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,"

the art gallery job.I don’t wanna be thousands of miles away from you and we can only see each other in the

one option.I can always

family’s also in

your concern.You just need to worry about you.Don't settle for anything less.Pick

a long while,

was parted open and she just stared at me like I was something

saying?"

we have options," I said as I laced my

"Anywhere in the

eyes glimmered and a small smile

had the cutest

face with my hand

give the

Whenever.

Wherever.

the last day of classes

Friday and it

they kept watching the minute hand as it passed ever

was watching it

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

that I have to meet Emma as a student here, looking back, I

a few minutes away

about dismissing the class early, when suddenly I heard

Principal Finn creaked

"Principal Finn," I greeted.

I see you in my office

nodded at him before turning back to the class

they jumped from their seats and scrambled for

be out of school in

followed Principal Finn as we walked towards his

since most teachers and staffs were already out and

an end of the school year gathering

appearance later, seeing as it

"Please, have a seat,"

chair as he

"So..." I trailed.

this is about your resignation,"

was watching me like a hawk,

my head and said,

you with going through with

question is that? Of course I’m serious.I’ve put in the paperwork and

sir.Why, is there a problem?" I

looked at me, took a deep breath, and sighed a

This doesn't look good.

to the start of

of my apartment door with

extra sauce, just like you like

have dinner together that night,celebrating the end of this

spring in her step and chatted away as she lay the

breath, dreading the news

my report cards today and I got all straight A’s! I think that deserves another celebration.Hey, why aren't you excited?" she said as

from school and we have all the time

to you," I

serious as she took a step closer

school board denied my

with it, I’m gonna have to hire a lawyer and petition

down,"she said, cutting me