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.  

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

"Thanks mom,"

deserve to have some fun.But please,

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

go on a little date night.We're gonna watch a movie.It’s

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

laughed and finished folding all

pile and brought it neatly back

me to drive you to the meeting

up," I said as I zipped up my

I got

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

the charger. The most important thing

be answering your

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

for a quick hug and kissed m_ forehead

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

to get to New Jersey before 7 PM,

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

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 later, we made it to

at us as she

us each a hug before pulling us

air was cold outside but the

playing, and the smell of Kristen’s amazing cooking filled the

these upstairs," lan said, referring

pulled me to the kitchen before I could say

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

"Emma! You made it!"

but she dropped everything to give

having me. I'm so excited for

dirty blonde hair

looked like he was around

AJ. I've heard so much about

meet you,"

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

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

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

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

the room and went straight

was sweet to see how

it was almost

good.Turkey's almost

stand there sweetie, go set the table for

guest

at her big brother before

can make it," lan

a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your

girl?" lan asked as he put

here. He could introduce me to

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

and said, "You got a good one

"Shut up,"

a playful shove as they

I can use a

from

"Be right there,"

and made his way

to talking

out the big, heavy

pretty much

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

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

room as Hailey and

notice I was coming in, as they were laughing and smiling at each

hand and he brought it to

hand gently before softly letting

was blushing and her eyes fluttered as