AITAH for not wanting to associate myself with a coworker

i (27f) love my job and the people i’ve met and connected with. i know this place is good for me even if it’s not all perfect…..

i started in november.

back in april, i exchanged info with a coworker. i’m going to call her Maddie. Maddie and I bonded easily and quickly, but it started to turn into love bombing on her end. i took note of this quickly bc ive seen this one time before with an ex friend that i still have some fear from.

we went out together once with two other coworkers and half way through i told myself that i did not want to be her friend and didn’t want to be involved with her in anyway. i distanced myself and Maddie texted me asking if i was okay. i said “i’m good. just been busy as usual. hope you’re good.” that was a month and half ago and that was it from me.

in the last week, i’ve been told that she is spreading rumors about me. Maddie is telling people a medical issue i have that i told her in confidence before her dinner. she is starting rumors with other coworkers and apparently, this hasn’t been the first time Maddie’s gone off the rails. this is her first time going this extreme.

management is involved and is investigating, but…

aitha

(can answer questions if you need me to, but i want to keep this post safe for myself just in case, but 🖕🏻)