Beyond One Life

No Time for Festivals

"What has you in such a good mood?" Keyanna asked you as you skipped down Notre-Dame Street.

"Let me guess, more memories?" Vincent chuckled.

You looked over your shoulder at your companions with a smile. "Nah, not really. I mean, I've only been here once or twice. But it's such a nice day!"

Indeed, you chose to vote for Montreal on account of how few memories you had of the area. The city seemed to sparkle under the cloudless May sky, and your class was gifted with a beautiful day after two days of rain and boring (to you, anyway) lectures about international air transport at the Quartier international de Montreal in the heart of downtown. The three of you were walking alongside the Saint Lawrence River for an hour lunch break, admiring the line of shops and restaurants parallel to the river.

"I really want to check out those antique shops," Keyanna marveled. "Maybe I'll find a good souvenir for my family."

"We'll do that after class today," Vincent offered as he scrolled through his phone. He scoffed in disappointment. "What the heck? There's just a ton of Italian places on this street!"

You and Keyanna peered over his shoulders. "Really? Nothing French? No poutine?" Keyanna asked.

"I don't mind Italian. There's a pizza place around the corner," you offered, but they shook their heads in unison.

"I'm not really feeling the Italian since we'll probably go to Rome next," Keyanna explained, and Vincent hummed in agreement.

You looked up and examined your surroundings. "We're ten minutes into our break already. Vincent, what's the closest non-fast food place?"

He checked Google Maps, then laughed. "Notre-Boeuf-De-Grâce* is just across the street."

Keyanna perked up hopefully. "Ooh, sounds fancy."

"It's a burger joint."

She deflated and you chuckled. "Hey, maybe it will be fancy French hamburgers! Come on, let's go before we run out of time and have to go to McDonald's."

You steered the two into the building, immediately greeted by a myriad of tantalizing smells. It was a small space with brick walls, black tables and chairs, and a bar stocked full of alcohol with labels in French. It looked like a lot of people were there for lunch, and the three of you could only find seats at a six-top, with you facing the bar and the others sitting across from you.

People zipped in and out of the restaurant in a steady lunch rush stream, and fortunately, you were served your food with plenty of time to eat. Towards the end of your meal, however, your party was interrupted.

"Excuse me. Do you mind if we sit here?" someone behind you asked in English. His voice was chipper and loud, and it immediately stirred something within you, like igniting a spark. You froze, unable to turn around and face him.

"Not at all!" Keyanna, ever so friendly, didn't hesitate. But you could hardly bring yourself to raise your head to see the people now next to you. Your heart seized, and its frantic beating pounded in your ears.

"Thanks!" The two sat, and suddenly Keyanna exclaimed,

"Oh my god, are you guys America and Canada?"

You almost fell out of your chair at the sheer force of her declaration, but instead, you completely froze in place. Both of them? You screamed inwardly.

"You recognize us?"

Keyanna gushed, "Of course! I love your HetaTube channel!" She then proudly flashed the security pass the three of you had pinned to your jackets to give you entrance to Quartier international de Montreal. "I've always been interested in other countries and politics, so I've kinda followed every country-human with social media. And speaking of politics, the three of us are actually here for an internship program with the UN. I'm Keyanna. This is Vincent and that's __________. It's great to meet you!"