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.  

I know that.I trust you.Especially with how hard you've been working for college and to save up money, I’m really

"Thanks mom,"

have some fun.But please, just remember to always

have to worry,"

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

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

laughed and finished folding all the scattered

a pile and brought

to drive you to the meeting point tomorrow?"she

up," I said as

I got everything

you," mom said and she grabbed my travel charger on the

the charger. The most

your call every night,

took the charger from her, and I put it

for

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

the house very early the next morning.We wanted to get to New Jersey before 7

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

sipping on Slurpee and coffee, and a lot of stupid I spy games later, we made it to New

as she opened

she gave us each a hug before pulling

air was cold outside but the house was warm and

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

these upstairs," lan said, referring to

come here," Hailey pulled me to the kitchen

the whole room as we

"Emma! You made it!"

bowl, but she dropped everything to give me a hug.

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

this is Emma," a guy with dirty blonde hair and

he was around

heard

nice to meet you," I shook his hand

on his own, so he likes to spend thanksgiving with

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

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

not gonna let

ma, how are you?" lan entered the room and went straight to

to see how good he was with his

it

good.Turkey's almost

Hailey, "Don’t just stand there sweetie,

a guest and I’m

big brother before turning to

make it," lan ignored Hailey and went straight for

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

lan asked as he

could introduce me to people as his

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

me and said, "You got a good one right

"Shut up,"

a playful shove as they

can use a hand

out from the

"Be right there,"

made his way over to

went back to talking with

took out the big, heavy turkey

and smelled divine.It was pretty

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

table for everyone, so I thought I could give them

towards the dining room as Hailey and AJ

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

took Hailey’s hand and

hand gently before softly letting

and her eyes