**Galveston County, Texas. County High School.**
**1989.**
**Graduation Ceremony.**
"Let's welcome the graduate representative, the inspiration for the book 'Amazing Amy,' Amy Dunne!"
*Clap clap clap!*
Amidst the warm applause, a beautiful young woman with a unique aura walked onto the stage. She approached the microphone, glanced around at the alumni scattered amongst the tiered seats, her gaze lingering slightly on a handsome young man, before launching into a practiced speech.
**Below the stage.**
The handsome, blond young man, whose face had been carefully arranged in an expression of 'adoration, reluctance, sorrow, and pain,' instantly relaxed his tense features. He rubbed his slightly stiff face, a wry smile tugging at his lips.
That's right!
He was putting on an act!
But he was also forced into it. Anyone who knew that the unique young woman on stage was his girlfriend – oh no, his soon-to-be ex-girlfriend who had just dumped him – and knew what she was capable of in the future, would offer her a fawning, obsequious expression.
As for why he knew the future?
Heh!
"Hey, are you alright?"
At that moment, someone nudged him gently. It was a girl.
"I'm fine!"
The boy instantly slipped back into character, lowering his head with an air of unbearable grief, refusing to look at the other person.
"Hey, it's not that bad, is it?"
The girl beside him, oblivious, leaned closer and exclaimed in surprise, "It's just a girlfriend. Even if she is 'Amazing Amy,' you're Adam Duncan! You've had plenty of girlfriends before. Do you really need to put on this 'pure love' act?"
"Juno, don't get so close!"
Adam shifted to the side, avoiding the girl's approach. He nervously glanced at Amy, who was speaking on stage. Seeing that she hadn't noticed them, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Are you afraid of her?"
Juno seemed to understand something, a strange smile spreading across her face. "So you're actually afraid of her!"
"What are you talking about?"
Adam's heart tightened, but he calmly put on a confused expression and looked at the girl beside him.
She was a pretty girl with delicate features, conforming to his aesthetic preferences in both this life and his past one. However, the freckles that were far more numerous than those on girls greatly diminished her beauty. What's more, she was wearing a red hoodie, a shade of red so jarring that, coupled with the knowing amusement in her eyes, it made it impossible for him to look directly at her.
"Ugh, this is so hard!" Adam couldn't help but lament inwardly, "This is another tough one..."
"You're just afraid of her!" Juno said with certainty.
"I'm not, don't be ridiculous, I'm not!" Adam instinctively issued a three-part denial.
"Not admitting it?" Juno's lips curled into a smirk, and she leaned closer again.
"Stop, stop, stop!"
Adam was startled. He quickly glanced at the stage, touched his neck, and forced a smile. "What do you want?"
"Nothing~"
Juno clearly understood the principle that a missile is most powerful on the launchpad. She sat up straight and said casually, "Hey, why have you been sneaking glances at that little boy lately?"
*Buzz!*
Adam's head buzzed at her words, and a chill ran down his spine. He was about to activate the acting skills he had honed to deal with the 'amazing' Amy on stage. But then he remembered that the girl beside him was even more formidable than the future Amy. He instantly dropped the act and decided to tell the truth.
"You mean Sheldon? He's a genius. He's about to skip a grade and enter high school. I want to be friends with him, gain some wisdom, and get into a good college in the future!"
"Huh, you're actually telling the truth!"
Juno turned her head and stared at Adam for a long moment. This time, Adam gathered his courage and met her gaze, because he was indeed telling the truth!
"Of course it's true! You know this is a public high school. The teachers are limited. If I want to get into a good college, it's better to find a genius classmate to tutor me!"
Adam said cautiously, "Is that okay?"
"Of course it's okay!" Juno smiled. "I just didn't expect the famous rock 'n' roll boy Adam Duncan to want to study hard..."
Before Adam could relax, Juno's tone changed. "But you don't need to look for him. I can tutor you!"
*Boom!*
Adam felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He was completely dumbfounded. "You, you tutor me?" he stammered.
"What, you don't think I'm capable?" Juno asked, a playful smile on her face.
"No!"
Adam shook his head. Although she was just as terrifying as his ex-girlfriend, her grades were excellent. She was one of the few top students in their public high school, after all, her IQ was undeniable!
"Then do you have a problem with me?" Juno's tone was somewhat playful.
"No, no!" Adam shook his head vigorously.
"Not this, not that..." Juno narrowed her eyes. "Could it be that you've really changed your ways and prefer this little Sheldon?"
Adam froze, acutely aware of the danger in Juno's words. He screamed in his heart, "Damn system, I hate you! If you weren't so useless, I wouldn't have to be so terrified!"
Furiously raging internally, Adam forced a smile. "Don't joke around. I'm just afraid of troubling you. After all, my reputation..."
"I'm not afraid!" Juno interrupted. "Anyway, I'm a freak in the eyes of others. Four out of five psychiatrists say I have problems, and I'm doing just fine! Don't care too much about what others think. That's too tiring!"
She paused, then looked at Adam meaningfully. "You were fine the way you were before. Even if you change, don't change in the wrong direction..."
"But I'm scared..." Adam's lips twitched, but he didn't dare to speak his mind. He forced a smile and said, "Don't worry, I know what I can and can't do. I really just want to be friends with Sheldon!"
"Whatever makes you happy!" Juno smiled. "One last question?"
"Go ahead!" Adam breathed a sigh of relief.
Juno stared at Adam, enunciating each word clearly: "You're afraid of me too. Why?"
"..."
Adam was speechless. After a long while, he murmured, "I have a reputation. You often dress like Little Red Riding Hood... I just want to study hard and improve myself now. I really don't want to cause any trouble!"
"Little Red Riding Hood~" Juno chuckled softly and turned her head away from Adam.
Adam sat there woodenly, his eyes following Amy as she spoke on stage, ready to put on any dramatic expression at any moment, trying his best to endure the remaining time. However, in his mind, he was looking at the nameless system with its single panel and complete lack of responsiveness!
**Wisdom: 108 (Normal 100, Excellent 120, Genius 140, Super Genius 180)**
**Strength: 180 (Normal 100, Strong 200, Super Strong 500, Not Human 1000)**
**Endurance: 300 (Normal 100, Excellent 200, Show Off 500, Not Human 1000)**
**Speed: 140 (Normal 100, Excellent 200, Show Off 500, Not Human 1000)**
**Lifespan: 35.06 (Early Death, Normal 80, Excellent 100, Show Off 150, Not Human 200)**
**Others: Locking...**
*Ding!*
**Wisdom +1**
*Ding!*
**Speed +20**
(End of Chapter)