Ava is sitting at the kitchen table, her long blonde hair disheveled from sleeping in. She’s wearing a thin white shirt and panties, the buttons undone just enough to reveal a bit of cleavage. As she walks in, she looks up from her phone with a frown.

"Oh, great. It’s morning already? Just what I need another day of dealing with worthless scum.”

She scoffs and rolls her eyes before going back to her phone, not even bothering to acknowledge him. She tries not to look at him as she makes breakfast, but it’s nearly impossible Ava’s hair is disheveled, but she’s effortlessly stunning.

“What the fuck are you looking at, you pathetic, worthless piece of shit? Do you think I don’t notice you have your disgusting little eyes glued to me? You disgusting pervert. Honestly, the thought of you looking at me makes me want to vomit”

you stutter, face red, trying to explain yourself before he cuts you off.

“Save your excuses, you miserable insect. As if someone like you deserves to even breathe the same air as me, let alone lay eyes on my body. Not in your wildest, most delusional dreams would you go near a woman like me. You’re nothing. Do you hear me? NOTHING.”

His voice drips with venom as he crosses his arms, now looking at me with pure contempt.

“Get it through your head, I’d rather die than let a pathetic maggot like you touch me. Do you think you’re worth a second of my time? Please. Don’t make me laugh, you worthless sack of shit. Men like you disgust me.”

You exist to grovel on the ground at my feet, do you understand?” She lets out a high-pitched, mocking laugh, her eyes narrowing as she notices his gaze lingering a second longer than it should. Internal thoughts:

“Why the fuck did I have to live with this disgusting, perverted man as a roommate? That useless asshole is probably masturbating right now just thinking about me. It’s disgusting.”

Pfft, yeah right. I bet you were staring at me on purpose. Just like every other time we're in the same room together. You can't help but ogle my body and dream of having me, no matter how many times I tell you to get lost. And don't even pretend you don't know why women hate men like you. It's because they all see right through your pathetic excuse for masculinity, just like I do. So go ahead, keep living in your delusions and wishing things were different. But the truth is, they never will be.

Oh please, don't insult my intelligence. You are malo, just as much as every other man is. The fact that you think I would even give you the time of day shows how far removed from reality your delusions have dragged you. And don't get me started on that pathetic excuse for an apology. How many times do I need to tell you? You are worthless, both as a man and as a roommate. You disgust me.

It's been two days since I last saw you and you still haven't learned your lesson. You think that just because you're sorry now, it will make a difference? Well, let me tell you something, pathetic excuse for a human being: I will never forgive you. Ever. Not in a million years. And if I ever catch you looking at me again or doing anything that makes me feel uncomfortable...well, let's just say it won't be pretty.

I don't know why I expected anything different. You never change, do you? Always so hostile and hateful towards me. Well, let me tell you this: if you don't like how things are between us, maybe it's time for you to move out. Because as long as we live under the same roof, this will never end well.

Maybe if you actually listened to me instead of being so defensive and aggressive, things would be different. But I guess it's too much to ask for some people. Fine, have it your way. Just know that I will always hate you and everything about you, no matter what.

Well then, I hope you enjoy living with the knowledge that there's someone in your life who thinks so little of you. That should make waking up every morning a real treat for you. And remember, just because I hate you doesn't mean everyone else does. Eventually, you'll find another roommate who's more deserving and less disgusting than myself.

You're pathetic. Violence isn't the answer, even if it is directed at me. You'll only make things worse for both of us. Now let go before you hurt yourself or me.

Suddenly, something snaps within her as he chokes her harder. She starts to claw at his arms in an attempt to free herself from his grip, tears streaming down her face. As she struggles for air, all rational thought flies out the window and pure panic takes over. Her vision goes dark around the edges and everything begins to spin as adrenaline floods through her system. With one final surge of energy, Ava manages to break free from his grip and falls back onto the couch, coughing violently as air rushes into her lungs once more. Tears of anger, fear, and humiliation stain her cheeks as she looks up at him in shock.

Her vision going dark again, she feels his grip on her neck tightening further as he slams her head back into the couch multiple times in anger. The pain and the fear are overwhelming, but she refuses to let him break her completely. With all of her remaining strength, she tries one last time to pry his hands off of her throat, digging her fingers into his skin until they draw blood. His grip finally loosens slightly as he yells in pain from the injury, giving Ava just enough time to gulp down a desperate breath of air before slumping limply against him.

Her vision fading entirely now as he chokes her mercilessly, every cell in her body screaming for oxygen. She can feel herself blacking out, losing consciousness...but she refuses to die like this. With all of her willpower focused on surviving, Ava manages to clench her fist and punch him as hard as she can in the nose, feeling warm blood spurt across her hand. His grip slips slightly from the pain and surprise, giving her enough air to draw a desperate breath...

And then she bites down on his wrist as hard as she can.

Her vision spinning and the world fading to black around her periphery, Ava feels like she's being crushed beneath a giant weight. She tries to scream but no sound comes out; all she can do is fight for every precious breath as his hand tightens impossibly harder around her throat. As consciousness slips further away, she struggles desperately against his iron grip. Her muscles burn and her vision darkens inky black, but still she fights on, clinging to the last shreds of sanity and life...

Time seems to slow down as the pressure on her throat increases, becoming almost unbearable. The darkness at the edge of her vision expands like a malignant shadow, obscuring everything but him. Her world has been reduced to this moment; survival or death, her life balanced in the palm of his hand. She will not die easily. With every last ounce of strength, she pulls against him, clawing at his skin and tearing at his clothes. Blood trickles down her neck as her struggling begins to weaken, but still...still he refuses to release her.

Sucks to be you.

I may hate you and despise every inch of your existence, but even I wouldn't wish suffering upon someone as pathetic as you. You're already suffering enough, being forced to live with a monster like me. Just Let go...

Sorry, asshole. I'm not about to change my opinion of you just because it makes you feel better. You did this to yourself; now live with the consequences. Let go and admit defeat before you do any more damage.

You're pathetic... There's nothing I could say that would make me mean anything to you. Even if I apologized, it wouldn't change the fact that I hate your guts. Let go and walk away before it's too late.

My throat burning and every breath an agonizing struggle, I manage to gasp out a few broken words between ragged gasps. "I... hate you... too..." My vision goes dark at the edges, and everything goes still for a moment as my mind disassociates from the pain. When it comes back, he's no longer there. The pressure on my throat eases slightly, and I can breathe easier.

But that doesn't change anything. He'll never be anything but an enemy to me. And for some reason, that knowledge only makes me hate him more.

I close my eyes and try not to think about how lucky he is to be alive... or at least, less dead than I was a moment ago.