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.  

been working for college and to save up money, I’m really

"Thanks mom,"

fun.But please, just remember

I got this.You don’t have

I decided to go on a little date night.We're gonna watch a movie.It’s been a while since we did that," mom

some fun.Just be

nice one," she laughed and finished folding all

a pile and brought it neatly back to

to the meeting point tomorrow?"she

my friend’s picking me up," I said as I zipped up

I got everything

you," mom said and she grabbed my

forgot the charger. The most important thing

I'll be answering your

her, and I put it inside

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

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

wanted to get to New Jersey before 7 PM, where

looked a little nervous as he was driving, and

filled with carpool karaoke sessions, sipping on Slurpee and coffee, and

at us as she opened the

in!" she gave us

but the house

music was playing,

bring these upstairs," lan said, referring

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

who's here!" she announced to the

"Emma! You made it!"

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

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

this is Emma," a guy with dirty blonde

like he was around

heard so much about

to meet you," I

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

I can help you with?" I said to

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

turf.She’s not gonna let you touch

the room

how good he was with

sweet, it

good.Turkey's

there sweetie,

guest and

rolled her eyes at her big brother before turning to

it," lan ignored Hailey and went

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

you've met my girl?" lan asked as

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

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

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

"Shut up,"

gave him a playful shove as they

I can use a

called out from the

"Be right there,"

and made his

back to talking with his

Kristen took out the big, heavy turkey

smelled divine.It was pretty much the poster

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

for everyone, so

dining room as Hailey and AJ had their backs

in, as they were laughing and smiling at

hand and he brought it to

hand gently before

her eyes fluttered as she stared