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.  

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 as she continued folding

"Thanks mom,"

have some fun.But please, just remember to

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

go on a little

fun.You and dad deserve to have some fun.Just be safe, okay?" I

and finished folding all the scattered

in a pile and

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

picking me up," I said as I zipped up my

I got everything

be calling you every night to check up on you," mom said and she grabbed my travel

forgot the charger. The

I'll be answering your call

I put it inside the front

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

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

the next morning.We wanted to get to New

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

twelve hours of 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. 

as she opened the

us each a hug before

outside but the

music was playing, and the

lan said,

come here," Hailey pulled me to the

announced to the whole room as we stepped inside the

"Emma! You made it!"

into a bowl, but she dropped everything to give me

I'm so excited for dinner,"

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

looked like he was around

heard so much

to meet you," I shook his

oldest friends.He’s lonely on his own, so he likes to spend thanksgiving with us,"Hailey added and they shared

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

sit still, dear,"she shook her

gonna let you touch anything,"Hailey

the room

to see how good he was

it

doing good.Turkey's almost

"Don’t just stand there sweetie, go set the table for our guests

a guest

rolled her eyes at her big brother before turning to her

you can make it," lan ignored Hailey

a cruise, somewhere

asked

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

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

nodded at me and said, "You got a good

"Shut up,"

a playful shove

I can use a hand

called out from

"Be right there,"

made his way

went back to talking with

the big, heavy

looked amazing and smelled divine.It was pretty

myself as I saw how good lan was with his mom.They were such

so I thought

room as Hailey and AJ had their

as

hand and he brought it

her hand gently before softly

eyes fluttered as