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.  

big girl, you can handle yourself, I know that.I trust you.Especially with how hard you've been working for

"Thanks mom,"

to have some fun.But please, just

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

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 since we did that," mom chatted

to have some fun.Just be safe,

nice one," she laughed and finished folding

put them all in a pile and brought it neatly back to

to drive you to

up," I said as I zipped

I got

said

almost forgot the charger. The

your call

her, and I put it inside the front pocket of the

all I wanna hear," she pulled me for a quick hug

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

wanted to get to New Jersey before 7 PM, where

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

kinda sweet.  Finally, after twelve hours of driving filled with carpool karaoke sessions, sipping on Slurpee and coffee, and

at us as she opened the

gave us each a hug before pulling

outside but the house was warm

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

lan

come here," Hailey pulled me to the kitchen before I could say anything

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

"Emma! You made it!"

but she

for dinner,"

dirty blonde hair

he was

I've heard

to meet you,"

own, so he likes to spend thanksgiving with us,"Hailey added

I said to Kirsten as I noticed

sit still, dear,"she

mom's turf.She’s not gonna let you touch anything,"Hailey

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

was sweet to see how good he was with his

sweet, it was almost

doing good.Turkey's almost

stand there sweetie, go set the table for

guest and I’m

her eyes at her big brother before turning to

you can make it," lan ignored Hailey

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

asked as he put

be ourselves here. He could introduce me to people

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

a good one right here, Emma.Hold

"Shut up,"

a playful

can use a hand

from the dining

"Be right there,"

his way over

back to

took out the big, heavy turkey from

pretty much the poster child for

was smiling to myself as I saw how good lan was with his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes

so I thought

room as Hailey and

I was coming in, as they

took Hailey’s hand and he

gently before softly

and her eyes fluttered as she stared at