Just keep swimming, just keep swimming

Natalie hummed in agreement with her eyes still closed. She could see why he liked to lay around and do nothing sometimes. It was so relaxing. It wasn't something she would do all the time, but laying in the middle of a sunny field with his arm around her, holding her close, was something she could get used to. She was starting to feel a little sleepy. "Lando, you're the best best friend I've ever had," she mumbled again.

Natalie smiled as Landon's lips touched her forehead. "I'll bet I'm a better kisser than all the other best friends you've had, too," she laughed lightly, not wanting to miss an opportunity to tease him a bit. She didn't care if anyone did start to approach them, since laying in the sun was a completely innocent, and they would have to get very close in order to hear what they were saying.

Natalie opened her eyes, looked up at Landon, and glared at him. "No, I would prefer that you keep your lips to yourself. Er... well, to me. I mean, to yourself but you can kiss me. If you want," Natalie decided to stop trying to explain, since she was only digging herself a hole, which made her blush a little. "You know what I mean," she said.

Natalie was frustrated that Landon thought her reaction was funny, but she started to laugh as well when he talked about getting a new set of lips. She relaxed when he said she was the only one he planned to kiss, and she returned his kiss happily, like it cemented what he had just said. "Yes, much better," she said. "But, do me a favor?" she waited until she had his full attention to finish her sentence. "Don't get a new set of lips. These ones are perfect," she smiled, then kissed him gently again.

Natalie opened her mouth to protest to him kissing other girls again, but his next sentence held her at bay. She hoped he didn't really think that she was trying to pin a bunch of rules on him, but she really didn't want to lose him to anyone. "You can have me," she said. "I know it's not some sort of shiny, exciting prize or anything like that, but I will always be your best friend."

Natalie smiled as Landon held her tighter and kissed the top of her head. They were little gestures, but she really loved them. They were the things that made her think that he liked her as more than a friend, or at least that he could like her as more than a friend. The other kisses were just as nice.

"Only if you get a matching one that says you belong to me," she laughed.

"Right, sorry," Natalie said as she closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest again. She felt a little stupid for saying anything about it. She should have known that it would make him uncomfortable. After all, what 13 year old boy wanted to be tied down to some girl? Half of them probably still thought that girls had cooties. Obviously Landon didn't think that, but that didn't mean that he wanted to be "claimed", for lack of a better word.

"Yeah, sure," Natalie agreed quietly, though she still felt rather stupid. They were only 13. Thirteen year olds weren't supposed to have feelings like that.

She didn't know what time it was, but they'd been out there for a while and Natalie had a painting sitting in her dorm that she wanted to finish. "We should probably head back," she said, sitting upright, then standing and stretching. "We can't spend the whole day just laying here."

"You're right. I want to go paint," Natalie stuck her tongue out at him. She could probably paint out here, but that was a bit weird even for Natalie, plus it would be a pain to bring all her stuff outside.

She wrapped her arms around him as well and returned his kiss. It seemed that he didn't care about who saw them anymore, which was fine by her. It almost made her forget that he'd basically just shot her down. Almost. "Unless there's something else you'd rather do..." she said.

Natalie grinned. Landon knew her so well. She hopped up on his back and held on tight, but not tight enough to choke him. This was something that she knew every other girl in her year was jealous of. She had the best mode of transportation ever. "To Hufflepuff Land!" she repeated happily, kissing his cheek gently.

"I'll do my best not to," Natalie promised, grinning as Landon started to walk toward the school. "Although, it will be a completely different story if you start going around and kissing other girls," she teased. She was glad he was careful with her; it made her feel special and safe, like he was trying to protect her.

"Please don't," Natalie said quietly in his ear. She would be heartbroken if he kissed someone else, though she didn't want to tell him that exactly, because it might freak him out. "I like having you all to myself."

She also didn't like him thinking about all the "hot" girls around, but there wasn't anything she could really say about it. She tightened her grip on him and gave a soft squeal of surprise as Landon almost fell. "And you think that I have a problem with gravity," she said.

Natalie couldn't see the smirk on Landon's face, but she had a feeling it was there. "Well the ground can't have Landy kisses," she said, giggling. "I get all the Landy kisses. Plus, I can't let you kiss my fiance! That would be weird!" she laughed at their inside joke that she spent so much time on the ground that she was going to marry it.