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.  

handle 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

"Thanks mom,"

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

this.You don’t have to worry," I

not gonna 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 that," mom

sounds fun.You and dad deserve to have some fun.Just be safe, okay?" I said, mimicking her

laughed and finished folding all the

pile and brought it neatly back to my

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

up," I said as I zipped up my

I got everything

I'll be calling you every night to check up on you," mom said

forgot the charger.

your

from her, and I put it inside

she pulled me for a quick hug and kissed

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

morning.We wanted to get to New Jersey before 7 PM,

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

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

as she

she gave us each a hug before pulling

cold outside but the house was warm

fire in the fireplace, jazz music was playing,

upstairs," lan said, referring to

pulled me to the kitchen

the whole

"Emma! You made it!"

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

I'm so excited for dinner," I said

guy with dirty blonde hair

like he

I've heard so much

nice to meet you," I

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

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

still, dear,"she shook her

not gonna let

lan entered the room

see how good

it

good.Turkey's almost

stand there sweetie, go set the table for our guests

guest and I’m

big brother before

it," lan ignored Hailey and went straight

cruise, somewhere in

you've met my girl?" lan asked as

be ourselves here. He could introduce me to people as his

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

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

"Shut up,"

him a playful

I can use a

from the dining

"Be right there,"

made his way

back to talking with his

helped Kristen took out the big, heavy turkey from the

divine.It was pretty much the poster child

mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes

so I thought I could

as Hailey and AJ

notice I was coming in, as they were laughing and

hand and he brought it to his

gently before

blushing and her eyes fluttered