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.

distance between us and

truth was that I

me,

couldn't see it and

now was to

realize that what he

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

how I spent

opened the apartment door, I was expecting

were on and I heard the sound

saw Tristan sitting on

"Tristan?"I gaped.

shocked

to see each

you and Sophie are coming back

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

wanna talk about it,"I sighed dramatically and joined him on the

head back and groaned in exhaustion.It had been a long

I came early because the apartment's empty and I like

to the laptop on the coffee

writing

"Oh,"

I got up to my

about me, I’m not gonna bother you.I’m

he pulled on my hand, motioning

You wanna talk about

it anymore.The next thing I knew, I burst out crying into his

never showed

him...he didn’t even call...and it's

his arms around me and cooed me gently as he said, "That really sucks.I'm

all summer long, but that’s okay, because he’s working towards his

catch my breath in between sobs, "But 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

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

I think he doesn’t love me anymore.I think he got bored with me or something.His priority is the gallery and

after blowing my nose so gracefully into the tissue

"Who's Ally?"he asked.

one of his best friends, but they used to have a thing together back in high school,"I replied, and I rolled my eyes

are you saying? You think he’s cheating on you with

images of Ian and Ally filled my head and I shook my head violently, hoping it would

happened? He never showed up for the dinner and

bit my lip and nodded my head

that too.We barely have any time together, and even

anything to

because 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 still

a sad smile and

really sucks.Sorry you had a shitty birthday and

me on a road

birthday was the first

to Princeton and he inspired me to

eighteenth birthday, he drove us to Philly and

was, on my nineteenth birthday, I had a lot

sorry, Emma, I don’t know what

not your fault.I’m sorry I came barging in here and you had to hear all my sob story.I shouldn't be disturbing you, you’re working," I

disturbing me at all.I've been looking at that word document

"Are you sure?"

"Yes,"

to see the clock, and the time showed that it was 11:45

technically your birthday,

"How?"

I stifled a laugh.

his face as he got up

pack of

"You got beer?"I questioned.

me write

all night were those

could use some booze, especially to help me forget all

I nodded my head vigorously at him and said, "Yes

I ended up drinking throughout

of Law and Order on TV and we used our matching onesie pajamas because they were so comfortable and

asleep on the couch and

groaned groggily as the pounding on the door got louder

"Who is that?"I croaked.

"I don't know,"Tristan replied.

got up from the couch and staggered towards the