A New Dawn

1

(sorry if it's kinda bad I've been trying to push this out for awhile and had to work out a lot of kinks 😭)

"Goodmorning, Jorvik City! My name's Nona Sundén and you're listening to─"

Nathaniel's hand slammed against the radio, shutting it off and leaving the car in silence.

Erika whipped her head to look at him. "I was listening to that!"

"Not anymore, you're not." He retorted, steering away from the dirt roads and towards the gates of Jarlaheim. "Finish your homework. We're almost there." He said, to which Erika huffed and looked back down at her work book.

As they drove through the cobblestone roads, she gazed out the window, watching the buildings pass her by as her mind wandered elsewhere. All around them were banners and decorations for the upcoming equestrian festival. Every year, competitors from all over Jorvik came to Jorvik Stables to compete in multiple disciplines of riding. Nathaniel used to take her as a kid while he worked. She'd sit in the bleachers and watch in awe at the beautiful horses perform. Now, she didn't have time for it, being caught up in school and her work at the Jarlassons' farm.

Nathaniel parked on the curb beside the school. Kids were getting off the bus and walking into the building. "Well, here we are. You got everything you need?" He asked, resting one hand on the steering wheel.

She glanced down at her backpack and the papers scattered across her lap, nodding. "Mhm."

Nathaniel's phone started buzzing with texts. Erika curiously glanced down at them. "Your boss is pissed at you." she said with a playful smile dancing on her lips. He sighed and shot her a glare.

"School. Now." he ordered.

"Okay, okay. Love you too." She smiled to herself and hopped out of the car, swinging her backpack over her shoulder.

"Love you, kid." He replied as she shut the car door and waved before heading inside.

After watching her leave, Nathaniel hurriedly drove to the stablebucks, disobeying all traffic laws. After making a not so great parking job he rushed inside, eyes darting around the cafe. Jen, one of his co-workers, was standing at the register and gave him a sympathetic smile before a middle aged woman with bright red hair and thin silver streaks marched out of the kitchen.

"There he is." Sonja grumbled, arms crossed. "Get to work, boy! We're swamped today." she shouted at him before giving a dismissive wave and disappearing back from where she came.

Nathaniel's expression was a mixture of fear and regret, and he swallowed, heading towards the back and pulling his apron on. It had been a rough start to the morning. Erika was late and completely unprepared for school, and the Goldspurs were on his tail about rent. He was spending nearly all his time running to and fro from the cafe and stables that he'd been struggling to make ends meet.

The last thing he needed was Sonja staring at him like a murderer in the kitchen, but eventually she distracted herself with the work. She told stories Nathaniel had heard about a million times before, but if it meant keeping her unprovoked he didn't mind much.

It wasn't until midday did the customers finally start thinning out. Jen's shift had ended and she clocked out, leaving the register for Nathaniel to fill in. He wiped the counter as the last customer left, then sighed and rubbed his eyes.

"Long day?"

He looked up and saw a girl standing in front of the counter. She looked to be around Erika's age, and had olive freckled skin with deep auburn curls. He blinked in confusion, not having heard anyone come in or even walk up to the counter.