Take Responsibility

"Look," you say, honestly. "He was messy, but I snapped. I did all the shouting. I'm sorry."

Megan's grip on the whiteboard loosens, but her eyes on you are still stern.

"You understand that when other people hear you shouting at your roommate, it has effects that go beyond this particular room?"

"Uh," you honestly never thought of that. "I guess?"

"The answer is: affirmative yes. It does," she's on a tangent now, and you figure you'll let her finish. "It creates a hostile environment for this whole floor. And, unfortunately, because I can't afford a dorm room if I don't do this, it is my fucking job to make sure that you keep your testosterone under control for three months, and don't start any fights with the person you are going to be living with. Do you understand?"

"Uh, yes. Understood," you risk a glance back at Brandon, who is staring at the girl going off with his jaw practically on the floor.

She softens. But only a little bit. "I appreciate your willingness to fess up to it. But honestly? I'd prefer that it doesn't happen again. Understood?"

"Understood," Brandon steps forward, suddenly. "You know, I'm a forgiving guy. I think I forgive him, now. Is that one of your turn-ons, forgiving guys?"

She stares at him in a state of utter shock. Her gaze snaps back to you. "Okay, I get it. Still, don't shout at him."

"Thank you," you say.

"Wait but..." Brandon speaks again as she starts to head out the door, clearly about to make another attempt at hitting on her.

"Anyway, nice to meeting you," she says as she swings open the door. "I'll be seeing you both again. Inevitably." Dread is buried in her tone.

As she leaves, you close the door behind her. A few seconds pass.

Then Brandon says: "Bro, you took the heat...and you just...obliterated your chances with that hot asian girl."

"I guess," you say.

"No like...totally destroyed them. Irreconcilable. Impossible to ever recover from..."

"I really don't think she was that mad-"

"-for me."

"Uh, what?" You look back at him.

"Bro," he puts a heavy hand on your shoulder. "From here on out, you are my bro. Okay? We're looking out for each other, because I'll be honest with you, I have no idea what the fuck is going on. And I'm sure you don't either."

You seem to have stumbled into the friendship route. Hopefully it pays off.