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.  

girl, you can handle 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,"

deserve to have some fun.But please, just remember to always

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

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

fun.Just be safe, okay?"

she laughed and

a pile and brought it neatly

to

me up," I said as I zipped up

I got

every night to check up on you," mom said and she grabbed my travel charger on the desk

forgot the charger. The most

be answering your call

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

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

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

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

as he was driving, and he

kinda sweet.  Finally, after twelve hours of driving filled with carpool karaoke sessions, sipping on Slurpee and coffee, and a lot of stupid I spy games

at us as

us each a hug before pulling us

air was cold outside but the house was warm

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

bring these upstairs," lan said,

me to the kitchen before I

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

"Emma! You made it!"

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

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

a guy with dirty blonde hair and brown

he was around

I'm AJ. I've heard so

nice to meet you,"

he likes to spend thanksgiving with

with?" I said to Kirsten as

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

gonna

are you?" lan entered the room and went straight

was sweet to see how good he was with his

it was

good.Turkey's

Hailey, "Don’t just stand there sweetie, go set the table for our

a guest and

eyes at her big brother

lan ignored

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

lan asked as

we could be ourselves here. He could introduce me to people as his girl and it wouldn't

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

me and said, "You got a good one right here, Emma.Hold on to

"Shut up,"

a playful shove

can

out from the

"Be right there,"

made his way over to

back to

also helped Kristen took out the big, heavy turkey from

smelled divine.It was pretty much the poster

was smiling to myself as I saw how good lan was with his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes

busy setting the table for everyone, so I

Hailey and AJ had their

as

Hailey’s hand and he brought it to

kissed her hand gently before softly

eyes fluttered as she