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.

no distance between us and there was nothing else

that

loves me,

couldn't see it and I couldn't

wanted now was to get

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

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

how I spent my birthday

was expecting to find the

were on and I heard the sound of

inside and saw

"Tristan?"I gaped.

looked shocked to see

to

you and Sophie are coming back

supposed to be in the city

I don't wanna talk about it,"I sighed dramatically

head back and groaned

early because the apartment's empty and I like the silence.Helps me get

said, gesturing to the laptop on the

a lot of writing because he

"Oh,"

I got up to my

I’m not gonna

pulled on my hand, motioning for me

talk about it?"Tristan

hold it anymore.The next thing I knew, I burst out

never showed up..."I

even call...and

and cooed me gently as he said, "That

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

to 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 for something he

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

what I think? I think he doesn’t love me anymore.I think he got bored with me or something.His

continued my rant after blowing my nose so gracefully into the

"Who's Ally?"he asked.

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

are you saying? You think

know...I don't think so...God, I hope not!" images of Ian and Ally filled my head and I shook my

up for the dinner and

my lip and nodded my

that too.We barely have any time together, and even we're together, he’d always be on the phone

anything to him all

kept quiet 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

a sad smile

really sucks.Sorry you had a shitty birthday and a

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

was always a special thing for us.My sixteenth birthday was the first time I met him at that

Princeton and he inspired

my graduation day and for my eighteenth birthday, he

I was, on my nineteenth birthday, I had a lot

I don’t know what

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

at that word document for the past hour, not doing

"Are you sure?"

"Yes,"

head to see the clock, and the

technically your birthday,

"How?"

I stifled a laugh.

his face as he got up

back with a six pack of beer.He lifted them up

"You got beer?"I questioned.

helped me write better,"he

I had all night were those stupid mocktails and sparkling

help me forget

my head vigorously at him and said, "Yes

and I ended up drinking throughout the

TV and we used our matching onesie pajamas

fallen asleep on the couch and Tristan fell asleep next

groaned groggily as the pounding on the door got louder and

"Who is that?"I croaked.

"I don't know,"Tristan replied.

my relief, he got up from the