King of my Heart

Why was he so nervous? Just breath, Buck. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt so jittery. He had never felt like this when working for Mister Skint. But then this was a girl he was a thinking about.

Cooper shoved him in front of the steamy, locker room mirror.

"Buck, look at yourself," he said, "You are strong. You are brave. You are manly-"

His face broke into a huge grin, "-with those two full whiskers in that sad little mustache of yours."

Buck shoved him away, "Okay, you are not helping."

Cooper chuckled, "You reek of manliness."

Buck rolled his eyes, "You're smelling the locker room. I'm no man. I can tell you that much."

Buck sighed as he stared at them in the mirror, "I can't do this."

Cooper slung an arm over his shoulder, "Dude, it's so simple. Just say, 'Hey, Jules. What do you think about going with me to the homecoming banquet on Saturday?' And she'll say," he high pitched his voice to a squeak, "'Oh, Buck, that sounds wonderful. I can't wait to go with someone who has such a robust mustache!'"

He doubled over with laughter.

"Or she'll say," Buck high pitched his own southern twang, " 'Buck, we're such good friends we don't want to complicate this, do we?' "

Cooper gave an exasperated huff, "You're overthinking it. Like a lot! Just ask her. The worst she could say is no."

Buck froze, "What? You think she'll say no?"

"Of course not!" Cooper seemed to rethink his words, "Well, probably not."

"Cooper!"

"Just ask her, Buck."

Buck sighed. He could do this. Jules wouldn't say no. Or would she?

...♥...

Buck weaved his way through the oncoming crowd of kids. Where was she? Taller than most people, Buck stopped and peered over the sea of kids. Ah ha! There she was. Jules stood off the side digging through her backpack, cell phone pressed against her ear. Her long brown hair fell around her shoulders. Buck's fingers twitched. Soft, silky waves. Get a grip, Buck!

He strode down the hall toward her. Over the din, he made out her words, "I hope he asks me. Okay. Gotta go, Bridget! Bye."

Buck brightened. Did she–

"Hey, Jules!"

Jules startled. She beamed at him.

"Hey, Buck! Aren't you in the wrong part of school? I thought you had geometry this period?"

Which meant he had to make this quick. He slipped the hair tie off his wrist and handed it to her.

"Right. But I–"

"Oh! Congratulations!" she exclaimed, tying her hair back, "I saw you're up for homecoming king."

What? Never mind.

"Yeah," Buck shifted anxiously, "Not sure how that happened."

She cocked her head, "I think you'll look great with a crown."

Buck smirked and shook his head. A crown indeed!

"I'm not going to win. Ryan and Cooper are both way more popular."

She waved his comment away like a pesky fly, "Aw, you should give Odyssey High better credit, Buck."

Her face became serious, "It's about integrity and character."