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.  

working for college and to save up money, I’m really proud of you

"Thanks mom,"

please, just remember to always be

have to worry," I said with

on a little date night.We're gonna watch a movie.It’s been a while since we

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

and finished folding all the

them all in a pile and brought it neatly

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

picking me up," I said as I

I got

I'll be calling you every night to check up on you," mom said and she grabbed my travel charger on the desk and handed it to

almost forgot the charger. The most important thing

be answering your call every

and I put it inside the front pocket of the

pulled me for a quick hug and kissed m_ forehead

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

next morning.We wanted to get to New Jersey before 7

driving, and he wouldn't let

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.

at us as she opened

gave us each a hug before pulling

air was cold outside but the house

the fireplace, jazz music was playing, and the smell of

lan said, referring to

to the kitchen before

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

"Emma! You made it!"

she dropped everything to give

so excited for dinner,"

is Emma," a guy with dirty blonde

like he was

AJ. I've heard so much

you,"

lan’s oldest friends.He’s lonely on his own, so he likes to spend thanksgiving with us,"Hailey added

I said to

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

mom's turf.She’s not gonna let you

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

was sweet to see how good

sweet, it was

doing good.Turkey's almost

there sweetie, go set

a guest

big

lan ignored Hailey

are spending thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere

girl?" lan asked as

introduce me to

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

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

"Shut up,"

a playful shove as

can

out from the

"Be right there,"

and made his way over to

went back to talking

the

and smelled divine.It was pretty much the poster child for

how good lan was with his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then darted

were busy setting the table for everyone, so I thought I could

dining room as Hailey and AJ had

didn’t notice I was coming in, as they were laughing

took Hailey’s hand and he brought it to

gently before softly letting it

was blushing and her eyes fluttered as