Chapter 37

"Actually, what I like most are those classical costumes, but they are really... too heavy. Just the corsets and other equipment weigh about 40 pounds."

What Lisa was referring to was not the clothes, but the corsets and other equipment. In the 19th century and even the mid-20th century, such attire was popular among the upper classes in Europe and America. Unlike what Catherine was wearing, those outfits were extremely terrifying.

40 pounds, which is roughly equivalent to 18 kilograms.

Some girls were even required to wear masks, single gloves, chastity belts, and so on.

However, with the peak of the women's rights movement, various ideologies have been liberated, so such practices are less advocated now. But corsets are still a popular trend—seemingly always have been.

"The most important thing is that those clothes wrap the body completely. Wouldn't it be nice to show off such beautiful skin?"

Ada interjected.

"Perhaps we should discuss the premiere instead."

Catherine timely changed the subject.

"Right, there are only two weeks left until the premiere... Ah, why do I feel this summer will be so long?" Lily perked up.

In the United States, school breaks start in June, but club activities haven't ended yet. Catherine came to school mainly for the gymnastics club—they were going to perform. Lily and the others came to school for their respective club activities. Especially the photography club, those girls were already incredibly excited. They came from different places, but for this premiere, they didn't even want to go back, preferring to stay until the 30th, waiting for the premiere in New York.

Although transportation in the United States is very convenient, it also shows the enthusiasm of the photography club members for this film.

After all, student films rarely get to be shown in theaters.

"Maybe."

Catherine shrugged.

"Let's go to the photography club tomorrow. Since shooting 'The Blair Witch,' they've been wanting to make another film, and they've already done it. But... hehe, it can only be shown internally."

Clearly, the quality wasn't up to par.

After all, Catherine and Ada were the main characters in the last film.

Especially in the part where Catherine narrated to the camera, it heightened the atmosphere of terror to the extreme.

To be honest, Catherine never thought she could have such good acting skills. Perhaps compared to top Hollywood stars, there might be a gap, but at least on the surface, there was no sign of "artificial" or "forced" acting.

"Uh..." Ada was taken aback, then said, "I'm sorry, I can't, I have to go to the hospital with my dad for a follow-up."

"I'm really sorry."

"It's okay." Ada smiled, but Catherine noticed that things weren't that simple, and Ada seemed to be hiding something.

After everyone dispersed, Catherine found her.

"Ada, what's really going on?"

"Doctor Bitman said that my father's depression seems to be developing into schizophrenia and mania. I... I think I should take my father to the hospital."

If it's just depression, it can be treated with antidepressants and psychological guidance, leading to improvement. But if it develops into schizophrenia or mania, it could be dangerous.

After all, the U.S. presidents who were assassinated were all killed by mentally ill people. (You know what I mean)

"Ada, do you mind telling me more about your father?"

Catherine continued to ask.

Ada didn't refuse and began to recount the story.

"My father is a veteran from World War II, but in 1946, my mother died from complications during childbirth... and at that time, my father was still stationed in Germany. When he returned, he got the news and fell into depression."

"According to the doctor, it's likely that my father had psychological trauma from the battlefield, which triggered his depression. It's possible that this condition is due to neglect during previous treatments."

"Ada, can I come to your house?"

Ada was taken aback, then looked at the friendly Catherine, and finally, hesitantly, nodded.

Catherine gave Ada a gentle hug.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine."

The greatest advantage of a girl pursuing another girl is that physical contact is not rejected. In fact, it might even be welcomed.

On June 19, 1961, Catherine participated in the school performance, perfectly concluding her first school year.

To be honest, compared to ballet, the gymnastics club's training was not worth mentioning, especially since it was non-professional.

In fact, the only person Catherine truly recognized in the club was the president, Bonnie, who looked like she had really learned gymnastics.

Compared to ballet, Catherine also thought gymnastics was better. After all, while ballet is beautiful, it can also cause significant physical harm. Catherine always took great care of herself after each practice for this reason.

As she grew older, Catherine felt that ballet was becoming an obstacle, but she didn't know how to explain this to her mother.

After all, it was her mother's wish.

On the 20th, the photography club held the last screening of the school year, and Catherine accompanied Ada to her home.

Ada lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in an apartment in the city.

In the United States, most people living in high-rise buildings are middle-class or below. Families like Catherine's mostly live in single-family homes.

Catherine didn't expect Ada to live in such a place.

Opening the door, Ada led Catherine into the house.

The house was very tidy, but there wasn't much inside. On one wall hung a 19th-century American Civil War revolver. Next to it was a leather case containing some items, which seemed to be bullets.

It looked like this was the most valuable thing in the house.

"Just like my father participated in World War II, my ancestors participated in the Civil War."

Ada briefly replied.

"Would you like something to drink?"

"Thank you, no."

At that moment, a middle-aged man came out of the inner room.

"Ada, you're back?"

The man was about 180 centimeters tall, with a few wrinkles on his face, looking calm, and not at all like someone with a mental illness.

"Yes, Dad. This is my classmate, Catherine Edson. Kate, this is my father, Mars Rost."

"Hello, sir. You can call me Kate."

Catherine smiled at him warmly.

...

The image is of an old TV from the 1960s in the United States... Now you understand how "beautiful" the current TVs are, right? [[[cp|.com/chapters/20115/29/1968442634422775352262312963915.jpg]]]

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