sloane's study abroad mix

in the new year // swimming tapes

Sloane was scrolling through her texts as she came across a message from Natalia.

talia: Dinner just the two of us?? I have news!!

sloane: yes pls ! we haven't gotten to fully catch up. i have news too ! weird request tho, is there a place that serves breakfast? i'm sort of craving it.

talia: Maggie May's has the best ulster fry in the city! OMG! It's a breakfast Irish dish. Also, AMAZING MILKSHAKES!

sloane: omg i'm hungry already! meet u at 5?

talia: CYA THEN <3

---

As Sloane walked in, she noticed Natalia already there waving from a booth in the back of the restaurant. Sloane waved back until something caught her attention. The song that was playing sounded extremely familiar.

White horses run away /Run through the dunes and wait for the storm to pass

After the two hugged, Sloane couldn't help but ask, "Tal, am I tripping or is this Swimming Tapes?"

"Yeah that's them! They're hella popular around these parts because one of the lads is from Northern Ireland even though they started the band in London."

"That's rad! Uhm, girl. Lads?", Sloane laughed.

Natalia replied, "Trust me, you'll be picking up the lingo from being around these dudes. Tom's out here with his lads and mates BS. Being with Colm and working at Limelight around all of these muckers has got me picking up their slang too. Shit, there I went again with muckers!"

The gals were stopped briefly to order. Sloane was craving breakfast, so she went with the full fry which consisted of a fried egg, bacon, sausage, potato bread, soda bread, a pancake, hash browns, mushrooms, and tomato. Promising herself that she'd take home her leftovers if she was unable to finish, she also decided to treat herself to a Nutella milkshake. Natalia ordered a Cowboy Supper, another Northern Ireland staple. This included pork sausages with chips (fries) and beans. She also ordered a chocolate chip cookie milkshake.

After ordering, Sloane replied, "I love it. I don't think I'll ever get tired of any of the slang. Speaking of Limelight, how's the internship been?"

Natalia wanted to work in the music industry to amplify POC, women, queer, and non-binary artists and all of those within those intersections. She wanted to be able to see people who looked like her perform on stage as well as those who aren't usually represented, and give them that opportunity to do so. Her dream's to open up her own venue. Sloane remembers when everything fell perfectly into place for Natalia. As she started getting more serious with Colm, she applied for internships in Belfast to see how possible it would be for her to move over there. Even though she went to school in NYC, one of the best places to be regarding the music scene, she had already gained some experience within that area and wanted to gain more knowledgeable elsewhere. When she got the internship at Limelight, she knew she had to take it because it involved her future, her career and being near Colm. Limelight's a popular venue in Belfast known to host notable acts from Oasis to Northern Ireland's own Snow Patrol.

"Amazing! They've been giving me so much more responsibility in comparison to my past jobs when I was back at The New School. That's also why I wanted to share this news with you. So, they were panicking because The Strokes are coming to this upcoming week but their opening act for the European leg of their tour aren't able to make it to the Belfast show for God knows what but anyway! I suggested a band and played a few of their tracks and sealed the deal! I booked the opening act for The fuckin Strokes, BITCH!"

"Shut the fuck up! No way! Oh my god, Talia! I am SO proud of you! Who's the opening act?"

"It's actually Colm's band, The Academic"

Sloane was confused. "Hold up. Colm's in a BAND? YOUR COLM? 8-4 architect apprenticeship Colm? That's rad but how did I not know about this?"

"Oh, it's new. His band has only played a few shows for the past few months. I hadn't gotten around to telling you because I wasn't sure how serious his band was going to be but the other day, he mentioned to me about how he'd love to put more energy towards his band and executing that. I thought this was such a great way to do that. I was thinking once we got home, that's when we could tell him and the lads!"

"For sure, that's amazing!"

"Thanks Slo. Colm's band is actually really good. I wouldn't have pushed this much if I didn't think so, ya know. They're going to start letting me book smaller local acts as their own shows! I'm so excited to amplify people's music and give them this opportunity. So, what's your news?"

"Oliver and I are officially in a relationship. I know it's sort of fast and I've never fully experienced love before but he's so willing to take it at the pace I want. I just love how vulnerable we are with each other and we connect so well. He just makes me really happy."

Talia smirked, "I love this! I have been shipping y'all since before you two met. When Colm would talk about Oliver, he seemed like the perfect guy for you. I never mentioned him because he was so far away and Colm also said Oliver wanted to focus on himself and figure out what he wanted from life and love. But when I noticed his growth was evident in what Colm would mention to me, I knew we had to set y'all up. Colm and I have been rooting for the two of you! We were both hoping you'd agree to sharing that room but also didn't expect for it to happen so fast. We support it though."

"Oh my god, y'all setting it up. Wow. But honestly, thank you. I never thought that this could happen to me."

"You deserve it, Slo. You always have. But finally, the right person came along who knew your worth and loved you for everything that you are. I could tell by the way he listens to you. You are one of the most powerful and compassionate people I know and I'm glad you finally get to experience one thing you hadn't yet. Love."

"Talia, thank you thank you thank you! Seriously."
—-
As the two enter the flat, they hear loud cackling. Sloane recognizes Danny DeVito's voice. They're watching It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The coffee table is filled with pizza boxes, beer, and joints scattered throughout the coffee table.

Tom taps the ash off of his joint.
"Perfect timing! We're marathoning It's Always Sunny since Oliver has never seen it."

"This is gold! How have I never watched this before?", Oliver said.

"Probably because it's hella obnoxiously American. Anyway, Talia's got good news so listen up!"

"Ok so, guess who booked a replacement opening act for The Strokes? This girl!"

Everyone cheered. As Colm was getting up to hug Talia, she cut him off.

"Hold on! There's more! It becomes official once I ask the band which I haven't yet. So, Colm. Will The Academic open for The Strokes at the end of the month?"

The flat went silent, awaiting Colm's response. He kissed Natalia so deeply and replied, "Oh, I love you! Fuck yes!"

Natalia concluded, "And on top of that, I got you all tickets including backstage passes courtesy of yours truly for officially securing the band!"

The friends got rowdy and cheered together, hugging one another and jumped up and down.

"How is it that I've never been able to get tickets to a show in LA for YEARS, yet less than a month in Belfast, I'll be seeing my friend open for THE FUCKING STROKES and one of my best friends secured that? Also, how am I the only person that didn't know Colm was in a band? I have to say, I hope y'all are good", Sloane ended jokingly.

"Trust me love, we would've told Colm if he and his band were rubbish. They're actually pretty good", Oliver said.

"Gee, thanks", added Colm.

"Wait Sloane has some news too!", Natalia added.

"Yeah, so Oliver and I are officially a couple", Sloane said nervously.

Tom laughed, "He already told us while youse were out!"

"Tal and I have been waiting for this to happen! We're glad it's official", Colm noted.

"Thanks lads. You two join us!", Oliver said and motioned for Sloane to sit next to him.

The flatmates went back to watching It's Always Sunny all night long until they knocked out on the floor and couch.