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.  

a big girl, you can handle yourself, I know that.I trust you.Especially with how hard you've been working for college and to save

"Thanks mom,"

to have some fun.But please, just remember

mom, I got this.You don’t have

home tomorrow, your dad and 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 chatted

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

nice one," she laughed and finished folding all

a pile and brought

sure you don’t want me to drive you to the meeting point tomorrow?"she called out

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

I got everything

said and she grabbed my

the charger.

your call

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

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

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

to get

was driving, and he wouldn't let

  Finally, after 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!

at us as she

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

was cold outside but the house was

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

lan said, referring to our

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

to the whole

"Emma! You made it!"

busy pouring gravy into a bowl, but she

for having me. I'm so excited for

Emma," a guy with dirty blonde hair and

he was around lan’s

I'm AJ. I've heard so

you," I

own, so he likes to spend thanksgiving

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

still, dear,"she

mom's turf.She’s not gonna let

lan entered the room and went straight to

see how good

sweet, it was

good.Turkey's almost

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

a guest and

eyes at her big brother before turning

it," lan ignored Hailey and went straight for

on a cruise, somewhere in

asked as he put an arm around

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

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

"You got a good one

"Shut up,"

gave him a playful

I can use a hand

out from

"Be right there,"

and made his way

went back to talking

helped Kristen took out the big, heavy turkey from

divine.It was pretty

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

setting the table for everyone, so I thought I could give them

as Hailey and

coming in, as they were laughing and smiling

Hailey’s hand and

her hand gently before

was blushing and her eyes