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.  

big 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 you Emma,"mom said

"Thanks mom,"

to have some fun.But please, just remember to always be

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

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 did

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

one," she laughed and finished

all in a pile and

you to the meeting point tomorrow?"she called out from inside the

picking me up," I said as I

got everything

up on you," mom said and she grabbed

forgot the charger. The most

your call every

I put it inside the front

for a quick hug and kissed m_ forehead

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

morning.We wanted to get to

driving, and he

on Slurpee and coffee, and

us as she

gave us each a

but the house was

was playing, and the smell of Kristen’s amazing cooking filled

lan

me to the kitchen before I could

announced to the whole room as we stepped inside the

"Emma! You made it!"

a bowl, but she dropped everything to give

so excited for dinner," I said as

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

looked like he was

heard

you," I

on his own, so he likes to spend thanksgiving

there anything I can help you with?" I said

no.You're our guest.Just sit still,

not gonna let you touch anything,"Hailey

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

sweet to see how good he

it was

doing good.Turkey's

just stand there sweetie, go set the table for our guests

a guest and

rolled her eyes at her big brother

make it," lan ignored Hailey

cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and Hailey invited me, hope that’s

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

here. He could introduce me to people as his girl and it wouldn't be

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

nodded at me and said, "You got a good one right here,

"Shut up,"

a playful

AJ, I can use a

out from the dining

"Be right there,"

replied and made his way over

back to talking with

the big, heavy turkey from the

was pretty much the poster child

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

everyone, so I thought I

Hailey

was coming in, as they were laughing and smiling at

and he brought it to

hand gently before softly letting

and her eyes fluttered as she stared