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.

us and there was nothing else

simple truth was that

loves me,

I couldn't see it and I couldn't

wanted now was to

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

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

I

was expecting to find the

the lights were on and I heard the

and saw Tristan

"Tristan?"I gaped.

shocked to see

both shocked to see each other

you and Sophie

supposed to be in the city with

wanna talk about it,"I sighed dramatically and joined

head back and groaned in exhaustion.It had

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

said, gesturing to the laptop

lot of writing because he

"Oh,"

got up

not gonna bother

he pulled on my hand, motioning for

on? You wanna talk

I burst out crying into

showed

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

me and cooed me gently as he said, "That

but that’s okay, because he’s working towards his dreams

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 won't

box of tissues

think he doesn’t love me anymore.I think 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

saying? You think he’s cheating

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

for the dinner and

lip and nodded my head

any time together, and even we're together, he’d always be on the phone with Ally

you never said anything to him all

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

out a sad

a shitty birthday and a shitty summer.You

me on a road trip.I don’t know what happened to

a special thing for us.My sixteenth birthday was

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

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

my nineteenth birthday, I had a lot of expectations and they were all crushed

know what else to

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

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

"Are you sure?"

"Yes,"

turned his head to see the clock, and the time showed

since it’s still technically

"How?"

I stifled a laugh.

smirk crept up his face as he got up and headed to

later, he came back with a six pack of beer.He lifted

"You got beer?"I questioned.

me

had all night were

to help me forget all

vigorously at

ended up drinking throughout the

re-run of Law and Order on TV and we used our matching onesie

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

on the door got louder and

"Who is that?"I croaked.

"I don't know,"Tristan replied.

from the couch and staggered