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.  

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

"Thanks mom,"

please, just

have to

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

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

laughed and

them all in a pile and brought it neatly back to

don’t want me to drive you to the meeting point tomorrow?"she

my friend’s picking me up," I said as I zipped

I got everything

said and she grabbed my travel

forgot the charger. The most important thing

your call every

her, and I put it inside the front pocket of

hear," she pulled me for a quick hug and kissed m_ forehead

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

left the house very early the next morning.We wanted to get to New Jersey before 7 PM, where dinner would

nervous as he was driving, and he wouldn't let

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 are

as she opened the

in!" she gave us each a hug

was cold outside but the house was

was a fire in the fireplace, jazz music was playing, and the smell of

upstairs," lan said,

come here," Hailey pulled me to the kitchen

she announced to the whole room as we stepped

"Emma! You made it!"

but she dropped everything to give me a hug.

so excited for dinner," I said as I hugged her

guy with dirty blonde hair

like he was around lan’s

AJ. I've heard

you," I shook

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

with?" I said to Kirsten as I noticed

sit still, dear,"she

mom's turf.She’s not gonna let

you?" lan entered the room and

to see how good he was with his

sweet, it was

doing good.Turkey's

replied and turned to Hailey, "Don’t just stand there

guest

eyes at her big brother before turning to her

it," lan ignored Hailey and went straight for

on a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and

lan asked

ourselves here. He could introduce me to people

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

got a good one right here, Emma.Hold on

"Shut up,"

playful shove as they

can

out from the dining

"Be right there,"

replied and made his way over to

to talking with his

also helped Kristen took out the big, heavy turkey

was pretty much the poster

was with his mom.They were such a lovely family.My

busy setting the table for everyone, so I thought I could give

Hailey and AJ had their backs on

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

took Hailey’s hand and he brought

gently before softly letting it

eyes fluttered as she stared at