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.  

working for college and to save up money, I’m really proud of you Emma,"mom said

"Thanks mom,"

have some fun.But please, just remember to always be

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

since you're not gonna be home tomorrow, your dad and I decided to go on a little date night.We're gonna

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

one," she laughed and

put them all in a pile and brought it

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

friend’s picking me up," I said as

got everything

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

forgot the charger. The most

I'll be answering your call

her, and I put it inside the

she pulled me for a quick hug and kissed m_ forehead

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

left the house very early the next morning.We wanted to get to New Jersey before

nervous as he was driving, and he wouldn't

sessions, sipping on Slurpee and coffee, and

as she opened the front

in, come in!" she gave us

outside but the house was

was playing, and the smell of Kristen’s amazing cooking filled the

these upstairs," lan said, referring

the kitchen before I could

the whole room

"Emma! You made it!"

into a bowl, but she dropped everything to give me a

for

with dirty blonde hair and

looked like he was around

I've heard

to meet you," I shook his

is one of lan’s oldest friends.He’s lonely on his own, so he likes to spend thanksgiving with us,"Hailey added and they

help you with?" I said to Kirsten as I noticed how

our guest.Just sit still, dear,"she

gonna let you touch

the room

sweet to see how good he was with

it was almost

doing good.Turkey's

replied and turned to Hailey, "Don’t just stand there sweetie, go

guest and I’m

rolled her eyes at her big brother before turning to

lan

spending thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere

my girl?" lan asked as he put an arm around

we could be ourselves here. He could introduce me to people as

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

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

"Shut up,"

a playful shove as

I can

from the

"Be right there,"

and made his way

went back to talking with his

out the big, heavy

and smelled divine.It was pretty

saw how good lan was with his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then darted to the dining room where

were busy setting the table for everyone, so I thought I could

Hailey

notice I was coming in, as they were laughing and smiling

and

kissed her hand gently before softly letting

her eyes fluttered as she stared