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.  

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

"Thanks mom,"

fun.But please, just remember to always

this.You don’t have to

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

fun.Just be safe, okay?" I said, mimicking her

laughed and

put them all in a pile and brought it neatly back

sure you don’t want me to drive you to the meeting point tomorrow?"she

me up," I said as I zipped

got

said and she grabbed

almost forgot the charger. The most

be answering your call every night,

from her, and I put it inside the

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

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

the house very early the next morning.We wanted to get to New Jersey before 7 PM, where dinner

was driving, and he wouldn't let go

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

at us as she opened

in!" she gave us each a

outside but

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

lan

the kitchen before I could

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

"Emma! You made it!"

gravy into a bowl, but she

me. I'm so excited for

is Emma," a guy with dirty blonde hair and brown eyes greeted

looked like he

I've heard so much

meet you," I shook his hand

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

I said to Kirsten as I noticed

guest.Just sit still, dear,"she

turf.She’s not gonna let you touch

lan entered the room and went

see how good he was

sweet, it was almost

good.Turkey's almost

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

guest and I’m

at her big

can make it," lan ignored Hailey and

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

lan asked as

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

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

nodded at me and said, "You got a good

"Shut up,"

a playful shove as they

AJ, I can use a

out from the dining

"Be right there,"

made his way

to talking

Kristen took out the big, heavy turkey

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

his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then darted to the dining

for everyone, so I thought I could give them

Hailey and AJ had their

was coming in, as they

took Hailey’s hand and

kissed her hand gently before softly letting

eyes fluttered as she stared at