Teacher's Girl (Aflyingwhale)

EMMA’s POV : 

By 9 PM, I gave up.

I never felt so humiliated in my life.

I asked for the check and paid for the four glasses of mocktail I had and left a nice tip for my waiter.

The hostess smiled a sad smile as she saw me walking out of the restaurant alone.

I just wanted to crawl into a hole and die.

I went back to the apartment because I didn't know where else to go.

I saw my reflection in the mirror when I walked in and I looked so pathetic.

I did my hair and make up, I put on a dress and everything, only to be stood up by him at my birthday.

I was angry, embarrassed, and frustrated.

But mostly I was sad.

I thought tonight would be special, but no.

It was just any other day for Ian.

He had other things that were more important and I just had to take the back seat.

Feeling stupid, I took off the dress and put on an oversized sweater instead.

Tears were running down my face and it totally ruined my make up, but who cares? It wasn’t like it was important anyway.

I scrubbed my make up off angrily and pulled my hair into a messy ponytail.

I looked around the empty apartment and I debated on what to do.

I could stay here and wait until he gets home and hear about how sorry he was that he missed my birthday dinner, and tomorrow he'll go to work and ignore me again completely.

Or… I could pack my bags and leave.

There was a train running between Philly and New York City every day and if I leave now, I could make it before the last train leaves.

I didn’t think too much about it, I knew what I had to do.

I couldn't believe what I'm saying, but I needed some space away from him.

It would be better for us both.

My heart was hurting too much and I couldn't take it anymore.

So, I quickly packed my bags and I wrote him a note.

Dear Ian, You don’t have to apologize.

I know you're busy and I'm not a priority at the moment, and that’s okay, I understand.

But I think it’s best I leave so you can focus on your work.

No hard feelings.

Emma.

It sounded petty, but whatever.

I was too upset to be nice.

My uber was now waiting for me downstairs and I took a moment for one last glimpse of the apartment.

Leaving the spare key on the kitchen counter, I turned off the lights and closed the door shut.

I turned off my phone for the rest of the night.

I didn’t wanna hear any more ‘I'm sorry’ or ‘I'll make it up to you’.

I had enough of his empty promises.

I was tired of all that.

I put up with it all summer long and I needed an out.

At least when we were far away and he was busy with work, I didn’t have to feel this hurt because I could blame the distance.

was no distance between us and there was nothing else

simple truth was that I

me, sure

moment, I couldn't see it and

all I wanted now

was being petty, but I wanted him to realize that what he

just as much as I was missing him.I got back to Philly late that night.I took a cab to my

was how I spent my birthday

the apartment door, I was

the lights were on and I heard

saw Tristan sitting on

"Tristan?"I gaped.

shocked to

both shocked to

you and Sophie are coming back next week?"I

What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in the city

talk about it,"I sighed dramatically and joined him

trashed my head back and groaned in exhaustion.It had been a

the apartment's empty and I like the

gesturing to the laptop on the

was doing a lot of writing because he worked in

"Oh,"

mouthed and I got

worry about me, I’m not gonna bother you.I’m just gonna get some

and he pulled on my

wanna talk

I knew, I burst out crying into his shoulder,

never showed up..."I

waited for him...he didn’t even call...and it's supposed

gently as he said, "That really sucks.I'm

seat all summer long, but that’s okay, because he’s working towards his dreams and I didn’t

why would he even bring me out to New York City if he didn’t even have the time to spend with me.Why bother making a reservation for something he won't

crying mess.Tristan grabbed the box of tissues on the table and handed

think he got bored with me or something.His priority is the gallery and

continued my rant after blowing my nose so gracefully

"Who's Ally?"he asked.

but they used to have a thing together back in high school,"I replied, and I rolled my eyes for added

you saying? You think

not!" images of Ian and Ally filled my head and

that's what happened? He never showed up for the dinner and he didn’t call you, so you got upset

my lip and nodded

about every day and night before that too.We barely have any time

to him all summer long?"he

I didn’t wanna get in the way ..but...I can’t do it anymore.I thought by now things will get better, but it never does.Even though I was with him every day, I

a sad

you had a shitty birthday and a shitty summer.You deserve so much better than

be the best boyfriend ever.Last year for my birthday, he drove for hours and took me on a road trip.I don’t know what happened to us now and why

us.My sixteenth birthday was the first time I met him at that bar

Princeton and he inspired me to apply to Ivy

on my graduation day and for my eighteenth birthday, he drove

had a lot of expectations and they were

know what else to say,"Tristan

fault.I’m sorry I came barging in here and you had to hear all my sob story.I shouldn't

at that word document for

"Are you sure?"

"Yes,"

see the clock, and the time showed that it was

technically your birthday, wanna

"How?"

I stifled a laugh.

as he got up

came back with a six pack of beer.He lifted

"You got beer?"I questioned.

me write better,"he

were those stupid

could use some booze, especially to help me forget all about

nodded my head vigorously

ended up

Order on TV and we used our matching onesie pajamas because they were

1.30 AM in the morning and I had fallen asleep on the couch and Tristan

on

"Who is that?"I croaked.

"I don't know,"Tristan replied.

relief, he got up from