Just a month into the semester, I managed to make my roommate, who claimed to have a serious heart condition, so angry that she had to be hospitalized.
When the ambulance arrived at the dormitory, all the people in the building were stunned.
My other roommates quickly added fuel to the fire, claiming, "It's all because Kayla's words are too harsh."
As for Tilda, everyone just thought she was being bullied.
1.
Yes, I admitted my words were unpleasant. To put it nicely, I had mastery of words. To put it bluntly, I sucked at communication. In other words, I had low emotional intelligence and refused to compromise.
On the first day of college, Tilda's parents asked us for a favor, "Tilda has a serious heart condition and isn't in good health. As her roommate, please take good care of her."
I ignored them, but the other roommates eagerly nodded, "Don't worry. Tilda is our roommate, and we'll be living in the same room for the next four years. We'll take good care of her."
"Thank you guys."
Tilda sat by her bed, smiling kindly, but her tone sounded as condescending as her parents'.
This feeling was all too familiar.
Yes, she treated me this way in high school too.
So, what others perceived was me being unreasonable and Tilda being understanding.
I didn't expect her to continue this tactic in college.
"Kayla, you look familiar to me. You remind me of a classmate I used to have."
"Really? What a coincidence."
"We used to be very close. She was my best friend in high school."
Tilda smiled, "But she's not in the country now. Otherwise, we could hang out together."
I forced a smile. As the victim of her emotional manipulation, I knew full well that I was the best friend she mentioned.
Meeting her again, I only wanted revenge and to see if her skills of manipulation got any better.
2.
"Izabella, my health isn't good. So, we need to set a reasonable schedule."
On the second day of school, Tilda made her demands to the dorm leader.
"No noise before eight in the morning. Lights out after nine at night, and no other light sources."
Seeing the refusal in everyone's eyes, she blinked and feigned innocence. "I have a serious heart condition. You wouldn't mind, would you?"
"Of course not."
I could hear the reluctance in Izabella's response, but I just watched the drama unfold. After all, I didn't live in the dorm room. From the first glance at Tilda, I knew it was better to live outside than be emotionally manipulated in the dorm.
Besides, my parents had rewarded me for getting into college by buying me a 300-square-meter apartment outside the school.
"Izabella, it's so cold this morning. The cold air will definitely choke me if I go out. Could you bring me breakfast? A cup of coffee and a sandwich, please."
Izabella hesitated. She had an optional course with a very strict teacher, and being late would definitely affect her grade.
"I have class later."
But Tilda continued, "Izabella, you know I have a serious heart condition."
The dorm fell silent, and Izabella had no choice but to agree, "Alright then."
This was a common scene during the few days I stayed in the dorm room, and I was just an observer, not expecting Tilda to bother me too.
3.
"Kayla, I didn't sleep well last night. I might need a nap later. Remember to help me with the roll call in class."
She was used to ordering others around, assuming everyone would indulge her, and didn't even bother to ask.
"No." I refused outright.
Everyone knew the teacher for this class required each student to stand up and answer roll call, and had warned, "Anyone caught skipping class will fail, and if I find someone attending the roll call for another, both will fail."
How could she expect me to risk failing for her?
"Kayla, you know..."
I interrupted, "Know what? I don't know where you got the nerve to ask such a favor. Don't you know this teacher is very strict? If caught, both of us will fail."
"Sorry, I didn't know."
Tilda looked pitifully tearful, and another roommate couldn't stand it.
Fern tried to persuade me, "Kayla, you're making a big deal out of nothing. Besides, everyone knows Tilda's health isn't good. Why can't you help her?"
"Why don't you help her?"
Tilda immediately turned expectantly to Fern, who awkwardly lowered her head without speaking.
"Fern, don't pretend you didn't hear me. You just said it's no big deal."
Tilda was quick to take advantage of the situation. "Fern, I'll leave it to you then. Thanks."
Fern replied with a long face, "You're welcome."
She looked at me with resentment, and I didn't understand why they enjoyed emotionally manipulating others but hated it when they were blackmailed emotionally.
4.
"Tilda Moore."
"Here."
Fern ended up helping Tilda with the roll call, but her momentary hesitation was enough for the sharp-eyed teacher to notice something off.
"Kayla Stanley."
"Here."
"Fern Gordon."
Fern stood up hesitantly, angering the teacher so much that he threw down the attendance sheet. "Are you taking me for a fool? Do you think I'll buy your stupid trick?"
"What's your name exactly?
"Fern Gordon."
Neither of them got away with it. Both failed the class. The two, usually getting along well, nearly fought with each other in the dorm.
"Fern, you damn liar. Now we both failed the class."
"Tilda, aren't you ashamed to say that? If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have failed."
Fern was furious, thinking Tilda was shameless, and tried to seek support from me. "Kayla, tell me, wasn't she the one begging me to sign in for her? Otherwise, how would I have failed?"
Why drag me into their mess? I didn't oblige, "I don't know. Don't ask me."
Izabella, as the dorm leader, tried to mediate between them, but she was clueless, asking me, "Kayla, you three were the only ones there. Your account is important. Just tell us what happened."
"My account?" I retorted, "What? Am I being interrogated like a criminal?"
Izabella went speechless at my question, still trying to assert her authority, but I couldn't be bothered. I grabbed my backpack and left.
Clearly, they brought it upon themselves, yet they wanted me to judge who was more wrong. Ridiculous.