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

simple truth was that

loves me, sure he

see

wanted now

was being petty, but I wanted him to realize that

back to Philly late that night.I took a cab to my new apartment and hauled my big fat suitcase up three flights

how I spent my birthday

apartment door, I was expecting to find the room dark and

the lights were on and I heard the sound of the

walked inside and saw Tristan sitting on the

"Tristan?"I gaped.

shocked to see

were both shocked to see

here? I thought you and Sophie

you supposed to be in the city with your boyfriend?"he

about it,"I sighed dramatically and joined him on the

back and groaned in

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

said, gesturing to the laptop

a lot of writing because he

"Oh,"

and I got up

worry about me, I’m not gonna bother you.I’m just

my

on? You wanna talk about it?"Tristan

hold it anymore.The next thing I knew, I burst out crying into his shoulder, snorting like a sad ugly

showed

even call...and it's supposed to

his arms around me and cooed me gently

long, but that’s okay, because he’s

York City if he didn’t

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

love me anymore.I think he got bored with

rant after blowing my nose so

"Who's Ally?"he asked.

a thing together back in

You think he’s cheating on you with

Ally filled my head and I shook my head violently, hoping

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

my lip and nodded my head

before that too.We barely have any time together, and even we're together, he’d always be on the phone with

you never said anything to

do it anymore.I thought by now things will get better, but it never does.Even though I

sad smile

really sucks.Sorry you had a shitty birthday and a shitty summer.You

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

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

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

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

a lot of expectations and they were all crushed in

sorry, Emma, I don’t know what else to

all my sob story.I shouldn't be disturbing you, you’re working," I said as I straightened

at all.I've been looking at that word document for the past hour, not doing anything.I need a break," he

"Are you sure?"

"Yes,"

the clock, and

it’s still technically your birthday,

"How?"

I stifled a laugh.

up his face as he got up and headed to the

of beer.He lifted them

"You got beer?"I questioned.

me write better,"he

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

to help me

vigorously at him and said, "Yes

ended up drinking

and Order on TV and we

fallen asleep on the couch

on the door got

"Who is that?"I croaked.

"I don't know,"Tristan replied.

up from the couch and staggered towards the