Eric Bennett secretly sighed that he hadn’t become a different person, but had instead inexplicably experienced everything the future held. Out of nowhere, he had gained more than ten years of experience in the information-exploding society of the future, so now, when he looked at things, he considered much more... Of course, his biggest change now was that he was filled with hope for the future.

Under the guidance of the Homeroom Teacher, the class song was finally sung. In the slightly old, third-floor classroom building, the evening sunlight pierced through the glass windows, forming beams of light in the classroom, illuminating those young, slightly naive faces that, to Eric Bennett, belonged to more than ten years ago. Dust and white fluff floated in the classroom, the ceiling fan and incandescent lights above were all gilded with gold. In Eric Bennett’s eyes, all of this looked so retro and old-fashioned, yet so clear and real.

“If you don’t go through wind and rain, how can you see a rainbow? No one can succeed easily... Cherish every moment that moves you in life, and embrace your beloved friends with passion...” “True Hero” was one of the most popular songs of that era, and it was also the class song of Eric Bennett’s junior high class. The singing drifted out, and many people shed tears, including the most annoying Ethan Foster, who at this moment was also gazing longingly at the teachers of the past three years, eyes brimming with tears, face full of excitement.

Several female teachers had red-rimmed eyes. It seemed this was also the first junior high class they had taught after graduating from college, so their feelings ran deepest for this class. For later students, their passion gradually faded.

In memory, everything about graduation was filled with an indescribable beauty, a mix of melancholy and anticipation for the future, regret for unspoken love, all blending into a fine wine to be savored in the years to come.

This was also the best of times, when it was time to return to school to collect the graduation notice. That was a time of both joy and sorrow, a day that could never be returned to, a beauty that lingered in that moment.

The other classes were also in a great commotion, with faint sounds of crying drifting over. The beautiful days of junior high seemed to have come to an end just like that.

...

All the students in the first and second years of junior high looked on with a hint of envy at this group of students who finished their classes a few periods early and ended their junior high life, and they too began to look forward to graduation.

But what they didn’t know was that the third-year students, who were used to extra classes, had once looked enviously at this group of students who could leave school and go home on time every day after class.

When Homeroom Teacher Ms. Parker wished the whole class success in the high school entrance exam that would determine their future, and announced the end of the school day, Eric Bennett finally noticed that his desk was piled high with books.

Originally, Eric Bennett’s grades in junior high weren’t very good, partly because he liked to play and have fun. Usually, he would pile a lot of books on his desk, only taking home the ones needed for that day’s homework. As a result, now at graduation, Eric Bennett found himself stuffing his backpack to the brim, barely managing to fit all the books. When he finally shouldered the heavy bag and looked around the classroom, he realized that only a few people, like him, were still packing up, and Olivia Harris was already gone.

Eric Bennett’s heart instantly sank. If Olivia Harris had forgotten their agreement from that morning, and he couldn’t get those internal practice papers for each subject, he would have to review the difficult points of three years of junior high by himself, and the results would surely be much worse. Eric Bennett no longer felt confident that he could guarantee admission to No. 1 High School.

Chapter 9: The Pair Behind

Olivia Harris stood at the main school gate, like a pure and delicate lotus. Today, she wore a spotless white T-shirt that perfectly accentuated the figure she already had at sixteen. Many graduating third-year students passing by looked at this school beauty of the junior high division, and, thinking of the upcoming graduation and everyone going their separate ways, many felt an indescribable, heart-wrenching regret.

Olivia Harris’s face was flushed. While she was standing here just now, several boys had boldly confessed to her, but in the end, they were all gently rejected by Olivia Harris and slunk away in defeat.

There was no shortage of defeated suitors, which only made more people hesitate to approach, especially those shy boys who knew that if they didn’t confess before graduation, they’d never get another chance. In the end, they clutched their love letters and passed by Olivia Harris without saying a word. In the future, perhaps this would be a lifelong regret for some, or maybe just a small episode to smile about when reminiscing.

Holding several love letters in her hand, not knowing whether to throw them away or not, Olivia Harris couldn’t help but secretly blame Eric Bennett. When the final school day was announced, her close girlfriends all knew she was going to lend her test papers to Eric Bennett for copying. Plus, since it was the last day before vacation, each girl had her own things to do, so none of them accompanied Olivia Harris.

Seeing Eric Bennett still busy organizing his books at his desk, Olivia Harris felt that waiting for him in the classroom didn’t seem quite right. To be honest, Olivia Harris had never waited for any boy like this before, so she simply walked slowly while waiting. By the time she reached the main gate, Eric Bennett still hadn’t come out, so Olivia Harris could only stand at the gate. As the class monitor, she had promised to lend the papers, and if she just left, she couldn’t bring herself to break her word.

But in doing so, it seemed even more awkward. Just as Olivia Harris was feeling a bit resentful, Eric Bennett finally appeared, panting, with his heavy backpack.