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.  

hard you've been working for college and to save up money, I’m really proud of you Emma,"mom said as she continued folding my

"Thanks mom,"

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

don’t have to worry," I said

gonna be home tomorrow, your dad and I decided to go on a little

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

nice one," she laughed and finished folding

put them all in a pile and brought

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

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

I got

every night to check up on you," mom said and she grabbed my

the charger. The most important thing

be answering your

the charger from her, and I put it inside

me for a quick hug and kissed

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

very early the next morning.We wanted to get to New

driving, and he

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

us as she opened the front

us each a hug before

air was cold outside but the house was warm

fireplace, jazz music was playing,

these upstairs," lan said, referring to

pulled me to the

look who's here!" she announced to the whole room as we stepped inside

"Emma! You made it!"

she dropped everything to

for dinner," I said as I hugged her

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

like he was around lan’s

AJ. I've heard so much

meet you,"

he

you with?" I said to Kirsten

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

gonna let you touch anything,"Hailey

ma, how are you?" lan entered the room and went straight

was sweet to see how good he was

it

good.Turkey's

and turned to Hailey, "Don’t just stand there sweetie, go set the table for our

guest and

her eyes at her big

you can make it," lan ignored Hailey and went

parents are spending thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and Hailey invited me, hope that’s

you've met my girl?" lan asked as

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

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

got a good one right

"Shut up,"

him a playful shove

can

out from the dining

"Be right there,"

made his

to talking with his

helped Kristen took out the big,

divine.It was pretty much the

saw how good lan was with his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then darted to the dining room

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

as Hailey and

coming in, as they were laughing and

took Hailey’s hand and he brought it to

her hand gently before softly

and her eyes fluttered as she