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.  

how hard you've been working for college and to save up money,

"Thanks mom,"

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

I got this.You don’t have to worry," I said

on a little date night.We're gonna watch a movie.It’s been

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

laughed and finished folding all the

put them all in a pile and brought it neatly back to my

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

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

got everything

up on you," mom said and she grabbed my travel charger on the

the charger.

I'll be answering your call

took the charger from her, and I put it inside the front pocket

pulled me for

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

house very early the next morning.We wanted to get

was driving,

on Slurpee and coffee, and a lot of stupid I spy games later, we made it to New Jersey.  "Yay! You

at us as

come in!" she gave us each a hug before

but the house was warm and

in the fireplace, jazz music was playing, and the smell of Kristen’s amazing cooking

upstairs," lan said, referring to

Hailey pulled me to the kitchen before I could say

the whole room as we stepped inside the

"Emma! You made it!"

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

me. I'm so excited for

guy with dirty blonde hair and brown eyes greeted

like he was

heard so

you," I shook

own, so he likes to spend thanksgiving with us,"Hailey added and they shared a

with?" I said to Kirsten as I noticed how

no.You're our guest.Just sit still,

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

entered the room

sweet to see how good he

it was almost

doing good.Turkey's

just stand there sweetie,

a guest and I’m

her big brother before

make it," lan ignored Hailey and went straight for

somewhere

asked as he put an

be ourselves here. He could introduce me to people as

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

me and said, "You got a

"Shut up,"

him a playful shove

can use a

called out from the dining

"Be right there,"

his way over

went back to talking with

the big, heavy

was pretty much the poster child for

with his mom.They were such a

setting the table for everyone, so I thought I could give them

towards the dining room as Hailey and AJ had their backs on

in, as

Hailey’s hand and he brought

hand gently before softly

eyes fluttered as she stared at