Chapter Text
Sam arrived in Vancouver a little bit after 6 am. They hadn't taken the time to look at the arrival times when they booked the flight from Paris. They hadn't taken the time to do much thinking. As soon as their PhD project had been accepted, Sam had started packing. It wasn't the first time they had gone to a new city on the other side of the world. It would probably not be the last time either. But now they had to face the fact that it wasn't yet 7 am and they didn't have an accomodation to stay at yet. The university had told them it would take a week or so until they could give Sam their own room near campus. Their PhD program wasn't starting until the end of the month, which gave them a couple of weeks to figure things out.
Sam made a mental list, they loved making those. Grab the checked luggage. Get a SIM card with internet. Google the closest and cheapest hotel near campus. And public transport. The rest could wait until after they had a bed to take a nap in.
The hotel they'd found was more expensive than they'd hoped, but it would do. At least they had their own bathroom. It was still summer, but the temperature had already started to drop and Sam had to face the fact that they hadn't packed any particularly warm clothes. They would have to go shopping during the week. With the new SIM card they finally texted the group chat made of their closest friends to update them. Most of them were in different countries all over Europe, so it was early afternoon. Emi was the first one to start the face time.
"Don't you have work?" Sam laid on the bed, their back against the wall.
"I'm on my break" Emi worked in a thrift shop in their home town in the Alps. "How's Canada treating you? Seen any hot hockey players yet?"
Emi had been the one to drag Sam to their local hockey team's match during grad school.
"I just got here and it's now" Sam looked at their watch "a very early 7:34 am. But I'll be sure to keep you updated."
Emi nodded. Sam heard someone talking in the background.
"I m on my break, I'll be back in a minute." … "I don't care that you don't take your mandatory 15 minutes Mark, I sure as hell will take mine." Emi went back to Sam. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm fine" Sam smiled like they'd gotten used to for the past weeks.
"Don't bullshit me dude. You practically fled the country. And I know, I know it's not just because of what happened but you can't tell be it didn't impact your decision." Emi had this look on her face that Sam knew too well, slightly mothering but always caring. Like she knew she was right and that Sam needed to hear it from her.
"Okay yeah. If I stop to think about it I still want to throw up. But what can I do? I'm done with them. I won't have to see them again. Ever. I'll be fine."
Emi took her time to look at Sam. Eventually she nodded again.
"Okay well, call me whenever." … "YES I'M COMING ALRIGHT CHILL. I really need to go now I need this job. Love you, bye"
"Love you too."
Sam sighed as they put their phone away. They hadn't managed to sleep on the plane. They'd read their way through almost an entire book instead and they were now starting to feel the consequences of their lack of sleep and soon enough they were falling asleep, still dressed, on top of their hotel bed.
Thirst was the first thing Sam felt when they woke up. Then it was hunger. And finally the need to pee got them out of bed. It was around 2pm and they hadn't eaten in a while. Searching up coffee place near the hotel as they got ready to take a shower, they found a nice little cosy shop 10 minutes away. Half an hour later they were walking the streets of this unknown city, checking their phone every so often to be sure not to get lost.
The shop was small but packed. They walked up to the counter to order while eyeing up the only empty table left. They were on their way to sit with their order in hand when a couple cut them off and took the table. Sam just stopped and stood there, staring. They didn't have it in them to argue but they'd order their coffee and muffin to stay.
"Yikes"
Sam turned towards the voice, a man was sitting alone at a table for two next to the wall.
"You can sit with me if you want." Even sitting Sam could tell the man was tall. Broad shoulders. Nice hair. "I promise I'm not a creep, you just looked very distraught there for a second" his smile was kind and genuine.
Sam chuckle. " Yeah, yeah I guess I was." They walked up to the table to sit. "Thank you."
"I'm Spencer"
"Sam. They/them."
"Oh, uh, I'm a he/him." There was no judgement on his face. Only a little surprise, but Sam could work with surprise.
Sam noticed he was drinking from a special mug, they were pretty sure it had some sports logo on it, but it had been partially scrapped off. "You a local?" Sam pointed at the mug.
Spencer looked down." Oh, yeah, I really like this place. I used to come by all the time when I was in college. How about you? No offence but you don't sound Canadian."
"I'm not Canadian indeed. I just arrived, this morning actually. Moved here for work."
Spencer's phone started ringing.
"I'm sorry, I have to go." He started packing up, putting a book in a sports bag.
Sam didn't particularly like talking with strangers, but they had liked talking to him.
"No worries. Thanks for the table."
"See you around, Sam." Spencer smiles one last time and they he was gone.
Sam noticed him drop his mug at the counter and talk to the barista a little. He was definitely a regular customer. Sam took out their laptop to check their emails and start new lists to organise their new life. The coffee was good and the pastries warm and comforting. Sam could definitely see themselves come back often.