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

"Thanks mom,"

to have some fun.But please,

I got this.You don’t have

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

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

nice one," she laughed and finished

put them all in a pile and

to the meeting point tomorrow?"she called out

I said

I got

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

almost forgot the charger.

be answering your

I put it inside the front pocket of

wanna hear," she pulled me for a

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

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

nervous as he was driving, and

coffee, and a lot of stupid I spy games later, we made it to New Jersey. 

as she opened the front

come in!" she gave us each a hug before

cold outside but the house

fire in the fireplace, jazz music was playing, and

bring these upstairs," lan said, referring

to the kitchen before I could say anything

announced to the whole room

"Emma! You made it!"

she dropped everything to give

excited for dinner," I said as I

dirty blonde hair and brown eyes greeted

like he was around lan’s

heard so

you," I shook

on his own, so he likes to spend thanksgiving with us,"Hailey added and

said to Kirsten as I noticed how busy she

sit still, dear,"she

is mom's turf.She’s not gonna let you touch

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

to see how good he

it was

good.Turkey's

just stand there sweetie, go set the table for

a guest and I’m

her big brother before turning

can make it," lan ignored Hailey and went

thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere

you've met my girl?" lan asked as he put an

be ourselves here. He could introduce me

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

a

"Shut up,"

him a playful shove

can use

out from the dining

"Be right there,"

replied and made his way over to

back to talking with his

the big, heavy turkey from the

was pretty much the poster child for thanksgiving

with his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then darted to the dining

everyone, so

dining room as Hailey

coming in, as they were laughing

suddenly, AJ took Hailey’s hand and he brought

kissed her hand gently before

and her eyes fluttered as