#They met at a gala and recognized each other as kindred souls

[glow-worms-are-believers]

Dowd’s Crowd (dp x dc)

“Don’t look now, but Mr. Swanson is looking our way again,” Bernard says quietly, as he prepares to bite into his hors-d’oeuvre.

Sam groans. “I hate that guy.”

Bernard nods, his mouth full of pastry.

“You steal someone’s toupee one time and suddenly you’re a delinquent,” she continues, raising her glass for another sip of sparkling non-alcoholic cider.

“Everyone knew about it anyway,” Bernard agrees, having finished his mouthful. He looks into the distance wistfully. “Still, I wish I had been there to see it.”

“I wish we could leave already,” she gripes and her companion sighs.

“I’ve got a 30-minute quota of presence to fill,” he answers morosely. “We’re not even halfway through.”

Sam hums sympathetic. “Mom said I just had to stay the first five minutes if I wore a dress,” she tells him as she looks down at her pastel gown in disgust.

“You can leave, then,” Bernard says, sounding in even lower spirits than before. “I’m glad at least one of us gets to escape.”

Sam turns toward the other teen, barely stopping an eye-roll. “Please,” she says, “like I’d leave you alone with these losers. I’d like to think I’m a better friend than that.”

Bernard’s eyes go all big and starry. “Really?”

Sam actually rolls her eyes then. “Come on you big baby,” she says as she grabs his arm and starts dragging him away, towards the refreshment table. “Let’s go spike the punch.”