When the lunch bell rang, Kevin went to find Edd. He got six dirty looks on the way to the school's science wing.

"That's a new record," he thought. He'd been averaging 10 dirty looks every 5 feet. Only six in 5 minutes was new. But he didn't have time to dwell on it as the object of his affections came into view. He was walking arm in arm with Princess, giggling. When Edd glanced up and caught his eye, he ran into Kevin's arms.

"Oooffff," Kevin said. Then he chuckled. "Miss me, Dweeb?"

"God, yes!," Edd mumbled into his shoulder. It was true. Kevin's scent on his shirt was as distracting as it was comforting.

"C'mon, you two," Princess called to them down the hall. "We gotta stop by the student resource center to pick up the homework packets."

As the boys made their way to the resource center, they walked hand in hand, finally close for the first time all day. Their internal storms ceased. The lunch and study hall break would be nice.

Edd sighed. He knew they needed a new rhythm, but he didn't like it. He'd had enough changes the past two weeks.

Kevin looked down to see the weary look on his boyfriend's face. He dropped his hand and threw his arm around him and drew him close. Edd melted into his side.

"Better?"

"Better."

It was better. He made a mental note to kiss Kevin before school and get a hug at lunch. It'd be the only way to make it through the day.

At this point, they caught up with Princess, who had been found by Rolf. She was begging off his assistance at getting the homework packets to the team meeting.

"This is something only student athletes who are tutors can do, Rolf."

"But who will help the Princess?"

"That'll be me, Rolf. Don't team captains need to be at the gym early?," Edd asked.

Team captains were having a mini meeting before the entire athletic department showed up. It was the only reason Edd volunteered to help Princess. It'd give him something to do while he waited on Kevin to finish his meeting and then meet him at the dept meeting.

"Go, Rolfie," Princess said softly. "Don't be late on my account." She knew him helping her would make him look good in front of her family. But being late would not. It'd be better if he was on time. Edd could help just fine.

"You sure about this, Babe?," Kevin asked. The carts that contained the homework packets were heavy.

"I'm sure. Go."

What Edd didn't say was after years of dancing with Princess, he was stronger than he looked. She was average weight, but even as puny as he looked, he could toss her with ease. A homework packet cart would be a cakewalk.

But the carts were old and cumbersome. Getting them halfway across the school to the gym wasn't easy but they made it in time to make their introductions.

"What took you so long?!," Priscilla Jackson whispered, following her cousin and her friend, as they pushed the carts into the gym. Nazz was introducing the cheer squads.

Princess was mid lunge as her cousin spoke. She stood up straight and cocked her hip and then used said hip to knock the cart into the center of the gym floor. It rolled right behind a very surprised Nazz. Everyone turned to look at Princess.

"I hate that thing," she said pointing to the cart.

She then took the one Edd was pushing from him and was about to repeat the move she did with the first before Priscilla took it from her and shooed both teens to their respective teams.

Kevin and Rolf watched in awe. Princess' body was average on the height-weight proportion scale. But she knew what she was working with. Black Capris, a white peasant top layered with a blue lace camisole and blue t-strap peep toe stilletos. When she pushed the cart, her entire body curved beautifully, but you couldn't miss the muscle definition. Edd was no different. His jeans made his legs look impossibly long and his ass as round and soft as a pillow. Kevin wanted a cuddle so bad. Rolf couldn't get over blue heeled diva's strength. What else could her body do?

Rolf soon found out. After Nazz introduced the cheer squads, Andrea introduced the dance team. However, when she introduced her cousin, she grabbed her hand and made her do a spin before taking a bow. It was cute. But everyone could see, Princess had moves. Really good ones. Professional even. Kevin looked at Edd. Edd seemed unimpressed. Like he knew more should be happening.

After the dance teams introductions, Priscilla called the student resource center representatives to the floor. Edd and Princess stood up. He grabbed a stool that was sitting off to the side and followed Princess to the center of the gym floor. Sitting it between the two carts, he lifted her up and sat her on it. The student athletes gasped. Princess was unfazed. Edd could toss her in the air like a rag doll. Helping her on a stool was nothing. She crossed her legs at the knee and sat up straight. Rolf thought she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

"Ok, here's the deal," she said. "We're students first and athletes second. But because our athletic abilities take away from our studies, the facility here has come up with a plan to help us stay on tract. You each get a packet with all the extra credit, cheat sheets, practice tests and bonus work you'll need this semester to stay caught up with everyone else."

Pointing to Edd, she continued, "This is Eddward Vincent. He's the football team manager, so they get first dibs on any help he can provide. But we're both tutors on the honors tract and here to help you. He specializes in math and science, I do communication arts. We will help you, not do your work for you. And if I catch wind of any such shenanigans happening, I'll have your ass. Now come get your shit because I smell pizza."

Sure enough, a couple of pizza delivery guys, three office clerks, the school secretary and principal walked in the door carrying pizza, pasta, breadsticks, salads, soda, water and cookies. Feeding the entire athletic department was no easy task. The lunch ladies were glad to have them out of the cafeteria for the day.

Homework packets were distributed, and the kids lined up for lunch. Except for Princess. It was common knowledge among her family and friends that in situations like this, James got her food. James cornered Rolf.

"I usually do stuff like this for her, but if you want in, son, she likes salad with ranch dressing, three slices of pepperoni, a Coke, a water and four chocolate chip cookies," he said. "I'll help you carry it, but you give it to her."

Rolf nodded. James followed the tall foreign boy through the line. After they got the food, they found the heiress in a corner, eyes closed, leaning back into the bleachers, tapping her foot to whatever song she had in her headphones.

"Princess, I brought you lunch," the foreign boy shyly said after James tapped her knee to get her attention.

If Edd's grin could solar power a museum, Princess' lit up Rolf's whole universe.

"Thank you, Rolfie! Now sit. Tell me about your day."

The farmer did as he was told. His day went like anyone else's; catching up with old friends and classmates, figuring out where his classes were and trying to figure out why teachers wanted to assign homework the first day of school. He didn't mention the questions he got from people wanting to know his connection to the heiress. He was still trying to figure out how he was able to be in her presence himself.

She listened as if he was the most important person in the world. As far as she was concerned, he was. His brown eyes would gleam when he got excited. The way he rubbed his chin when he was thinking was adorable. His accent, good god, his accent. She was a sucker for tall, dark, handsome foreign guys. Rolf hit everything on her charts. But there was a gentleness about him that drew her in the most. This foreign farmer could be as meek and mild as the sheep he tended. Even when he was wrestling his cows into the barn for milking, his hands were gentle. He'd fuss something fierce, but never raise a hand and barely his voice. His hands were as large as Kevin's, but his fingers were longer. Perfect for basketball. He had callouses, but his touch was soft. She was dying to touch his hand again. Then she got an idea.

"DOUBLE D!"

Kevin and Edd were sitting about six rows back with Ed and Nat. Ed was showing them his sketches for the team's new tshirts and Nat wouldn't shut up about the new kid he met in music class. If there was a King of the Emos, this new kid was it. And Nat couldn't get enough of him. Although, Kevin truly doubted his sass rivaling Double D's. Nobody could out sass his baby. Not even a kid whose name invoked visions of wild parties and glow sticks.

Double D bounded down the stairs. He learned a long time ago what Rolf learned this morning; when Princess calls, you come. She always gave second chances, but it was always best to follow through the first time.

"Yes, Princess?," he asked a bit breathlessly. He'd gone from cuddled up to Kevin to a foot away from the heiress in about 5 seconds.

"Tacos? Tomorrow is Tuesday and I'm thinking we should get everyone together." She was sitting as close to the son of a shepherd her family's watchful eyes would allow. Edd got the hint.

"Call Cecilla and make sure everything is ready when we get there. Practice lets out at 530, but I know Kevin will want a shower afterwards."

The heiress squealed. Turning to Rolf she said, "Edd makes the best carnitas tacos. And I get to help!"

He smiled and said, "I'm sure anything you make will be heavenly."

Flag planted.

A princes blushed and looked fondly at the son of a shepherd, a simple farmer. He returned the look with a deeper blush of his own. A black knight prayed two kings would let the princess spread her wings. There was a strong, grounded young man ready to catch her if she fell.