Epilogue

Lucretia glanced at the clock for the umpteenth time. She had spent the whole day preparing for tonight, and she still wasn't done. Surprisingly enough, this had nothing to do with her hair even. Ever since her one-year anniversary with Kankuro, she had kept her hair short. She had asked him if he minded her having short hair, after all she had been growing it out the whole time they had been dating, and most guys had something against short hair. She was overjoyed when he told her she could shave her head bald and he wouldn't care—as long as she didn't become a skinhead, that is. She had been getting increasingly annoyed with her hair, and wanted nothing more than to chop it to an inch long and spike it.

On the day of their one-year anniversary—which they counted from that day in the mall so long ago, coincidentally the same day as her good friend Alice's and Kankuro's brother Gaara's relationship began—the two of them went out for a "makeover" of sorts. Kankuro was going to get a tattoo—or three. He now had small, but highly detailed tattoos of a crow on his left bicep, a salamander on his right shoulder-blade, and a black ant on the inside of his right wrist.

Lucretia wanted to get a tattoo, but her parents wouldn't let her. She settled for a nose piercing on the right side and two lip rings on the left side—venombites, more specifically.

Afterwards, Kankuro brought her to a hair salon—his treat, and a surprise gift. He told her to do whatever she wanted with her hair, and to just not care about her parents' opinions. Which is precisely what she did. She nearly cried as she saw the hair fall after years of growing it out, but in the end she was glad that she would be able to fix her hair in five, ten minutes tops.

After the cut, she had them dye the remaining hair black, and then go back and bleach the tips. She then chose a mixture of neon green and dark purple dye over the tips. For once in a long time, Lucretia was actually happy with her hair.

Kankuro wasn't finished with his presents, however, and brought her to Hot Topic to buy a whole new outfit; shoes, accessories, and all. Luckily, he had started working shortly after the whole mall fiasco. Since he didn't have to stay with Gaara 24/7 anymore, he had time to find a job to work for some extra spending money.

Lucretia objected at first, not liking anyone spending so much money on her, but with his persistence, it was hard to deny him. So, after much cackling and trying things on, Lucretia ended up with a pair of Anarchic Black Studded Buckle Robot Boots, a black Tripp brand miniskirt, neon purple fishnets, a neon green and black corset, a black kitty-eared hoodie (to match Kankuro's), several random bracelets, a spiked choker, black fishnet arm-warmers, and—her favorite part—a pair of Gothic ' CYBERPUNK' Industrial Goggles. She was overjoyed to the point of being reduced to squeezing the life out of her boyfriend and squealing like an insane fangirl.

Lucretia turned back to the mirror and adjusted her goggles once again, making sure they were positioned just right. She had worn them as a headband nearly every day since then. She was even going to wear them to prom. Her parents weren't too thrilled, but she was dressing in a style of cyberpunk mixed with rivethead. With her Anarchic robot boots, her CYBERPUNK goggles, a black corset and knee-length pencil skirt slit up the left side to mid-thigh—both with purple and neon green detailing—and topping it off with a black military-style blazer with sliver studded detailing, she definitely had a different look than the rest of the people that she'd see soon enough at the large event. Kankuro was even joining her quirky sense of style with wearing a military-style inspired outfit, all black and silver with a bit of crimson. To top it all off, the couple planned to wear purple face paint in the traditional kabuki-style pattern the strange boy had used before he moved to Texas.

The doorbell rang, and Lucretia quickly added the finishing touches to the purple lines streaking across her face. She ran down the hall, her boots clunking loudly. Throwing open the door, the couple exchanged looks and quickly embraced before calling hello and goodbye to Lucretia's parents. They rushed out the door and to the boy's car before they could be stopped for an extensive photo-session. They had to meet Gaara and Alice in thirty minutes for dinner, and had no time to waste. Gaara didn't like people to be late, and Lucretia wouldn't stay for pictures even if she did have time.

Gaara waited patiently on the couch in silence. He could feel the tension in the room emanating from her parents. They had never really approved of the small-framed, quiet, excessively pale boy, but they would never deny their daughter's happiness she felt while being with him. Dressed all in a black Zoot Suit, very gothic boots—somewhat similar to Lucretia's—and a black Fedora with an intricate skull-like pattern on the left side, and topping it all off with his black eye makeup, the tattoo on his forehead, and that black and chrome motorcycle sitting in the driveway, Alice's parents were slightly upset. This was their daughter's big night, however, and they wouldn't ruin things for her by saying or doing anything now.

It took longer than he expected, but not too much time had passed before his girlfriend finally came from her room. She was dressed in a simple strapless corset-dress. The dark red was offset with details of black and silver beading. Along the bottom of the slightly full skirt, many beads were sewn in various patterns, and from one group of swirls and flowers, a snakelike dragon erupted and twisted across the side and front of the dress. Her hair was pulled into an updo, several strands individually braided or twisted and wrapped into a messy bun. She left her bangs down, keeping the sophistication of the bun cute and young. She wore strappy black flats, since Gaara himself was still quite short.

The redhead stood silently, and extended his hand to take hers. She squealed a little, and he lead her out the door towards his motorcycle.

After dinner, the two couples headed off to the school. Such a large school had the facilities to hold an immense amount of people. The music was already blaring by the time they entered; people were dancing and (much to Gaara and the girls' disgust) grinding everywhere. They joined the crowds, ready to party.

This was one of the best nights of the four friends' lives.

no, that does not mean they did the nasty.
they just had a good time. gaw.
DONE. this story is over. FINITE. bye bye now