Samuel sat in his bathroom, staring at the tiny specs that had made their home in his hair. His stomach churned at the thought of lice, and he knew what he had to do next.

He took a deep breath as he picked up the electric shaver. He was about to say goodbye to his well-loved locks. His hands trembled as he turned the device on.

His lips pressed together, he guided the clippers through his hair, watching as clumps fell into the sink. Each pass of the shaver made him cringe inwardly.

When he was finished, Samuel looked at his reflection. His scalp was a landscape of pale skin and tiny stubble. He felt a lump in his throat.

The next day at school, Samuel pulled his hood over his shaved head to hide it. But he couldn't hide his blush when Leo, his crush, approached him.

"Hey, Sam," Leo greeted warmly. Samuel stuttered a weak 'hi' in response, keeping his head down. Leo seemed genuinely concerned, which just made Samuel blush more.

Leo reached out and gently tugged at Samuel’s hoodie. His breath hitched as Leo's fingers met his newly shaved scalp. “Sam,” he said, “it’s just hair. It’ll grow back.”

Samuel blinked in surprise when Leo, the next day, showed up at school with a bald head too. He had never seen Leo without his golden locks.

Leo grinned at Samuel's stunned expression. "You’re not alone in this, buddy." They sat together at lunch, their heads shining under the cafeteria lights.

They spent more time together after that. Slowly but surely, Samuel’s embarrassment faded. He was still shy around Leo, but the shaved heads became a shared joke.

One day, while they were studying together at Samuel's house, Leo broke the silence. "Sam, I need to tell you something. I...I really like you."

Samuel's blush returned full-force. "You...you do?" he stammered. His heart was pounding so fast that he was sure Leo could hear it.

Leo blushed too, a rare sight. "Yeah, Sam. I do. And I've been trying to find a way to let you know."

Samuel was so flustered that he didn't know what to say. He just stared at Leo, a mix of surprise and joy on his face.

Leo chuckled and took Samuel’s hand in his, offering a reassuring squeeze. The warmth sent jolts of electricity up Samuel's arm, and he finally managed a nod.

"I...I feel the same way, Leo," Samuel confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. They lingered in the moment, hands intertwined.

Leo couldn’t contain his grin as he leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Samuel's lips. The warmth spread from his lips, leaving a tingling sensation.

Samuel hugged Leo tightly, burying his face into Leo’s chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. This was more than he had ever hoped for.

Over the next couple of months, they became inseparable. PDA became a norm for them - hand-holding, cuddling, and stolen kisses.

Leo would often call Samuel by pet names, 'babe,' 'cutie,' and 'sweetheart' were his favorites. This would always make Samuel blush, which was Leo's goal.

Not to be outdone, Samuel came up with a nickname for Leo: 'Lion.' After all, Leo was as brave as a lion, always standing by his side.

Their friends teased them about being a bald couple, but neither of them minded it. If anything, the jokes brought them even closer together.

Despite being quite different, they fit together perfectly. Leo was confident and assertive while Samuel was more reserved, preferring to follow Leo's lead.

After a day out, they would cuddle on the couch and watch movies together. These quiet moments were Samuel's favorite. He felt so safe in Leo's arms.

Their hair eventually grew back. Samuel had his wavy black locks back, while Leo's golden curls returned. But they still enjoyed the memory of their shared experience.

At the school prom, they received the 'cutest couple' award. Their friends cheered, and the duo shared a tender kiss on the stage, their hands intertwined.

It had all started with lice and a shaved head, but it led to a bond that transcended the physical. They were no longer just Samuel and Leo—they were a couple.

In the end, Samuel realized that the lice had been a blessing in disguise. If it hadn't been for them, he might have never known Leo's feelings for him.

Their relationship only grew stronger with time. Their love story was unique and beautiful, marked by shaved heads, blushes, and a bond that was unbreakable.

They promised to stand by each other's side, always, just like when they had shaved their heads together—a symbol of their love, trust, and solidarity.