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

"Thanks mom,"

to have some fun.But please,

have to worry,"

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

to have some fun.Just be safe, okay?"

and finished folding all

and brought it neatly back to my

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

my friend’s picking me up," I said as I

I got

check up on you," mom said and she

almost forgot the charger. The most important thing

be answering your

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

pulled me for a quick hug

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

house very early the next morning.We wanted to get to New Jersey before 7

a little nervous as he was driving, and he wouldn't let

Slurpee and coffee, and a lot of stupid I spy games later, we made it to New Jersey.

at us as she opened

us

cold outside but the house

was playing, and the

bring these upstairs," lan

to the kitchen before I could say

announced to the whole room as we stepped

"Emma! You made it!"

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

so excited for dinner," I said as I hugged her

dirty blonde hair and

like he

heard so much

nice to meet you," I

lan’s oldest friends.He’s lonely on his own, so he likes to spend thanksgiving with

I can help you with?" I said to Kirsten

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

is mom's turf.She’s not gonna let you touch anything,"Hailey

how are you?" lan entered the room

how good he was with

sweet, it was

doing good.Turkey's

there

a guest and

big brother before turning to

glad you can make it," lan ignored

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

asked as he

could be ourselves here. He could introduce me

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

said, "You got a good one right here,

"Shut up,"

gave him a playful shove

I can use a

from the

"Be right there,"

and made his

to

the big, heavy turkey from

pretty

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

table for everyone, so

Hailey and

coming in, as they were laughing

and

kissed her hand gently before softly letting it

and her eyes fluttered as she stared at