So High School | T. Swift x OC

one

"Wassup!" Eliot said giddily as he made the rock and roll hand sign and shook his head rapidly, tongue out as he walked into his cousins' home studio.

"Wassup!" Noah yelled back, dragging out each vowel as Eliot laughed and walked over to hug him.

Izzie rolled her eyes and scoffed as Eliot walked to her next. "You guys are imbeciles."

The youngest held his hand to his heart. "That hurts coming from my favourite cousin," Eliot grinned toothily at her, ignoring the other person in there.

Once they had set up the cameras and microphones, they got settled into their designated chairs.

Eliot adjusted his headphones, settling into the familiar comfort of the New Heights podcast studio. The soft hum of equipment and the occasional rustle of notes created a cosy atmosphere that had become a second home to him. His cousins, Izzie and Noah, were the brains behind the operation, and Eliot had been a recurring guest since they'd launched the podcast three years ago. His career as a professional soccer player had given him a unique perspective that added an intriguing dimension to their discussions.

Izzie, her red hair that she had dyed over her black hair cascading over her shoulders, was fussing with the mixer. She had an energy that was both infectious and grounding, and her meticulous attention to detail ensured that every episode ran smoothly. Noah, with his easy smile and laid-back demeanour, was checking their notes one last time. He looked up and caught Eliot's eye, giving him a nod and a smile.

"Ready to kick it off, El?" Noah asked, settling into his chair.

"Always," Eliot replied, mirroring Noah's grin.

Izzie tapped her mic, testing the sound levels. "Alright, let's get this show on the road. In three, two, one..."

"Welcome back to New Heights, everyone!" Izzie's voice was bright and welcoming, instantly engaging. "Today, we're thrilled to have our favourite guest and cousin, Eliot, back with us."

Eliot leaned forward, smiling. "Hey, everyone! It's great to be here again."

"Always a pleasure, El," Noah said, his tone warm. "So, today's topic is pretty interesting. We're diving into the impact of classic literature on modern pop culture. It's a bit of a departure from our usual topics, but it's something we've been wanting to explore for a while."

"And who better to discuss it with than our resident soccer star and literary enthusiast?" Izzie added, a playful glint in her eye.

Eliot chuckled. "Well, I do spend a lot of time reading on those long bus rides to away games. But seriously, it's fascinating how much classic literature influences the stuff we see and hear today."

Noah nodded. "Absolutely. Like, take 'Westworld' for example. It's a modern show, but it's steeped in the themes and narratives of early sci-fi literature."

"Exactly," Eliot said, his enthusiasm evident. "And not just in sci-fi. You see it in everything from superhero movies to video games. These classic stories have this timeless quality that keeps them relevant."

Izzie leaned in, her eyes sparkling. "I've been thinking about how Shakespeare's plays, for instance, have been adapted and reimagined countless times. Take 'The Lion King' - it's just 'Hamlet' set in the animal kingdom."

"Right, and even in sports," Eliot said, his voice animated. "You have these underdog stories, these epic comebacks that feel straight out of a Dickens novel. The narrative arcs are similar - struggle, adversity, triumph."

Noah leaned back, nodding thoughtfully. "It's like these classic narratives are ingrained in our collective consciousness. They shape the way we tell stories, whether we realise it or not."