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

"Thanks mom,"

have some fun.But please, just

have to worry," I

go on a little date night.We're gonna watch a movie.It’s been a while since we did that," mom

fun.Just be

she laughed and finished folding all

them all in a pile and brought it neatly back to my

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

me up," I said as

got

be calling you every night to check up on you," mom said and she grabbed

almost forgot the charger. The

answering your

I put

pulled me for a quick hug and kissed m_ forehead

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

to get to New Jersey before 7 PM, where

was driving, and he wouldn't let go

karaoke sessions, sipping on Slurpee and coffee, and a lot of stupid I spy games later, we made

us as she

gave us

was cold outside but the

the fireplace, jazz music was playing, and the smell of

these upstairs," lan said, referring to

to the kitchen

here!" she announced to the whole

"Emma! You made it!"

was busy pouring gravy into a bowl, but she dropped everything

so excited for dinner," I

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

like he was around

AJ. I've heard

you," I

own, so he likes to spend thanksgiving with us,"Hailey added and

help you with?" I said

sit still,

is mom's turf.She’s not gonna

are you?" lan entered the room

see how good

it was

good.Turkey's almost

there sweetie, go

a guest and

big brother before

it," lan ignored Hailey

cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your

lan asked as he put an arm

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

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

nodded at me and said, "You got a good one right here,

"Shut up,"

gave him a playful shove as they

can

called out from the dining

"Be right there,"

made his way over

back to talking with

the big, heavy turkey from

amazing and smelled divine.It was pretty much the poster

as I saw how good lan was with his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then darted to the dining room

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

Hailey and AJ had their backs

was coming in, as they were laughing and smiling at

hand and

her hand gently before

was blushing and her eyes fluttered as