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.  

for college and to save up money, I’m really proud

"Thanks mom,"

have some fun.But please,

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

your dad and I decided to go on a little date night.We're gonna watch a

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

she laughed and finished folding

them all in a pile and brought it

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

me up," I said as I zipped

I got everything

mom said and

forgot the charger. The

your call every

and took the charger from her, and I put it

for a quick hug

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

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

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

was kinda sweet.  Finally, after twelve hours of driving filled with carpool karaoke sessions, sipping on Slurpee and coffee, and a lot of stupid I spy games later, we made it to New

us as she opened the

gave us each

air was cold outside but the house was warm and

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

bring these upstairs," lan

here," Hailey pulled me to the kitchen before

announced to the whole room as we stepped inside the

"Emma! You made it!"

into a bowl, but she dropped everything to give me

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

is Emma," a guy with dirty

he

AJ. I've heard

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

our guest.Just sit still,

turf.She’s not gonna

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

sweet to see how good he

sweet, it was almost

good.Turkey's almost

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

a guest and

her eyes at her big brother

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

cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your

my girl?" lan asked as he put an arm

that we could be ourselves here. He could introduce me to people as his girl and it wouldn't be

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

got a good one

"Shut up,"

a playful shove as

I can use a

from the dining

"Be right there,"

and made his way

went back to talking with

the big, heavy

and smelled divine.It was pretty much the

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

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

room as Hailey and

in, as they were laughing and smiling at each

hand and he

gently before

her eyes fluttered