Chapter Text
/AITA
Would I be the AH if I stopped trying to be friends with my roommate?
So I (16F) go to a boarding school. My previous roommate Sara (19F) and I got along really well. She was like, super cool, and very nice to me. She always respected my space and would occasionally give me some time alone when she noticed I needed it because I was going through some stuff with my family. She was also a shoulder to cry on and someone I could rely on to have my back even though we weren't really friends. Our room was our safe space and I loved it. When Sara graduated, I told myself that I would try to do for my new roommate all the things Sara used to do for me. I would be their friend if we got along, but if not, at least someone friendly who would try to be supportive and understanding of their needs. I didn't get one, though, so I thought that was that. And then, she arrived.
She (15F) was transferred to our school a couple weeks ago and was assigned as my roommate. I'm totally calling her Wendy here, because I know she would hate it and I just wish I could call her that to her face without fearing for my life. No, I'm not kidding. Wendy is that fucking crazy. Everyone is saying that she was expelled from her previous school because she tried to murder her classmates. I would call her a psychopath, but she would probably take it as a compliment or something. I'm genuinely scared she'll try to murder me in my sleep. Okay, so I'm probably overreacting a little bit. To be fair, she hasn't tried to kill me. Yet.
So, Wendy is like super goth. Even her fucking uniform was made in black because she's "allergic" to color. Who tf is allergic to color? I call BS. Not only that, but Wendy's also has no idea how to use a computer, doesn't own a cellphone and has no social media because she finds it to be a "soul-sucking void of meaningless affirmation". So, yeah, she's fun at parties (if by parties you mean funerals).
It's safe to say that we just really hate each other and that fucking kills me. I tried to be nice to her and all I got in return was death threats (literally. she told our teacher that I was smothering her with hospitality and she hoped to return the favor... in my sleep...). I tried to show her around and introduce her to everyone, but she would just glare at them until they left and I'm pretty sure one time she actually growled. I tried over and over again to offer my friendship, but she's either insulting me or pretending I don't exist. Whenever my friends bad-mouth her, I always make excuses: "Oh, don't mind Wendy, she's just shy, I'm sure she'll come around", or "I'm positive that death threats are her way of forging long-lasting friendships" and one time "Yes, Ajax, she does sharp her knives, I've seen it, but that doesn't mean she'll cut your head with it just because you looked at her". The Thing is (lol, sorry, you won't get the reference but oh boy, I do) I'm kinda tired of always being the one to reach out.
Would I be the AH if I just gave up? I knew there was a chance it wouldn't be easy, but I never expected it to be this hard. I don't actually think Wendy is a bad person, she just keeps everyone at arm's length. She doesn't have anyone willing to talk to her or spend time with her except for me (and Xavier, but he's annoying af, always trailing after her and bothering her and being an ass and thinking he's entitled to her time even though she barely spoke two words to him, like, seriously, what's wrong with you dude?), so I feel like I would be a major AH if I just left her to fend for herself. I dunno. What should I do? help!!!!!!!
Edit 1: Yes, I'm aware Wendy's behavior is not normal. Try to tell her that. I dare you. She'll laugh at your face and then skin you alive. Or maybe she'll laugh at you while skinning you alive? There's always a chance.
UPDATE 1
Hey guys, it’s me again!
First of all, thanks for all the support you guys have been showing me in the replies and the PMs. I wasn’t expecting it. I honestly just thought everyone would think I’m lying or something because, honestly?, Wendy sounds more like a comic character rather than a real person, I am totally aware of it!!!
Anyways, I got a lot of good pieces of advice in the last post and people have been asking for updates all the time, so here it goes, I guess. So… Well, I don’t even know how to say this, but Wendy is kinda obsessed with a murder that didn’t happen? Yeah, okay, that sounded wrong. I’ll try to explain better.
So there was like an event in town that we were allowed to go to, and Wendy claims she saw one of our classmates, Rowan (16M), being murdered there. The guy was actually missing for a few hours but showed up the other day completely fine. He was expelled, though. Not sure why. Point is, now everyone thinks Wendy just made it all up because she’s an attention seeker or because she’s lost her mind.
Now, I may not know my roomie that well, but here’s what I do know: she’s a Taylor Swift hater (honestly, the worst of crimes), a self-diagnosed psychopath, adverse to anything that has other color beyond black and white (and sometimes red if it’s blood), holds a creepy fascination with knives, would smile while stealing candy from a kid (specially if they’re crying), finds joy in making people miserable, and once she made a grown man cry just by glaring at him (I saw it happening, it was amazing), but Wendy’s most definitely not a liar, or an attention seeker. I just don’t know what to think. She told me she might be losing her mind and it’s not as fun as she anticipated and it’s so???? But also so???? I dunno what I’m trying to say here… I guess it was just so her to say something like that and actually mean it. There was sadness in her eyes when she said it too, even if it lasted like 2 seconds. I felt so bad for her, but I don’t know how to help. It’s a fucked up situation. I don’t think she’s lying but since the guy’s not actually dead… I don’t know. I just don’t know what to think, what to feel.
You guys know that I hated Wendy at first but she's starting to grow on me now. Having her here it’s definitely better than being alone. Wendy might be a little morbid but she’s also really quiet, plays the cello like a pro and she comforted me the other day when I was feeling like shit. I mean, comforted is a strong word for it but at least she tried, you know?
Not only that, but I feel like she’s learning to trust me a little bit. Not much, I don’t think she trusts anybody a whole lot, but enough to make me feel that maybe we’re getting into friendship territory. Whenever I think of her now, it’s not as my “weird as fuck roommate Wendy” anymore, but as my “weird as fuck sort-of friend Weds”. I dunno, everything is super confusing right now.
Sorry if it’s not the update you guys were expecting. I’ll try to keep you posted for more developments if I can, but for now, this is it.
Edit 1: why do you guys keep pointing out that Wendy needs therapy??? I mean, that's pretty obvious, isn't it? But if it makes you guys feel better, she's being forced to see a therapist by court orders, so there's that.
Edit 2: yeah, I actually do believe she witnessed someone being killed but it was dark and she probably couldn't really see who it actually was? I don't know, I just know she's not lying. Not about this.
Edit 3: yes, I'm well aware that my school takes craziness to a new level. I guess I just got used to it. At least it's never boring around here!
UPDATE 2
It’s me, hi! It’s been a while, huh? I promised to keep you guys updated if anything else happened and here I am.
I’ve been receiving a lot of questions about the murder situation and I’m sorry to say there’s no news about that. Weds still think something’s wrong and this time, I can’t really blame her. Something’s fishy going on. Apparently there is a bear that killed a bunch of people in the woods? Roomie doesn’t think it’s a bear and I agree with her. I’ve been helping her investigate but, well, we’re a bunch of high schoolers. It’s not like there’s a lot we can do.
I have good news, though! Weds made a new friend. They’re in the same club together… Actually, they are the only members of the club. I think Eugene reminds her of her little brother. He is a good kid. A little weird, but so are the rest of us so it’s fine.
I’m also happy to say that Weds and I are closer than ever. She doesn’t really like people touching her, but doesn’t seem to mind (that much) when it’s me. I try to respect her boundaries even though I’m a touchy-feely person and it’s working. No hugs, which sucks because Weds it’s just so tiny and cute and huggable BUUUUT she lets me touch her shoulder sometimes and doesn’t pull away when I touch her hand anymore.
It’s all about boundaries, right? If only those two idiots could understand that. Urg. I mentioned Xavier, right? He’s like the tortured artist of the school and is kinda super into Weds which ew, why would she want him? I mean, he’s not ugly to look at and can be nice sometimes, but he’s really getting on my nerves with how entitled he’s been acting. Get a hint, dude, she’s not into you. She doesn’t owe you her time and her attention, for fucks sake. And the same goes to Tyler, that asshole. Xavier I can tolerate, but Tyler? Nah, he’s a complete moron. And he also had the GALL TO INVITE WEDS TO THE DANCE!!!!! I MEAN, WHAT?????? WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS????? I’m so glad she said no!!!!
Honestly, Weds has like a bunch of guys fighting over her and I get it. She’s super smart, pretty, really hot, and even if she hides it under tons of black clothes, morbid comments and sarcastic and cutting observations, her heart is huge and she cares deeply for those she considers hers.
But… hum… Back to the update, I guess? Anyways, we have a school dance in a few days and we’re going together. As friends, obviously. Tyler invited her and she told him she already had plans. Oh… wait, I didn’t mention Tyler before, right? He’s the son of the town's sheriff. He (the sheriff) hates Weds because he thinks she’s lying about the murder she witnessed (which is fair, considering the guy is not actually dead, but still) and hates her family because apparently her father got away with murder or something like that.
Just like Xavier, Tyler developed a crush on Weds. She’s not into him, she told me that much, but they’ve been hanging out together a lot trying to look for clues about everything that’s happening and all, so maybe he thought that her tolerating his presence meant she was into him as well? Anyway, she clearly set him straight, so I hope he doesn’t bother her again.
OH, WE WON THE POE CUP!!!!!! I totally forgot to mention that!!!!! So the Poe Cup it's a competition our school holds every year. It’s really fun, but there are no rules so it usually involves a lot of “cheating” and backstabbing to come out on top and win the whole thing. We all do our best to win, it’s a big deal around here. The school “Queen-Bee”, Bianca, won the past two cups and I was determined to beat her this year. Unfortunately, one of my friends, Yoko, an essential member of my team, was poisoned the night before the competition. Nothing serious, she’s fine now, but she couldn’t compete so Weds agreed to replace her.
Weds went on and on about how she was only doing to humiliate Bianca, but I knew that deep, deep down she chose to compete in Yoko’s place because of me. Partially because of me. Okay, maybe not partially, but like, 40%? 30%? 25%? Well, a part of her was doing because of me, so it was fine. More than fine, and you know why?
BECAUSE WE WOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!! TAKE THAT, BIANCA!!!!!!!!!
I honestly haven’t felt this happy in a long time. It was just amazing. Weds is amazing. I’m really glad we’re friends now.
Do you guys still want me to keep up with the updates? I mean, I feel like at this point there’s nothing to say, really. I’m basically using you as my diary or something. I guess I really did what I was hoping I would when I started all this. Got a crappy roommate, we hated each other, I thought about giving up trying to be her friend, won her over (sort of), and I’m pretty sure Sara would be proud of me right now. Mission accomplished.
Thanks for all the help, everyone! You’ve been incredible!
Edit 1: why are you guys saying "and they were roommates"? I mean... we are?
Edit 2: no news about the potential murder, sorry.
Edit 3: someone mentioned I should have used fake names... I totally did. All fake! No real names here, don't worry a Thing about it!
Edit 4: no, we're not going to the dance as a couple. I thought I said that? No idea where these dates idea are coming from, but Weds and I are just friends, that's all! Nothing going on here, nothing at all!
UPDATE 3
Hello, my favorite people!
I’ve been getting a lot of questions about the school dance and thought about doing a quick update about how it went.
It was… well, chaotic, I guess. Like I said before, Weds and I went together and no, it wasn’t a date, I’m not sure why everyone was implying that it was. We’re just friends, y’all. I’m not into her and she’s definitely not into me. Why would she? Why would anyone? I’m just kinda useless and boring and pathetic. My mother keeps telling me all the time how I can’t do anything right. Who would want to date someone like that? OKAY. That got depressing really fast. It’s not important, really.
So, the dance. Weds and I met at the entrance and, wow, she looked absolutely gorgeous. I’ve never seen her like that. She was still glaring at everyone who dared to look at her, but she actually smiled when our eyes first met. Her version of a smile, anyway. The corner of her lips turned up and her eyes were so… so… I dunno, so alive? She usually looks like a corpse or something, but last night she looked so full of life and so magnificently beautiful. We danced together and had an amazing time… Until someone decided to play a prank and let's just say things went downhill from there.
Long story short, someone thought it would be funny to load the sprinklers with red paint. It was terrifying, I really thought it was blood for a moment. Weds was actually disappointed that it wasn’t, lol. On worse news, Eugene, her friend, was attacked while we were at the dance because he went into the woods to investigate the “bear” alone. The doctors expect a full recovery or so we’ve been told, but he’s in a coma right now and hasn’t woken up yet.
It seems like we’re just living one storm at the time, doesn’t it? I hope it passes soon. I’m tired of the rain.
Edit 1: Okay, WHY IS EVERYONE ASKING ME IF I’M IN LOVE WITH WEDNESDAY???? I’M NOT????? Why would you even think that??? I told you guys we’re just friends, there’s nothing going on there!!!!! Was it because I said she looked beautiful at the dance? I say she looks beautiful all the time, I really don’t see the difference!!!!
Edit 2: Well, yes, I didn’t like that Xavier and Tyler were all over her, but that’s because they’re not good enough for her, nothing more! I’m not jealous of them! I’M NOT!!!!! Right?
Edit 3: Okay so maybe when we were on the dance floor and she was looking at me, there was like this moment when she was standing under the lights and she was so full of colors and I know she hates it but she looked so fucking beautiful and I thought about hugging her and kissin… oh no. oh no. NO. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO. No. Absolutely NOT. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. I AM NOT IN LOVE WITH WEDNESDAY. I AM NOT . I DID NOT WANT TO KISS HER. I DID NOT… oh fuck… I just IADJPO IJSPOIGJAC,PCJI,DJFIOGPA,JXIGJCDFPOGAJFIGID FJGPDFO GJOIDFJGDOFIJ J GDFA OPJGDIOA FJ GDFOIJGDOFJGDOFJGDPOIJ
Edit 4: I'm so fucked :(