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 save up money, I’m really proud of you Emma,"mom said as she continued folding my

"Thanks mom,"

some fun.But please, just remember

have to worry," I said with

your dad and I decided to go on a little date night.We're gonna watch

some fun.Just

she laughed and finished

all in a pile and brought it neatly

want me to drive you to the meeting point tomorrow?"she called out from inside the

said

got

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

the charger. The

I'll be answering your call

I put

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

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

the next morning.We wanted to get to New

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

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

beamed at us as she opened the front

gave us each a hug

outside but the house was

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

lan

come here," Hailey pulled me to the kitchen before

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

"Emma! You made it!"

but she dropped

I'm so excited for dinner," I said as I hugged her

this is Emma," a guy with dirty blonde hair and

he was around lan’s

I've heard so much

to meet you," I shook

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

can help you with?" I said

our guest.Just sit still, dear,"she shook

mom's turf.She’s not gonna let

lan entered the room and went straight

was sweet to see how

sweet, it was

good.Turkey's almost

there sweetie, go set the table for our

a guest and I’m

eyes at her big brother before turning

can make it," lan ignored Hailey

cruise, somewhere

lan asked as

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

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

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

"Shut up,"

gave him a playful shove as they

I can use

called out from the

"Be right there,"

his

to talking with his

the big,

smelled divine.It was pretty much the poster child for

smiling to myself as I saw how good lan was with his mom.They were

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

towards the dining room as Hailey and AJ

I was coming in, as they

and

hand gently before softly letting it

blushing and her eyes fluttered