Marvel's Princess - Chapter 59
The annual graduation ceremony at Forks High School was held as scheduled.
With just over 300 students across four grades, there were about 70 graduates in Bella’s year. For many high school grad grades, there were about 70 graduates in Bella’s year. For many, high school graduation marked the end of their educational journey, leading them into jobs as laborers, working at family-owned coffee shops, or running their farms.
In a small town like Forks, where incomes are modest but the pressures of life aren’t as intense as in the cities, people tend to live as their parents did, without worrying about starvation or serious poverty.
At the graduation, more than seventy students were surrounded by their parents or guardians, filling the auditorium.
In the U.S., even kindergarten graduations feature caps and gowns, let alone high school.
The yellow gowns and caps looked quaint as the students relished their final moments of school life. Those planning to continue their education discussed college life, realizing that turning eighteen meant they were now adults, ready to enjoy a few more years of fun, though some were serious about their studies.
Among them, Bella’s acceptance to Stanford University was undoubtedly a highlight. Americans understand the difference between elite and ordinary universities. Unlike in the East, where future career prospects dominate discussions, people here are more concerned with the present.
A girl wearing glasses couldn’t help but ask Bella, “Can you afford the tuition?”
Bella almost wanted to cover her face with her hand when she mentioned this topic. I’m really too poor!
Stanford University’s tuition isn’t as outrageous as Bard College’s, but it still amounts to $40,000 a year.
It’s not customary here for parents to pay for their children’s college tuition.
Children of wealthy families and high-ranking officials simply need to save a portion of their allowance to cover tuition costs.
Children from poorer or middle-class families usually prepare in advance, often by working jobs to save up their tuition fees a year or half a year before college starts.
Bella doesn’t fit into either category. When others were saving money from jobs, she hadn’t even arrived here! Her family doesn’t seem like hidden billionaires.
But she’s not worried. With more than a month left and her abilities, she’s confident she can get the money when needed, but she’s often just too lazy to bother.
“Don’t worry, I’ll handle the tuition!” she assured confidently.
The girl in glasses insinuated, “You must have secretly made a lot of money, right?”
The pension case had made Bella super famous across much of the U.S., and many believed she had made a fortune from it.
It’s hard to explain such things; those who believe don’t need an explanation, and those who don’t won’t be swayed by one.
“Really, you don’t need money? I have some savings; I could help you with your tuition,” Charlie, who had been sitting next to her, whispered after the girl turned away to chat with someone else.
Bella waved it off casually, “Don’t worry. I’ve won a lawsuit related to an airplane accident, and the compensation should be arriving soon. I’m fine. But what about you? How are things going with Samantha?
I told you you’re not the only candidate. Natasha mentioned that some heir to a mining fortune is coming back to town. He’s a pretty boy who had a fling with Samantha when they were young. You need to step up your game! Natasha and I are rooting for you!”
The conversation was swiftly diverted, and Charlie seemed to want to ask more but felt a bit embarrassed.
“Don’t be shy now. Natasha invited me, and we’re going to visit Prosperity Town in a few days!”
Bella decided then and there.
The school’s graduation ceremony was unremarkable. Everyone was from the town, and most would spend their lives there, so there was no real sense of departure. Seeing each other day in and day out, what more was there to say?
The focus was really on the evening’s dance.
As soon as the school’s graduation ceremony ended, everyone rushed home. The high school prom is a very important event in one’s life. How important? Bella didn’t know, but she followed the crowd, driving home to get dressed.
By 7:00 PM, Bella arrived at the prom venue.
She styled her hair up, revealing her long neck and a string of pearls. Her already exquisite face was carefully enhanced to appear even more stunning, her eyes and red lips glimmering with confidence, adding a subtle charm to her demeanor.
The prom was very formal; the girls wore long gowns, and the boys wore impeccably graceful and beautiful.
People in the small town didn’t chase brand names, and she couldn’t afford them either.
Her clutch, bracelet, earrings, and necklace were all in matching tones.
After parting from Charlie, who had driven her to the venue, Bella picked a tulip-colored corsage outside before slowly entering the hall.
She undoubtedly had better social skills than her predecessor, mastering the art of conversation.
She chatted briefly with acquaintances as she walked through, carefully controlling the pace of conversation to avoid unrealistic assumptions.
Of course, the stars of the prom were the graduates, each allowed to invite a dance partner, not necessarily a romantic one. Bella hadn’t asked anyone; she just came to enjoy the festivities.
“Hey, Jessica! You look really pretty today!”
“You look even prettier, Bella.”
“Thanks!”
“Hey! You’re Arvin, right? You look so dashing in that suit.”
“Ah? Oh, thanks, you’re beautiful too, Bella. You’re the most beautiful!”
“Oh ho ho! You’ve got good taste, kid!”
Bella flitted around like a social butterfly, chatting briefly with everyone she met, reaping wave after wave of compliments.
Walking along, she reached a small group of vampires and asked with a hint of nervousness, “I’m so nervous! Do you see anything wrong with my outfit today?”
Alice Cullen, quite familiar with her, knew Bella’s habit of seeking compliments about her looks. If you didn’t respond positively or pretended not to hear, she’d hold a grudge.
Without hesitation, the female vampire replied, “Too beautiful, absolutely perfect! Bella, you are truly, truly stunning!”
The other vampires quickly agreed.
“Yes, yes, you are the most beautiful.”
“That’s wonderful, truly wonderful.”
Amid the praise, there was a slightly discordant note.
“May I have this dance?”
Bella turned to see Edward Cullen, dressed in a formal suit and tie, bowing slightly as he asked her to dance after a few seconds of silence.
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