Some minds work like a series of locks and keys. Some mental images slide left to right. Some slide up and down. Eventually, the solution uncovers itself, and it becomes so obvious that it's inconceivable that it he outcome hadn't presented itself far sooner. This was how Annie Kim's brain worked. She needed that prompt. That suggestion. That keyword. Then suddenly all the locks turned and everything clicked into place. The Model UN idea, for example, was something that's he wouldn't have considered if Annie Edison hasn't mentioned it first.

Annie Kim was low on imagination, but was second to none in execution.

The moment Annie Kim saw Annie Edison, she knew that she had to take her down. To others, she was prim, likable, and almost perfect. Kim knew the darkness that his behind those smiles, though. Burning was a competitive edge that could drive one to insanity.

It was a weakness she could exploit to destroy the school's alpha nerd.

She'd lobbied several well-timed mental bombs down Edison's way. She'd flaunted her superior GPA. She'd driven her to the point of irritation by running with Edison's idea for a Model UN. Annie Edison completely lacked her ice-cold, almost detached demeanor. She was weak and easily destroyed.

What Annie Kim didn't factor in was a certain Jeff Winger.

She was actually surprised that Edison had brought some reinforcement to confront her into the political science class. She always figured Annie Edison was the sort of fragile shrinking violet who would cry off in the corner of a storage locker somewhere. But she brought a guy with her who was tall, lean, and undeniably handsome. He was also pissed. The man was so possessive of Edison that she had to inquire.

"I'm sorry," Annie Kim asked, feigning innocence. "I don't understand what your relationship is here. Are you her father or her lover?"

The flustered look both Jeff Winger and Annie Edison responded with, though, spoke volumes. They kept insisting they were friends, but far too forcefully to be at all convincing. Such an odd reaction. So much emphasis on them being "friends." They kept repeating it as if trying to convince themselves. She crossed her arms, regarding the scene coolly.

What was that headlock Jeff Winger had her in, anyway? An awkward attempt to look friendly while draping his fingers around Edison's waist! That seemed a little ... too intimate for friends. Edison's panicked expression, too, seemed to indicate that she was hesitant to give to game away.

Later, when they'd had their ridiculous Model UN Off, the germ of a thought flowered into a fully fledged idea. The competition had be intense. The two of them sparred, hitting the button and resolving each global crisis alert. But Edison was loosing her composure. While Kim purred her orders to her teammates, Edison's responses were getting more and more panicked. Her confidence was being chipped away, a piece by tiny little piece. While her little support group was loyal to a fault, she noticed that none were taking any of this very seriously. It would only take a small, minuscule event to completely rattle this tightly wound alpha nerd.

Then it happened. The pressure had finally cracked Annie Edison. She smiled to herself as Edison threw an embarrassing temper tantrum, flailing atop her table like a little schoolgirl. Annie Kim knew she'd won. There would be no question of who the most successful and most accomplished woman in Greendale would be. I was only a matter of time.

She allowed herself a wry smile when Edison stormed out of the room, crying. What she didn't expect, though, was Jeff Winger chasing after her. In her mind, Kim had resolved the Winger had fallen far closer to the "father" side of the scale. He was older, and Edison had been acting so immature. But the way he chased after her: that wasn't in the manner of someone with a father figure complex would do.

Recalibrating.

Annie Kim rallied her team, pushing them toward the inevitable victory. The conclusion was foregone. From the side of her eyes, though, she noticed Annie Edison returning with an unmistakable glow on her face. Curious. Her spirit should have been broken. But now she was relaxed and at ease.

Jeff Winger returned a few steps behind her. Kim's imagination ran wild. What went on between them after they'd left the room? She could spot the very poor attempt to not give the game away. Winger had tried to play it cool by staying a respectable distance.

Soon, it all came crashing down. Edison had managed to undermine the entire Model UN system to turn Professor Cligoris against her. This slight hurt Kim the most. She was well on her way to becoming the teacher's pet. She had positioned herself correctly, seating herself in the center of the room at the optimal location to be most visible in answering questions and specifically pressing the Model UN idea because she knew that Cligoris was such a huge quiz buff. But now she was exposed as a petty little child who cared more about the game than the spirit.

Damn you, Annie Edison.

She could easily see why Edison was crazy for this Winger guy. He was tall, rugged, and with a hint of bad boy roguishness. He was also far more confident and mature than the typical dumb college boys who were the same age as her. She totally got it. Jeff Winger was catnip for alpha nerds.

She coldly shook Edison's hand at the end of the match. "Well played," she said, betraying no disappointment.

"Thanks," said Annie Edison. "Um, can I apologize? I behaved terribly. I can't believe I let this entire contest get to my head like that. Can we still be friends?"

Kim narrowed her eyes. "I don't think so," she said, turning away.

Annie stood agape. "Why that little..."

"Wow," said Jeff, watching Annie Kim walk away. "That... is a piece of work."

You better believe it, you handsome devil, Annie Kim thought. I'm going to destroy her. And I'm going to start by taking you away from her.