sloane's study abroad mix

mixtape 2003 // the academic

august 16th

"Guys! Y'all ready?", Sloane shouted from the living room.

"Be right there!", Oliver replied from their room, almost done getting ready.

There was no response from Colm and Natalia. The four were going furniture shopping at the thrift store and IKEA. Sloane walked over to Colm and Natalia's room and knocked on the door.

"Hello? Are you guys awake?"

No response again. Sloane opened the door to the couple still sleeping.

"Colm, y'all can sleep in! We just uh, need your car so...", Sloane suggested.

Colm groaned and reached for his keys, handing them to Sloane with barely one eye open.

"There ya go. Goodnight!"

"See ya."

Sloane headed back over to the living room where Oliver was waiting.

"So, those two are fast asleep but", she excitedly dangled the car keys.

"We still got the car! However, I'm too scared to drive on the other side of the road so do you mind, love?", Sloane requested.

"We can practice together if you want!", Oliver suggested.

"Sure but uh today is not the day! Tryna get there and back safely with ourselves and our furniture intact please."

"K babes", Oliver smiles and kisses Sloane on the forehead as he grabs the keys from her hand.
—-
As Oliver starts the engine, Sloane plugs her phone into the aux cord.

"What was the name of Colm's band again? I'm gonna play some of their tracks."

"The Academic!", Oliver replied.

Sloane started playing a random song that caught her eye called "Mixtape 2003" as the two drove off.

Looking back to a CD / Me and my apologies /We drive out too far out to the country /
We get lost and we get high to the mixtape of our whole lives

"Okay! I dig them! I def listen to this kind of music.", Sloane remarked.

"Me too! I will be honest, I was dodgy at first when Colm first told us that he started a band. We thought it would just be jam sessions, and not good ones at that. But I went to jam with them the last time I was in town and was genuinely chuffed! These mates were pretty good and everyone suggested that they should start actually releasing music and start playing gigs. And they are in such little time."

"That's amazing! I am so happy for Colm and Talia with the Limelight gig. I still can't believe he'll be opening for The Fuckin Strokes!"

"It's going to be absolutely smashing!", Oliver added.

"Agreed! I also love the titles of their songs. I queued more. I love mixtapes which is why I played this first I know making Spotify playlists is like this era's mixtape but I used to burn mix CDs for my friends in high school with certain themes or songs we love. I love how personal and sentimental it is. I want to make actual mixtapes but I haven't gotten around to purchasing all the stuff and taking the time to do it."

"You listen to cassettes nowadays?"

"Why yes I do! I'm a lover of analog. From film cameras to walkmans. I inherited my parent's cassettes and their walkman from the late 80s, still going strong!"

"From the 80s? That's mad! But impressive. I have never listened to cassettes",Oliver replied.

"My mom is coming to visit in November for my birthday! I'm totally going to ask her if she could bring a few tapes and my walkman over. But also going back to when you said you jammed with Colm and his band. You play?", Sloane asked enthusiastically. She started playing the guitar but did not bring it with her.