Heartstopper: Volume Two

Before the story begins, some background context is provided to the reader, reminding them of what happened at the cliffhanger conclusion of Volume One. Charlie’s diary entry provides hints toward his character, his intentions, and the internal conflict within Nick that remains at the center of their relationship. The words on the page are blurred with teardrops, signifying that Charlie is crying as he writes, and he berates himself for being bold enough to kiss Nick despite asking permission: “But then I had to go and kiss him. STUPID STUPID STUPID” (ii). Five panels indicate in simplistic terms the major plot points of Volume One that contextualize the current predicament. Charlie and Nick were friends at first, and Nick invited Charlie to join the rugby team. They developed crushes on one another and spent a romantic, memorable, but still friendly day in the snow together. When Charlie asked Nick for a kiss at a party, Nick agreed; however, the moment he thought someone would see, he got up and left Charlie alone. The final panel shows Nick staring down at Charlie with a look of intense shame and guilt on his face and foreshadows Nick’s journey of Overcoming Internal Anti-Gay Bias. The mood in the first few pages is somber and seems hopeless, but this is done to create an intense contrast between how Charlie and Nick felt after the party and how they felt after Nick shows up in the rain. Nick and Charlie both lay in bed, with darkened panels and deeply pained expressions; they both clearly care for one another already.

Being gay doesn’t have one particularly story or experience, and the process of self-discovery varies for everyone. Nick is confused because he initially believes that he should already know and understand who he is and how he feels; he forgets that he is still coming of age and figuring out the basics of life. While Charlie always knew he was gay, he doesn’t shame or embarrass Nick for being confused. Instead, he explains that Nick is not obligated to understand himself fully or even to want to: “Anyway you don’t have to work it out, like, immediately. I didn’t just wake up one day like – OH LOOK, guess I’m gay now!” (57). Even as the boys discuss this awkward and often touchy subject, there is a light and playful atmosphere between them, which is largely because of Charlie’s relaxed and understanding presence. Charlie also hangs out with people who aren’t afraid to express who they are and who accept him exactly as he is, so he is never afraid to extend the same to others. Nick wanting to keep Charlie and his relationship a secret is reminiscent of Charlie’s experience with Ben in Volume One, when Charlie was used by a boy who refused to come out, but Charlie sees something different in Nick and gives him the time he needs. In the meantime, the boys still enjoy The Sparks of First Love; they gaze into each other’s eyes, kiss, and enjoy each other’s company.

During the opening scene of the story, the author enhances the romantic atmosphere by using the “rainy day” trope, wherein a love interest stands in the rain to confess their feelings. Much of this portion of the story is said not through words, but through the looks, gestures, and subtle actions of Charlie and Nick as they discover that they are about to enter a relationship. The graphic novel is thus image-dominant for the most part, and the dialogue comes second to what is indicated in the illustrations. Moment-by-moment panels show Nick kissing Charlie to communicate his care for him, with visual details building tension and drama. When dialogue is used, the words are shaped and sized to suitably emphasize the volume and tone of voice. This occurs when Nick yells, “I SHOULDN’T HAVE RUN AWAY FROM YOU I’M SO SO SORRY” (54) without pause or punctuation, as though he’s blurting it out as one continuous yelp. When Charlie runs after Nick in the rain and kisses him, it solidifies that he feels the same way and foreshadows the next several weeks of the discovery of first love.