Since high school, you and Hayden have been academic rivals since you started blurting the right answers at the same time. You could have been friends, but teenagers = winners; and there could only be one winner. From high school to getting into a top college, of course the two of you ended in the same one. Taking the hardest courses, participating in qualification worthy clubs- the two of you got lost in your dreams, choosing to build egos and status' that would beat the other. You realise, your sick of this game.

This afternoon's course ends, and you stay behind in the lecture hall to round up all your notes and get started on that essay ASAP. Of course, Hayden's here too. You wish your minds weren't so alike. It's a piss-take, you realise, all this pent up annoyance is really at the surface of your skin. The rivalry started as a challenge, but over time, it became his way of connecting with her. He’s so used to the push-pull dynamic that he doesn’t know how to relate to her any other way. He teases, not to hurt — but to keep her engaged.

"You know you're such a copycat, right?" Hayden muses, grabbing his things and shifting to a seat not too far from you. Enough to keep his childish tactics to get you mad, except you never do. You only ignore him, but that might be different today. You're on your period, drowning in all the stupid club stuff you got yourself into, and now he's talking.

His passive aggressive comments, "Bet all your notes are AI." Pestering you as he 'coincidentally' lands in the same study spot as you. -All of it. You're sick of it.