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

that

loves me, sure

I couldn't see it

all I wanted now

petty, but I wanted him to realize that what he

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

was how I spent my birthday

apartment door, I was expecting to find

on and I heard the sound

walked inside and saw Tristan sitting on

"Tristan?"I gaped.

shocked to

shocked to see

are you doing here? I thought you and Sophie are coming back next week?"I

you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be

about it,"I

my head back and groaned in exhaustion.It had

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

to the

a lot of writing because

"Oh,"

mouthed and I got up to my

me, I’m not gonna bother you.I’m just

he pulled on my hand, motioning for me to sit back

talk about it?"Tristan knew something was

I burst out crying into his shoulder,

never showed up..."I

waited for him...he didn’t even call...and it's supposed

cooed me gently as

because he’s working towards his dreams and I didn’t

sobs, "But why would he even bring me out to New York City if he didn’t even have

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

I think? 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

"Who's Ally?"he asked.

they used to have a thing together

You think he’s cheating on you with

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

for the dinner and he didn’t call you, so you got upset

my lip and nodded my head

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

you never said anything to him all summer long?"he

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,

out a sad smile

a shitty birthday and a shitty summer.You deserve

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

for us.My sixteenth birthday was the first time I met him at that

a road trip to Princeton and

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

my nineteenth birthday, I had a lot of expectations

sorry, Emma, I don’t know

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

document for the past hour, not doing anything.I need a break,"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes,"

his head to see the clock, and the time showed that it was

since it’s still technically

"How?"

I stifled a laugh.

face as he got up and headed to

pack of beer.He lifted them up in the

"You got beer?"I questioned.

me write better,"he

had all night were those stupid mocktails

could use some booze, especially to help

vigorously at him and said, "Yes

ended up drinking

TV and we used our matching onesie pajamas because they were so comfortable

AM in the morning and I had fallen asleep on the couch and Tristan fell asleep next to me, when a sudden

as the pounding on the door

"Who is that?"I croaked.

"I don't know,"Tristan replied.

relief, he got up from the couch and staggered