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.  

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

"Thanks mom,"

some fun.But please, just remember to always

will, mom, I got this.You don’t have

decided to go on a little

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

and finished

and brought

to the meeting point tomorrow?"she called out from inside the

my friend’s picking me up," I said as

got everything

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

forgot the charger. The most important

I'll be answering your call every

and I put it inside the front pocket

hear," she pulled me for a quick

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

next morning.We wanted to get to New Jersey before

driving, and he wouldn't let go

Slurpee and coffee, and a lot of stupid I spy games later, we made it to New

at us as she

come in!" she gave us each a

but the house was

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

bring these upstairs," lan said, referring to

the kitchen before

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

"Emma! You made it!"

gravy into a bowl, but she dropped everything to

for having me. I'm so excited for

guy with dirty blonde hair and brown

looked like he was around lan’s

AJ. I've heard so much

you,"

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

anything I can help you with?" I said to Kirsten as I

no.You're our guest.Just sit still,

not gonna let you touch

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

see how

sweet, it

doing good.Turkey's

there sweetie, go set the table for our

guest

rolled her eyes at her big brother before turning to

Bro, glad you can make it," lan ignored

somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and Hailey invited me, hope

girl?" lan asked as

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

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

and said, "You got a good one right here, Emma.Hold on

"Shut up,"

him a playful shove

AJ, I can

called out from the dining

"Be right there,"

replied and made his way

to talking

took out the

and smelled divine.It was pretty much the poster child for thanksgiving

was 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

busy setting the table for everyone, so

walked towards the dining room as Hailey and AJ had

coming in, as they were laughing and smiling

AJ took Hailey’s hand and he

gently before softly letting

and her eyes