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 really proud of you Emma,"mom said as she continued

"Thanks mom,"

deserve to have some fun.But please, just remember to

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

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 been a while since we

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

she laughed and

and brought it

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

picking me up," I said as

got

night to check up on you," mom said and she grabbed my travel charger on the desk and handed it

forgot the charger. The most important thing

answering your

took the charger from her, and I put it inside the

hear," she pulled me for

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

very early the next morning.We wanted to get

driving, and

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

at us as she opened the

us each

but the house was warm

was playing, and the smell of Kristen’s

bring these upstairs," lan said, referring to our

Hailey pulled me to the kitchen before I

look who's here!" she announced to the whole

"Emma! You made it!"

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

so excited for dinner," I said

a guy with dirty blonde hair and brown eyes

he was around lan’s

heard

nice to meet you," I

one of lan’s oldest friends.He’s lonely on his own, so he likes to

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

our guest.Just sit still, dear,"she shook

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

entered the room and went straight to hug his

was sweet to see how good he was with his

it

doing good.Turkey's almost

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

guest

big brother before

lan ignored Hailey

a cruise, somewhere in

met my girl?" lan asked as he put an arm around

ourselves here. He could introduce me to people

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

got a good

"Shut up,"

playful shove

I can use a hand

called out from the

"Be right there,"

his way over

went back to

helped Kristen took out the big,

divine.It was pretty much the poster child for

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

table for everyone, so I thought I could give

dining room as Hailey and AJ had their

coming in, as

took Hailey’s hand and he brought it

gently before softly letting

her eyes fluttered as