Codebreaker: A South Park AU

Chapter 4: Graduation

The day for Graduation finally came along. A lot of people anticipated it, except for the dressing up part. Bradley especially didn't like the entire process of getting into some kind of graduation gown and doing his hair all fancy and stuff. He wondered why even needed his hair styled if it's just going to be covered up by the cap anyway. Henrietta was also going, but of course there's no way she would be forced into the regalia. She's going full goth for this, though, just so she stands out and doesn't look conforming in any way.
Bradley saw her just waiting at his door frame as his mom was doing the last touches on his hair. Seems like she was using some kind of foam cream or something, and it worked like gel. Bradley was finally left alone after his mom put on the graduation cap, and just told him to pack whatever it is he needed for the day. He sighed, and then turned to Henrietta.
"You look scary today."
"That's exactly what I was going for.."
"It looks... good on you."
"You think?"
"Well I think so, I don't think anyone else would, though."
"That's also what I'm going for. No way am I wearing one of those stupid dresses."
"It's a gow— whatever." Bradley sighed, grabbing his backpack and making sure he had everything.
Henrietta could still feel the very mopey mood off of Bradley, and thought of something. She's very aware that he's not doing too great, but maybe this could be an opportunity for something.
"I have an idea."
"What?"
"Come with me." Henrietta went in and grabbed Bradley, bringing him over to her room, and making sure the coast was clear for that.
"Woah, you're really letting me in—"
"Shh! This is a one time thing, and after that you're still not allowed in here. I'm just doing this for today." Henrietta left him to stand there in her room, while she looked around for something.
Bradley stayed quiet as he looked around the room. It still had a faint odor of cigarettes, as per usual.
Henrietta came back around with eyeliner and eyeshadow, with a few options to pick from. Bradley caught onto what her idea was, and he kind of warmed up inside. He has rather mixed ideas about this.

Bradley and Henrietta were now at school. All the parents went over to the gym, where the awards ceremony would be happening, while the kids went to their class as usual. Bradley was still kind of admiring his new look, just by looking at himself through his phone. Before the two of them broke off, he said one more thing in a hushed voice.
"Hey. Thank you..."
"Don't. It's just a pity makeover, don't push it."
"Okay." Bradley still smiled, and then walked away. He was genuinely appreciative of the makeover that Henrietta gave him, so much so he kind of forgot this is super out of the ordinary for her. Why did she decide to do that for him? Guess he'll never know.
Bradley walked into his classroom, just casually in pink eyeshadow and eyeliner. It matched the pink in his Mintberry Crunch outfit, which is why he picked it in the first place. Not too many people noticed, but Scott surely did.
"Woah." That's as much as Scott could get out. It's quite a look on Bradley, and it's very unexpected.
"Cool, right?"
"How— who— did your parents really let you wear that?"
"Well— I did it last minute, so they couldn't stop me."
"Have you done makeup before?"
"Well no, but—" Bradley hesitated, remembering what Henrietta had told him.
"Did someone help you?"
"Yeah, my mom. She knows how to do this sorta stuff, and she just fixed whatever I had." Bradley did kind of wish he could tell at least Scott. Maybe he would later, after graduation, safely out of range of his sister.
"It's still cool. Maybe a bit gay, but it works."
"Is that bad?"
"Not to me. Maybe everyone else, though." Scott and Bradley sighed. What a nice little pair of outcasts, just holding out for one another. Bradley contemplated whether he should get rid of the makeup.
'But she went as far as this for me...' That's one big thing that deterred Bradley from getting rid of the look. Henrietta did do all of that for him, and it would be ungrateful to get rid of it, right? Probably would. Bradley tried keeping some confidence in himself, but just kept his head down until they all had to go. It might've been worse if he chose to have sparkles added to his look, because that would've been a big eyesore.