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All Chapters of The Roommate Game: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

12 Chapters

Chapter 1

My roommate Rachel Travis’s behavior always struck me as strange.We got along fine most of the time, but whenever it came to social media likes, she’d go down the list of mutual friends, tapping like on everyone’s posts, except mine. Over and over again, she skipped me.I thought maybe she just didn’t see them and didn’t think much more of it.Every time she needed help, I gave it without hesitation. When I got my period and realized I was out of pads, I asked to borrow one from her.She looked at me coldly. "This is mine. Why should I lend it to you? Do I have to?"I paused, realizing she had a point, but I was in too much pain to get out of bed. So I said, weakly, "Then, could I buy one from you?"Rachel flared up. "What do you take me for? You think I need your money? I’m not selling it!"Seeing her like that, I suddenly remembered her family background wasn’t great. She lived off welfare. Maybe she thought I was humiliating her.However, the cramps tore through me, and I c

Chapter 2

On Rachel’s birthday, while I was still in the dorm, she excitedly invited our other two roommates right in front of me."Today’s my birthday, so I’m treating you both to dinner!"Natalie and Chloe lit up, their eyes going wide with excitement. "Really? That’s awesome!"I waited a long time, certain Rachel would turn to me next, but the invitation never came.When I finally looked up, my eyes met hers. I forced a laugh. "What about me, Rachel? Don’t act like I’m invisible!"Rachel gave a light, dismissive smile. "Lila, don’t you have Student Office work today? You always seem so busy, so I didn’t want to bother you."I froze. "I don’t have work today."Her eyes flickered with impatience. "Well, the cake I ordered is just enough for three. There won’t be any left for you."I laughed awkwardly. "Then I won’t go. You guys have fun. Make sure to enjoy yourselves."Rachel didn’t answer me. She linked arms with Natalie and Chloe, striding to the door. "Let’s go! Tonight it’s Dorm

Chapter 3

Before I could even finish arguing with Ryan, the dorm door opened.Rachel, Natalie, and Chloe walked in together, laughing and chatting away. Their conversation was animated, full of stories and jokes that I knew nothing about. I couldn’t even begin to join in.Later, Rachel posted photos from her birthday party on social media.I’d been tied up with Student Office work the past three days, barely checking my phone. Out of nowhere, she sent me a message."Lila, what’s your deal?"My stomach twisted in confusion. I replied with a simple question mark.She shot back with a rolling-eyes emoji. "I didn’t invite you because I thought you were busy. And now you’re deliberately ignoring my post? Not liking it on purpose?"I sent another question mark. "No, I was just busy with Student Office work the last few days."Rachel fired back with another eye-roll emoji. "Wow, how coincidental. You just happened to be too busy to see my birthday post? Disgusting. What, did you scroll past it

Chapter 4

I opened Rachel’s social media feed and saw the birthday photos she had posted.Suddenly, my eyes went wide. In the fourth frame, there was a face I knew all too well. It was Ryan, my boyfriend.What the hell was he doing at Rachel’s birthday party?I let out a bitter laugh. Rachel had told me the cake was only enough for three people, yet somehow, it was enough to include a grown man with a big appetite. On the other hand, when it came to me, her roommate, who barely ever ate much, she said there wasn’t enough.So the truth was, she just didn’t want me there.Never, not in a million years, did I expect Ryan to actually show up for her birthday that night. No wonder Rachel had been so aggressive when she accused me of deliberately ignoring her post. She hadn’t been angry. I was the target.Scrolling further, I spotted a close-up photo: the Gucci necklace front and center in her grid of nine pictures. It was the exact same necklace Ryan had shown me earlier.My heart turned to ic

Chapter 5

At that moment, the sky opened up and rain began to pour.Big, heavy drops splashed against my head, sliding down my face and mixing with my tears. I laughed and cried at the same time. They all said I was too sensitive. But who was really the sensitive one here?The rain poured harder and harder. I hadn’t brought an umbrella, so I walked alone, drenched and desolate, through the streets.By the time I returned to the dorm building, soaked through, I passed the corridor and overheard two girls talking."Is Rachel Travis dating Ryan Cooper, the senior who spoke at orientation?""Ryan? No way!"The other girl slapped her friend’s arm, squealing. "Definitely! I just saw him holding his jacket over her head in the rain!"Their eyes lit up with excitement, like they’d just discovered the perfect campus couple."Oh my god, that’s so sweet!""A handsome guy and a pretty babe. What a total match!"I froze in disbelief.Both of those girls had Ryan on their social media. Ryan had pos

Chapter 6

Rachel waved her hand, pretending to be generous. "Forget it. Girls are just too complicated. That’s why I only like hanging out with guys."Natalie and Chloe looked at her with admiration."Good thing Rachel is so easygoing and never holds grudges. If someone as sensitive as Lila had been misunderstood, she would have died of anger by now!""Yeah, we’re lucky Rachel is beautiful and kind. Otherwise, with how sensitive you are, Lila, you would’ve been isolated ages ago."I let out a cold laugh.So, girls were too complicated, yet she was a girl herself. If she hated women that much, why not erase herself?I didn’t want to waste any more breath on them. I grabbed my clothes and went straight to shower and wash my hair.When I came out, towel-drying my hair, I picked up my phone and saw a transfer notification from Ryan.5.20 dollars.I almost laughed. Seriously?I tapped to accept it, but before I could even finish typing a reply, his message came in, full of rage. "This was a

Chapter 7

I said evenly, "Since you and he are such good buddies, he spent all my money, so you, as his buddy, can pay me back."Rachel froze. "You're so weird. Did the money he spent have your name written on it? Besides, when he used that money, you two were dating. What’s the big deal if he spent some? That makes it his money too!"She went on, "His family’s poor. As his girlfriend, you should’ve supported him more. Your family’s richer. If you see his family’s house is falling apart, you should just ask your dad to buy them a new one!"I laughed in disbelief. How could anyone worship a man to this extent?Then, Rachel added with a sneer, "You look down on guys from poor families just because you come from a better one. Girls like you are all vain."I replied coolly, "If you love him that much, why don’t you buy his family a house yourself?"Before she could answer, I climbed into my bunk, pulled the curtain shut, and turned up my headphones to block out the world.From then on, I stuc

Chapter 8

When I came back to the dorm after dinner, Rachel and the others were already in the middle of the hallway, starting on the fondue.The moment I stepped inside, an intense, rich smell hit the back of my throat.As if fondue weren’t enough, Rachel was actually grilling patties over charcoal in a cramped dorm room. Did she not care about carbon monoxide poisoning?When she saw me, she put on a fake look of surprise. "Oh wow, silly me, I totally forgot to invite you, Lila!"Chloe and Natalie laughed."It’s fine, Rachel, we know you didn’t mean it.""But Sensitive Lila will probably twist it into something again."They shot me a sideways glance as they spoke.I smiled calmly. "I’ve already eaten. You guys go ahead."Rachel beamed warmly. "Aww, that’s such a shame. Don’t overthink it, Lila. I didn’t mean to leave you out."I gave her a faint smile. "Enjoy."Because soon enough, someone would be knocking, and they’d be the ones facing the dean, losing thirty conduct points in the

Chapter 9

After being publicly criticized, Rachel lost her eligibility for scholarships and awards. The spot she had clawed her way to secure was now mine.Without the scholarship, she grew even stingier with money.Then, suddenly, Ms. Edwards announced in the class committee group chat that the class treasurer should collect textbook fees.I was the class treasurer. Following her instructions, I gathered the fees from everyone, totaling 10,000 dollars, and sent it to the student office in one transfer.Strangely, right after that, Rachel began spending lavishly. She bought herself luxury cosmetics, went out daily with her bestie for facials, and lived more extravagantly than ever.A bad feeling crept through me. Something wasn’t right.Later, on my way back to the dorm, Ryan suddenly appeared and dropped to his knees in front of me. His face was haggard, streaked with snot and tears."Baby, let’s get back together, please?"I said coldly, "Get lost."He sobbed, "My mom’s sick. She need

Chapter 10

By the time I dragged myself back to the dorm under everyone’s stares, my phone buzzed. It was Ms. Edwards."Lila! The Student Office says your class hasn’t paid the textbook fees. What’s going on?"I froze. That was impossible. I had already transferred everything.She snapped, "Get it collected and handed in today. If you’re one minute late, prepare for disciplinary action!"The call ended, and I just stood there, hollow-eyed.I remembered it clearly. I had transferred the full amount to the Student Office. Why were they saying it hadn’t been paid?Before I could process it, Emma, my best friend, called."Lila! Have you checked the campus forum? It’s all posts about you. Everyone’s calling you a gold-digger!"My breath caught."The big gossip accounts are sharing the video of you and your ex! Go look!"Heart pounding, I opened every app I could.Comments and curses flooded every feed. Students and strangers alike told me to die. They smeared me with filthy rumors, mocking

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