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.  

hard you've been working for college

"Thanks mom,"

some fun.But please, just remember to always be

mom, I got this.You don’t have

tomorrow, your dad and I decided to go on a little date night.We're gonna watch a

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

laughed and finished folding all the scattered

and brought it

you don’t want me to drive you to the meeting point tomorrow?"she called out from inside the

me up," I said as I zipped up my

got

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

forgot the charger. The most

your call every

her, and I put it inside the front pocket

wanna hear," she pulled me for a quick hug and kissed m_ forehead

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

morning.We wanted to get to New

he was driving, and

and coffee, and a lot of

at us as she

gave us each a

but the

playing, and the

upstairs," lan said, referring to

pulled me to the kitchen before I could

here!" she announced to the

"Emma! You made it!"

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

so excited for

guy with dirty blonde hair and brown eyes

like he was around

AJ. I've heard so much

you," I shook

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

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

guest.Just sit still, dear,"she shook

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

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

see how good he was

sweet, it was

good.Turkey's

there sweetie, go set the table

a guest and I’m

her eyes at her big brother before turning to her

glad you can make it," lan ignored

are spending thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and Hailey invited me, hope that’s

met my girl?" lan asked as

introduce me to people as his girl and it wouldn't

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

said, "You got a good one

"Shut up,"

playful shove as

can

called out from the dining

"Be right there,"

replied and made his way over

to talking

Kristen took out the

smelled divine.It was pretty much

mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then darted to the dining room

so I thought

as Hailey and AJ

as they were laughing

suddenly, AJ took Hailey’s hand and

kissed her hand gently before softly letting it

blushing and her eyes fluttered as she stared at