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

truth was that I didn’t

me, sure

the moment, I couldn't see

I wanted now was to get

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

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

I

I was expecting to find the room

and I heard

and saw Tristan sitting

"Tristan?"I gaped.

shocked to

to see each

here? I thought you and Sophie are

supposed to be in the city

don't wanna talk about it,"I

trashed my head back and groaned in exhaustion.It

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

gesturing to the laptop

writing because he worked in the school

"Oh,"

and I got up

not gonna bother you.I’m just gonna get

on my hand, motioning for me to sit

on? You wanna talk

thing I knew, I burst out crying into his shoulder, snorting like a sad ugly

never showed up..."I

even call...and

and cooed me gently as he said, "That really

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

York City if he

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

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

my nose so

"Who's Ally?"he asked.

of his best friends, but they used to have a thing together back in high school,"I replied, and I rolled my eyes for added

you saying? You think he’s cheating on you

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

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

bit my lip and

day and night before that too.We barely have any time together, and even

to

..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, I still feel so

sad smile and

you had a shitty birthday and a shitty summer.You deserve so

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

birthday was always a special thing for us.My sixteenth birthday was

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

and for my eighteenth birthday, he drove us

birthday, I had a lot of expectations and they were all crushed in just one

I don’t know what else to say,"Tristan

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

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

"Are you sure?"

"Yes,"

his head to see the clock, and the time

still technically your birthday, wanna

"How?"

I stifled a laugh.

face as he got up and headed

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

all night were those

use some booze, especially to help

vigorously at him

ended up

watched a re-run of Law and Order on TV and we

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

as the pounding on the door

"Who is that?"I croaked.

"I don't know,"Tristan replied.

he got up from the couch and staggered towards the