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.

and there was

that I

loves me, sure

couldn't see it and I couldn't

all I wanted now was to get

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

him to miss me, just as much as I was missing him.I got back to Philly late that night.I took a cab to my new apartment and hauled my big fat suitcase up three flights

was how I spent my birthday

I opened the apartment door, I was expecting

the lights were on and I heard

saw Tristan sitting

"Tristan?"I gaped.

shocked to

shocked to see

you and Sophie are coming back next

supposed to

talk about it,"I

groaned

empty and I like the silence.Helps me get my work

the laptop on the coffee

a lot of writing because he worked in the school

"Oh,"

mouthed and I got up

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

on my hand, motioning for me

going on? You wanna talk about it?"Tristan

anymore.The next thing I knew, I burst out crying

never showed up..."I

even call...and it's supposed to

cooed me gently as he said, "That really

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

my breath in between sobs, "But why would he even bring me out to New York City if he didn’t even

snorting and crying mess.Tristan grabbed the box of tissues on

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

blowing my nose so gracefully into

"Who's Ally?"he asked.

a thing together back in high school,"I replied, and I

you saying? You think he’s cheating on you

I hope not!" images of Ian and Ally filled

never showed up for the dinner and he didn’t call you, so you got upset and you came

and nodded

day and night before that too.We barely have any time together, and even we're together, he’d

you never said anything to him all summer

can’t do it anymore.I thought by now things will get better, but it never does.Even though

let out a sad

birthday and a shitty summer.You

to 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 we're so distant from each

was the

trip to Princeton and he inspired me to apply to

on my graduation day and for my eighteenth birthday, he drove us to Philly

was, on my nineteenth birthday, I had a lot of expectations and they were all crushed in just

Emma, I don’t know what else

all my sob story.I shouldn't be disturbing you, you’re working," I said as I straightened

looking at that word document for the past hour, not

"Are you sure?"

"Yes,"

see the clock, and the

it’s still technically your birthday, wanna

"How?"

I stifled a laugh.

up his face as he got up and

he came back with a six pack of beer.He lifted them up in the air

"You got beer?"I questioned.

helped me write better,"he

had all night were those stupid

some booze, especially to help

my head vigorously at him and said,

up

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

the morning and I had fallen asleep on the couch and Tristan fell asleep next to

on the door got

"Who is that?"I croaked.

"I don't know,"Tristan replied.

he got up from the couch