Heartstopper: Volume Two

“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 voice these emotions.

“You’re probably the best friend I’ve e-ever had.”

The emotion in Nick’s statement is clear as he stutters in his speech and gazes directly into Charlie’s eyes. Charlie and Nick’s relationship is special because while it is defined by The Sparks of First Love, it’s also defined by a genuine friendship between them. It is this form of love that inspires Nick to be more open about his feelings, which he is unfamiliar with doing.

“I am having a proper full on gay crisis!”

Humor is used to take weight off of a heavy topic and to show that there can be levity in difficult situations. As Nick discovers his sexuality and what he wants in a relationship, he feels panicked and confused and pokes fun at himself for taking things so seriously. This reinforces the Heartstopper series as an ultimately positive, reaffirming narrative about romance between gay people.

“Why can’t we just kiss and be happy?”

While Nick is partially joking around when he asks this, it is also a fitting question that points to anti-gay bias both outside of the relationship and within Nick’s internal battle. The boys want to have an ordinary relationship in which they do not need to hide or feel awkward about themselves, but Nick is still trying to determine who he is.

“I…don’t know what I am…I’ve liked girls before…but now…I like you.”

Nick explains how he feels about both girls and boys, which Charlie notes sounds like bisexuality. Nick’s openness with Charlie is a major supporting factor in his own journey toward self-acceptance and the confidence to live as he wants rather than as others expect him to be.

“Why are we like this??”

Charlie and Nick are still in the early stages of their relationship and experience a great deal of awkwardness and unnecessary tension as a result. Neither of them has been in a relationship like this before, so they learn and grow together as a couple. They also aren’t afraid to laugh at their awkwardness when the time is right.

“I’m sorry, I’m just not ready to come out as anything yet.”

Nick takes a few weeks to finally decide to come out, and Charlie gives Nick the patience and compassion he needs to work through his new emotions. While Nick takes on the process of Overcoming Internal Anti-Gay Bias, Charlie supports him and makes sure he feels safe and accepted.

“It’s worse than I thought. He still hasn’t given up on Nick Nelson.”

Tao Xu’s character is judgmental at times, which is ironic considering he claims to be defending Charlie against similar judgment. While Tao has good intentions, his actions tend to cause drama. However, Charlie is strong enough to stick to what he knows and feels. Tao Xu eventually agrees to give Nick a chance, and Charlie once again inspires acceptance and kindness.

“That’s okay! You don’t have to be sure! You don’t even have to think about it!”

Charlie is always understanding and helps Nick through his insecurities about being bisexual. He assures Nick that there is no need to analyze himself or even label himself if he doesn’t want to. All of Charlie’s reassurances apply to anyone who is still discovering their sexual identity.

“And you think he’s straight just because he doesn’t LOOK gay?”

Charlie calls out Tao Xu’s stereotyped perspective of LGBTQ+ people, as Tao sees Nick as a typical rugby player who couldn’t possibly be gay. Tao’s image of gay people is narrow, and Charlie tries to convince him to get to know Nick before judging him. This subplot shows how prejudice can manifest in many forms, and it’s always ultimately harmful.

“I wish I had known you. I wish I’d known then what I know now.”

Nick feels protective over Charlie, who is smaller than him and who has been severely bullied in the past for being gay. The Effects of Peer Influence on Self-Esteem can be devastating, and it took a long time for Charlie to find his confidence again. Nick is starting to realize what it’s like to be judged and bullied, and he hates that it happened to Charlie.

“I’m going out with Charlie Spring.”

When Nick finally comes out to a couple of his female friends, it is a turning point in his life and the mark of a more positive, secure future. Nick finds that telling someone makes him feel better, and he decides soon after to tell his mother as well. He makes his statement with a directness that is characteristic of Nick himself.

“I feel like…I don’t really understand myself enough yet. I’m not sure what I identify as.”

Nick knows how he feels about Charlie but doesn’t know how to define his sexuality. Nick’s journey of self-discovery demonstrates that discovering one’s sexuality is not always a straightforward or easy process, and that it can be a deeply confusing and life-changing time in one’s life.

“You told someone! You came out to someone!!”

Charlie’s enthusiasm for Nick’s gradual emergence is genuine and unconditional, which is a major aspect of why Nick likes him so much. Charlie is always supportive and happy for the progress Nick makes in Overcoming Internal Anti-Gay Bias and putting aside his fears of social rejection. This representation on Oseman’s behalf encourages a positive and unyielding form of support for members of the LGBTQ+ community, regardless of where they are in their personal journey.

“I’ve seen them at parties. They’re not…they’re kind of…They’re not like your friends.”

Tori worries about Charlie hanging out with Nick’s friends, who are known to be judgmental and homophobic. Charlie knows this too, but he wants to be with Nick and agrees to go. Tori’s statement foreshadows the bullying that Charlie endures at the movie theater, particularly from Harry, who openly mocks Charlie for being gay.

“I’m not gonna let someone like him intimidate me.”

Charlie demonstrates confidence and a strong sense of self when encountering bullies after dealing with it for so long. He also acts as a positive role model for Nick, who is still trying to balance his need for social acceptance with his desire to be with Charlie. The Effects of Peer Influence on Self-Esteem are particularly evident in how Nick handles Harry’s bullying.

“I’ll be next to you if you need to hold my hand.”

Charlie and Nick are always flirting and saying kind words to one another, and their openness about this grows throughout the novel. Even when Nick is with his other friends, he starts to pay more attention to Charlie and to be affectionate with him in public. This shows how The Sparks of First Love have inspired him to be unapologetic about he expresses his feelings and enjoy his time with his partner.

“You don’t seem that gay, to be honest. I mean, you SOUND sort of gay, but that’s it!”

Harry displays extreme anti-gay bias despite claiming not to and talks to Charlie in a dehumanizing manner. He asks Charlie numerous stereotypical questions and makes bold assumptions about what Charlie likes and for whom he has feelings. This represents common, biased misconceptions about how LGBTQ+ people behave, speak, and generally conduct themselves. While Charlie is used to it, he shouldn’t have to be.

“I’m sure he can deal with it. He’s probably used to it by now.”

In a mean-spirited tone with ill intentions, Harry points out that Charlie has likely already been bullied a lot and has grown used to the experience. Charlie has admitted the very same, and the statement makes Nick pause and reflect on the level of pain Charlie must have experienced. Seeing how horribly Harry treats Charlie makes Nick never want to hang out with him again, and it inspires Nick to evaluate his choice of friends over the years.

“I’m so angry at myself for not seeing how horrible all my friends are until now.”

Nick confesses that he was blind toward his friends’ prejudiced nature for a long time, largely due to a desire to fit in and be liked. Nick admits that Charlie is his only close friend, and his other friendships were shallow at best. Nick’s self-esteem suffers as a result of his reflections, but it also inspires him to improve and come out to his mother.

“I know I’ve been unsure about it for a while, but I’m definitely bisexual. And I don’t want to have to creep around, pretending we’re just friends.”

Nick is finally tired of having to hide his relationship and ultimately hide who he is as a person. He decides that he is done being afraid of what others will think and wants to fully embrace his relationship and his newfound self. The Sparks of First Love inspire Nick to have this change of heart, as he discovers there are more important things than fitting in.

“WE’RE BOYFRIENDS!!”

Nick and Charlie shout their happiness out to the world, and doing so is a cathartic experience particularly for Nick, who has been hiding who he is for so long. Upon finally Overcoming Internal Anti-Gay Bias and accepting who he is, Nick can live in the moment and feel the joy that Charlie feels when they’re together. This also directly contrasts the many private conversations and texts they’ve had throughout the novel; now, they can be honest as loudly as they please.