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

that

me,

the moment, I couldn't see it and I

now was

I wanted him to realize that what he was doing to me was

got back to Philly late that night.I took a cab to my

I spent my

was expecting to find the room

and I heard

and saw

"Tristan?"I gaped.

shocked

shocked to

here? I thought you and Sophie are coming back next

doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in the city with your boyfriend?"he asked

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

head back and groaned in

and I like the silence.Helps me get my

the laptop on the coffee

lot of writing because he

"Oh,"

mouthed and I got up to my

me, I’m not gonna bother you.I’m just gonna get

pulled on my hand, motioning for me

You wanna talk about it?"Tristan knew something

hold it anymore.The next thing I knew, I burst out crying into his shoulder,

never showed up..."I

for him...he didn’t even call...and

arms around me and cooed me gently as he said,

okay, because

City if he didn’t even have the time to spend with me.Why bother making a reservation for something he won't even show

and crying mess.Tristan grabbed the box

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

my nose so gracefully

"Who's Ally?"he asked.

but they used to have a thing together

saying? You think he’s cheating on

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

that's what happened? He never showed up for the dinner and

and

have any time together, and even we're together, he’d always be

you never said anything to him

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

sad smile and said,

you had a shitty birthday and a shitty

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

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

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

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

had a lot

sorry, Emma, I don’t know

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

word document for the past hour, not doing anything.I need a break," he

"Are you sure?"

"Yes,"

head to see the clock, and the time showed

it’s still technically your

"How?"

I stifled a laugh.

face as he got up and

a six pack of beer.He lifted

"You got beer?"I questioned.

helped me

were those stupid mocktails and

use some booze, especially to help me forget

head vigorously at him

ended up drinking throughout the

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

the couch and Tristan fell asleep next to

on the door got louder

"Who is that?"I croaked.

"I don't know,"Tristan replied.

relief, he got up from the couch and staggered towards the