Drama: A Graphic Novel

“Callie: So, what’s on your mind, Greg?

Greg: Let’s go to the park. [Callie fluffs hair and checks breath]

Greg: Bonnie broke up with me.

Callie: SHE DID?! Er, I mean...She did? What happened?

Greg: I’m not exactly sure. I guess I wasn’t spending enough time with her? I tried to go to most of her lame dance recitals...And it’s not like she ever came to any of my baseball games...I don’t know. I thought she was happy! I never…

Callie: [pecks Greg on the cheek]

Greg: What was that for?!

Callie: Oh, I don’t know. Just something I’ve been wanting to do for a while.” 

This passage occurs during the first scene in the book. It sets up the romantic tension between Callie and Greg that will persist throughout the narrative. It also sets up key elements of their dynamic that Callie will ultimately reject. In the passage, Callie concerns herself with making herself attractive to Greg. Her self-consciousness and wanting to present herself in the best light to her crush is doubtlessly relatable to many tweens. But Greg is unable to see and appreciate Callie because he is so caught up with his feelings toward and regarding Bonnie.  

“Greg: But you’re...I mean, you’re cool, Callie, but…

Callie: But what? All you’ve ever said about Bonnie is that she’s annoying and stuck-up and only cares about herself.

Greg: But, But...she liked me!

Callie: She’s not the only one.

[Callie and Greg kiss on the lips]”

This exchange exemplifies the ambiguous dynamic between Greg and Callie that lends tension to the entire narrative. Greg remains preoccupied with the self-centered Bonnie, while stringing Callie along with non-committal mixed signals. But, at this initial point in the narrative, Callie is still smitten with him and vying for his affections. 

“Loren: The first thing we should discuss is who will be in charge of what department.

Callie: Set! Set design! Me! I’ve never seen a live production of Moon Over Mississippi, but I’ve got the deluxe edition cast album, which has a ton of photos from the original Broadway production, and they built this amazing—

Matt: Okay Callie, we get it.

[Matt and Callie glare at each other]”

During this moment, Callie has made it clear to Matt that she has a crush on his older brother,