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.  

can 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 you Emma,"mom said

"Thanks mom,"

some fun.But please,

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

and I decided to go on a little date night.We're gonna watch a movie.It’s

fun.Just be safe, okay?"

and

pile and brought it neatly back

sure you don’t want me to drive you to the meeting

said as I

I got everything

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

forgot the charger. The most important thing

be answering your

from her, and I put it inside the front

hear," she pulled me for a quick hug

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

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

driving, and he

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

as she opened the

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

was cold outside but the

music was playing,

lan said, referring to our

pulled me to the kitchen

the

"Emma! You made it!"

into a bowl, but she dropped everything to give

for dinner," I said

Emma," a guy with dirty blonde hair

like he was

heard so much

nice to meet you," I

his own, so he likes to spend thanksgiving with

I said to Kirsten as I

our guest.Just sit still, dear,"she

is mom's turf.She’s not gonna let you touch

are you?" lan entered the

sweet to see how good he was with his

sweet, it was almost

good.Turkey's

there sweetie, go set the table

a guest

eyes at her big brother before turning to her

it," lan ignored

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

met my girl?" lan asked as

could be ourselves here. He could introduce me to

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

me and said, "You got a good one right here,

"Shut up,"

a playful shove

can use

out from the

"Be right there,"

his way over to

back to talking with

also helped Kristen took out the big, heavy turkey

divine.It was pretty much the

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

everyone, so I thought I

dining room as Hailey and AJ had their backs

was coming in, as

took Hailey’s hand and he brought it to

gently before softly letting

blushing and her eyes fluttered