My Friend Kept Inviting Themselves Over For Dinner Without Bringing Anything

my friend kept inviting themselves over for dinner without bringing anything so I started ordering takeout just for myself they whined why didn't you make enough for me I smirked and said I didn't invite you let me tell you about Lanna Luanna was one of those people you meet and think oh she seems nice she had this bubbly fun personality that made her easy to like at first but it didn't take long to realize she was a freeloader in the most annoying way possible I live in Asheville North Carolina in a small but cozy house I'm

proud of I've worked hard to create a comfortable peaceful life for myself cooking dinner sipping on a glass of wine and watching True Crime shows after a long day at work is my version of Happiness I'm a private person I like my space I like my quiet and I love my routines but Lanna didn't respect any of that I met her through a mutual friend and at first I didn't mind when she randomly stopped by she was fun to talk to and I didn't mind the little company once in a while but then it started

happening more often always around dinner time the first time it felt like a coincidence I had just pulled a chicken casserole out of the oven when my doorbell rang there she was smiling like she just won the lottery oh my gosh it smells amazing in here she said as she practically pushed her way into my house before I knew it she was standing in my kitchen staring at the casserole I didn't have the heart to tell her no so I grabbed a couple of plates she piled her as high like she hadn't eaten all day

and I ended up with the smallest portion but whatever it was just one night right wrong a few few days later it happened again I was making tacos and right as I was setting the table there she was at the door wow taco night she said walking in without even waiting for me to invite her again she helped herself like it was her god-given right no offer to pitch in no hey let me bring something next time just a quick thanks for dinner on her way out after the fourth or fifth time it became clear

this wasn't just a random thing Lanna had figured out I was a decent cook and now she was treating my house like her personal restaurant she always had some excuse for showing up oh I was just in the neighborhood or I was running erands nearby and thought I'd swing by never mind that she lived a good 15 minutes away and that there were no stores or errands near my house I started feeling annoyed but didn't want to be rude I tried dropping hints one night I told her I had only made enough soup for myself

she laughed and said oh don't worry I don't need much and ladled herself a giant Bowl before I could stop her another time I joked about how lucky she was to always show up when dinner was ready and she just grinned and said it's like I have perfect timing perfect timing my ass the final straw came one Friday night I'd had a long awful day at work and just wanted to relax I made myself a big bowl of spaghetti carbonara poured a glass of red wine and settled in to watch my favorite show just as

I was twirling my first bite of pasta onto my Fork the doorbell rang I opened the door and there she was holding a shopping bag hey a I bought some stuff earlier and thought I'd stop by for a minute she walked in without waiting for me to respond oh you're having carbonara yum I stared at her yeah I just made it for myself I said trying to hint that she wasn't welcome to it oh I'm starving she said sitting down at my table like it was the most normal thing in the world can I have

a plate I wanted to scream instead I got up grabbed a Clean Plate and gave her half my dinner she ate happily and then left as usual chirping thanks for dinner you're the best that night as I cleaned up what was left of my dinner I decided enough was enough I didn't want to be confrontational I hate confrontation but I wasn't about to keep feeding someone who had zero respect for me or my boundaries the next time Lanna showed up unannounced I was ready I had ordered takeout just for myself one small portion of sushi

when she came in and saw the single container on my table she looked confused you didn't cook she asked her voice almost accusatory nope I said casually I didn't feel like it tonight she frowned oh what's that she pointed at my Sushi just something I ordered I said while popping a piece into my mouth she stared at me for a second like she couldn't believe I wasn't offering to share then she sighed dramatically I guess I'll just grab something on the way home good idea I said sweetly after that I started ordering takeout every time

she came over pizza for one Chinese for one burgers for one each time her face fell a little more you didn't make enough for me she whed one night night when I had a single serving of pad tie sitting in front of me I didn't know you were coming I said with a shrug I only ordered enough for myself she huffed and mumbled something about how I could have ordered more I just smiled and kept eating by this point she was starting to get the hint but she was stubborn she kept showing up and I

kept ordering for one I knew it was petty but honestly it felt good I didn't know her anything if she wanted a free meal she could at least ask first or better yet bring something to contribute weeks went by and Lanna kept up her little game but I wasn't backing down every time she dropped by Uninvited I had my takeout for one strategy ready and every time she left looking more annoyed I could tell she was starting to get irritated that her free meals were no longer guaranteed but then she pulled a move I didn't

see coming it was a Wednesday night and I had just gotten home from work I was exhausted Running on Fumes and dreading the thought of even boiling water for pasta so I decided to order takeout again I grabbed my phone phone placed my usual Sushi order and settled into the couch to wait not even 20 minutes later I heard the familiar ding-dong of my doorbell my stomach sank I already knew who it was I opened the door and there she was all smiles but this time she wasn't empty-handed she had a grocery bag dangling from

her arm hey I thought I'd swing by and surprise you she chirped stepping inside before I could say a word and look I even brought some stuff to help with dinner I blinked unsure what to say on one hand it was was the first time she had ever brought anything on the other hand it was obvious she was trying to weasel her way back into my meals I glanced at the bag inside there was half a loaf of white bread a jar of cheap marinara sauce and a bag of pre-shredded mozzarella um that's nice of

you but I've already ordered takeout I said trying to keep my voice neutral her face dropped oh her tone went flat but a second later her smile was back well that's okay I can cook this here and we can eat together she breezed past me into the kitchen plopping the bag onto my counter like she owned the place now I was pissed she wasn't just inviting herself over she was inviting herself into my kitchen but instead of exploding I walked over to the counter picked up her grocery bag and handed it back to her I

appreciate the gesture but I've had a long day and really just want to eat my take out and relax I said firmly she blinked at me stunned are you serious I brought this all the way over here I didn't budge and I didn't ask you to for a moment she just stood there glaring at me then she huffed snatched the bag out of my hands and stormed out the door without another word I thought that would be the end of it I thought she had finally gotten the message but no Lanna wasn't done yet a

few days later while at work my phone buzzed with a text from her hey what's for dinner tonight I'm in the mood for something good I stared at my phone completely dumbfounded was she serious after everything I didn't even respond I just put my phone down and went back to to work but then the text kept coming should I bring wine I can be there by 600 hello don't leave me hanging I didn't reply to a single one I figured she'd take the hint but when I got home that evening guess who was waiting for

me on my porch yep Lenna she was sitting on the steps scrolling through her phone like it was the most normal thing in the world when I got out of my car she looked up and waved hey I was starting to think you weren't coming home I didn't even bother hiding my irritation what are you doing here Lanna grinned like we were best friends I figured you didn't see my texts I stared at her sitting on my porch steps like it was the most normal thing in the world the sky was already darkening and I

was exhausted after a long and stressful day at work the last thing I wanted was to deal with Lanna again I crossed my arms and took a deep breath I saw them I just didn't think they needed a response she let out a forced laugh and shook her head wow so rude I just wanted to know what's for dinner tonight you've been so selfish lately my exhaustion instantly turned into anger selfish because I don't want you to keep showing up uninvited and eating my food without ever bringing anything she scoffed and rolled her eyes uh

listen to yourself you make me sound like a parasite or something I just like spending time with you but all you care about is money food and rules life doesn't have to be like that you know I couldn't believe what I was hearing life doesn't have to be like that then how is it supposed to be I work hard to pay my bills by my food and maintain my house and you think you can just show up and help yourself because what because you enjoy my company she sighed like I was a child who just

didn't understand you're a man you wouldn't get it everything is easy for you you work you get paid and that's it for me it's not like that I make less everything is more expensive and I have so much more to deal with do you have any idea how much groceries cost these days do you know how long it takes to cook my jaw dropped are you serious right now you want me to feel sorry for you because you don't want to spend money on food everyone has to buy food Lanna that's just part of life

she crossed her arms and pouted yeah but not everyone has to be so selfish you always cook these amazing meals and you have a nice house would it kill you to share a little I ran a hand down my face trying to stay calm Lanna you're missing the point it's not about sharing it's about respect you don't ask you don't contribute you just show up and eat like it's your right that's not sharing that's taking advantage she stood up and put her hands on her hips oh so that's how you see me as a freeloader

you think I enjoy relying on other people's kindness you think I don't want to be able to buy my own food without worrying I didn't choose to live like this okay the world is cruel to women like me I laughed completely stunned the world is cruel you have a job you have a place to live you have money to go out with your friends and buy expensive clothes but you don't want to spend money on food what's the excuse now she narrowed her eyes I don't have to explain my financial choices to you you oh

now they were Financial choices but somehow it's normal for me to spend my money cooking for you without you even asking huh she sighed dramatically and threw her head back uh you don't get it I'm a woman I already have enough to deal with and now you expect me to worry about food too you have no idea what it's like to have to choose between paying a bill or buying a decent dinner but you do know what it's like to choose between paying a bill and buying new clothes or going out drinking huh I shot

back she opened her mouth but nothing came out you don't want to spend money on food because you see it as a waste you want someone to cover it for you but you don't want to admit you're mooching and when you get called out you play the victim and say it's society's fault doc she crossed her arms tighter her foot tapping against the ground clearly irritated look if you wanted me to bring food so badly why didn't you just say so I laughed again but this time out of pure disbelief I've ended at it plenty

of times Lanna I told you I didn't have enough food I asked you to bring something I made it clear I wasn't cooking for you anymore but instead of getting the message you ignored it and kept showing up and now that I'm calling you out directly you're playing the victim she sighed and looked down at the ground fine if that's how you want to be whatever I thought we were friends but clearly all you care about is money and all you care about is not spending yours she glared at me her eyes full of anger

you're awful I thought you were different but in the end you're just like all all the others a selfish man who thinks everyone should fend for themselves and has no understanding of how hard things are for women I took a step back and pointed toward the street you can leave now she stood there for a moment like she couldn't believe I was actually kicking her out but in the end she scoffed stormed down the steps and walked away without looking back I don't need your food okay I could take care of myself great do that

as soon as she was gone I closed the door and let out a long breath for the first time in mind I felt like my home was truly mine again I don't need your food okay I can take care of myself those were lenna's last words that night or at least that's what I thought days passed and my home became My Sanctuary again no unexpected visits no hiding my food no persistent presence leeching off me but the piece didn't last as long as I had hoped one random Tuesday after a long exhausting day at work

I got home and noticed something on the floor near my door it was an envelope curious I picked it up and saw that it was a handwritten letter from Lanna hey it's been a while huh I hope you're doing well I've been thinking a lot and I think we can get past this silly misunderstanding I wanted to invite you to dinner but I already know you'll say you're busy so I thought I'd just stop by instead don't worry this time I'll bring something see you at 700 p.m. hugs I stared at the letter with a

mix of disgust and disbelief she had no shame but this time she wouldn't get away with it I got home early the next day and when went straight to the kitchen I took a piece of chicken seasoned it as usual and let it marinate everything seemed normal so far but then I grabbed a plastic bag and headed to my cat's litter box I had to hold my breath while I scooped up a generous amount of cat feces mixed with litter then returned to the kitchen I cut it into tiny pieces mixed it into the sauce

and stirred it well making sure everything Blended and perfectly the smell wasn't too bad after cooking but I knew the taste would still be there at 7:00 p.m. sharp the door bell rang I opened the door and there she was all smiles holding a single can of cheap soda of course her this time I'll bring something minant bringing the bare minimum hey wow it's been so long I hope you made something delicious I'm starving I flash my best fake smile and motion for her to come in of course Lanna I made something special just for

you tonight she went straight to the table as always without even pretending to be polite or considerate I grabbed the plates and serve her first it smells amazing she said already scooping up a big bite hope you like it I said barely holding back my laughter she took a generous forkful and shoved it into her mouth I watched intently for a second she furrowed her brows as if analyzing The Taste but since she was always a cheap freeloader used to eating anything for free she Shrugged and swallowed it's different but well seasoned what is it

I stayed silent just smiling she took another bite and another and another after more than half half the plate was gone I knew it was time you really like it huh I asked my eyes glinting with Mischief she smiled of course you always cook so well that's when I dropped the bomb glad to hear it because the special ingredient was cat her plate flew out of her hands instantly what she screamed her eyes wide in horror I crossed my arms and kept my tone calm that's right you wanted so badly to eat here to take

advantage of me again so I thought I'd serve you something special she ran to the sink spitting and gagging frantically rinsing out her mouth you're insane you're a psychopath she screamed spitting again I simply Shrugged I tried every way possible to get rid of you Lanna but you wouldn't take the hint now you finally have she looked at me with pure hatred you made me eat then she lunged at me she tried to slap me but I caught her wrist in midair get out of my house I said my voice low but firm she struggled

speak in every insult she could think of but I shoved her toward the door leave now she huffed grabbed her bag and stormed out still spitting on the ground outside before leaving she looked at me with pure disgust and said you're a horrible person I never want to see you again I laughed perfect mission accomplished she cursed me a few more times before disappearing into the night I never saw Lanna again after that night rumor has that she got sick after dinner she probably got an infection or ended up in hospital but honestly I didn't

care she had plenty of chances to stop to respect my boundaries to understand that friendship doesn't mean exploitation but she chose to push my patience to the Limit and she paid the price do I regret it not at all my home finally became a place of Peace again no unexpected visits no persistent messages no Lee trying to take advantage and that was the last time anyone dared to invite themselves to my dinner without being welcome