a desk. Each Mark tried to avoid looking at the other.
    Miss Payley paused and then turned to the Mark who had just walked in. “All right. I think you should apologize,” she said to him.
    â€œI’m sorry,” he said.
    â€œAnd to Mark.”
    â€œI’m sorry, Mark,” Mark