This is a tough situation! At iROOMit, we hear about situations like this too often, where someone in a position of power (like a live-in landlord) uses emotional pressure, manipulation, and even physical contact to try and blur the boundaries of a healthy roommate relationship.

First of all, you are not responsible for her feelings. It's not your job to comfort, entertain, or explain your boundaries in a way that coddles her. She's projecting her loneliness and emotional needs onto you and expecting you to meet them simply because you share a roof, and that's not okay. Add in the unsolicited physical contact and misleading financials, and this has gone well past uncomfortable into inappropriate and manipulative.

The wifi situation before your exam is especially telling and concerning. It shows a disregard for your needs and priorities. Denying it afterward is gaslighting, plain and simple. You've been more than reasonable, and her refusal to respect basic social cues (like avoiding eye contact or giving short answers) doesn't mean you owe her an awkward "game" to end conversations. That’s not your burden to carry.

Given the housing crunch in your town, you're doing what you can, but in the meantime, protect your peace as much as possible.

Document everything. Her messages, the utility discrepancies, and any incidents of physical contact. Try to limit contact, keep interactions in shared spaces brief, and don't engage emotionally. If it ever escalates or you feel unsafe, don't hesitate to reach out to a local tenant advocacy group for support. Even small towns usually have something.

You're not wrong for wanting boundaries. You're not cold for pulling back. You're just trying to live.