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.  

how hard you've been working for college and to save up money, I’m really proud of you Emma,"mom

"Thanks mom,"

some fun.But please,

will, mom, I got this.You don’t have to

since you're 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 did that," mom chatted

deserve to have some fun.Just be safe,

laughed and finished folding

put them all in a pile and brought it neatly back

drive you to the

me up," I said as I

got

every night to check up on you," mom said and she grabbed my travel charger on

charger. The most important thing

I'll be answering your

from her, and I

pulled me for a quick

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

the house very early the next morning.We wanted to get to New Jersey before

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

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

beamed at us as she opened the

in, come in!" she gave us each a hug before pulling us

cold outside but

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

bring these upstairs," lan said, referring to

Hailey pulled me to the kitchen

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

"Emma! You made it!"

gravy into a bowl, but she dropped everything to give me a hug.

having me. I'm so excited for dinner," I

a guy with dirty blonde

he was

heard so much

nice to meet you," I

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

with?" I said to Kirsten as I noticed how busy

guest.Just sit still, dear,"she

mom's turf.She’s not gonna let you

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

sweet to see how good he was with

it

good.Turkey's almost

stand there sweetie,

a guest and

at her big brother before turning

it," lan ignored Hailey and

thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere

lan asked as he put an arm around

here. He could introduce me to

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

got a good one right

"Shut up,"

him a playful shove as they

can use a

from

"Be right there,"

replied and made his way over to

went back to talking with

out the big, heavy turkey from the

pretty much the poster child

were

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

room as Hailey and AJ had

notice I was coming in, as they

and

hand gently before softly letting it

her eyes fluttered