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

me,

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

all I wanted now was to get

I wanted him to realize that what he was doing to me was hurting

back to Philly late that night.I took a cab to my

was how I spent my

opened the apartment door, I was expecting to

were on and I heard

and saw Tristan sitting on the

"Tristan?"I gaped.

shocked

were both shocked to see each other

here? I thought you and Sophie are coming back next

Aren't you supposed to be in

about it,"I sighed dramatically

head back and groaned in exhaustion.It

and I like the silence.Helps me get my

the laptop on the coffee

a lot of writing because he worked in the school

"Oh,"

mouthed and I got up

gonna bother you.I’m just gonna get some

he pulled on my hand, motioning for me to sit

wanna talk about

anymore.The next thing I knew, I burst out

showed

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

around me and cooed me gently as

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

he even bring me out to New York City if he didn’t even have the time to spend with me.Why bother making

the box of tissues on the table

what 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

"Who's Ally?"he asked.

to have a thing together back in high school,"I replied,

You think he’s cheating on you

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

that's what happened? He never showed up for the dinner and he didn’t call you, so you got upset

and

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

said anything to him all

I didn’t wanna get in the way ..but...I can’t do it anymore.I thought by now things will get better, but

out a sad smile and said,

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

ever.Last year for my birthday, he drove for hours and took me on a road trip.I don’t

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

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

birthday, he drove us to Philly and

a lot of expectations and they were all crushed in just one

know what

I came barging in here and you had to hear all my

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

"Are you sure?"

"Yes,"

head to see the clock, and the time showed that

technically your birthday,

"How?"

I stifled a laugh.

he got up and headed to

later, he came back with a six pack of beer.He lifted them up in the air and

"You got beer?"I questioned.

me write better,"he

were those stupid mocktails

use some booze, especially to help me forget all about

I nodded my head vigorously at

ended up drinking

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

couch and Tristan fell

the pounding on the door got louder

"Who is that?"I croaked.

"I don't know,"Tristan replied.

up from the couch and staggered towards