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

simple truth was that I didn’t matter

loves me, sure he

moment, I couldn't see

all I wanted now was

realize that what he was

was missing him.I got back to Philly late that night.I

was how I

I was expecting to

lights were on and I heard the sound of

inside and saw Tristan sitting on

"Tristan?"I gaped.

looked shocked to see

were both shocked to see each

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

supposed to be in the city

I don't wanna talk about it,"I

and groaned in exhaustion.It had

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

to the laptop on the coffee

doing a lot of writing

"Oh,"

and I got up

I’m not gonna bother you.I’m just gonna get

he pulled on my

going on? You wanna talk about it?"Tristan knew

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

never showed up..."I

didn’t even call...and it's supposed

gently as he said, "That really

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

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

box of tissues on the table and

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

after blowing my nose so gracefully

"Who's Ally?"he asked.

thing together back

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

Ally filled my head and I shook

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

bit my lip and nodded

any time together, and

anything to him all summer

wanna get in 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, I still feel

a sad smile and said,

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

year for my birthday, he drove for hours and took me on a road trip.I

a special thing for us.My sixteenth birthday was the

Princeton and he inspired me to apply

got engaged on my graduation day and for my eighteenth birthday, he drove us to

I had a lot of expectations and

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

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

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

"Are you sure?"

"Yes,"

clock, and the time showed that

since it’s still technically your birthday,

"How?"

I stifled a laugh.

up his face as he got up and headed to

of beer.He lifted them up in the air

"You got beer?"I questioned.

me write better,"he

were those stupid mocktails and sparkling

to help me forget all

I nodded my head vigorously at him and said,

ended up drinking throughout the

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

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

groggily as the pounding on the door got

"Who is that?"I croaked.

"I don't know,"Tristan replied.

he got up from the couch and