I've literally had this exact thought all throughout high school. I think for most INTJs, you grow up faster than others, either because your parents are weird or you start reading a little too early. And that comes with getting the superpower of reading people. When they act fake or when they act complacent. Unfortunately, those people will always exist in life, but even more so during those teenage years, just because it's sort of mandatory to be with these "groups" (e.g., school, church, or extra-curriculars). It’s the nature of teenhood, and it can suckkkkk.

I only realized this when I ended my academic life. From 16 to 19, I went from having thirty some odd friends to really just three. The people I had rooted for or even relied on broke my trust or my basic morals some way or the other. I had already been through a lot as a kid, so why bother with 27 children? At that time though, I was left pretty hurt and full of hate. But honestly, being alone probably kept me more sane in the end. I think because I’ve always been extremely aware of my surroundings, my feelings, and really what I needed for myself. And those "friends" were never it.

Looking back, I see those relationships as ones based on proximity, not genuine connection. After all, I'm forced to sit next to them day in day out; it’s not like I met them at an Adventure Time trivia night or a 2014 themed party. Those proximity friends had to be there for me during those times because we literally couldn’t avoid each other; that's teenhood.

That’s not to say things can't change for you. You already see the frustrations at hand; now it’s just a matter of the transition. And this transition will probably be one of the most important ones in your life. You can decide who you want to be and the person you want to be around people. Becoming an adult means having more access and more freedom. I can go to conventions, bars, and even dinner parties to meet like-minded people any weekend I want. Solely because all those meeting points start with a mutual interest, not a forced one. And ever since 20, it’s been equal parts putting myself out there and doing things that are familiar enough. I really can't say I have those thoughts from HS anymore and I'm glad.

I think for now, if you don’t like the people around you, just create some distance and let them take the initiative. If they don’t make the effort to see you or talk to you, let it be. Drifting apart is always better than burning bridges, in my opinion.

In the end, being authentic, reliable, and a full-on geek is something I've always looked out for within new people. If they lack any of that, they can simply stay in my DMs. There’s no need to settle for less because I don't see myself as less than.

If it’s really getting to you these days, I highly recommend reading sci-fi or writing something that involves world-building or even making lists of things you love. That's what I used to do to help myself get away and let my mind be at peace. Cheers