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.  

you.Especially with how hard you've been working for college and to save up money, I’m really proud of you Emma,"mom

"Thanks mom,"

deserve to have some fun.But please,

don’t have to

home tomorrow, your dad and I decided to go on a little date night.We're gonna watch a movie.It’s been

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

she laughed and finished folding all

put them all in a pile and brought

drive you to the

me up," I said as I zipped up my overnight

I got everything

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

charger. The most

your call every night,

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

hear," she pulled me for a quick hug and

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

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

as he was driving, and he wouldn't

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

at us as she opened the

gave us

was cold outside but the house was warm and

in the fireplace, jazz music was playing,

these upstairs," lan said,

pulled me to the kitchen before I

the whole room as we stepped inside

"Emma! You made it!"

pouring gravy into a bowl, but she dropped everything

for dinner," I said as

dirty blonde hair and brown

like he was around

heard

nice to meet you," I

so he likes to spend thanksgiving with

said to Kirsten as I

sit still, dear,"she shook her

turf.She’s not gonna let you

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

sweet to see how good he

sweet, it was almost

doing good.Turkey's almost

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

a guest and I’m

big

Bro, glad you can make it," lan

are spending thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your

asked as he put

loved that we could be ourselves here. He could introduce me

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

got a

"Shut up,"

him a playful shove as

can use a hand

from the

"Be right there,"

made his way over

back to

Kristen took out the big, heavy turkey from the

divine.It was pretty much the poster child for

myself as I saw how good lan was with his mom.They were such a lovely

the table for everyone, so I thought I could give

room as Hailey and AJ had their backs

in, as they were laughing

Hailey’s hand and he

hand gently

eyes fluttered