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.  

for college

"Thanks mom,"

have some fun.But please,

don’t have to worry," I said with a

since you're not gonna be 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

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

nice one," she laughed and

a pile and brought it

drive you to the

picking me up," I said as I zipped up

I got everything

up on you," mom said and she grabbed my travel charger on the desk and handed it to

forgot the charger. The

be answering your

the charger from her, and I put

for a quick hug and kissed

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

house very early the next morning.We wanted to get to New Jersey before

as he was driving, and he wouldn't let go

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

at us as she opened the front

us each

cold outside but the

was playing, and the smell of Kristen’s amazing

these upstairs," lan said, referring

here," Hailey pulled me to the kitchen

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

"Emma! You made it!"

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

I'm so excited for dinner,"

is Emma," a guy with dirty blonde hair and brown

he

AJ. I've heard so

to meet you,"

own, so he

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

guest.Just sit still, dear,"she shook her head

mom's turf.She’s not gonna

are you?" lan entered the room

sweet to see how good he was with

sweet, it was almost

doing good.Turkey's

and turned to Hailey, "Don’t just stand there sweetie, go set the

a guest and

her eyes at her big

Bro, glad you can make it," lan ignored

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

met my girl?" lan asked as

ourselves here. He could introduce me to people as his girl and it wouldn't be

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

nodded at me and said, "You got a

"Shut up,"

playful shove

I can use

out from the

"Be right there,"

made his

back to

Kristen took out the big, heavy turkey

divine.It was pretty much the poster

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

so I thought I could give them

walked towards the dining room as Hailey

coming in, as they were laughing and smiling at each

took Hailey’s hand and he brought it to his

gently before softly letting

blushing and her eyes fluttered as