Teacher's Girl (Aflyingwhale)

EMMA's POV : 

I must admit, life was pretty darn good lately.After homecoming, lan and I were inseparable.I spent all my time juggling school work, college applications, hanging out with Tiff and Carrie, and chilling with lan every chance I got.I was on a roll.

Sleep became a secondary need.Sure, it was exhausting, but I also felt so alive.So when Thanksgiving break rolled around, I was honestly relieved.

This way I could take a rest from school and work, and focus my time on my family and on lan.Especially on lan.

We were planning something big for Thanksgiving this year.

He wanted to come through with his promise from last year, he was bringing me to his home in New Jersey to spend the holidays with him and his family.

Of course, it wasn't easy convincing my parents that their only daughter wanted to spend her last thanksgiving before college somewhere else.Mom and dad had so many questions.

I told them I was spending thanksgiving at the community garden, as they were hosting an event of thanksgiving dinner at a nearby county.

The community garden was actually hosting this event, so it was the perfect cover.

I told my parents I needed the extra community service hours and that it was for a good cause.

Finally, after a lot of begging and bargaining, my parents decided it was okay that I went on this thanksgiving dinner trip.  I felt bad for lying to them, but spending thanksgiving with lan and his family was an offer I couldn't refuse.

And hey, maybe next thanksgiving it would be lan’s turn to spend it with my family.

Our plan was to leave on Thursday morning and we would be back in Georgia by Sunday night.

Mom, dad, and I had dinner on Wednesday night to make up for me missing the actual turkey day on Thursday.

It was a nice and lovely dinner.

Mom and dad discussed dad’s job and that things were getting better.

Then we talked about my college plans and discussed financial aids or possibly getting a loan.

So overall, it was a very hopeful talk.

After dinner, mom came into my room and she saw that I was struggling with packing my overnight bag.

It was my first thanksgiving ever with lan’s family and I wanted to make sure I would dress right for the occasion.

"Need some help?" she asked.

"Sure. You can help me decide which one is better?"

I said as I brought up two similar sweaters but in different colors. One is red and the other is blue.

"The blue one, definitely. It'll bring out your eyes,"

"Blue it is. Thanks, mom,"

I said and folded the blue sweater into my overnight bag.

"So, this community garden thanksgiving festival thing..." she trailed as she helped fold the scattered rejected clothes.

"Yeah?"

"This guy friend that you've been seeing the whole summer, is he gonna be there?" she asked teasingly.

"Mom!"

"It's just a question, Emma. I'm a mother, that’s what I do,"

"He… might be," I answered cautiously.

"Okay.You still remember our little talk, right?"

"Yes, mom, I do.Please don't repeat yourself,"

Mom had given the talk right before we started school this year.It was about a year too late, but it didn’t matter.

I pretty much knew everything I needed to know from the internet and my friends.Tiff especially, she could be very graphic with details.

Plus, lan was always careful.

He always used a condom, always without exception.  

yourself, I know that.I trust you.Especially with how hard you've been working for college and to save up

"Thanks mom,"

deserve to have some fun.But please, just remember to always

I got this.You don’t have to worry," I

go on a little date night.We're gonna watch a movie.It’s

dad deserve to have some fun.Just be safe, okay?" I said,

and

a pile and brought it

to the meeting point tomorrow?"she called

my friend’s picking me up," I said as

got

you," mom said and she grabbed my travel charger on the desk and handed

charger.

answering your call every

her, and I put it

me for a quick hug and kissed

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

house very early the next morning.We wanted to get to New Jersey before 7 PM, where

little nervous as he was driving, and he wouldn't

and coffee, and a lot of stupid I spy games later, we made it to New Jersey.  "Yay!

as she opened

she gave us each a hug before pulling us

air was cold outside but

the fireplace, jazz music was playing, and the smell of

upstairs," lan said, referring to

to the kitchen before I could say anything

who's here!" she announced to the whole room as we

"Emma! You made it!"

gravy into a bowl, but she dropped everything to

excited for dinner,"

guy with dirty blonde hair and brown

he was

AJ. I've heard so

nice to meet you," I shook

oldest friends.He’s lonely on his own, so he likes to spend thanksgiving with us,"Hailey added and they

said to Kirsten as I noticed how busy

our guest.Just sit still, dear,"she shook her

gonna let you touch

how are you?" lan entered the room and went

see how

sweet, it was

good.Turkey's

turned to Hailey, "Don’t just stand there sweetie, go set the table for our guests

guest and

big brother before turning

can make it," lan ignored Hailey and went

man.My parents are spending thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your

girl?" lan asked as he put an

He could introduce me to people as his girl

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

at me and said, "You got a good one right here, Emma.Hold on to

"Shut up,"

playful shove as

can

from the

"Be right there,"

and made his way over

back to talking with

the

looked amazing and smelled divine.It was pretty much

mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes

the table for everyone, so I

Hailey and AJ had their

in, as they were laughing and

took Hailey’s hand and he brought it

gently before softly

and her eyes