CORRECTION: In a previous version of this article, the location where Robin Pepper got her tattoo was misstated. Pepper went to The Inkwell in Montgomeryville, Pa. The Daily Orange regrets this error.

On April 1 of her senior year of high school, Robin Pepper walked into class with a brand-new tattoo from The Inkwell in Montgomeryville, Pa. Given the date, it is no surprise that her classmates assumed it was an April Fools’ Day prank.

When Pepper, now a junior civil engineering major, went with her dad to get her first tattoo despite her mother’s disapproval, she knew she wanted something girly.

“I couldn’t think of anything more girly than butterflies,” Pepper said.

Being a self-proclaimed nerd, everyone who knew Pepper was shocked once her tattoo’s validity was established.

“Can I touch it?” was the sentiment that followed toward the three vibrant butterflies tattooed on the front of her left shoulder. Her friends loved them.

She has pride in her colorful butterflies and enjoys showing them off, but the bright colors are often the cause of speculation. She hates when people ask her if her tattoo is real.

“It’s rude, like, ‘Why are you tall?’” Pepper said.

Whether she wants more tattoos or not is not a question of if, but when. They are expensive, so it might take some time, Pepper said. She is considering getting a chili pepper next, in reference to her last name, but it’s still up in the air. She doesn’t want to go overboard.

Whatever her next move is, she will likely use the same approach she had when deciding to get her first tattoo.

Said Pepper: “I wanted them, so I got them.”

Published on August 28, 2012 at 2:08 am