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 can handle yourself, I know that.I trust you.Especially with how hard you've been working for

"Thanks mom,"

please,

have to

on a little date night.We're

and dad deserve to have some fun.Just be safe, okay?" I said, mimicking her

one," she laughed and finished folding all the

all in a pile and brought it neatly back to

to drive you to the meeting point tomorrow?"she

up," I said

I got

be calling you every night to check up on you," mom said and she grabbed my travel

forgot the charger. The most important thing

answering your

from her, and I put it inside the

she pulled me for a quick hug and kissed m_

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

the next morning.We wanted to

little nervous as he was driving,

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

at us as she opened the

us each a hug before pulling us

outside but the house was warm

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

these upstairs," lan said,

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

here!" she announced to the whole room as

"Emma! You made it!"

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

so excited for dinner," I

this is Emma," a guy with dirty blonde

looked like he was around lan’s

I've heard so

you," I shook his hand

so he likes to spend thanksgiving with us,"Hailey added

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

no.You're our guest.Just sit still,

is mom's turf.She’s not gonna let you touch anything,"Hailey

lan entered the room and

how good he was

it was almost

doing good.Turkey's almost

"Don’t just stand there

a guest and I’m

big

it," lan

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

met my girl?" lan asked as he

here. He could introduce

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

nodded at me and said, "You got a good one right here,

"Shut up,"

a playful

AJ, I can use a hand

out from the

"Be right there,"

and made his way over

went back to

Kristen took out the big, heavy turkey from

was pretty much the poster child for

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

busy setting the table for everyone, so

as Hailey and

didn’t notice I was coming in, as they were laughing

suddenly, AJ took Hailey’s hand and he brought it to his

hand gently before

was blushing and her eyes fluttered as she