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

truth was that

loves me,

see

all I wanted now was

to realize that what he was doing to me was hurting

back to Philly late that night.I took

how I spent

was expecting to find the room dark

were on and I heard the sound of the

walked inside and saw Tristan sitting on

"Tristan?"I gaped.

looked shocked to see

to see

you doing here? I thought you and Sophie are coming

doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in the city

wanna talk about it,"I sighed dramatically and joined him on

and groaned in exhaustion.It had been

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

gesturing to the

of writing because he worked

"Oh,"

I got up to my

gonna

pulled on my hand, motioning for me to

wanna talk

thing I knew, I burst out crying into his

never showed

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

me and cooed me gently as he said, "That really

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

my 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

crying mess.Tristan grabbed the box of

got bored with me or something.His priority

my

"Who's Ally?"he asked.

together back

you saying? You think he’s

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

and he didn’t call you, so you got upset and

my lip and nodded my

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 talking

said anything to him all summer long?"he

because I didn’t 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

a sad smile and said,

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

hours and took me on a road trip.I don’t know what happened to us now and why we're so distant from each

was the first time I met him at that

birthday, we took a road trip to Princeton and he inspired me

birthday, he drove

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

sorry, Emma, I don’t know what

not your fault.I’m sorry I came barging in here and you had to hear all my sob story.I shouldn't be disturbing you, you’re working," I said as I

at all.I've been looking at that word document for the past

"Are you sure?"

"Yes,"

the clock, and the time showed that it

it’s still technically your

"How?"

I stifled a laugh.

crept up his face as he got up

came back with a six pack of beer.He lifted them up

"You got beer?"I questioned.

helped me write better,"he

some?"All I had all night were those stupid mocktails and sparkling

use some booze, especially to help me forget all

head vigorously at him and said, "Yes

ended up drinking throughout the

watched a re-run of Law and Order on TV and we

asleep on the couch and Tristan fell asleep

groggily as the pounding on the door got louder and

"Who is that?"I croaked.

"I don't know,"Tristan replied.

relief, he got up from the couch and