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.  

you.Especially with how hard you've been working for college and

"Thanks mom,"

have some fun.But please, just

have to worry," I said with a reassuring

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

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

and finished folding all the

pile and

to the meeting point tomorrow?"she

my friend’s picking me up," I said as

got

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

the charger. The most

answering your call

charger from her, and I put it

hear," she pulled me for a quick hug and

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

the house very early the next morning.We wanted to

as he was driving, and he wouldn't let

Slurpee and coffee, and a lot of stupid I spy games later, we made it to New Jersey.  "Yay! You

at us as

come in!" she gave us each a hug before

cold outside but the house was

the fireplace, jazz music was playing, and the

bring these upstairs," lan said,

pulled me to the kitchen before I could say

she announced to the whole room as

"Emma! You made it!"

a bowl, but she dropped everything

excited for dinner," I said as I hugged her

a guy with dirty blonde hair and

he was around lan’s

I'm AJ. I've heard

meet you,"

own, so he likes

I said to Kirsten as I noticed

sit still, dear,"she shook her

turf.She’s not gonna

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

sweet to see how

it was

doing good.Turkey's

just stand there sweetie, go set

guest

at her big

it," lan ignored Hailey

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

girl?" lan asked as he put an arm around

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

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

got a good one right here, Emma.Hold

"Shut up,"

a playful shove as they

can use a hand

from

"Be right there,"

and made his way over

back to

took out the big, heavy

smelled divine.It was pretty

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

setting the table for everyone, so I

dining room as Hailey

in, as they were

Hailey’s hand and he brought it

kissed her hand gently

blushing and her eyes