Lori and Mark stood at the side of the room watching dancers at the fraternity dance. The large room was packed with dancers, a number of them visibly inebriated.
Mark struggled to be heard over the noise, "So, you wanted to come to a college dance. It's certainly different from a high school dance, isn't it?"
"There's certainly a lot more beer," Lori said. "It's more like one of Preston's parties. At least the ones he throws when his parents are away."
Mark looked puzzled, "I didn't know that high school kids had parties like this. They certainly didn't invite me to them when I was in high school."
"You were fifteen," Lori said.
"That's true," Mark said. The song finished and the next one began, causing him to frown, "I wouldn't have chosen that transition," he said critically.
Lori laughed, "You're here to dance, not second guess the D.J." She seized his hand and led him into the center of the room. Mark momentarily looked like he wanted to escape and then looked at Lori and started to dance with her. As they danced, she said, "See, you're getting better."
Mark smiled, "I guess I am." They danced until the end of the song when he suggested, "Let's go get something to drink."
They went to the bar, where Mark said, "I'll have a beer."
Lori said, "I'll have one too." Mark looked at her disapprovingly and she raised an eyebrow and said, "Seriously?"
Mark opened his hands, "I promised your father."
Lori glared at him for a moment and then said to the bartender, "I guess I'm the designated driver. Could I have a soda?"
As they walked away from the bar, Lori said, "This is like high school. If this were one of Preston's parties, I'd be hammered by now."
As they walked to the side of the room, a tall blonde carrying a beer, obviously not her first, put a hand on Lori's shoulder, stopping her and said, "Um, Trager, isn't it? Lori Trager?"
Lori hesitantly said, "Yes."
"I saw you at 'Pockets'," the girl said. "I really like your songs. Do you have a CD?"
Lori looked surprised and said, "No."
"I wanted to buy one," she said. "You should make a CD." She took another drink, and asked, "Are you coming back to 'Pockets' again?"
"Yes, in a few weeks," Lori answered, "I don't have the date yet."
"Good, I'll be watching for you," her fan said and then moved off into the party. "Maybe you'll have a CD then."
Lori stood still, watching her go.
Mark laughed, "Your fans. You can't go anywhere without them being all over you." He looked at her thoughtfully, "Seriously, though, you should think about making a CD."
"I'm not ready for that," Lori said, still shocked at the encounter.
"Well, apparently, your fans are," Mark pointed in the direction the blonde had gone. "Maybe after your next show we should start talking about that."
"I'm still trying to get used to the fact that I have to get ready for another show," Lori said.