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.  

trust you.Especially with how hard you've been working for college and to save up money, I’m really proud of you Emma,"mom said

"Thanks mom,"

some fun.But please, just

this.You don’t have to worry," I

you're not gonna be home tomorrow, your dad and I decided to go on a little

some fun.Just be safe, okay?" I said, mimicking her words

she laughed and finished

them all in a pile and brought it neatly back to

to the meeting point tomorrow?"she

picking me up," I said as I zipped

got

you," mom said

almost forgot the charger. The

I'll be answering your call every night,

took the charger from her, and I put it inside the

I wanna hear," she pulled me for a quick

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

wanted to get

he was driving,

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 Jersey.  "Yay! You guys

as she opened

us each a

outside but the house was warm and

in the fireplace, jazz music was playing, and the smell of Kristen’s

upstairs," lan said,

come here," Hailey pulled me to the

look who's here!" she announced to the

"Emma! You made it!"

was busy pouring gravy into a bowl, but she

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

is Emma," a guy with dirty blonde hair and

like he was around lan’s

AJ. I've heard so much about

meet you," I

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

I said to Kirsten as

still, dear,"she shook her head

mom's turf.She’s not gonna let

lan entered the room and went

sweet to see how good

it was almost

doing good.Turkey's almost

there sweetie, go set the table for our guests will

guest

her big brother before turning to

lan ignored

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

my girl?" lan asked as

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

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

nodded at me and said, "You got a

"Shut up,"

a playful shove as

AJ, I can use

called out from the

"Be right there,"

made his way over to

to talking

helped Kristen took out the big, heavy turkey

pretty much the

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

so I

Hailey and

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

Hailey’s hand and he brought it to

gently before softly letting

was blushing and her eyes fluttered as she