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, I’m really proud

"Thanks mom,"

deserve to have some fun.But please,

don’t have to worry," I said with a

I decided to go on a little date night.We're gonna

have some fun.Just be safe, okay?" I

and

in a pile and brought it neatly

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

friend’s picking me up," I said as I zipped

got

on you," mom said and she grabbed my travel charger on the desk and handed it

forgot the charger.

answering your call

charger from her, and I put it inside

hear," she pulled me for

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

to get to New

nervous as he was driving, and he

on Slurpee and coffee, and a lot

beamed at us as she opened the front

in, come in!" she gave us

air was cold outside but the

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

bring these upstairs," lan said, referring to

here," Hailey pulled me to the kitchen

here!" she announced to the whole room as

"Emma! You made it!"

into a bowl, but she dropped everything to

so excited for dinner," I said as

with dirty blonde hair

he was around lan’s

I've heard

to meet you," I shook his hand

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

with?" I said to

guest.Just sit still, dear,"she shook

turf.She’s not gonna

the room and went straight to hug

sweet to see how good

sweet, it was

good.Turkey's

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

a guest and I’m

big

lan ignored Hailey and went straight

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

met my girl?" lan asked as he put an arm

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

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

"You got a good one right here, Emma.Hold

"Shut up,"

playful shove

can

called out from the dining

"Be right there,"

and made his way over

to talking with his

Kristen took out the big, heavy turkey from the

looked amazing and smelled divine.It was pretty much

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

were busy setting the table for everyone, so I thought I

Hailey and AJ had their backs

I was coming in, as they were laughing and smiling

suddenly, AJ took Hailey’s hand and

hand gently before softly

blushing and her eyes