public String withoutX2(String str) {
  // Strategy: Check 2nd position, then check first position
  if (str.length() > 1 && str.substring(1).startsWith("x")) {
    str = str.substring(0,1) + str.substring(2);
  }
  if (str.startsWith("x")) {
    str = str.substring(1);
  }
  return str;
}