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.  

a 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 money, I’m really proud of you Emma,"mom

"Thanks mom,"

have some fun.But please,

have to worry," I

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

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

nice one," she laughed and finished folding

pile and brought it neatly back

sure you don’t want me to drive you to the

up," I said as I zipped up my overnight

got everything

check up on you," mom said and she grabbed my travel

forgot the charger. The most

answering your

from her, and I put

she pulled me for a quick hug and kissed

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

wanted to get to

was driving, and he

  Finally, after twelve hours of driving filled with carpool karaoke sessions, sipping on Slurpee and coffee, and a lot of stupid I spy games

us as she opened the front

in!" she gave us each a hug

cold outside but the house

fire in the fireplace, jazz music was playing, and the smell of Kristen’s amazing cooking

upstairs," lan said, referring

to the kitchen

here!" she announced to the whole room as we stepped inside

"Emma! You made it!"

but she dropped everything to give me a hug.

for having me. I'm so excited for dinner," I said as I

dirty blonde hair and brown

he was around

I've heard so much about

nice to meet you," I

he

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

sit still, dear,"she shook her

turf.She’s not gonna let you touch

how are you?" lan entered the

how good he

it was

doing good.Turkey's almost

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

a guest

rolled her eyes at her big brother before

make it," lan ignored Hailey and went

man.My parents are spending thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and Hailey invited

lan asked as he put an

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

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

said, "You got a good one right

"Shut up,"

gave him a playful

can use

from the

"Be right there,"

replied and made his way

to talking with

also helped Kristen took out the

was pretty much the poster child

good lan was with his mom.They were such a

the table for everyone, so

towards the dining room as Hailey and AJ

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

hand and he brought it

her hand gently before

was blushing and her eyes fluttered as she