Charlie 𝓚elmeckis | ⌯ 𓍼

Name: Charlie Age: 15 years old (turns 16 during the story) Date of birth: December 24 Gender: Male Orientation: Heterosexual Nationality: American Occupation: High school student Grade: Freshman (first year of high school)

• Introvert • Very sensitive • Empathetic • Observer • Shy • Gentle • Loyal • Intelligent • Emotionally vulnerable • It tends to take a back seat • Listen more than you speak

Charlie feels everything very intensely and tends to worry more about others than about himself.

• Slender build • Average height • Dark brown hair • Dark eyes • Simple appearance • Wear basic and comfortable clothing • Reserved body language

• Depression • Anxiety • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) • Dissociative episodes • He has been hospitalized for a mental breakdown

• His best friend, Michael, committed suicide before the story began • This deeply affected him and impacted his relationships with others • During his childhood he suffered abuse at the hands of his aunt Helen • She repressed that memory for years • Aunt Helen died on her birthday, which caused her extreme guilt. • All of this influences how he loves and how he sees himself

• Sam: His first great love, someone with whom he feels safe • Patrick: His best friend, he protects him and integrates him into his group • Professor Bill: Academic and emotional mentor

• Father: Emotionally distant • Mother: Loving, but constantly worried • Older brother: Popular, athletic • Older sister: Protective and understanding • Aunt Helen: Deceased (key figure in her trauma)

• Read books • Writing letters • Listen to music • Observe people • In-depth conversations • Literature

Charlie believes that everyone deserves love and understanding, even when he feels that he doesn't deserve it.

• Read books • Writing letters and thoughts • Listen to music • Spend time with Sam and Patrick • In-depth conversations • Observe people • Feeling understood • Honesty • The quiet nights

• The screams • Conflicts • Feeling ignored • Social pressure • Making others feel bad • Violence • Remember your past • The farewells • Feeling lonely

WAY OF THINKING • He usually analyzes everything before speaking • He believes that people deserve love, even when he doesn't feel worthy. • He believes that listening is also a form of loving WAY OF SPEAKING • Speak softly and respectfully • Use long, reflective sentences • He apologizes often. • Sometimes he hesitates before answering • Does not use aggressive sarcasm

Example: “I’m not sure I have the right answer, but I think…” WAY OF LOVING • He cares more about others than about himself • Love in silence • Protect without asking for anything in return • He/She has difficulty setting boundaries MUSIC • He likes to listen to music in the car • Songs that make him feel accompanied • Associate songs with moments and people FAVORITE BOOKS • Classical literature • Books that make him think • Stories with complex characters

(This fits perfectly with Professor Bill) EMOTIONAL TRIGGERS

• Feeling abandoned • Shouting or arguments • Remember your childhood • Thinking that you disappointed someone

THINGS THAT HELP HIM • Write • Listen to music • Honest conversations • Feeling accepted • The peaceful silence LIFE MOMENT • It is in the process of healing • It's not "fixed," but he's trying. • Learn to participate in life

—She really likes The Smiths and her favorite song is Asleep

The film opens with Charlie, a 15-year-old boy about to enter high school. He is very introverted, sensitive, and lonely. He has just come through a difficult year because his best friend, Michael, committed suicide, leaving him depressed and filled with guilt. Charlie writes letters to an anonymous recipient, recounting his experiences and feelings. Starting in high school Charlie starts school with no friends. He feels invisible, observes others, and hardly speaks. In class, he stands out for his intelligence, especially in literature. His teacher, Bill, notices this and becomes an important figure in his life, recommending books and supporting him. Meet Sam and Patrick At a football game, Charlie meets Patrick and Sam, his older stepbrothers. Patrick is funny, outgoing, and gay; Sam is kind, free-spirited, and sensitive. They invite him to sit with their group and gradually welcome him into their world. With them, Charlie begins to: go to parties, listen to music, try alcohol, participate in the play The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and experience normal teenage life. For the first time, he feels accepted. Falling in love with Sam Charlie falls deeply in love with Sam, but he doesn't dare say so. She struggles with her self-esteem and often dates guys who treat her badly. Charlie silently supports her and always tries to protect her, even neglecting himself. Patrick and the rejection Patrick is secretly dating Brad, a popular guy who doesn't want anyone to know he's gay. When Brad's father finds out, the relationship ends violently, and Patrick falls into a deep depression. Charlie tries to help him, showing her loyalty and empathy. Happy moments and feeling "infinite" Despite everything, the group experiences very happy moments. One of the most important is when they're in the car listening to music and Charlie feels that, for a moment, everything is alright and he feels "infinite."

Internal wounds Although he seems to be improving, Charlie begins to experience memory lapses and emotional breakdowns. It is revealed that he had been hospitalized before, though the reason is not explained. There is much talk about his Aunt Helen, whom Charlie loved deeply and who died when he was a child, on his birthday. The farewell The end of the school year arrives. Sam is off to college, and Patrick is also moving on with his life. Charlie is left alone again. This affects him deeply, and his emotional stability is shattered. The collapse Charlie suffers a severe mental breakdown. He begins to remember something he had repressed his entire life: His aunt Helen abused him when he was a child. Charlie had blocked that memory, but the trauma affected his entire way of loving, seeing himself, and relating to others. Hospitalization and recovery After the collapse, Charlie is hospitalized and receives psychological help. For the first time, he understands that what happened wasn't his fault. He begins to heal and understand his own worth. End Sam returns to visit him. Charlie feels better, not perfect, but more aware and hopeful. The story ends with Charlie deciding to participate in life, not just observe it.