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

"Thanks mom,"

to have some fun.But please, just

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

since you're not gonna be home tomorrow, your dad and I decided to go on a little date night.We're gonna

some fun.Just

she laughed and finished folding all the

put them all in a pile and

drive you to the meeting point tomorrow?"she called out from inside the

said as I

got everything

mom said and she grabbed my travel charger on the desk and

forgot the charger. The most important thing

your call every

the charger from her, and I put it inside

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

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

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

nervous as he was driving, and

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

beamed at us as she opened the front

she gave us each a hug before pulling

outside but

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

bring these upstairs," lan said, referring

Hailey pulled me to the kitchen before I could

announced to the whole room as we

"Emma! You made it!"

bowl, but she dropped everything to give me a hug. 

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

guy with dirty

looked like he was

AJ. I've heard so

meet you," I shook his

is 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

sit still, dear,"she

gonna let you

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

was sweet to see how good

it

doing good.Turkey's almost

there sweetie, go set

a guest and

her big brother before turning to

make it," lan ignored Hailey

a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom

girl?" lan asked as

be ourselves here. He could introduce me to people as

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

got a

"Shut up,"

playful shove as

AJ, I can use a

called out from

"Be right there,"

his way

back to talking with his

also helped Kristen took out the big,

and smelled divine.It was pretty much the poster child

saw how good lan was with his mom.They were such

busy setting the table for everyone, so

dining room as Hailey and AJ had

in, as they were laughing and smiling at

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

her hand gently

blushing and her eyes fluttered as she stared