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.  

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

"Thanks mom,"

some fun.But please,

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

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

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

she laughed and finished folding all the scattered

and brought it

to the meeting point tomorrow?"she called

friend’s picking me up," I said

got

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

charger.

be answering your call every

took the charger from her, and I

wanna hear," she pulled me for a quick hug and kissed

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

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

looked a little nervous as he was driving,

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

at us as she

she gave us each a

but the

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

upstairs," lan said, referring to our

Hailey pulled me to the

everyone, look who's here!" she announced to the whole

"Emma! You made it!"

busy pouring gravy into a bowl, but she dropped everything to give me a

for dinner," I said as

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

he was around

heard so much

meet you," I shook

oldest friends.He’s lonely on his own, so he likes to

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

sit still, dear,"she

not gonna

ma, how are you?" lan entered the room

to see how good

sweet, it

good.Turkey's

to Hailey, "Don’t just stand there sweetie, go set the table

guest and I’m

her eyes at her big brother before turning

Bro, glad you can make it," lan ignored Hailey and went

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

girl?" lan asked as he put

could be ourselves here. He could introduce me to people as his

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

a good

"Shut up,"

playful shove

I can

from the

"Be right there,"

replied and made his way over

to talking with

took out the big, heavy

looked amazing and smelled divine.It was pretty much the poster child

how good lan was with his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes

for everyone, so I thought

dining room as Hailey and AJ had their backs

in, as they were laughing

Hailey’s hand and he brought it to his

her hand gently before softly letting it

eyes fluttered as