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.  

big girl, you can handle yourself, I know that.I trust you.Especially with how hard you've been working for college and to save up

"Thanks mom,"

deserve to have some fun.But please, just

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

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

and dad deserve to have some fun.Just be safe, okay?"

she laughed and finished folding all the

them all in a pile and brought it neatly back

to the meeting point tomorrow?"she called

said as I zipped up my overnight

I got

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

charger. The

I'll be answering your call every

her, and I put it inside

for a

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

morning.We wanted to get to

was driving, and he wouldn't let

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

us as she opened

gave us each

air was cold outside but the house was warm

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

upstairs," lan

me to the kitchen before

the

"Emma! You made it!"

was busy pouring gravy into a bowl, but she dropped everything

I'm so excited for dinner,"

dirty

looked like he was around lan’s

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

to meet you," I shook his hand

on his own, so he likes

help you with?" I said to Kirsten

guest.Just sit still,

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

you?" lan entered the

to see how good he was with

it was

doing good.Turkey's almost

"Don’t just stand there sweetie, go set the table

a guest and I’m

big

make it," lan ignored

on a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and

girl?" lan asked as

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

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

got a good one right here, Emma.Hold

"Shut up,"

playful

AJ, I can use

from the

"Be right there,"

and made his

went back to

took out the big, heavy

looked amazing and smelled divine.It was pretty

was smiling to myself as I saw how good lan was with his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then darted

for everyone, so I thought I could give

the dining room as Hailey and AJ had their

coming in, as they were laughing and

Hailey’s hand and he brought it

hand gently before softly letting

was blushing and her eyes fluttered