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Charlie Spring
Charlie Spring (Charles Francis Spring)
The main character, a Year 10 who wound up in the same form as his soon-to-be Best Friend and Love Interest, Nick Nelson. He is somewhat shy and rather anxious, though proves capable of keeping his cool most of the time. He loves reading and playing the drums. He is suffering from severe eating disorders and mental issues.
- Affectionate Nickname: As if "Charlie" wasn't enough, Nick often calls him "Char".
- Apologises a Lot: A product of his anxiety. Nick even says he apologises too often, prompting Charlie to say he wants to apologise for that as well.
- Beware the Nice Ones: The way Charlie pushed Ben against the wall or the rather unexpected way in which he responded to Harry when he came to apologize reveals very brutal, vulnerable, resentful, and sarcastic aspects of his personality, justified by the bullying he has suffered.
- Big Little Brother: He towers over Tori, his older sister. Though, its not difficult, she's only 5'2.
- Bookworm: Implied He likes reading, has many books, and is shown spending time at the library. His name is also on a list of high-achieving Truham students.
- Brainy Brunette: Has black hair and is very smart.
- Character Tics: Flattening his hair, which he does when nervous or flustered.
- Closet Key: For Nick, who thought he was straight before they met.
- Forced Out of the Closet: It got out that he was gay because he told a couple of friends about it (namely, Tao) who then unintentionally started other students gossiping about it.
- Gay Guy Seeks Popular Jock: Falls for outgoing rugby player Nick, despite everyone else telling him that Nick's "a ginormous heterosexual." They're all wrong.
- Gayngst: In the past, he'd cut himself as a result of the bullying at school.
- Guilt Complex: Frequently feels responsible for situations where he's clearly the victim.
- Heroes Love Dogs: He doesn't have any pets, but he absolutely adores Nick's dog Nellie.
- Heroic Self-Deprecation: As he explained it to Nick, he ended up believing the bullies at school's statements that he's disgusting.
- He's Back!: He eventually recovers from his mental illness.
- High-School Sweethearts: Ten years after meeting Nick, the pair are still deeply in love and per
Word of God do get married. - Latino Is Brown: His dad is Spanish and he has a darker skin tone to most of the other characters.
- Lovable Nerd: Despite being anxious and introverted, he's kind, caring, and smart.
- Mental Health Recovery Arc: In Chapter 5, he is on his way from recovering from his eating disorder.
- Nice Guy: While quiet, he's a kind and caring person to most. His older sister Tori believes him to be "the nicest person in the history of the universe."
- Only Known By His Nickname: Nobody, even his parents, has ever called him Charles instead of Charlie.
- Rescue Romance: In a way. It's when Nick rescues him from Ben's assault that Charlie really starts to fall for him.
- Straight Gay: That's just who he is and he doesn't act that way by fear of stereotypes.
- Strong Family Resemblance: Art of Julio as a young adult shows Charlie to be nearly identical to him, though he got Jane's blue eyes and head shape.
- Verbal Tic: When feeling anxious in a conversation, he'll end weighty lines with a quite obviously fake, "haha!"
- Weight Woe: Charlie is suffering from anorexia and dislikes the way his body looks like even though his eating disorder stems more from anxiety.
-
The Woobie: With everything he’s been through, it’s hard to not feel sorry for him.
Nick Nelson
Nick Luke Nelson (Nicholas)
Our second main protagonist, a Year 11 and Love Interest of Charlie. He is a big-hearted Lovable Jock with shades of Dumb Blonde. He also owns an Old Dog named Nellie.
- Affectionate Nickname: His mother calls him Nicky.
- Alliterative Name: Nicholas (Nick) Nelson
- Big Beautiful Man: Nick is noticeably chubby and tall but he's also considered very handsome.
- Big Little Brother: Younger than David, but both taller and could pass for older due to him being broader shouldered and more muscular.
- Bully Hunter: Defends Charlie from Ben even before they get together, and calls Harry out for his homophobia.
- Disappeared Dad: Because his parents are divorced, he lives in England with his mother and has little contact with his French father who resides in Paris and works a lot.
- Gayngst:
- Because of his bisexuality, he was really anxious figuring out his sexuality, wasn't sure whether he was gay or still straight, and struggled to admit his feelings towards Charlie.
- After their first kisses, he was frightened of being caught and left Charlie without explicitly stating his affection for him. He came back the next day to kiss him passionately and apologised in tears explaining he needs time to figure it out.
- He feared his mother's reaction, who was hopefully lovable, and his brother's one.
- At first he didn't want to come out as bisexual to his classmates or announcing officially his relationship with Charlie. He eventually did at Tara's birthday party.
- Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold: Has honey blonde hair, and is a sweet Nice Guy.
- Has a Type: In one of the mini-comics, Nick is embarrassed to realise his celebrity crushes (Zooey Deschanel and later Henry Maddox) are exactly like Charlie - in Tao's words "dark hair, blue eyes, dimples and dorky."
- High-School Sweethearts: Several comics set in the future confirm that adult Nick and Charlie are still adorably happy together, and are both planning to propose to each other.
- Last Het Romance: To Tara. They shared a kiss when they were 13 and it made Tara realize she did not enjoy kissing men. Subverted from Nick's end as he did have a crush on her, which later helped him realise he was bisexual.
- Lovable Jock: Sweet and friendly despite Charlie and his friends' worries that Nick will be a Jerk Jock like many of the other rugby players.
- Momma's Boy: Much closer to his Mum than his Dad - more than justified as Stephane is neglectful and barely around, while Sarah is loving and supportive.
- Nice Guy: Described as a golden retriever in human form.
- Sibling Yin-Yang: As noted above, he's the embodiment of a golden retriever, while his older brother David is a manipulative bully.
- Stout Strength: He's a strong, tall rugby player.
- Strong Family Resemblance: He bares more than a passing resemblance to his father Stepháne, with the same stock build and head shapes.
- Suddenly Bilingual: He had never told Charlie or any of his friends that he spoke French until they noticed it out in France.
- You Must Be Cold: Always has a hoodie or a coat to lend to Charlie when he catches cold, and he does very often.
