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 nothing else

that I

loves me, sure he

moment, I couldn't see it and I

all I wanted now was

wanted him to realize that what he

that night.I took a cab to my new apartment and hauled my

how I spent

apartment door, I was expecting to find the

were on and I heard the

saw Tristan sitting on

"Tristan?"I gaped.

shocked

shocked to see each

thought you and Sophie are

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

a long story, I don't wanna talk about it,"I sighed dramatically and joined him on the

and groaned in exhaustion.It had been

apartment's empty and I like the

gesturing to the

writing because he worked in

"Oh,"

mouthed and I got up to

gonna

on my hand, motioning

on? You wanna talk

couldn't hold it anymore.The next thing I knew, I burst

never showed

him...he didn’t even call...and it's

me gently as he said, "That

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

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

snorting and crying mess.Tristan grabbed the box

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

blowing my nose so gracefully

"Who's Ally?"he asked.

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

saying? You think he’s cheating

think so...God, I hope not!" images of Ian and Ally filled my head and I shook my head violently, hoping it

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

lip and nodded

day and night before that too.We barely have any

anything to him all

anymore.I thought by now things will get better, but it never does.Even though I was with him every

let out a sad smile and

had a shitty birthday and a shitty summer.You deserve

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

sixteenth birthday was

road trip to Princeton and

he drove us to Philly and

had a lot of expectations

I don’t know what

not your fault.I’m sorry I came barging in here and you had to hear all my

looking at that word document for the past hour, not doing anything.I need a break," he

"Are you sure?"

"Yes,"

clock, and the time showed that it

it’s still technically your birthday, wanna

"How?"

I stifled a laugh.

face as he got up and

a six pack of beer.He lifted them

"You got beer?"I questioned.

me write better,"he

had all night were those

booze, especially to help me

vigorously at

I ended up

and we used our matching

on the couch and Tristan fell asleep next to me,

pounding on the door

"Who is that?"I croaked.

"I don't know,"Tristan replied.

up from the couch and staggered towards