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.  

with how hard you've been working for college and

"Thanks mom,"

please, just remember to always

got this.You don’t have

I decided to go on a little date night.We're gonna watch a movie.It’s been a while since we did that,"

fun.You and dad deserve to have some fun.Just

and finished folding all the

and brought it neatly back to my

drive you to the meeting

me up," I said as I zipped

I got

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

almost forgot the charger. The most

your call

I put it inside the

I wanna hear," she pulled me for a quick

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

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

a little nervous as he was driving, and he

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

at us as

in!" she gave us each

outside but the house

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

bring these upstairs," lan said, referring to our

Hailey pulled me to the

here!" she announced to the whole room as

"Emma! You made it!"

a bowl, but she dropped everything to give me

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

dirty blonde

he was around lan’s

AJ. I've heard so much about

meet you," I shook

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

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

still, dear,"she

turf.She’s not gonna let

lan entered the room and went

sweet to see how good he was

sweet, it

doing good.Turkey's almost

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

a guest and I’m

her eyes at her big brother before turning to

Bro, glad you can make it," lan ignored Hailey and

on a cruise, somewhere

met my girl?" lan asked as he

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

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

got a good one right here, Emma.Hold on

"Shut up,"

a playful shove

AJ, I can use a hand

called out from the dining

"Be right there,"

and made his

went back to talking with his

the big, heavy turkey

looked amazing and smelled divine.It was pretty much the poster child

smiling to 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 Hailey and AJ

table for everyone, so I thought I could give them a

room as Hailey and AJ had their backs on

in, as they were laughing and

took Hailey’s hand and he

gently before softly letting

was blushing and her eyes fluttered