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.  

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

"Thanks mom,"

have some fun.But please,

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

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

and finished folding all the scattered

put them all in a pile and brought it neatly back to my

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

up," I said as I zipped up my

got

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

almost forgot the charger. The most important

your call

I put

all I wanna hear," she pulled me for a quick hug

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

very early the next morning.We wanted to get

was driving, and he wouldn't let go of my

filled with carpool karaoke sessions, sipping on Slurpee and coffee, and a lot of stupid I spy games later, we made it

beamed at us as she opened

she gave us each a

was cold outside but the

in the fireplace, jazz music was playing, and the smell of

lan said,

come here," Hailey pulled me to the

she announced to the whole room

"Emma! You made it!"

a bowl, but she dropped everything to give

me. I'm so excited for dinner," I said

guy with dirty blonde hair

he was around

heard

meet you," I

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

I can help you with?" I said to Kirsten

still, dear,"she shook her head

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

entered the room and went

see how good he was

sweet, it was almost

good.Turkey's

turned to Hailey, "Don’t just stand there sweetie, go set the table for our

a guest

eyes at her big brother before

glad you can make it," lan ignored

man.My parents are spending thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and Hailey invited me, hope that’s

asked

could introduce me to people as his girl and

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

a good one right here,

"Shut up,"

him a playful shove

AJ, I can

called out from

"Be right there,"

made his way over

went back to talking with

the big, heavy turkey from

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

with his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then darted to the dining room where Hailey

so I thought I could give them

the dining room as Hailey and

didn’t notice I was coming in, as they were laughing and smiling at each

took Hailey’s hand and he brought

kissed her hand gently before softly letting

and her eyes fluttered as she stared at