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.  

you.Especially with how hard you've been working for college and to save up money, I’m really proud of

"Thanks mom,"

have some fun.But please, just remember to always be

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

go on a little date night.We're gonna watch a movie.It’s been a while since

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

one," she laughed and finished folding all the scattered

them all in a pile and brought

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

I said as I zipped

got everything

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

charger. The most

answering your call every night,

and took the charger from her, and I put it inside the front pocket of

hear," she pulled me for a quick hug

"Good night, sweetheart,"

"Good night, mom,"

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

he was driving, and he wouldn't let

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

beamed at us as she opened the front

gave us each a hug

cold outside but the house

was playing, and the smell of Kristen’s amazing cooking filled the

lan

the kitchen before I could say

announced to the whole

"Emma! You made it!"

busy pouring gravy into a bowl, but she dropped everything to give

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

guy with dirty blonde hair and brown

looked like he was around

heard so

to meet you," I shook his hand

he likes to spend thanksgiving

you with?" I said to Kirsten as

guest.Just sit still,

is mom's turf.She’s not gonna let

the room and went

was sweet to see how good

it was almost

doing good.Turkey's

there sweetie, go set

a guest and

rolled her eyes at her big brother before

make it," lan ignored Hailey and went straight for

man.My parents are spending thanksgiving on a cruise, somewhere in Barbados.Your mom and Hailey invited me, hope that’s

met my girl?" lan asked as he put an arm around

could be ourselves here. He could introduce me to people as his

"Emma, yeah.We met,"

"You got a good one right

"Shut up,"

gave him a playful shove

can use a

from

"Be right there,"

his way

back to talking with

helped Kristen took out the big, heavy

divine.It was pretty much

were

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

towards the dining room as Hailey and AJ had their backs

I was coming in, as they were laughing and

Hailey’s hand and he brought it to

hand gently before softly letting it

was blushing and her eyes fluttered as