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.  

hard you've been working for college and to save up money, I’m

"Thanks mom,"

some fun.But please,

don’t have to

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

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

one," she laughed and

put them all in a pile and brought it

drive you to

up," I said as I zipped

got everything

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

forgot the charger. The

your call

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

wanna hear," she pulled me for

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

next morning.We wanted to get to New Jersey before 7 PM, where dinner would

driving, and he wouldn't let go of

coffee, and a lot of stupid I spy games later, we made

at us as

in!" she gave us each a

was cold outside but the house

in the fireplace, jazz music was playing, and

bring these upstairs," lan

me to the kitchen before I could

look who's here!" she announced to the whole room as we stepped inside the

"Emma! You made it!"

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

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

dirty

looked like he was

AJ. I've heard so much

meet you," I shook his hand

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

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

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

gonna let you touch anything,"Hailey

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

to see how

sweet, it was almost

doing good.Turkey's almost

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

a guest and I’m

eyes at her big brother before turning

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

parents are spending thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and Hailey invited me, hope

girl?" lan asked as he put an arm

He could introduce me to people as his girl and it wouldn't be

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

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

"Shut up,"

playful

can

from

"Be right there,"

his way over to

went back to talking with his

also helped Kristen took out the big,

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

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

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

Hailey and AJ had their backs on

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

Hailey’s hand and he brought it to

hand gently

eyes fluttered as she stared