READ THE TEXTS AT THE END!!!

Hey there! So, I (22f) am wrapping up a year-long college program, and tbh it's been shit. In this program, I’ve crossed paths with a guy named Derrick (30m), who, to put it mildly, comes off as the human embodiment of entitlement. Derrick had this charming habit of strolling in late. At first, I was like, “Okay, life happens, maybe he’s got stuff to do.” His being late had him missing the first part of class, so I shared my notes (HELP THE HOMIES OUT WE IN THIS STRUGGLE TOGETHER).

Yet he would still ask questions about what he missed, assignments due, and group work. I'm saying the most basic of shit, he just had to read the syllabus to figure it out he would text people and get passive aggressive if they didn't respond. He’d interrupt the class to ask questions about stuff he missed from being late or drop his unsolicited two cents on whatever topic we were discussing, even if it added nothing to the discussion. Again, I thought, “Alright, dude’s trying to be engaged, whatever, he must live a busy life.”

But... Derrick - HE STARTED CHALLENGING PROFS AND GIVING THEM ATTITUDE IF HE SHOWED UP LATE AND they didn't like it OR IF THEY MADE A FACE AT ONE OF HIS COMMENTS. He was actively calling out our instructors and being disrespectful for no fucking reason.

Quickly he started to make weird ass comments to some of the girls. For example, he told my friend Mary (27) that she’s “getting up there in years and should stretch more.” Excuse me, sir? Naturally, the girls and I immediately jumped to her defence, because WHO SAYS THAT SHIT?

As time went on, I noticed he was getting a little too handsy for my comfort zone, like always touching back and making light passing touches. He started asking me out after class, sitting near me to get my attention, and inserting himself into my group activities even if he wasn't involved. He would say things along the lines of him being older and more experienced if he disagreed with something I did, like vaping. IK BRO, CARPE DIEM, IM HERE FOR A FUN TIME NOT A LONG TIME AM I RIGHT LADIES? One time, I sent him notes with a text saying "Here ya go brother" and he responded... "Brother? not even a friend? damn"

BROTHER EUGH

Once I caught onto his vibe, I tried setting boundaries. I started calling him “brother” (à la Kendrick Lamar in *Family Ties*), made it obvious I was into someone else, and basically did everything short of writing “NOT INTERESTED” on my forehead in Sharpie. He got the hint but didn’t respect it. So, I started ignoring him/creating distance, and in response, he turned passive-aggressive. Like, knocking my stuff over to start a conversation, taking my seat in class (yes, I care about that), yelling at my friends when I wasn’t around, and sitting super close to me.

By the end of Semester 1, I’d had enough and told my professor/mentor what was going on. She advised me to keep my distance and said she’d handle it because, frankly, I felt unsafe. His vibes were no longer good, and he was creeping me tf out. Fast forward to Semester 2, and I was feeling a bit better—partly because I was told Derrick would likely be in the second cohort, meaning I wouldn’t have to deal with him anymore. But guess who strutted into my 8 a.m. class during Week 2, late and proud? Yep, Derrick. I was GOBSMACKED, SHOOK, and PISSED. I met with my professor again, and even she was shocked. The department had told him to take a leave of absence (not sure if he knows I’m aware of this), but here we are.

So, Round 2 with Derrick: he’s still rude to professors and students, hijacking class time with his “devil’s advocate” takes. During midterms, he showed up without a laptop because his “broke” and asked if he could use his phone. The professor agreed, but THEN this guy had the audacity to ask other students if he could use *their* laptops. Like, dude, you can rent one from the school same day. And no, I didn’t lend him mine, because I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him—and neither did anyone else, because they all said no. After the midterm, he texted a friend of mine saying they should’ve lent him their laptop and threatened to tell the professor everyone cheated (I can neither confirm nor deny this).

At this point, I'm asking around cause it can't just be my problem, right? MOST OF THE FUCKING COHORT HATES THIS DUDE BUT IS STILL NICE TO HIM

His antics continued for weeks, but last Friday, I hit my limit. He was texting my friend about me while she was sitting next to me, and I sort of snapped? Below, I’ll provide the receipts of the latest convo.

So, here’s my question: AITA, or a bully? I know I could’ve handled some things better, but honestly, this guy acts so out of pocket that I’m not even sure what’s real anymore. Thoughts and any advice?

texts: https://imgur.com/a/aita-not-wanting-to-be-friends-with-dude-DodFYEK