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 continued folding my

"Thanks mom,"

please, just

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

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

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

laughed and finished folding

all in a pile and brought

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

friend’s picking me up," I said as

got everything

on you," mom said and she grabbed

charger. The most important

I'll be answering your call

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

pulled me for a

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

wanted to get

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

hours of driving filled with carpool karaoke sessions, sipping on Slurpee and coffee, and a lot of stupid I spy games later, we made it to New Jersey.  "Yay!

beamed at us as she opened the

in!" she gave us

but the house was warm and

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

upstairs," lan said, referring

pulled me to the kitchen before I could

the whole room as we stepped

"Emma! You made it!"

but she dropped everything to

I'm so excited for dinner," I said as I hugged her

dirty blonde hair

like he was around

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

you," I shook his hand

he likes to spend thanksgiving with us,"Hailey added and

help you with?" I said

guest.Just sit still, dear,"she shook her head

not gonna let you touch

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

how

sweet, it was almost

doing good.Turkey's almost

turned to Hailey, "Don’t just stand there sweetie, go

guest

eyes at her big brother

you can make it," lan ignored Hailey and went straight

a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and Hailey invited

girl?" lan asked as he put

could introduce me to

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

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

"Shut up,"

gave him a playful shove as they

can use

out from the dining

"Be right there,"

his way over to

back to talking

the big, heavy turkey from

smelled divine.It was pretty much

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

so I thought I could give them

towards the dining room as Hailey and AJ had

didn’t notice I was coming in, as they were laughing

Hailey’s hand and he brought

hand gently before softly

blushing and her eyes