Teacher's Girl (Aflyingwhale)

EMMA’s POV : 

"So, what’s the verdict?" mom asked cautiously as I walked out of my guidance counselor's office.It was a Saturday and we were at school.Mom didn't have to come with me, but she insisted that she wanted to support me.

I got a call from a U Penn representative last week and he wanted to schedule an interview with me.He said I could pick the time and place, so we set up the interview for Saturday morning at school.Mrs.Ash was kind enough to lend me her office.

"He was so nice.We both like Emily Bronte and Ernest Hemingway.So, naturally we talked a lot.I was being opinionated and humble, just like Mrs.Ash told me to.And at the end of it, he said that I'd be a great candidate for U Penn,"I was rambling in excitement and joy

“Can you believe it, mom? He said I'd be a great candidate!"

"Wow.That's great news!" mom pulled me into a tight hug as she couldn't be happier for me.

"And we talked about options for loans and scholarships too," I was about to ramble again.

"Wait, does that mean...?"

"With all the money I’ve saved up and the money from dad, I think I'm gonna have enough for college," I announced proudly.

"Oh, honey.I’m so proud of how hard you've been working.I'm so proud of everything you've accomplished," she hugged me again and showered my cheek and forehead with kisses.

"Thanks, mom.I couldn't have done it without you and dad,"

A week had passed since my college interview.

I hadn't heard anything yet, but Mrs.Ash said that it was normal.

Columbia asked for an interview as well, but remotely.

We had our interview a few days after the U Penn interview, and we did it through Zoom.

I would say it went equally as good as the U Penn interview.

When I told lan that I was acing my college interviews, he couldn’t be more proud.

He promised that we would celebrate and that he had a special night prepared for me.

He wouldn't tell what it was, but he told me to be ready and get all dressed up this Friday night.

Yes, this Friday night would be Valentine’s Day.

We had such an amazing time last year on this day, I could only imagine what he’d be up to next.

In order to prepare for tomorrow’s Valentine’s Day special with lan, I made Tiff and Carrie go with me to the mall after school.

I felt like lan had seen all my clothes already, so I was in desperate need to find the perfect outfit for our little date.

This morning started out great, like any other day, except it wasn’t.

I woke up with the worst headache, like my brain had been hammered and drilled into.

So, I took a bunch of Advil and decided to trudge on.

I was determined not to let this day go to waste.

I had an important mission for an important date tomorrow.

School was dreadful, but I managed to get by.

I felt tired and drowsy the entire day, but it was probably because I took too much Advil.

By lunchtime, I couldn't eat anything because if I did, it'd go straight to the toilet.  Still, I made it through an afternoon of school and we made it to the mall.

"Are you sure we should be at the mall and not the hospital?"

Tiff asked as she watched me lean against the faux palm tree at the food court.

I was feeling lightheaded again, I felt the need to lean my head against a plastic tree for assistance.

"Yeah, are you okay? You look super pale," Carrie said as she checked my forehead for a fever.

think I might have the stomach flu

This was not good.

was my big Valentine's Day date with lan, and I was a sad disgusting

outfit, because I would just look ridiculous.  As if on cue, my body jerked forward as if I

a false alarm.I managed to calm myself down and

go to the bathroom," I

for the nearest bathroom and

21’, I was kneeling in front of the toilet bowl, puking my guts

pointed out the obvious as she held

all," Carrie added as she pulled some toilet paper and handed it

groaned as I

feel like moving.I felt so

in that tiny toilet stall

me and I could tell they were exchanging

"What?"I asked them.

pregnant, right?"Tiff asked

"No way!"I scoffed.

was the last time you had

pregnant," I whipped my head around and pulled myself up with all my

just a question," she

put the lid down and sat on the

started counting the days to my last period, thinking hard about her

ago.But I heard that might happen when you start taking

sure you've been taking your pills

"Totally!" I said defensively.

to miss taking my pills 

what's with

a time where I forgot

"Emma!"they yelled in unison.

to the pills.Sometimes I forgot to take it in the morning, so I took it at night.But then there were days where I

"When was this?"

don’t know, like a couple of weeks ago, maybe? I was so busy with college

"Emma!"they yelled again.

gonna do?"my hands went

couldn't believe what

just do this to myself? What the hell is

he always came inside too, sometimes several times

shit, what if I'm pregnant?

relax, stop hyperventilating,"Carrie said, fanning

have to freak out yet.It might be anything.It might be

looked

said, but she didn't sound

the test, just

god...oh my god!"I was

my god,"  This seriously

to the girl who might be pregnant in high school? "Okay, okay,

down to my face, "I’m gonna go get you a test pack and you

I wanted to cry.

want this to be

I was so scared.

into a hug

was crying buckets

okay, Em.We're here for you,"

might not

to get the test done and

said again.They were right.Everything was still up in the air right

might be just

the Valentine’s Day date, suddenly I was hoping I had the stupid stomach

outside to get the

with me, cramped inside

a word to each other as I washed my mouth on

speak,

my hand and I stood