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 as she

"Thanks mom,"

deserve to have some fun.But please,

this.You don’t have to

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,"

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

she laughed and finished

them all in a pile and brought it

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

me up," I said as I zipped up my

I got

calling you every night to check up on you," mom said and she grabbed my travel charger on the desk and handed

charger. The

your call every

charger from her, and I put it

all I wanna hear," she pulled me for a

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

to get to New Jersey before 7 PM, where

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

karaoke sessions, sipping on Slurpee and coffee, and a lot of stupid I spy

us as she opened the

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

air was cold outside but the house was warm

fire in the fireplace, jazz music was playing, and the

these upstairs," lan

me to the kitchen

who's here!" she announced to the whole room as

"Emma! You made it!"

she dropped

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

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

he was around

I'm AJ. I've heard so much about

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

with?" I said to Kirsten as I noticed how busy

guest.Just sit still, dear,"she

turf.She’s not gonna let

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

sweet to see how good he was with

sweet, it

doing good.Turkey's almost

there sweetie, go set the table

a guest and I’m

her eyes at her big brother before turning to her

can make it," lan ignored Hailey and

a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom

met my girl?" lan asked as

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

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

and said, "You got a good one right here, Emma.Hold on to

"Shut up,"

playful shove as

can use a

out from the dining

"Be right there,"

and made his way over to

went back to

also helped Kristen took out the big, heavy

amazing and smelled divine.It was pretty much

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

the table for everyone, so I thought I could

room as Hailey and AJ

coming in, as they were laughing and smiling at

and he

hand gently before softly letting

blushing and her eyes