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.

between us and

was that

loves me, sure

at the moment, I couldn't see it and I couldn't

wanted now was

him to realize that what

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

was how I spent my birthday

I opened the apartment door, I was

and I heard the sound of the

and saw Tristan sitting

"Tristan?"I gaped.

shocked to see

shocked to see each

you and Sophie are coming

doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in the city with your boyfriend?"he asked

talk about

back and groaned in exhaustion.It had been a

came early because the apartment's empty and

the laptop

doing a lot of writing because he

"Oh,"

I got up

gonna bother

wait,"he said and he pulled on my hand,

You wanna talk about it?"Tristan

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

showed up..."I

didn’t even call...and

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

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

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 even show up

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

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

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

think he’s

I hope not!" images of Ian and Ally filled my head and I shook my head

what happened? He never showed up for the dinner and he

bit my lip and nodded my

and night before that too.We barely have any time

never said anything to him all

now things will get better, but it never does.Even though I was

sad

and a shitty summer.You deserve so much better than

to be the best boyfriend ever.Last year for my birthday, he drove for hours and took me on a road trip.I

sixteenth birthday was the first time I met him at

we took a road trip to Princeton and he inspired me to apply to Ivy League

engaged on my graduation day and for my eighteenth birthday, he drove us to Philly and helped me move in to the

I had a lot of expectations and they were all

I don’t know

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

that word document for the past hour, not doing anything.I need a

"Are you sure?"

"Yes,"

see the clock, and the time showed that

still technically your

"How?"

I stifled a laugh.

up his face as he got up and headed

a six pack of beer.He lifted them up in the air and smiled

"You got beer?"I questioned.

helped me

were

booze, especially to help me forget all

head vigorously at him and said,

and I ended up drinking

and we used our matching onesie pajamas because

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

groaned groggily as the pounding on the door got

"Who is that?"I croaked.

"I don't know,"Tristan replied.

up from the couch and