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.  

how hard you've been working for college and to save up money, I’m really proud of you Emma,"mom said

"Thanks mom,"

to have some fun.But please, just remember to

got this.You don’t have to worry," I said with a reassuring

gonna be home tomorrow, your dad and I decided to go on a little date night.We're gonna watch a movie.It’s

to have some fun.Just be

nice one," she laughed and finished folding all

and brought it neatly back to my

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

I said

I got everything

I'll be calling you every night to check up on you," mom said and

almost forgot the charger. The

your call

from her, and I put it inside the front

she pulled me for a quick hug

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

to get to

little nervous as he was driving,

with carpool karaoke sessions, sipping on Slurpee and coffee, and a lot of stupid I spy games later, we made it to New Jersey. 

us as she

us each a hug before

but the house was warm and

jazz music was playing, and

these upstairs," lan said, referring to our

to the kitchen before I could

announced to the whole room as

"Emma! You made it!"

into a bowl, but she dropped everything to give me

excited for

dirty blonde hair and brown

like he was

AJ. I've heard so

nice to meet you,"

of lan’s oldest friends.He’s lonely on his own, so he likes to

can help you with?" I said

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

turf.She’s not gonna let you

ma, how are you?" lan entered the room and went straight

to see how good he

sweet, it was almost

good.Turkey's almost

just stand there sweetie, go set the

guest and

at her big brother before turning to

make it," lan ignored Hailey

man.My parents are spending thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere

met my girl?" lan asked

introduce me to people

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

at me and said, "You got a good one

"Shut up,"

playful shove

can use a hand

called out from the

"Be right there,"

his way over

to talking with his

the big, heavy turkey from

smelled divine.It was pretty

good lan was with his mom.They were such

everyone, so I thought

walked towards the dining room as Hailey and

I was coming in, as they were

hand and he brought it to his

kissed her hand gently before softly letting

eyes fluttered as she stared at