Life in Vegas || Brendon Urie

Chapter 1/Beginning of Book I

This was it - my first day at Palo Verde High School. I had just moved here from East Lansing, Michigan, with my mom.

That's a messy story.

"Be careful honey, I love you," my mom said. Her eyes sparkled a bit with crocodile tears.

"I will. Bye," I gave a half-assed wave and walked out the door.

Kate was an emotional lady. The reason we left Michigan was because of her erratic mood spectrum.

Now, maybe I wasn't very nice to my mother, but she wasn't very nice to me either. Her bipolar tendencies added together with her substance abuse made for difficult times around the house. Luckily, this is the second semester of my junior year. I'll be gone in roughly one year's time.

The school was huge, as expected. Nothing less than what you would expect from a high school just outside Las Vegas, but much different from the school I attended in Michigan.

I glanced at my schedule while standing in the courtyard. A strung out sigh made it's way from my mouth in response to my classes: physics, P.E., math, two seminars, vocal music, business education, guitar class.

The first period physics was a no go for me. I would probably end up skipping that class. The rest weren't so bad; I was happy to have the music classes.

I heard a bell sound, and I made my way inside the massive building. I hadn't realized it, but I had no clue where I was going. I had to find someone to take me to my classes.

"Um, excuse me?" I asked an older looking lady.

"Can I help you?" She replied with a warm smile.

"I'm new, I need help finding my classes," I said.

"Oh, of course. I heard we were getting a new student. I'm Mrs. Brennan. What's your name?"

"Kendall Wagner."

"Um, we don't have that name enrolled," she said snobbishly.

"Excuse me?" I asked, confused.

"Just kidding, follow me," she smiled. "Lighten up sweet cheeks, what's the matter?"

Walking a few steps behind her, I pondered a moment at her question. Normally, I would've cringed at the name "sweet cheeks" and told her to kick rocks, I'd find my classes myself. But something about her invited me in; the way she smiled and made me at home made me feel comfortable.

"I guess I'm just nervous," I shrugged. "This is a huge school and I don't know anyone, and I also don't know how to make friends."

"Trust me, you'll get to know plenty of people. It's Monday, so give it this week and come see me on Friday. We'll discuss the friends situation after you've experienced the Palo life a bit."

I smiled and accepted her offer. Mrs. Brennan was a blessing.

"Okay, so here's your physics class. I'll be here after class gets out to walk you to second period. Have fun!" She grinned and nudged my arm.

"Thanks," I laughed quietly.

I felt great until I walked into the room. My entrance was met with smug faces and questioning glances. I didn't say anything; I simply walked to the back of the classroom and sat down diagonal to a guy that hadn't even looked up when I walked in. He had yet to look at me, and for some reason I felt put off by it.

The teacher began taking roll after a few minutes, and I shrunk into my seat. The simplicity of saying "here" petrified me due to the fact that almost all the students were staring at me.