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.

distance between us and there was nothing else

was that

loves me, sure

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

all I wanted now

to realize that what he was doing to me was

much as I was missing him.I got back to Philly late that night.I took a cab to my new apartment and hauled my big fat suitcase up three

how I spent

door, I was expecting to find the

lights were on and I heard the

and saw Tristan sitting

"Tristan?"I gaped.

shocked to see

shocked to see

thought you

Aren't you supposed to

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

and groaned in exhaustion.It

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

gesturing to the laptop on the

a lot of writing because he

"Oh,"

and I got up to

not gonna bother you.I’m

he pulled on my

going on? You wanna talk about it?"Tristan

hold it anymore.The next thing I knew, I burst out crying

showed

call...and it's supposed to be my

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

back seat all summer long, but that’s okay, because he’s working towards his dreams and I didn’t wanna get in

York City if he didn’t even have the time to spend with me.Why bother making a reservation for something he won't

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

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

my rant after blowing my nose so gracefully into the

"Who's Ally?"he asked.

together back in high school,"I replied, and I rolled

you saying? You think he’s cheating on you with

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

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

lip and nodded my

just about the dinner.It’s about every day and night before that too.We barely have any time together, and even we're together, he’d always be on the phone with Ally

you never said anything to him all

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

let out a sad smile

really sucks.Sorry you had a shitty birthday and a

hours and took me on a road trip.I don’t know

birthday was the first time I met him at that

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

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

lot of

don’t know what else to say,"Tristan

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

you’re not disturbing me at all.I've been looking at that word document for the past

"Are you sure?"

"Yes,"

head to see the clock, and

it’s still technically your

"How?"

I stifled a laugh.

he got up and headed to the

pack of beer.He lifted

"You got beer?"I questioned.

me

all night were

help me

I nodded my head vigorously at him and

up drinking

and Order on TV and we used our matching onesie pajamas because they were

fallen asleep on the couch and Tristan fell asleep

groggily as the pounding on the

"Who is that?"I croaked.

"I don't know,"Tristan replied.

from the couch and staggered towards