~Misunderstanding~

                                    

                                          
Y/n's POV
"Fuck Y/n."
I watched in bewilderment as C/n walked back and forth in front of the kitchen counter like a crazed person. His hands furiously ran through his hair as my mouth gaped open at his uncharacteristic actions.
"What? What happened," I asked in fear.
I was sitting on the couch when C/n entered our apartment. The first sign that something was wrong was when he didn't answer my greeting. His face was stoic as he stormed past me and aggressively opened the fridge door. After pouring a glass of water, he downed it in one quick gulp. I've never seen C/n like this— acting as if somebody had died.
Finally, he stopped his incessant pacing.
"Stop pretending Y/n," his voice shook with his words and his eyes still refused to meet mine, "I know what you did."
I stood from my seat and cautiously approached him. I know C/n would never hurt me— he's never even raised his voice at me— but it was so scary to see his silent anger since it's such a rare sight.
"Babe, I really don't know what you're talking about," his face scrunched up in pain. "You're worrying me."
C/n studied my face before slumping forward on the counter, his forearms supporting his weight as he bowed his head.
"This shit is so fucked," he grumbled out. "Sorry, I'm not communicating well."
I stood across from him, the long kitchen island separating the two of us. All I wanted to do was reach out and hug him, but I decided against it knowing he was struggling to collect himself.
"It's ok, take your time. Just tell me what happened and what you're feeling."
He drew in a long breath, finally meeting my gaze.
"You know B/f/n and I had bio lecture together today right? Well, we were talking about our weekends 'cause she was asking me about how the conference I went to was. Everything was normal until she complained that she had to help you clean up the mess C/b/f/n made over the weekend, here." My face paled as he finally rose his head to glare at me. "B/f/n let it slip that C/b/f/n spent the weekend here with you, alone, and she looked so fucking regretful when she realized what she'd said. She tried backtracking but it was too late, I know what I heard."
He stood up straight, his muscles taut as his body tensed up. I opened my mouth to speak, but he wasn't done talking,
"My fucking best friend Y/n. I never would have thought you'd cheat, but to do it with my best friend? Fuck Y/n I'm so pissed off," he took another long inhale. "Please— tell me all the excuses in the book. Lie to me that you guys are playing some sick joke. Tell me that I'm a horrible boyfriend and that I drove you to do this 'cause I don't think I'll ever be able to sleep again thinking that you chose to do this to me."
My heart was racing as I took in C/n's words. Other than the feeling of murder towards B/f/n, all I felt was anguish at the fact that it was me who was causing C/n to feel this way.
"C/n, honey, I'm sorry, but I swear there's an explanation," I pleaded.
He groaned and for a second, I was concerned he was actually gonna puke.
"It's not an excuse, just listen to me. C/b/f/n did stay the weekend, but it's not what you think. I did not cheat on you!" this time, I did walk around the counter so I could reach for him. "He came over Saturday to help me with your birthday present and it took us until 3 in the morning. I don't know if you saw the news but there was a really bad storm so he had to sleep over. He slept on the couch!"
I exaggeratedly pointed toward the living room before reaching my hand out to hold his.
"B/f/n was probably freaked out that she let that information slip 'cause she knows it's supposed to be a surprise. It's kinda ruined now though, so I completely understand if you wanna see what it is for proof. Or we can call C/b/f/n and he can tell you the exact same thing."
There was a beat of silence as C/n and I held a staring contest, my eyes unblinking as I willed him to see the truth behind my words. His expression changed multiple times until it just turned tired. He rubbed at his face, the tension finally leaving his body and his muscles finally relaxing.
"Fuck I overreacted," he sighed. "I should've let you explain first."
I quickly reached my arms to hug him around the waist, pressing my cheek against him.
"No it's ok, I could tell you were panicking. Want me to call C/b/f/n?" I moved my head to look up at him, now resting my chin where my cheek was.
"No no, I believe you," I watched him shut his eyes in overwhelment. "Fuck, my heart was beating so fast Y/n. I thought I was losing you." His voice was filled with pain as he looped his arms around my shoulders, bringing me flush up against his body.
"I'm so sorry. I think I'd murder you if I was ever made to think you cheated on me," I joked.
He chuckled before leaning in to kiss me. When he pulled away, his eyes stayed trained on mine as he spoke,
"Next time, you can just get me a birthday card. One of the ones that play music when you open it."
I laughed, returning his chaste kiss with a peck.
"On the bright side, this will be a pretty funny story when we look back," he stated as he pulled away, leading me by the hand to our couch.
I scoffed, "This was fucking scary, I don't know what I would've done if you didn't believe me."
Suddenly, a thought occurred to me as C/n pulled me onto his lap.
"Wait, B/f/n didn't try explaining to you the situation when she saw you freak out?"
C/n avoided my eyes as he let out a sheepish grin, "Umm, I may have run out of the lecture room to get here as fast as possible."
I shook my head with a strained smile as I reached to check my phone, which I had left on the couch cushions. To no one's surprise, there were about a million missed calls from B/f/n.
"Ugh, I think I'm crashing now that my adrenaline is gone," I groaned before slumping against C/n.
I could probably take a ten-year nap after the stress I'd just experienced.
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So this chapter was originally a really toxic argument. This was super normalized back then and I'm really glad it's not seen as ok anymore. Thanks to the comments for calling it out, I'm glad ppl knew it was wrong when I was clearly too stupid💀 I obviously had to change it when reediting this book cause we do not romanticize toxic relationships here.