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.  

know that.I trust you.Especially with how hard you've been working for college

"Thanks mom,"

please, just remember to always

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

home tomorrow, your dad and I decided to go on a little date night.We're gonna watch

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

laughed and finished folding all

in a pile and brought it neatly back to

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

said as I zipped

I got

mom said and she grabbed

forgot the charger. The

your call every

charger from her, and I put

pulled me for a

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

early the next morning.We wanted to get to

looked a little nervous as he was driving, and he wouldn't let go of my

on Slurpee and coffee, and a lot of stupid I spy games later, we made it to New

at us as she opened the

in, come in!" she gave us each

cold outside but the

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

these upstairs," lan said, referring to our

pulled me to the kitchen before I could say anything

the whole room as

"Emma! You made it!"

gravy into a bowl, but she dropped everything to

so excited for dinner," I said

is Emma," a guy with dirty blonde

looked like he was

I've heard so

meet you,"

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

there anything I can help you with?" I said to

still, dear,"she shook

turf.She’s not gonna let you

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

how good he was with

it was

good.Turkey's

just stand there sweetie, go

guest and

rolled her eyes at her big brother before turning to

glad you can make it," lan ignored

somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and Hailey invited

met my girl?" lan asked as he put

could be ourselves here. He could introduce me to people as his girl and it wouldn't be

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

got a good one right here, Emma.Hold

"Shut up,"

him a playful shove as

I can use a hand

called out from

"Be right there,"

made his way over to

back to talking

the big, heavy turkey from the

amazing and smelled divine.It was pretty much

lan was with his mom.They were such

so I thought

dining room as Hailey and AJ had their

as they

AJ took Hailey’s hand and he brought it to his

her hand gently before softly letting

eyes fluttered as she