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 college and

"Thanks mom,"

deserve to have some fun.But please, just remember

I got this.You don’t have

dad and I decided to go on a little date night.We're gonna

dad deserve to have some fun.Just be safe, okay?"

nice one," she laughed and finished

them all in a pile and brought it neatly back

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

I said

I got everything

Well, I'll be calling you every night to check up on you," mom said and she grabbed my travel charger on the desk and handed

almost forgot the charger. The

your call

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

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 get

driving, and

was 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. 

beamed at us as she opened

in!" she gave us each a

was cold outside but the house was

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

these upstairs," lan said, referring to our

the kitchen

to the whole

"Emma! You made it!"

busy pouring gravy into a bowl, but she dropped everything to give me a

excited for

with dirty blonde hair and

looked like he was

AJ. I've heard so much about

nice to meet you," I shook his

oldest friends.He’s lonely on his own, so he likes to spend thanksgiving with us,"Hailey added and they shared

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

guest.Just sit still, dear,"she shook her head

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

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

was sweet to see how good he

it was

doing good.Turkey's almost

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

guest and I’m

rolled her eyes at her big brother before turning to

make it," lan ignored Hailey

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

lan asked as he put

be ourselves here. He could introduce me to people as his

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

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

"Shut up,"

gave him a playful shove

I can use

called out from the dining

"Be right there,"

replied and made his way

went back to talking with his

also helped Kristen took out the big, heavy turkey from the

pretty much the poster child for thanksgiving

was with his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then darted to the dining room where Hailey and AJ

the table for everyone, so

dining room as Hailey

notice I was coming in, as

and he brought

gently before softly

blushing and her eyes fluttered as she stared