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.  

a big girl, you can handle yourself, I know that.I trust you.Especially with how hard you've been working for college and to

"Thanks mom,"

fun.But please, just remember

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

since you're not 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,"

some fun.Just be safe,

and finished folding all the scattered

in a pile and brought it neatly back to

you don’t want me to drive you to the meeting point tomorrow?"she called out from inside the

me up," I said as

I got everything

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

charger. The most important thing

your call

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

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

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

wanted to get to

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

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

us as

gave us each a hug before pulling us

air was cold outside but

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

lan said,

to the kitchen

who's here!" she announced to the whole room as we

"Emma! You made it!"

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

excited for dinner,"

Emma," a guy with dirty blonde

looked like he was

I've heard so much

you," I

his own, so he likes to

I said to

guest.Just sit still, dear,"she shook

mom's turf.She’s not gonna let

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

see how good he

it was

good.Turkey's

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

a guest and

at her big brother before turning to

you can make it," lan ignored Hailey

parents are spending thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom

met my girl?" lan asked as he put an arm

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

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

"You got a good one

"Shut up,"

him a playful shove

I can use a

called out from the dining

"Be right there,"

his way over

went back to talking with his

took out the

was pretty much the poster child for

how good lan was with his mom.They were such

table for everyone, so I thought I could give

towards the dining room as Hailey and AJ had

notice I was coming in, as they

suddenly, AJ took Hailey’s hand and he brought

her hand gently before softly letting

blushing and her eyes fluttered as she stared