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.

was no distance between us and there

simple truth was that I didn’t matter

me, sure he

couldn't see it

I wanted now

I was being petty, but I wanted him to realize

got back to Philly late that night.I took a cab to my new apartment and hauled my big fat

I

was expecting to find the room

I heard the sound

walked inside and saw Tristan sitting on the

"Tristan?"I gaped.

looked shocked

shocked to see

I thought you and Sophie

are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in

wanna talk about

trashed my head back and groaned in

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

gesturing to the

of writing

"Oh,"

I got up

me, I’m not gonna bother

said and he pulled on my hand,

You wanna talk about it?"Tristan knew something

next thing I knew, I burst out crying into his shoulder, snorting

showed

call...and it's supposed to be

gently as

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

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

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

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 this

rant after blowing my nose so gracefully into the

"Who's Ally?"he asked.

friends, but they used to have a thing together back in high school,"I

saying? You think he’s cheating on

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

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

and nodded

have any time together, and

anything to him all

things will get better, but it never does.Even though I was with him every day, I still feel so

out a sad

shitty birthday and a shitty

he drove for hours and took me on a road trip.I don’t know what happened

always a special thing for us.My sixteenth birthday was the first time

trip to Princeton and he inspired me to apply to

my graduation day and for my eighteenth birthday, he drove

had a lot of expectations and they

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

all my sob story.I shouldn't

all.I've been looking at that word document for the past hour, not doing anything.I

"Are you sure?"

"Yes,"

the clock, and the time showed that it

it’s still technically your birthday, wanna

"How?"

I stifled a laugh.

his face as he

a six pack of

"You got beer?"I questioned.

me

had all night were those stupid mocktails and sparkling

to help

nodded my head vigorously at him and said,

up

of Law and Order on TV and we used our matching onesie pajamas because they were so comfortable

had fallen asleep on the couch and Tristan fell asleep next to

the pounding on the door got louder and

"Who is that?"I croaked.

"I don't know,"Tristan replied.

my relief, he got up from