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.  

girl, you can handle yourself, I know that.I 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, just remember to always

will, mom, I got this.You don’t have

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

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

she laughed and

and brought it neatly back to

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

up," I said as I

got

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

the charger. The most important

be answering your call

from her, and I put it inside the

wanna hear," she pulled me for a quick hug and

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

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

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

after twelve hours of driving filled with carpool karaoke sessions, sipping on Slurpee and coffee, and

at us as she opened the front

us each a hug before pulling us

was cold outside but the house was warm

music was playing, and the smell of Kristen’s

these upstairs," lan said, referring to

come here," Hailey pulled me to the

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

"Emma! You made it!"

bowl, but she dropped everything to give me

excited for dinner," I said as I hugged her

a guy with dirty blonde hair and brown eyes greeted

looked like he was around lan’s

AJ. I've heard so much

you," I shook his hand

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

said to Kirsten as I noticed how busy she

guest.Just sit still, dear,"she shook

turf.She’s not gonna let

are you?" lan entered the

sweet to see how good he was

it was

doing good.Turkey's

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

a guest and I’m

eyes at her big brother before turning to her

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

a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your

girl?" lan asked

here. He could introduce me to people as his

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

a good one right

"Shut up,"

a playful

AJ, I can use a hand

from

"Be right there,"

and made his way over to

back to

Kristen took out the big, heavy turkey

was pretty much the

smiling to myself as I saw how good lan was with his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then darted to the dining room where Hailey and AJ

busy setting the table for everyone, so I

towards the dining room as Hailey and AJ had

I was coming in, as they were laughing

suddenly, AJ took Hailey’s hand and

hand gently before softly

eyes fluttered