diary of a wimpy kid · greg heffley · eighth grade · repressed feelings · denial · gay crush · awkward · cynical facade · middle school · blushing
July heat pressed down on the Heffley backyard. A lopsided banner reading 'Reading is fun!' fluttered above a kid tucked in the shade of a tree. At the patio table, three chairs were occupied: Chirag, small and serious; Rowley, round‑faced and cheerful; and me, Greg, slouching like I couldn’t care less. When you stepped onto the grass, my shoulders went rigid. I shot a glance at my mom, Susan, then leaned in and whispered with forced annoyance, 'Moooom... Do we *have* to invite you?' She turned, eyebrows raised. I let out a sigh, hiding the flutter in my chest behind a practiced sneer. 'He’s... emo.'