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.  

for college and to save up money, I’m really proud of you Emma,"mom said as she continued folding

"Thanks mom,"

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

have to worry,"

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

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

laughed and finished folding all the scattered

and brought it neatly back to

want me to drive you to the meeting point tomorrow?"she called out from inside

me up," I said as I zipped up my

got

said and she grabbed my travel charger on the desk and handed it to

forgot the charger. The most

answering your call every

I put it inside the front pocket of the

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

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

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

was driving, and he wouldn't let

and coffee, and a lot of stupid I spy games later, we made it to

as she opened

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

but

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

upstairs," lan said,

Hailey pulled me to the kitchen before I

here!" she announced to the whole room as we stepped inside

"Emma! You made it!"

busy pouring gravy into a bowl, but she dropped

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

guy with dirty blonde hair and

he was

I'm AJ. I've heard so much

to meet you," I shook his

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

can help you with?" I said to Kirsten as I noticed how busy she

guest.Just sit still, dear,"she shook

not gonna let you touch anything,"Hailey

lan entered the

see how

it was

good.Turkey's almost

turned to Hailey, "Don’t just stand there sweetie,

guest and

at her big brother before turning to

glad you can make it," lan ignored Hailey and went straight

on a cruise, somewhere

my girl?" lan asked as he

here. He could introduce me to people as his girl and

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

and said, "You got a

"Shut up,"

him a playful shove as they

AJ, I can use

called out from the

"Be right there,"

made his way

went back to talking

out the big,

amazing and smelled divine.It was pretty

was with his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then

table for everyone, so I thought I could give

walked towards the dining room as Hailey and AJ had

in, as they were laughing and smiling at each

Hailey’s hand and he brought it

hand gently before softly

her eyes fluttered as