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.  

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

"Thanks mom,"

fun.But please, just remember to

don’t have to worry," I said

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

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

nice one," she laughed and finished folding all

in a pile and

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

friend’s picking me up," I said as I zipped up

I got

said and she grabbed my travel charger on the desk and handed it to

forgot the charger. The most

I'll be answering your

her, and I put it inside

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

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

the next morning.We wanted to get to New Jersey before 7 PM, where

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

carpool karaoke sessions, sipping on Slurpee and coffee, and a lot of stupid I

at us as she opened

she gave us

was cold outside but the house was warm

in the fireplace, jazz music was playing,

lan said, referring

here," Hailey pulled me to the kitchen before I could say

the whole room as

"Emma! You made it!"

was busy pouring gravy into a bowl, but she dropped everything to give me a

I'm so excited for dinner," I said as

is Emma," a guy with dirty blonde hair and

he was around

AJ. I've heard so much about

meet you," I

one of lan’s oldest friends.He’s lonely on his own, so he likes

said

no.You're our guest.Just sit still, dear,"she shook

gonna let you

how are you?" lan entered the room and

was sweet to see how good he was with his

sweet, it was

good.Turkey's almost

there sweetie, go

guest and I’m

rolled her eyes at her big brother before turning to

it," lan ignored Hailey

are spending thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and Hailey invited me,

my girl?" lan asked as

ourselves here. He could introduce me to people as his girl and

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

nodded at me and said, "You got a good one right

"Shut up,"

gave him a playful shove

I can use a hand

out from the dining

"Be right there,"

his way

went back to talking with his

Kristen took out the

pretty much the poster child for

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

everyone, so I thought I could

room as Hailey

notice I was coming in, as they were laughing

hand and he brought

gently

her eyes