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.  

handle yourself, I know that.I trust you.Especially with how hard you've been working for college

"Thanks mom,"

have some fun.But please, just remember to

this.You don’t have to worry," I said with a reassuring

I decided to go on a little date

fun.You and dad deserve to have some fun.Just be safe, okay?" I said, mimicking her words

she laughed and

a pile and brought

to drive you to

I said as I zipped up

got everything

said and she grabbed my travel charger on

almost forgot the charger. The

I'll be answering your

from her, and I put it inside the

me for a quick hug

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

early the next morning.We wanted to get to New Jersey before

driving, and he wouldn't let

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 the

gave us each a

cold outside but the house

music was playing, and the

these upstairs," lan said, referring to

Hailey pulled me to the kitchen before I could say

to the whole

"Emma! You made it!"

she

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

guy with dirty

looked like he was

heard so

nice to meet you," I shook his hand

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

can help you with?" I said to Kirsten as I noticed

sit still, dear,"she shook

is mom's turf.She’s not gonna let you touch

the room and

sweet to see how good he was with his

sweet, it

doing good.Turkey's

just stand there sweetie,

a guest

eyes at her big brother before turning to

lan

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

asked as he put an arm

ourselves here. He could introduce me to

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

me and said, "You got a

"Shut up,"

gave him a playful shove as

can

out from the dining

"Be right there,"

and made his way over to

to talking

the big, heavy

smelled divine.It was pretty much the poster child for

were such a lovely family.My eyes then

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

towards the dining room as Hailey

in, as they

Hailey’s hand and he

hand gently before softly letting

eyes fluttered as she stared at