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.  

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 my

"Thanks mom,"

have some fun.But please, just

I got this.You don’t have to

since you're not gonna be home tomorrow, your dad and I decided to go on a little date night.We're gonna watch a

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

she laughed and finished folding all the scattered

them all in a pile and brought it neatly back to

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

said as I zipped

got everything

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

charger. The most important thing

I'll be answering your call every night,

from her, and I

all I wanna hear," she pulled me for a quick hug

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

very early the next morning.We wanted to get to New Jersey

looked a little nervous as he was driving, and he

sweet.  Finally, after 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

beamed at us as she opened the front

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

cold outside but the

a fire in the fireplace, jazz music was playing, and the smell

upstairs," lan said, referring to our

to the kitchen before I

everyone, look who's here!" she announced to the whole room as we

"Emma! You made it!"

a bowl, but she

for having me. I'm so excited for dinner," I

guy with dirty blonde

he was

I've heard

you," I shook his

so he likes to spend

said to

guest.Just sit still, dear,"she

mom's turf.She’s not gonna let

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

was sweet to see how good he

it

good.Turkey's almost

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

guest

her eyes at her big

can make it," lan ignored Hailey

cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom

lan asked as

could be ourselves here. He could introduce me to

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

got a good one

"Shut up,"

him a playful shove

can use a

out from the dining

"Be right there,"

and made his

back to talking

took out the big, heavy turkey

pretty much the

saw how good lan was with his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then

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

walked towards the dining room as Hailey and AJ had their

in, as they were laughing and

AJ took Hailey’s hand and he brought it to

kissed her hand gently before softly

her eyes fluttered