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.  

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 up

"Thanks mom,"

deserve to have some fun.But please, just remember to always

don’t have to worry," I said

a little date night.We're gonna watch a

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

one," she laughed and finished

in a pile and brought it neatly back to my

you don’t want me to drive you to

said as I zipped up my

I got

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

the charger.

your call

and I put it inside the

she pulled me for a quick hug and

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

early the next morning.We wanted to get to New

looked a little nervous as he was driving,

kinda sweet.  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 opened the

us each a hug

outside but the house was warm and

music was playing, and the smell of Kristen’s amazing cooking filled the

bring these upstairs," lan said, referring to our

the kitchen before

here!" she announced to the whole room as

"Emma! You made it!"

bowl, but she dropped everything to give me a hug.

having me. I'm so excited for

a guy with dirty blonde hair and brown

he was around

AJ. I've heard so much about

nice to meet you," I shook

he likes to spend

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

sit still, dear,"she shook

gonna let you

entered the room and went

sweet to see how good he was with

sweet, it was almost

doing good.Turkey's almost

stand there sweetie, go set the table for our guests

a guest

at her big brother before turning to

can make it," lan ignored Hailey

thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere

you've met my girl?" lan asked as

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

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

me and said, "You got a good one

"Shut up,"

gave him a playful shove

can use a hand

from the dining

"Be right there,"

replied and made his way over

to talking with his

the big, heavy

was pretty much the

was smiling to myself as I saw how good lan was with his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then darted to the dining room where Hailey and

were busy setting the table for everyone, so I

the dining room as Hailey

I was coming in, as they were laughing

hand and he brought

her hand gently before softly letting it

was blushing and her eyes