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.  

that.I trust you.Especially with how hard you've been working for college and to save up money, I’m really proud of

"Thanks mom,"

deserve to have some fun.But please,

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

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

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

and finished

and brought it neatly

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

I said

got everything

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

charger. The

your

I put it inside the front pocket of

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

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

the house very early the next morning.We wanted to get to New Jersey before 7

driving, and he wouldn't

carpool karaoke sessions, sipping on Slurpee and coffee, and a lot of

beamed at us as she opened

gave us each a hug before pulling us

was cold outside but the house was warm and

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

bring these upstairs," lan said, referring to

me to the kitchen

she announced to the whole room

"Emma! You made it!"

was busy pouring gravy into a bowl, but she dropped

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

Emma," a guy with dirty blonde hair and

looked like he was around lan’s

I'm AJ. I've heard so much

you," I shook his

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

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

no.You're our guest.Just sit still,

turf.She’s not gonna let

you?" lan entered the room and went

see how good he was with his

sweet, it

good.Turkey's

there sweetie, go set the table for our guests will

a guest

eyes at her big brother before

Bro, glad you can make it," lan ignored Hailey and

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

lan asked as he put an

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

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

said, "You got a

"Shut up,"

playful shove

I can use a

called out from the

"Be right there,"

his way over to

to talking

helped Kristen took out the big, heavy

divine.It was pretty much the poster child for thanksgiving

lan was with his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes

everyone, so

towards the dining room as Hailey and AJ had their backs

I was coming in, as they were

and he brought it to his

her hand gently before softly letting

blushing and her eyes fluttered