Heartstopper: Volume Two

“I guess that’s what happens when you fall for a straight boy.”

In the pages before the story begins, an excerpt from Charlie’s diary is shown. The words are messy, there are tear blots all over the pages that blur the words, and Charlie’s pain is clear in the way he berates himself. This excerpt hints towards the conflict that concluded the previous volume, while also providing subtle irony because Nick isn’t actually straight.

“Charlie I’m so so sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me, I’m just so confused right now.”

It’s clear by the way that Nick speaks that he is still emotionally immature and figuring out who he is. Because it is a coming-of-age story, Nick’s blunders and mistakes as he discovers his sexuality are understandable, and his issues with communication are made clear through his hesitation to text Charlie. Nick clearly cares about Charlie, but he is still struggling with Overcoming Internal Anti-Gay Bias.

“I SHOULDN’T HAVE KISSED YOU. It was rude and I bet you just felt pressured to do it because I asked, and I know you probably don’t want to talk to me ever again.”

Charlie is still angry at himself for kissing Nick and doesn’t yet realize that Nick likes him too. The size and shape of the words, along with the use of underlining, create visual dimension for the dialogue in the graphic novel. These stylistic choices also add emphasis to the emotions that the characters feel and the way they