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.  

with how hard you've been working for college and to save up money, I’m really

"Thanks mom,"

please, just remember

mom, I got this.You don’t have

since you're not gonna be home tomorrow, your dad and I decided to go on a

have some fun.Just be safe,

laughed and finished

and brought it neatly back

want me to drive you to the meeting point tomorrow?"she called

I said as

got everything

on you," mom said and she grabbed my

charger. The most important thing

I'll be answering your call

from her, and I put

she pulled 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

was driving,

after twelve hours of driving filled with carpool karaoke sessions, sipping on Slurpee and coffee, and a

us as she opened the

in!" she gave us each a hug before pulling us

but the house

playing, and the smell of

these upstairs," lan said, referring to

to the kitchen before I could say anything

the whole

"Emma! You made it!"

gravy into a bowl, but she dropped everything to

having me. I'm so excited for dinner," I said

Emma," a guy with dirty blonde

looked like he was around

heard so

nice to meet you," I shook

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

I said to Kirsten as I noticed how busy

sit still, dear,"she shook her

mom's turf.She’s not gonna let

lan entered the room

see how good he was with

sweet, it was almost

doing good.Turkey's

replied and turned to Hailey, "Don’t just stand there sweetie, go

a guest

eyes at her big brother before turning

glad you can make it," lan ignored

parents are spending thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and Hailey invited me, hope that’s

lan asked

He could introduce me

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

nodded at me and said, "You got a good one right here,

"Shut up,"

a playful shove as they

I can use

out from

"Be right there,"

and made his way

went back to talking with his

out the big, heavy turkey from the

and smelled divine.It was pretty much the poster child

I saw how good lan was with his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then darted to the dining room where Hailey and

table for everyone, so I thought I could

as Hailey and AJ

notice I was coming in, as they were laughing and smiling

AJ took Hailey’s hand and he brought it

hand gently

eyes fluttered as