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.

and there was nothing else to

was that I didn’t matter

me, sure

the moment, I couldn't see

now was to

being petty, but I wanted him to realize that what he was doing to

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

I spent

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

the lights were on and I heard the sound of

saw Tristan sitting on

"Tristan?"I gaped.

looked shocked to see

to see each other

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

doing here? Aren't you supposed to be

talk about it,"I

and groaned in

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

to the laptop on

writing

"Oh,"

and I got

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

and he pulled on my hand,

talk

knew, I burst out crying into his

never showed up..."I

didn’t even call...and it's supposed

me gently as he said, "That really sucks.I'm so

long, Tristan.I've been in the back seat all summer long, but that’s okay, because he’s

breath in between sobs, "But why would he even bring me out to New York City if he didn’t even have

crying mess.Tristan grabbed the box of

anymore.I think he got bored with me or something.His priority is

blowing my nose so gracefully into the

"Who's Ally?"he asked.

used to have a thing together back in high school,"I replied, and

think he’s cheating

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

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

and nodded

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

anything to him all summer long?"he

quiet 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

sad smile

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

birthday, he drove for hours and took me on a road trip.I don’t know what happened to us now and

us.My sixteenth birthday was the first time I met

my seventeenth birthday, we took a road trip to Princeton and he inspired me to apply to Ivy League

for my eighteenth birthday, he drove us to Philly and helped me

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

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

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

at that word document for

"Are you sure?"

"Yes,"

his head to see the clock, and the time showed that it

technically your birthday, wanna

"How?"

I stifled a laugh.

face as he got up and headed to the

came back with a six pack of beer.He

"You got beer?"I questioned.

helped me

I had all night were

especially to help me forget

head vigorously at

up drinking

watched a re-run of Law and Order on TV and we used our matching onesie pajamas because they were so comfortable

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

on the door got louder and

"Who is that?"I croaked.

"I don't know,"Tristan replied.

got up from the couch and staggered