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.  

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

"Thanks mom,"

fun.But please, just remember to always

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

be home tomorrow, your dad and I decided to go on a little date night.We're gonna watch a movie.It’s been a while since we did

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

laughed and finished folding

in a pile and brought it neatly back to

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

I said as I zipped

I got

said and she grabbed my travel

the charger. The most important

answering your

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

for a quick hug and

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

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

nervous as he was driving,

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 New Jersey.  "Yay! You guys are

us as

in, come in!" she gave us each a hug

cold outside but the house was warm and

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

these upstairs," lan said,

pulled me to the kitchen before I

she announced to the whole room

"Emma! You made it!"

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

for having me. I'm so excited for dinner," I said

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

looked like he was around

AJ. I've heard so much about

to meet you," I shook his hand

one of lan’s oldest friends.He’s lonely on his own, so he likes to spend thanksgiving with us,"Hailey added and they shared a

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

no.You're our guest.Just sit still, dear,"she shook her

gonna let you touch anything,"Hailey

are you?" lan entered the room and went straight to hug his

sweet to see how good he

it was almost

good.Turkey's almost

"Don’t just stand there sweetie, go set the table for our

guest and

big brother

Bro, glad you can make it," lan ignored

on a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and Hailey invited me, hope

asked as

could be ourselves here. He could introduce me to people

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

a good one right

"Shut up,"

playful

I can use a hand

from

"Be right there,"

replied and made his way over

back to

Kristen took out the

divine.It was pretty much

were such a lovely family.My eyes

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

dining room as Hailey and AJ had their backs on

as they were laughing and smiling

Hailey’s hand and he brought it to

gently before

was blushing and her eyes fluttered as