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.  

hard you've been working for college and to

"Thanks mom,"

to have some fun.But please, just remember to always be

have to worry," I said with

to go on a little date night.We're

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

and finished folding all

pile and brought it neatly back

sure you don’t want me to drive you to

friend’s picking me up," I said as

got everything

on you," mom said and she grabbed my

the charger.

be answering your call

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

I wanna hear," she pulled me for

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

the next morning.We wanted to get to New Jersey

as he was driving, and he

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

as

in!" she gave us each a hug before pulling us

air was cold outside but the house

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

upstairs," lan said, referring to our

Hailey pulled me to the kitchen before I could

look who's here!" she announced to the

"Emma! You made it!"

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

excited for

with dirty blonde hair and brown

like he

I've heard

meet you," I shook his

friends.He’s lonely on his own, so he likes to

help you with?" I said to Kirsten as I

guest.Just sit still,

turf.She’s not gonna

entered the room and went straight

how good

sweet, it

good.Turkey's almost

and turned to Hailey, "Don’t just stand there sweetie, go set the table for

a guest and I’m

big brother before turning to

make it," lan ignored Hailey and

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

my girl?" lan asked as he

loved that we could be ourselves here. He could introduce me to people as

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

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

"Shut up,"

gave him a playful

AJ, I can use a hand

called out from

"Be right there,"

made his

went back to talking with his

helped Kristen took out the big,

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

to myself 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

the table for everyone, so I thought I could

walked towards the dining room as Hailey and AJ had their backs

coming in, as they were laughing and smiling at

AJ took Hailey’s hand and he brought it to his

hand gently before softly letting it

blushing and her eyes fluttered as she