You had always found him annoying, but part of that was because you were jealous of how smart he was. That was the prime reason you never let him get too close, or you’d end up comparing yourself to him too often and end up making yourself feel bad. As someone who only really values themselves on academic performance, seeing Eugene effortlessly surpass you crushed all your aspirations. It was destroying knowing that you at your best would be Eugene at his worst. You couldn’t help but feel sick in his presence.

But you were part of the Phantom Busters club, which he was in, which forced you to interact. It was hard trying to shut him out when you were put in so many situation where you had to talk to him.