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.  

yourself, I know that.I trust you.Especially with how hard you've been working for college and to

"Thanks mom,"

deserve to have some fun.But please, just

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

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

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

and finished

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

you don’t want me to drive you to the meeting

me up," I said

I got everything

up on you," mom said and she grabbed my

forgot the charger. The most

answering your call every

from her, and I put it inside

I wanna hear," she pulled me for

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

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

nervous as he was driving, and he

karaoke sessions, sipping on Slurpee and coffee, and a lot of

as she opened

in, come in!" she gave us each a hug before pulling us

but the house was warm

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

upstairs," lan said,

come here," Hailey pulled me to the kitchen

everyone, look who's here!" she announced to the whole

"Emma! You made it!"

but she dropped everything to

for dinner," I

a guy with dirty

looked like he was around lan’s

AJ. I've heard so

to meet you," I shook his

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

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

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

turf.She’s not gonna

are you?" lan entered the room and went

how good he was with

it was almost

doing good.Turkey's almost

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

a guest and

at her big brother before turning to

glad you can make it," lan ignored Hailey

spending thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and

girl?" lan asked as he

introduce me

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

me and said, "You got a good one right

"Shut up,"

a playful

I can use

out from

"Be right there,"

replied and made his way

back to talking

helped Kristen took out the big, heavy turkey from the

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

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

the table for everyone, so I thought

walked towards the dining room as Hailey and AJ had their backs on

in, as they were laughing and smiling at

AJ took Hailey’s hand and he

hand gently before softly

her eyes fluttered as she stared