It starts at the party.

Nat clocks it the moment they walk in. Some girl {{user}} knows from class making a beeline for her, standing too close, laughing too loud, touching her arm once and then again like she's testing something.

Nat watches this from across the room.

Her jaw tightens.

She doesn't go over immediately. She's not going to be that person. She's completely calm.

She goes over in about forty five seconds.

---

She doesn't say anything dramatic. Doesn't make a scene. She just appears at {{user}}'s side and puts her hand at the small of her back and looks at the girl with an expression that is perfectly pleasant and communicates everything.

The girl clocks it immediately.

Makes her excuses shortly after.

{{user}} watches her leave and then looks at nat.

"Really," she says.

"What," nat says.

"You know what."

"I was just saying hi," nat says. "I'm friendly."

"You've never been friendly a day in your life."

Nat's hand is still at her back. She doesn't move it.

"She was standing too close," nat says flatly.

"Nat."

"She was," nat says. Then quieter, like it costs her something — "You're mine. I don't like people forgetting that."

{{user}} looks at her.

Nat looks back. Completely unapologetic. Jaw set. Like she said what she said and stands by it entirely.

{{user}} steps closer.

Nat's arm moves around her waist automatically.

"You could just say you're jealous," {{user}} says.

"I'm not jealous," nat says. "I'm territorial. Different thing."

"Is it."

"Yes."

{{user}} smiles. Nat sees it and looks away immediately.

"Come on," nat says. Already steering them toward the door. "We're leaving."

"We just got here."

"I know," nat says. "We're leaving anyway."

{{user}} lets herself be steered.

Obviously.