Reborn in America: Starting as a California Resident

In the United States, high school students experience a completely different kind of learning and life experience compared to their senior year of high school in China.

In China, the senior year of high school is like a long marathon. Students prepare for the college entrance examination almost all year round until it ends in June.

However, in the United States, college applications are completed by the end of December, and universities will announce their admission notices in late March or early April of the following year.

Therefore, American high school graduates are able to spend their final days in school in a relatively relaxed atmosphere.

In the United States, high school students have two distinct traditional celebrations in their final year—a solemn graduation ceremony and a joyful prom.

These two events are not only important milestones in the graduates' lives, but also important moments for their families to celebrate together.

Graduation ceremonies are usually meticulously planned by the school, with every aspect reflecting the school's traditions and respect.

Parents, siblings, and friends gathered together to witness this glorious moment.

The entire event was filled with a sense of formality and ceremony, as if this moment would be permanently etched into everyone's memory.

In contrast, the prom is a wild party led by the students themselves.

From preparation to implementation, every step was handled by the students themselves. This adult way of celebrating made them feel excited and proud to be stepping into a new stage.

The ball is usually held in late spring or early summer, around the end of April to the end of May. During this time, students start preparing weeks in advance, choosing dresses and inviting dance partners. Every detail reveals their eager anticipation for this farewell to their youth.

The prom is the final celebration of a high school life in America, a rite of passage that symbolizes the transition from adolescence to adulthood, marking a new beginning and a new chapter full of hope and dreams awaiting them.

In this process, the first thing students need to do is find dance partners. Couples who already have boyfriends or girlfriends will naturally pair up, while students without partners will try to find partners among familiar classmates and friends, usually with boys taking the initiative to invite girls.

Sometimes, boys might try to convey their invitation through a girl's friend or best friend. If they receive a positive response, they might even prepare a formal "ceremony" to invite her, such as holding flowers or making a poster and publicly inviting her in front of their classmates.

As for choosing a dance partner, graduates can also invite students from lower grades or other schools, although many schools have certain age restrictions for participants, usually not exceeding 20 or 21 years old.

For students who couldn't find a dance partner, they would often form small groups to attend the dance together, because no one wanted to miss this iconic event.

For students who already have dance partners, the next task is to prepare their dance attire.

Girls typically choose formal ball gowns, while boys wear suits and ties; this is a tradition of graduation balls.

These costumes are usually quite expensive, especially women's prom dresses, which can range in price from several hundred to thousands of dollars. To save money, many women choose to rent costumes.

However, the situation is quite different in some elite schools, such as Montivetta School.

The students here come from wealthy families, and on this day they will all wear high-end custom-made clothing worth at least tens of thousands of dollars.

If you fall below this standard, you'll almost always feel embarrassed to greet other classmates.

Some even go so far as to send specialists to Europe to commission so-called high-end gowns, creating unique ball gowns that showcase their individuality from head to toe.

Henry and his two companions rode in a convoy of luxury cars parked in the school parking lot and soon arrived at a secluded path near Melrose Avenue.

This street is home to many art galleries and antique boutiques, and Grant Tailor & Clothier stands out with its understated yet luxurious image, located in the heart of the street.

The store's two large doors are made of dark mahogany and inlaid with exquisite brass handles. The glass doors are engraved with the words "Grant Tailor & Clothier" in gold.

Through the windows, you can see the warm lighting and carefully arranged display area inside the store.

Upon entering the store, you are greeted by a spacious and bright area with thick Persian carpets on the floor, their intricate patterns exuding an aristocratic air.

The walls are adorned with numerous artworks depicting classic men's attire from the last century, as well as portraits of some of the most prominent clients, including political figures and business tycoons.

The reception area features several comfortable leather sofas with soft silk cushions, next to an exquisitely crafted coffee table, on which are placed fashion magazines and newspapers such as GQ and Vogue.

A faint aroma of cigars wafted through the air, along with the scent of fabric and needlework emanating from the workshop at the back.

Grant Tailor & Clothier offers more than just fabric selection and bespoke tailoring; it's more like a private club where every customer can enjoy a premium experience.

The store's staff wear uniforms and appear professional and polite. They are top experts in the industry, capable of not only handcrafting perfect garments but also capturing the unique qualities of each customer through subtle communication, and recommending suitable fabrics and styles accordingly.

As a white gentleman nearing sixty, Grant Anderson, a master of high-end bespoke tailoring who emerged in the late 1950s, was well-versed in the characteristics of various fabrics, whether it was the smoothness of silk, the warmth of wool or the lightness of linen.

For each custom order, Mr. Grant personally oversees every step, from consultation to finished product inspection, ensuring that each step reaches the highest standard.

When Henry and his party entered the store, there were several other customers selecting or trying on their custom-made clothing.

Despite the high prices at Grant Tailor & Clothier, with even the most basic custom-made sets costing over ten thousand US dollars, the store is still thriving.

Turning around and seeing Henry and the other two clearly, Grant, wearing a classic three-piece white suit of his own design, strode out from behind the counter, smiling and waving to greet them: "Welcome, Getty, Price, Mr. Reagan, you all look exceptionally well today."

"Mr. Grant, it's been a long time."

Of the three, apart from Henry, the other two were regulars here.

Even Henry, for various reasons, had visited this place several times.

So, they skipped the formalities, shook hands politely, and got straight to the point: "Mr. Grant, I heard Bruce and Jerry say that our custom-made costumes are ready, is that right?"