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.  

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 said as she continued folding

"Thanks mom,"

some fun.But please, just remember

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

to go on a little date night.We're gonna watch a

fun.Just be safe,

nice one," she laughed and finished folding all

pile and brought it neatly back

to drive you to the meeting point

picking me up," I said as I zipped up

I got

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

forgot the charger. The most important thing

your

I put it inside the front pocket of

I wanna hear," she pulled me for a quick hug and

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

wanted to get to New Jersey before 7 PM,

a little nervous as he was driving, and he wouldn't let go of my

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

as she opened the front

she gave us each

outside but the house

jazz music was playing, and the smell of

upstairs," lan said, referring

here," Hailey pulled me to the kitchen before I could say anything

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

"Emma! You made it!"

into a bowl, but she

for dinner," I said

with dirty blonde hair and brown

like he

heard so

nice to meet you,"

so he likes to spend thanksgiving with us,"Hailey

said to Kirsten as I noticed how busy

still, dear,"she shook

mom's turf.She’s not gonna

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

see how

sweet, it was

doing good.Turkey's almost

stand there sweetie, go set the table for our guests

guest and

eyes at her big brother before

lan ignored Hailey and went straight

somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and

asked as

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

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

said, "You got a good one

"Shut up,"

him a playful shove

can

from the dining

"Be right there,"

his

back to

helped Kristen took out the

pretty much the poster child for thanksgiving

mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then darted

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

Hailey and AJ

I was coming in, as they were laughing and smiling at each

took Hailey’s hand and he

gently before softly

eyes fluttered as she stared at