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

"Thanks mom,"

deserve to have some fun.But please,

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

not gonna be home tomorrow, your dad and I decided to go on a little date night.We're gonna watch a movie.It’s been a while since we

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

nice one," she laughed and finished folding all the scattered

pile and brought it

you don’t want me to drive you to the meeting point tomorrow?"she called out from inside

picking me up," I said as I zipped up

got everything

Well, I'll be calling you every night to check up on you," mom said and she grabbed my

forgot the charger. The most

be answering your call every

the charger from her, and I put it inside

she pulled me for a quick hug and kissed

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

house very early the next morning.We wanted to

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

carpool karaoke sessions, sipping on Slurpee and coffee, and a lot of stupid I spy games later, we made it to New Jersey.  "Yay!

us as she opened the front

she gave us each a hug before pulling us

air was cold outside but the house

was a fire in the fireplace, jazz music was playing,

these upstairs," lan said, referring

pulled me to the

announced to the whole room as

"Emma! You made it!"

into a bowl, but she dropped

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

is Emma," a guy with dirty blonde hair and brown eyes greeted

like he was around

I've heard so much

to meet you,"

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

anything I can help you with?" I said to Kirsten as I noticed

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

not gonna let you touch anything,"Hailey

how are you?" lan entered the room

sweet to see how good he

it was almost

good.Turkey's

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

guest and I’m

her eyes at her big brother before turning to

you can make it," lan

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

met my girl?" lan asked as he

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

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

and said, "You got a good

"Shut up,"

gave him a playful

I can use

from the

"Be right there,"

replied and made his way

went back to talking

Kristen took out the big, heavy turkey from the

divine.It was pretty

was 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

so I

walked towards the dining room as Hailey and AJ

was coming in, as they were laughing and smiling

suddenly, AJ took Hailey’s hand and he brought

hand gently before

her eyes fluttered as she stared