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.  

with how hard you've been working for college and

"Thanks mom,"

to have some fun.But please,

this.You don’t have

be home tomorrow, your dad and I decided to go on a

deserve to have some fun.Just be safe, okay?"

one," she laughed and finished folding all

in a pile and brought

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

me up," I said as

I got everything

you," mom said and she grabbed my travel charger on

the charger. The most

I'll be answering your

I put it inside the

me for a quick hug and kissed

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

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

driving, and he

driving filled with carpool karaoke sessions, sipping on Slurpee and coffee, and a lot of stupid I spy games later, we made it to

as she

us each a hug before pulling us

was cold outside but the house

was playing, and the smell

lan

pulled me to the kitchen before I could say anything

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

"Emma! You made it!"

pouring gravy into a bowl, but she dropped

for dinner," I said

this is Emma," a guy with dirty blonde hair and brown

he was around lan’s

heard so

meet you," I shook his hand

on his own, so he likes to spend thanksgiving

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

no.You're our guest.Just sit still, dear,"she shook her

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

ma, how are you?" lan entered the room

was sweet to see how good he was

sweet, it

doing good.Turkey's

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

guest and I’m

at her big

it," lan ignored Hailey and went straight for

thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and Hailey invited me, hope

girl?" lan asked as he put an arm

introduce me to people as his girl and

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

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

"Shut up,"

him a playful

AJ, I can use a

from

"Be right there,"

and made his way over to

went back to

Kristen took out the big, heavy turkey

looked amazing and smelled divine.It was pretty much the

I saw how good lan was with his mom.They were such a lovely family.My eyes then darted

so I thought I could give

Hailey and AJ

in, as they were laughing and

hand and he brought it to his

hand gently before softly letting

eyes fluttered as she