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.  

working for college and to save up money, I’m really proud of you Emma,"mom said

"Thanks mom,"

fun.But please, just remember

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

on a little date night.We're gonna watch a movie.It’s been a while since

fun.Just be safe, okay?" I said, mimicking

nice one," she laughed and

them all in a pile and brought

drive you to

said as

got

to check up on you," mom said and she grabbed my

the charger. The most important

answering your call every

took the charger from her, and I put it inside

for a quick hug

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

morning.We wanted to get to New

he was driving, and

  Finally, after twelve hours of driving filled with carpool karaoke sessions, sipping on Slurpee and coffee, and a lot of stupid I spy games later, we made

us as

us each

cold outside but the house was warm and

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

lan

to the kitchen before

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

"Emma! You made it!"

gravy into a bowl, but she dropped everything

so excited for dinner," I said

guy with dirty blonde hair and brown eyes

like he

I'm AJ. I've heard

meet you,"

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

help you with?" I said to

still,

not gonna let you touch anything,"Hailey

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

was sweet to see how

it was

doing good.Turkey's almost

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

a guest and

her eyes at her big brother before turning to

make it," lan ignored Hailey and

on a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and Hailey invited me, hope

my girl?" lan asked as he put an

could introduce me to people as his girl and it wouldn't be

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

said, "You got a good one right here, Emma.Hold

"Shut up,"

playful

AJ, I can use a hand

from

"Be right there,"

replied and made his way over

back to talking

Kristen took out the big, heavy

amazing and smelled divine.It was pretty much

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

table for everyone, so I

the dining room as Hailey and

I was coming in, as they were laughing

hand and

her hand gently before softly

was blushing and her eyes fluttered as she stared at