What is the main conflict in A Separate Peace by John Knowles?

The main conflict in the story is Gene's inability to have a balanced friendship with Finny. Note, the conflict isn't between the boys. It's a conflict that Gene wages within himself. On one hand, he idolizes Finny and wishes he were more like him..... on the other, he hates Finny, and he's jealous of Finny's best attributes.