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.  

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 as she

"Thanks mom,"

deserve to have some fun.But please, just

mom, I got this.You don’t have to worry," I said with a

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 did

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

one," she laughed and finished folding

and brought it neatly back to

me to drive you to the meeting point tomorrow?"she

me up," I said as I

got everything

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

charger.

I'll be answering your call

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

wanna hear," she pulled me for a quick

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

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

little nervous as he was driving, and he wouldn't

Slurpee and coffee, and a lot of stupid I spy games later, we made it

at us as she

gave us each

cold outside but the house was

a fire in the fireplace, jazz music was playing, and the smell of Kristen’s amazing cooking

these upstairs," lan said, referring

the kitchen before I could say anything

the whole room as

"Emma! You made it!"

busy pouring gravy into a bowl, but she dropped everything to give me a

so excited for dinner," I said as

with dirty blonde hair and brown

looked like he was

I'm AJ. I've heard

to meet you," I shook his hand

so he likes to spend thanksgiving with us,"Hailey added

you with?" I said to Kirsten as I noticed how

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

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

lan entered the

sweet to see how

it was almost

doing good.Turkey's

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

a guest and I’m

big

can make it," lan

spending thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere in

lan asked as he put an arm around

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

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

got a good

"Shut up,"

gave him a playful shove as they

AJ, I can use a hand

out from

"Be right there,"

and made his

back to talking with his

out the big, heavy turkey

looked amazing and smelled divine.It was pretty much the poster child for thanksgiving

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

were busy setting the table for everyone, so I thought I could give them

Hailey and

coming in, as they

Hailey’s hand and

kissed her hand gently before

and her eyes fluttered