Life in Vegas || Brendon Urie

Chapter 17

"What are you going to wear?" Taylor asked as we sat beside Maria's pool with her, bathing in sunshine. It was a sunny, 80 degree Friday.

"I have a floral dress that I'll wear with some wedges," I shrugged. "Nothing fancy, just enough to look nice."

School had let out for the seniors already, and the graduation ceremony was this weekend. My excitement had far overshadowed my anxiety at this point; I was ready to walk across the threshold between my childhood and the rest of my life.

I had sent out my announcements to family and friends. Seeing as I didn't know where to do things here, Taylor was gracious enough to let me have my celebration along with hers, Maria's and Jessi's. Needless to say, it was going to be one big party.

Although, with graduation came the announcement of where seniors would be going to college at. When the principal called our name to walk across stage, he would also announce our major and what college we were to pursue said major. I had turned in the answer of being undecided, so that Brendon didn't have to hear that I was fleeing to Michigan from our principal.

Did I mention that I still haven't told him?

We hadn't exactly talked about college between us yet. It was like we both knew that there was going to be some dissonance about the subject, so we put it off. That was, until the matter surfaced in our conversation on Saturday - the day before graduation.

"Have you decided where you're going yet?" Brendon wondered.

I shook my head falsely. "No. I still have all summer."

"Yeah, but you have enrollment deadlines depending on where you go," he warned. I shrugged.

"I know. I'll figure it out." I sighed as my conscience sent iced glares at me. "Where are you going?"

Brendon snorted. "I'm not going to college."

"You what?" Disbelief hung in my words. "Brendon, you realize that college is important, right?" His eyes flitted from side to side as he nodded. "You should really go."

"I'm focusing on music," he argued passively. "I don't need college to do that. Besides, our music is growing a little. I think that I'll be fine without it."

"What's your backup plan?" I asked out of curiosity.

"What do you mean?" He replied defensively.

"You don't really want to work at a smoothie shop for the rest of your life, do you?" I scoffed. "What if things don't go the way we want them to? What if music doesn't work out as fast as you'd like it to? You should really have at least an Associate's in secondary education so you can get a real job when it comes down to it, Brendon. Music might not work out the way you -"

"I think you're trying to say that it might not work out the way you want it to," Brendon shot. "I'm aware of the fact that success takes time and I'm ready to put in that time. I can support myself. I have a plan for this, and I've already worked a lot of it out, unlike you. You have no idea what you're doing, and you definitely don't have any idea what it takes to make things work in music. I do."

My face heated in embarrassment. Brendon was right, I didn't know anything about it, and he knew what he was doing. Shame ensued after my embarrassment.

"You're right," I surrendered. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't second guess you. It's obvious you've got a lot of talent. Don't think that I'm not supporting you, Brendon. I have faith that you can do anything you want, but I just want you to be prepared."

"I am," he affirmed, giving me a grin. "I swear, I'm ready for this."

I slung my arm around his waist and told him that I loved him. A spark of pride ignited in my chest for my beautiful, aspiring musician.