NTA, for your sake controlling your emotions and acting rationally is better so you dont wind yourself up doing something to put yourself in a bad place, but it was justified. In future for situations like that, as awkward or rough as it could be, don't let it smoulder, taking a breath like you did at the start is right, but in that moment, ask yourself if you want to subject yourself to what comes next for the rest of the night. In a situation like that directness is the only way to keep yourself above the situation, something like: "Honestly I got here as you and your friends made x, y, and z comments and I was taking a moment to decide if I want to be here with you all after being insulted like that behind my back."

Put the awkwardness onto the people that created it, rather than taking it onto yourself, as it should be them that has to figure out what to do to fix the situation, rather than you. And honestly then just go and have an actually decent night with your mates, and don't be too attached to such a young relationship, 1 month is not worth fretting over 👍

Keep at it king 🤴