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.  

a big girl, you can handle yourself, I know that.I trust you.Especially with how hard you've been working for college and to save up money, I’m really proud of you Emma,"mom said as she continued

"Thanks mom,"

to have some fun.But please, just remember

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

not gonna be home tomorrow, your dad and I decided to go on a little date night.We're gonna watch a movie.It’s been a while

fun.You and dad deserve to have some fun.Just be safe,

and finished folding all

and brought it neatly back

you don’t want me to drive you to the meeting point tomorrow?"she called out from inside

picking me up," I said as

got

you every night to check up on you," mom said and she grabbed my travel charger on the desk and handed

forgot the charger.

be answering your call every

smiled and took the charger from her, and I put it inside

hear," she pulled me for a quick

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

the house very early the next morning.We wanted to get

little nervous as he was driving, and

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

as she opened the front

she gave us

but the house was warm

fire in the fireplace, jazz music was playing, and the smell of Kristen’s amazing cooking filled the

bring these upstairs," lan said,

me to the

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

"Emma! You made it!"

gravy into a bowl, but she dropped everything to

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

is Emma," a guy with dirty blonde hair and brown eyes

looked like he was around lan’s

I'm AJ. I've heard

nice to meet you," I shook his

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

with?" I said to Kirsten as I

still,

mom's turf.She’s not gonna let

are you?" lan entered the room and went straight to hug

was sweet to see how good he was

sweet, it

good.Turkey's

just stand there sweetie, go set the table for our guests

a guest

at her big brother

make it," lan ignored Hailey and went straight

thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and

met my girl?" lan asked as he

could introduce me to people as his girl and

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

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

"Shut up,"

gave him a playful shove

can use a

from the dining

"Be right there,"

replied and made his way

to talking with his

helped Kristen took out the

smelled divine.It was pretty much

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

setting the table for everyone, so I thought I could give them

as Hailey

didn’t notice I was coming in, as they were laughing and

and

her hand gently before softly letting it

eyes fluttered as she stared