tment, but it was a loud, performative silence. She slammed drawers, stomped around her side of the room, and let out

te until she got the reaction she wanted. Her need for my attentio

reflection. She was standing behind me, way too close, peer

d, her voice sickly sweet. "Is that

larship. The one

her. She was practically breathing on me. "Madis

orry. I was just curious. You're so smart,

or my mouse. "Can I just see how you formatt

etime of pent-up rage. I "tripped" over my own feet, my arm flailing out as I stum

ross her pristine white comforter, soaked a pil

m went

n her bed. Her face went from shock to pure, u

he shrieked, whirling on me.

. "What? No! I tripped. My shoelace was untied." I pointed to my perfectly tied shoe. "

er own excuses, against

es and was watching the scene unfold with wide, fascinated eyes. "You'

ft and reasonable. "It was an accident. There's no n

ghting the

explode. She took a step toward m

voice low and dangerous. "This was an accident. But if you ever, ever try to touch my th

he had never seen this side of me. The Chloe she knew was a doormat, a people

puttering, unable to fo

abbing my backpack. "Olivia, let

ag and followed me out the door, leaving Madison st

Olivia let out a low whistle. "Damn, g

ong time," I said, a grim sa

n. I couldn't live like this, constantly waiting for her next move. A

nge," I told the bored-looking

mputer. "Room change requests are closed fo

roommate is creating a hostile liv

pression unimpressed. "What kind of harassment

hings to deliberately upset me and then pretends it's an

nnoying' isn't grounds for a room change. Do you have any p

or. I thought of her loud sighs and passive-aggressive comments. How could

my shoulders slump

her tone final as she turned back to her sc

em was designed to ignore problems like Madison. It only recognized loud, o

e. If I wanted to win this war, I had to fight it on my own t