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.  

working for college and to save up money, I’m

"Thanks mom,"

have some fun.But please, just remember to

I got this.You don’t have to worry," I

go on a little date night.We're gonna watch a movie.It’s been a while since we did

fun.You and dad deserve to have some fun.Just be

and finished folding all

pile and brought it neatly back to my

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

friend’s picking me up," I said as I

I got

be calling you every night to check up on you," mom said

the charger. The

be answering your call

smiled and took the charger from her, and I put it inside the front pocket of

hear," she pulled me for a quick

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

wanted to get to New

a little nervous as he was driving, and he

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

beamed at us as

she gave us each

air was cold outside but

fireplace, jazz music was playing, and the smell of Kristen’s

upstairs," lan said,

me to the kitchen before I could

she announced to the whole room as we stepped inside the

"Emma! You made it!"

into a bowl, but she dropped everything

for dinner," I said as I hugged her

Emma," a guy with dirty blonde hair and brown eyes

looked like he was around lan’s

I've heard so

to meet you," I shook his

lonely on his own, so he likes to spend thanksgiving with

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

no.You're our guest.Just sit still, dear,"she shook her

not gonna let

lan entered the room and went straight to hug

see how good he

it was

doing good.Turkey's almost

Hailey, "Don’t just stand there sweetie, go set the table for

guest

big brother before

can make it," lan

somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and Hailey invited me, hope

my girl?" lan asked as he put an

that we could be ourselves here. He could introduce me to people as

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

said, "You got a

"Shut up,"

a playful shove

can use a hand

from the

"Be right there,"

his way

to talking with

took out the big, heavy turkey from the

amazing and smelled divine.It was pretty much the

was with his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then darted to

the table for everyone, so I thought I could

walked towards the dining room as Hailey

as they were laughing and smiling

Hailey’s hand and

kissed her hand gently before softly letting

blushing and her eyes fluttered as she stared