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.  

with how hard you've been working for

"Thanks mom,"

fun.But please,

don’t have to

dad and I decided to go on a little date night.We're gonna watch a movie.It’s been a while

have some fun.Just be safe,

nice one," she laughed and finished folding all

and brought

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

I said

got

you," mom said and she grabbed my

charger. The most

be answering your call

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

hear," she pulled me for

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

the next morning.We wanted to get to

little nervous as he was driving, and

sweet.  Finally, after twelve hours of driving filled with carpool karaoke sessions, sipping on Slurpee and coffee, and a lot of

as she opened

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

outside but the

music was playing, and the smell

lan said,

come here," Hailey pulled me to the kitchen before I

she announced to the whole room as we

"Emma! You made it!"

pouring gravy into a bowl, but she dropped everything to give me

for having me. I'm so excited for

guy with dirty

like he

I'm AJ. I've heard so

nice to meet you," I

he likes to spend thanksgiving with us,"Hailey added and they shared a

anything I can help you with?" I said to Kirsten

no.You're our guest.Just sit still, dear,"she shook her

mom's turf.She’s not gonna let

the room and went straight to

how good he was with his

sweet, it was almost

doing good.Turkey's

stand there sweetie, go set the table

guest and I’m

her eyes at her big brother before turning to

can make it," lan ignored Hailey and went straight

thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and Hailey invited

asked as he put an arm around

loved that we could be ourselves here. He could introduce me

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

nodded at me and said, "You got a good one right

"Shut up,"

gave him a playful

can use

out from the

"Be right there,"

made his way over

to talking with his

Kristen took out the big,

was pretty much the poster

mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then darted

so I thought I could

towards the dining room as Hailey and AJ had

coming in, as they were laughing and smiling at each

suddenly, AJ took Hailey’s hand and he brought

kissed her hand gently before softly letting

eyes fluttered as she stared