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.  

you.Especially with how hard you've been working for college and to save up money,

"Thanks mom,"

deserve to have some fun.But please, just

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

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

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

laughed and finished folding all

a pile and brought it neatly back

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

up," I said as I zipped

I got everything

I'll be calling you every night to check up on you," mom said and she grabbed my travel

forgot the charger. The most important thing

I'll be answering your call every

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

me for a quick

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

to get to New Jersey before 7 PM, where dinner

he was driving,

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

as she opened the front

come in!" she gave us each a hug before pulling us

air was cold outside but the

music was playing, and the smell of

lan said, referring to our

to the

here!" she announced to the whole room as

"Emma! You made it!"

a bowl, but she dropped everything to give me

me. I'm so excited for dinner,"

Emma," a guy with dirty blonde hair and

looked like he

I'm AJ. I've heard so much

to meet you," I shook his

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

I said to Kirsten as I noticed how busy

sit still, dear,"she

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

ma, how are you?" lan entered the room

sweet to see how good he was with his

sweet, it

doing good.Turkey's almost

stand there sweetie, go set

guest

her big brother before turning to

lan ignored Hailey and went straight

somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and Hailey invited me, hope that’s

met my girl?" lan asked as he put an arm

here. He could introduce me

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

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

"Shut up,"

a playful

I can use

from the

"Be right there,"

and made his way over

to talking with his

Kristen took out the big, heavy turkey

was pretty much the

mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then darted

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

towards the dining room as Hailey and AJ had their backs on

as they were laughing and smiling at each

suddenly, AJ took Hailey’s hand and he

kissed her hand gently

and her eyes fluttered as she stared