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

"Thanks mom,"

fun.But please, just

don’t have

gonna be home tomorrow, your dad and I decided to go on a little date night.We're gonna watch a movie.It’s been a while since we did that," mom

deserve to have some fun.Just be safe, okay?"

one," she laughed and

pile and brought it

to the meeting

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

I got

on you," mom said and she grabbed

charger. The most important thing

your call

her, and I

she pulled me for a quick hug and kissed m_ forehead

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

next morning.We wanted to get

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 it to New Jersey.  "Yay! You guys

us as she opened the

in!" she gave us

was cold outside but the house was warm and

playing, and the smell of Kristen’s amazing cooking

bring these upstairs," lan said,

to the kitchen before I could

to the

"Emma! You made it!"

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

so excited for dinner," I said as

Emma," a guy with dirty

he was

heard

nice to meet you,"

so he likes to spend thanksgiving with

anything I can help you with?" I said to Kirsten as

sit still, dear,"she shook

is mom's turf.She’s not gonna let you touch

lan entered the room and

see how

it was almost

doing good.Turkey's

just stand there sweetie,

guest and

her big

glad you can make it," lan ignored Hailey and

cruise, somewhere

met my girl?" lan asked as he put

be ourselves here. He could introduce me to people as

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

me and said, "You got a good

"Shut up,"

playful shove as

I can

from the

"Be right there,"

made his

to talking with his

helped Kristen took out the big, heavy turkey from the

and smelled divine.It was pretty much the poster

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

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

as Hailey and AJ had their backs on

in, as they were laughing and smiling at

hand and he

kissed her hand gently before softly

and her eyes fluttered as she stared