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.  

you've been working for college and to save up money,

"Thanks mom,"

deserve to have some fun.But please, just remember to

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

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

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

she laughed and finished folding all the

put them all in a pile and brought it neatly back to my

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

up," I said as I zipped up my

got everything

to check up on you," mom said and she

the charger. The most important thing

I'll be answering your call

and took the charger from her, and I put it inside the front pocket of

me for a quick hug and kissed

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

the next morning.We wanted to get

was driving, and he wouldn't

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.  "Yay!

us as she opened the

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

cold outside but the house was

music was playing, and the

bring these upstairs," lan said, referring to our

pulled me to the kitchen before I could say anything

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

"Emma! You made it!"

she dropped everything to give me

for dinner," I said as I hugged

dirty blonde

like he was

I've heard so much

nice to meet you,"

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

said to Kirsten as I noticed

sit still, dear,"she

gonna let you touch

lan entered the room and went straight to hug

how good

sweet, it

good.Turkey's almost

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

a guest and

at her big brother before turning to her

glad you can make it," lan ignored Hailey

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

you've met my girl?" lan asked as he

ourselves here. He could introduce me

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

at me and said, "You got a good one right here, Emma.Hold on to

"Shut up,"

playful shove

AJ, I can use

from

"Be right there,"

replied and made his way

went back to talking with his

Kristen took out the big, heavy turkey from

looked amazing and smelled divine.It was pretty much the poster child for

lan was with his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then darted to the

for everyone, so

room as Hailey and AJ had their backs

notice I was coming in, as they were laughing and smiling

Hailey’s hand and he brought

gently before

and her eyes fluttered as she stared at