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

"Thanks mom,"

fun.But please, just remember to always be

have to worry," I said with

go on a little date night.We're gonna watch a

and dad deserve to have some fun.Just be

she laughed and finished folding all the scattered

pile and brought it neatly

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

I said as I zipped up

got everything

you," mom said and she grabbed my

almost forgot the charger. The most important thing

I'll be answering your call every

and took the charger from her, and I put it inside

all I wanna hear," she pulled me for a

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

next morning.We wanted to

driving, and

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

as she opened

come in!" she gave us each

but the house was warm

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

bring these upstairs," lan said, referring

come here," Hailey pulled me to the

she announced to the

"Emma! You made it!"

but she dropped everything to give

for dinner," I said

a guy with dirty blonde hair and

looked like he was around lan’s

AJ. I've heard

to meet you,"

lonely on his own, so he likes to spend thanksgiving with us,"Hailey added and they shared a

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

our guest.Just sit still, dear,"she shook

mom's turf.She’s not gonna

entered the room and went straight to hug

to see how good he was with his

it was almost

good.Turkey's

replied and turned to Hailey, "Don’t just stand there sweetie,

guest and I’m

at her big brother before turning to her

you can make it," lan

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

lan asked as

here. He could introduce me to

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

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

"Shut up,"

gave him a playful

can use a hand

called out from the

"Be right there,"

made his way

to talking

took out the big, heavy

smelled divine.It was pretty much the poster child for

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

busy setting the table for everyone, so I

Hailey and

in, as they were laughing and

hand and

her hand gently

blushing and her eyes fluttered as she stared at