Tutorial | Brendon Urie

Chapter Two

I've got my textbooks, I've got my practice exams, all my binders, my hair is done, I've brushed my teeth, I've got my phone and my laptop and both their chargers. What am I missing? I skim my pockets and my bag to see if I have forgotten anything. I can't shake the feeling that I am leaving something behind.

"Grace!" My mum calls from the front door, "Hurry up it's already eight o'clock!" Our school starts at 8:10am. It's weird and annoying, although we do get more free periods than most other students, so for that, I am grateful. I take a final look at myself in the mirror. Even though it's just school, it's also judgement central, and therefore, to avoid ridicule, I actually have to look decent. I adjust my dark, wavy hair, pushing it behind my ears, smoothing the frizz. I quite enjoy having dark hair. I used to hate it, but I've grown to appreciate the maturity and elegance it brings to my face. My short cut only just grazes my shoulders, so it's fairly difficult to do anything with it other than putting it in a ponytail or having it down. Today, I chose the latter. I double check my outfit as well. My oversized sweater falls just below the waistline of my black jeans, which are cuffed to reveal a pair of all black Converse. I smooth my cotton sweater down, pulling off a few of my own stray hairs. I throw my bag on my back, struggling under the weight, and race down the stairs. "Sorry, I just feel like I am forgetting something..." I trail off.

"Whatever it is, I'm sure it's not important, otherwise you would've remembered it, you goose."

We both jump in the car and my mum takes the wheel, speeding through the morning rush, trying to get me to school on time. She freaks me out sometimes, but I love her.

I make it to my first class just as the bell rings. History in room 403, where Dawn has saved me a seat. I actually love History, and my teacher's amazing but I can't help but let my mind drift. I didn't get much sleep last night, so my attention span is that of a goldfish's.

My first three periods zoom past, faster than I expected, and before I know it, it's time for recess.

I shove my binders and textbooks into my locker carelessly, and quickly shut the door so they don't fall out. Future Grace's problem now. I turn around and Dawn is waiting for me near the main doors. She stands tall in a blue and white striped top, paired with the same jeans I am wearing. We sometimes match, wearing similar outfits, but it doesn't bother us. Her sculpted blonde waves perch neatly on her shoulders, constrasting the washed blue of her denim jacket. We walk out together and sit on the grass with our friends by the steps like we usually do. It's nearly winter, so it's been fairly cold, but the sun is out today, so we lay down and bask in the warmth, despite the damp grass moistening our clothes. We close our eyes and chat about meaningless crap, like the dumb things people say in class and the arrogance of some of the students in our year level. "Grace!" I hear someone call from a distance. I sit up immediately and look around. It sounded like a man's voice. I notice a lean, almost lanky, figure walking towards us from the carpark. He's carrying a briefcase in his left hand and a clipboard under his arm. Dawn makes an "ooh" sound, looking him up and down and elbowing me in the ribs. I slap her thigh and stand up. "Hey Mr. Urie, what's up?"

"Hey Grace. Last night Ms. Phillips was forwarding me all the essays she received to mark, and I didn't see yours. Did you end up finishing it?" I finally realise what I forgot.

"Shi- uh, crap," I catch myself mid-swear.

"You can swear in front of me, I'm not an actual teacher yet," Brendon laughs.

"I knew all morning that I was forgetting something. Shit. I really need that essay marked."

"Don't worry I can mark it for you, if you'd like."