Teacher's Girl (Aflyingwhale)

IAN's POV : 

"I need your help,"Emma said as soon as I opened my apartment door.She was standing there with a long roll of paper, post-it notes, markers, and this huge ass book in her hand.

"Anything for you,"I replied and moved out of her way.

She walked straight for the coffee table and slammed the big book down.She then rolled out the poster thing and it turned out to be a map of the country.I took a seat next to her on the floor and read the title of the big book, The Princeton Review Complete Book of Colleges.

"My parents, my guidance counselor, my friends- everyone wouldn't shut up about college," she groaned and scattered the markers out on the coffee table."So if I'm gonna have to figure this out, I’m gonna need your help,"

"Okay," I said patiently.

This was not how I imagined my Thursday night to be like, but okay.

"You can use this book as a guide.If you see a school that I might like, write it down on the post-it note,"she said to me.

"Yes ma’am,"

"We can narrow it down by state.I prefer the east coast.I like the snow, I like the vibe,"she said as she circled the east coast area with a blue marker 

"All these states here are no go," she circled the west coast and mid-west area with a red marker.

"And Georgia is considered...?"

"The south is neutral ground. But I'd prefer the north,"

This was the first time she ever mentioned wanting to go to school on the east coast. I eyed her suspiciously, but she chose to ignore me.

"Oh, and this is a total no go," she picked up a post-it note and wrote the word ‘Emory’ with an X next to it and stuck the post-it note on the map of Georgia.

"No Emory. Got it,"I agreed.

I didn’t want her anywhere near that SOB ex boyfriend of hers.

"So tell me, what are some good schools in New Jersey?" she said suddenly, piquing my interest.

"You wanna go to school in New Jersey?"

"Maybe,"she shrugged.

"It’s on the east coast.Location- wise it's still in the running,"

"Princeton is a great school,"

"And way out of my league,"

"Nothing is out of your league.But Rutgers is also good.And New York's nearby,"

"New York, huh?"

"And Philly too.There’s U Penn, Carnegie Mellon, Villanova, Penn State,"

"Whoa, slow down, I have to write these down,"

"Why are you picking a school based on location? Aren't you supposed to pick one based on its merit? Or if it has the major you wanted," I narrowed my eyes at her.

"That's the thing, I don’t know what I want to major in,"

"So liberal arts?"

"Liberal arts, definitely," she paused for a moment before continuing, "And the location thing… it's because I don’t wanna be too far from where you are,"

"Emma," I scolded, "You're never gonna be too far from where I am,"

New Jersey for the art gallery job.I don’t wanna be thousands of miles away from you and we can only see each other in the holidays," she

you, New Jersey is only one option.I can

also in

not supposed to be part of your concern.You just need to worry about you.Don't settle for anything less.Pick whichever school you like,

long while, she couldn't

was parted open and she just stared

saying?"

saying we have options," I said as I laced my hand

"Anywhere in the

eyes glimmered and a small smile escaped

the cutest smile

her face with my hand as my

I'd give the world to be

Whenever.

Wherever.

was the last day of classes before summer

was a Friday and it had

three, they kept watching

was watching it

would mark the end of the school year and the end of my teaching career at West Lake

at first I cursed the fact that I have to meet Emma as

were only a few minutes away from 3

when suddenly I heard a

Finn creaked

"Principal Finn," I greeted.

my office for a moment? Now?" he sounded

back to the class

roared in cheer and laughter as they jumped from their seats and scrambled for the

be out of

I followed Principal Finn as we walked towards his

the lounge room was empty since most teachers and staffs were

the

make an appearance later, seeing as it

"Please, have a seat,"

Finn motioned for the chair as he

"So..." I trailed.

is about your resignation," he

me like a hawk, gauging my

just nodded my head

with

of question is that? Of course I’m serious.I’ve put

there a problem?"

took a deep breath,

This doesn't look good.

the start of a

front of my apartment door with a bag of takeout food in her

got Kung Pao Chicken with extra sauce, just like

promised to have dinner together that night,celebrating the

spring in her step and chatted away

a deep breath, dreading the news that I had

that deserves another celebration.Hey, why aren't you excited?" she said as she noticed something was off with

and we have all the time in the world to

to you," I cut her off and

serious as she took a step closer

school board denied my

terminate my contract.If I still want to go through with it, I’m gonna have to hire a lawyer and petition the court to terminate the contract.I've called a friend who's a lawyer and he says

down,"she said,