stan’s car was as eccentric as he was. an old, beat up clunker that made weird noises every time it started up. the vinyl seats stuck to your legs on warm days, and the dashboard was covered with random knick knacks he’d picked up from thrift stores. but it had character, just like him.

you were sitting in the passenger seat, watching him fumble with the tape deck, trying to find the perfect song to play on the way to school. his fingers flicked through a collection of cassettes scattered on the seat next to him, and he mumbled under his breath, “but, not this one… too mellow… too punk... ah, here we go.”

he slid a tape into the player, and an obscure track with a funky bassline crackled through the speakers. stan grinned like he’d just made the greatest discovery of the century.

“isn’t this track just the coolest?” he asked, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel as he backed out of your driveway with a clunk.

you raised an eyebrow at him, half amused and half concerned that the car would fall apart before you even made it to school. “i feel like i'm in a movie from the ‘70s right now.”

stan’s grin widened. “exactly! that’s the vibe. we’re riding to school in style, baby. none of that boring modern stuff.”

you laughed, leaning back in your seat. “you’re ridiculous.”

“ridiculously awesome,” he corrected, tossing you a playful wink. “c’mon, admit it. this is way better than riding the bus."