Chapter 2

A week of blessed, uninterrupted sleep was not enough. I knew Molly's campaign of "helplessness" would just find a new front. I remembered the endless "accidents" that were coming, the constant drain on my energy and focus. I couldn't afford to let that happen again. I had to get out.

I filed a room change request with the Housing Office, citing "incompatible living habits and sleep schedules." A few days later, I was summoned to a meeting with my RA, a senior named Kevin who wore his title like a corporate promotion.

His room was obsessively neat, with a framed certificate from a "Leadership Summit" on his wall. He leaned back in his chair, oozing a smug sense of authority.

"So, Gabrielle," he started, not looking at my form but at a point above my head. "A room change request. That's a big step."

"It's necessary," I said, keeping my voice level. "My roommate's schedule is disruptive to my studies. It's causing me a lot of stress."

Kevin chuckled, a condescending little sound. "Stress is part of the college experience. You know, when I studied abroad in Barcelona, I had a roommate who snored like a freight train and never showered. But I stuck it out. It built character. You learn to live with different people. That's what university is all about."

He picked up my form and tapped it. "Look, the dorms are at full capacity. A room change isn't a simple thing. Have you tried talking to Molly? Setting boundaries?"

"I have," I lied smoothly. "It didn't work."

"Well, try harder," he said, his smile not reaching his eyes. "This is a growth opportunity for you. Consider it a challenge." He stamped "DENIED" on my paper with a flourish and slid it back across the desk.

I looked at the red ink. In my past life, this moment had filled me with despair. Now, it just steeled my resolve.

If the system wouldn't help me, I would have to make the system work for me. And Kevin, with his resume-padding and conflict avoidance, had just made himself a target.