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.  

can handle yourself, I know that.I trust you.Especially with how hard you've been working for college and to save up money,

"Thanks mom,"

to have some fun.But please, just remember to

mom, I got this.You don’t have

you're 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

sounds fun.You and dad deserve to have some fun.Just be

she laughed and finished folding

a pile and brought it neatly back to my

want me to drive you to

I said

got

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

the charger. The most important

your call

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

for a quick hug and

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

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

as he was 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!

at us as she opened the

come in!" she gave us each a hug before pulling

was cold outside but

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

upstairs," lan said, referring

come here," Hailey pulled me to the

here!" she announced to the whole room as we stepped inside the

"Emma! You made it!"

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

me. I'm so excited for dinner," I said as I hugged

Emma," a guy with dirty blonde

looked like he was

I'm AJ. I've heard so much about

to meet you," I

oldest friends.He’s lonely on his own, so he likes to spend

there anything I can help you with?" I said to Kirsten as I noticed

sit still, dear,"she shook

turf.She’s not gonna let you touch anything,"Hailey

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

was sweet to see how good

sweet, it was

good.Turkey's

turned to Hailey, "Don’t just stand there sweetie, go

a guest and

eyes at her big brother

lan ignored Hailey and went straight for

somewhere in Barbados.Your mom

lan asked

that we could be ourselves here. He could introduce me to

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

nodded at me and said, "You got a good one right here, Emma.Hold on

"Shut up,"

gave him a playful shove as they

can use a hand

out from the

"Be right there,"

his way over to

to talking with his

Kristen took out the big, heavy turkey from the

pretty much the

his mom.They were such a lovely

for everyone, so I thought I could give them a

dining room as Hailey and AJ

in, as they were laughing and smiling at each

Hailey’s hand and he brought

her hand gently

and her eyes