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.  

yourself, I know that.I trust you.Especially with how hard you've been working for college and to save up money, I’m

"Thanks mom,"

some fun.But please, just

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

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

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

one," she laughed and finished folding all the

put them all in a pile and brought it

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

friend’s picking me up," I said as

got

night to check up on you," mom said and

forgot the charger. The most important thing

be answering your

I put it inside

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

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

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

little nervous as he was driving, and he wouldn't let

coffee, and a

as she opened the front

us each a hug before pulling

was cold outside but the house was

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

bring these upstairs," lan said, referring to

me to the kitchen before I could

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

"Emma! You made it!"

a bowl, but she dropped everything to give me

so excited for dinner," I said

a guy with dirty blonde hair and

looked like he was around

I've heard so much about

you,"

lonely on his own, so he likes to spend thanksgiving with us,"Hailey

with?" I said to Kirsten as I noticed how busy

sit still, dear,"she shook

is mom's turf.She’s not gonna let

the

was sweet to see how good

sweet, it was

good.Turkey's almost

there sweetie,

a guest and I’m

her big brother before turning to her

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

a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and Hailey

girl?" lan asked as he put an arm

here. He could introduce me to

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

"You got a good one

"Shut up,"

playful

I can use

called out from the

"Be right there,"

his way over to

to talking

took out the big, heavy turkey from

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

his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then darted to the dining room where

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

Hailey

coming in, as they were laughing and smiling at

suddenly, AJ took Hailey’s hand and he

gently before softly

her eyes fluttered