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.

no distance between us and there was nothing

truth was that I

loves me, sure he

the moment, I couldn't see it and I

now was to get

wanted him to realize that

much as I was missing him.I got back to Philly late that night.I took a cab to my new apartment

was how I spent my birthday

I was expecting

and I heard the

walked inside and saw

"Tristan?"I gaped.

looked shocked

to see each other

here? I thought you and Sophie are coming back next

supposed to be in the city with your

story, I don't wanna talk about it,"I sighed

trashed my head back and groaned in exhaustion.It had been

empty and I like the

the

a lot of writing because he

"Oh,"

I got

not gonna bother you.I’m

on my hand, motioning for me

going on? You wanna talk

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

never showed

call...and it's

me gently as he said,

all summer long, but that’s okay, because he’s working towards his dreams and I didn’t wanna

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

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

I think? I think he doesn’t love me anymore.I think he got bored with me or something.His priority is

blowing my nose so gracefully

"Who's Ally?"he asked.

of his best friends, but they used to have a thing together

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

images of Ian and Ally filled

showed up for the dinner and he didn’t call you,

bit my lip and nodded my

about every day and night before that too.We barely have any time together, and even we're together, he’d always be

anything to him all summer

do it anymore.I thought by now things will get

let out a sad smile

really sucks.Sorry you had a shitty birthday and

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 the

took a road trip to Princeton and

for my eighteenth birthday, he drove us to Philly

a lot of expectations

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

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

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

"Are you sure?"

"Yes,"

and the time showed that it was 11:45

since it’s still technically your birthday,

"How?"

I stifled a laugh.

he

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

"You got beer?"I questioned.

helped me

were those stupid mocktails and sparkling

booze, especially to help me

I nodded my head vigorously at him and said, "Yes

ended up

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

fallen asleep on the couch and Tristan fell asleep next

pounding on the door

"Who is that?"I croaked.

"I don't know,"Tristan replied.

he got up from the