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

"Thanks mom,"

some fun.But please, just

have to worry," I said with a

decided to go on a little date night.We're gonna watch a

fun.You and dad deserve to have some fun.Just be

nice one," she laughed and finished folding all the scattered

and brought it

want me to drive you to the meeting

me up," I said as I zipped up my overnight

got

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

charger. The most important

your call every night,

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

she pulled me for a quick hug

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

wanted to get to New Jersey before 7 PM, where

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

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.

as she opened the

she gave us each a hug

air was cold outside but the

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

lan said, referring to

Hailey pulled me to the kitchen before

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

"Emma! You made it!"

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

excited for dinner," I said as

with dirty blonde hair and

like he

heard

meet you," I shook

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

you with?" I said to Kirsten as I noticed how

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

gonna let you touch

lan entered the

was sweet to see how good he was with his

sweet, it

good.Turkey's

Hailey, "Don’t just stand there sweetie,

guest and I’m

her eyes at her big brother before turning to

glad you can make it," lan ignored Hailey

man.My parents are spending thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and Hailey

girl?" lan asked

could introduce me to people

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

"You got a good one

"Shut up,"

gave him a playful

AJ, I can use a hand

called out from the

"Be right there,"

replied and made his

went back to talking with

took out the big, heavy

amazing and smelled divine.It was pretty much the poster

as I saw how good lan was with his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then darted to the dining room where Hailey and

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

dining room as Hailey and AJ had their

was coming in, as they

and he

kissed her hand gently before softly

her eyes fluttered as she