Unsettling New Roommate Situation
So, I live in a four-person apartment where the layout has two private rooms side by side, a shared living room and kitchen, and then the other two rooms. The room next to mine has been vacant all semester since my friend, who lived there, transferred. But yesterday, a new girl moved in. I didn’t get a chance to speak with her before things took a strange turn last night.
I typically go to bed around 9:30-10:00 PM, but I was jolted awake by loud banging on my door. At first, I thought I was dreaming, but the noise continued. It stopped for a moment when I didn’t respond, but then it started up again. Drowsy, I finally answered the door, and it was the new roommate. She looked at me and asked, “Were you sleeping?” Well, yes, obviously. I asked her what she needed, and she simply said, “Nevermind.” If she didn’t need anything, then why the banging? My lights were off, so it was pretty clear I was asleep.
I went back to bed, only to be woken again at 1:30 AM by her bringing a guy into the apartment. Initially, they were quite noisy, but soon they were engaged in a loud argument—lots of shouting, swearing, with him accusing her of cheating and her denying it. This continued for about an hour. Then, it escalated. I heard her say things like, “Let me go,” and him responding with threats like, “I’m gonna beat you up again.” A loud thump followed, and I suspect he hit her. I may have even heard her crying, but I can’t be sure.
He ended up staying the entire night. I dozed off around 3:00 AM, only to be awakened again at 4:00 AM, and I’m pretty sure they were having sex. Which, okay, that’s their business, but it left me bewildered. They were just arguing and accusing each other of infidelity, and now they’re… getting intimate? It all feels really off.
I’m not sure what to do now. This goes beyond just having an annoying roommate. Should I say something? Keep to myself? Report it? This is a lot to deal with for the very first night.
It sounds like you’re in a really uncomfortable situation, and it’s definitely concerning to witness that kind of behavior, especially with the potential for physical violence involved. Your safety and well-being are the most important things to consider here.
First, it might be a good idea to talk to her—if you feel safe doing so—just to introduce yourself and gauge the situation. You could casually check in with her to see how she’s settling in and possibly bring up what you heard, framing it as concern rather than judgment.
However, if you genuinely feel that her safety is at risk, or if you hear any more yelling or violence, it’s important to prioritize her safety over anything else. You could consider reaching out to someone, like your landlord or a resident advisor, about what you heard. They might have protocols in place for these kinds of situations.
Trust your instincts. If things don’t settle down and you feel unsafe, it’s completely valid to consider reporting it. You deserve to feel comfortable in your own home. Keeping an eye on the situation while also taking care of yourself is key.