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.  

with how hard you've been working for college and to save up money, I’m really proud of you Emma,"mom said

"Thanks mom,"

deserve to have some fun.But please, just

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

dad and I decided to go on a little date

fun.You and dad deserve to have some fun.Just

nice one," she laughed and finished

them all in a pile and

to

said as

I got

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

charger. The most important

your call

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

pulled me for a quick hug and kissed m_ forehead

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

morning.We wanted to get to New Jersey

he was driving, and he

and coffee, and a lot of stupid I spy games later, we made it

beamed at us as she

gave us each a hug before

but the house was

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

upstairs," lan said, referring to our

Hailey pulled me to the kitchen before I could say

to the

"Emma! You made it!"

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

for dinner," I said as

with dirty blonde hair and brown

like he

AJ. I've heard so much about

you," I shook his hand

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 a

help you with?" I said to Kirsten as I

our guest.Just sit still,

is mom's turf.She’s not gonna let you

entered the room and went straight

see how good he was with

sweet, it was

doing good.Turkey's

and turned to Hailey, "Don’t just stand there sweetie, go

guest

big brother before turning to

lan

man.My parents are spending thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and Hailey invited me, hope that’s

met my girl?" lan asked as he put

that we could be ourselves here. He could introduce

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

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

"Shut up,"

playful

can use

out from the

"Be right there,"

his

back to talking with

Kristen took out the big, heavy turkey from the

divine.It was pretty much the poster child

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

so I thought I could

Hailey

coming in, as

AJ took Hailey’s hand and he brought

her hand gently before softly

was blushing and her eyes fluttered as she stared