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.  

hard you've been working for college and to save up money, I’m really proud of you Emma,"mom said as she continued

"Thanks mom,"

have some fun.But please, just remember to always

I got this.You don’t have to

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

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

she laughed and

in a pile and brought it

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

up," I said as I zipped up

got everything

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

charger. The most

be answering your call

I put it inside the front pocket of the

for a

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

wanted to get

little nervous as he was driving, and he wouldn't let go

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

us as she opened the front

gave us each a hug before

outside but the house was

was playing, and the smell

upstairs," lan said, referring to our

me to the kitchen before I could say

look who's here!" she announced to the whole room as we

"Emma! You made it!"

she dropped everything to give me

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

Emma," a guy with dirty blonde

looked like he

I've heard so

nice to meet you," I

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

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

no.You're our guest.Just sit still, dear,"she shook her head

not gonna let you touch anything,"Hailey

you?" lan entered the room

see how good

it was

doing good.Turkey's almost

there sweetie, go set the table for our guests

a guest and I’m

eyes at her big brother before

can make it," lan

on a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and Hailey invited me,

asked as he put

be ourselves here. He could introduce me to people as his girl

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

a good one

"Shut up,"

a playful shove as they

can use

from the

"Be right there,"

replied and made his way over to

back to talking

helped Kristen took out the big,

smelled divine.It was pretty

saw how good lan was with his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then

everyone, so I thought I could give them a

Hailey

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

AJ took Hailey’s hand and

hand gently before

her eyes fluttered as she stared