Nico's Love Letters

## Nico's Love Letter

* Chapter 1
* Chapter 2

**Nico’s Love Letter** in an ongoing spin-off comic series created by Miriam Bonatre Tur. It was released a bonus for those who preordered physical copies of *Hooky* Volume One and Volume Two. While it follows many of the characters from *Hooky*, it is set in an alternate universe and is not canon to the actual comic.

The comics were initially published digitally through HarperCollins, though a physical Spanish edition of chapters 1 and 2 were made for a book singing event hosted by Miriam to celebrate the release of Hooky Volume 2 in Spanish.

## Summary

### Chapter 1

Nico is seen in the hallways at school, telling Dorian to leave him alone. Dorian, the newest member of the student council, is attempting to tell him that his earrings are not allowed according to the school dress code. Just as Nico attempts to tell him off, Dani goes over to say hi to Dorian. He points out she is not in uniform either, and tells her she needs to set a better example since she’s also on the student council. She introduces herself to Nico, whose immediately smitten- and introduces himself as the newest member of the student council.

Later on, Nico is seen in the student council room, annoyed by the bickering and complaints of the other members. The council president, Monica, settles everyone down and states they need to decide what each class is doing for the school festival. Dorian, the vice president, starts taking notes- as one of the students suggests her class put on a play. She is immediately rejected by Monica, as she’s already decided her class will be putting on Romeo and Juliet. She notices that Nico is distracted by Dani, and hatches a plan.

After the council meeting Monica stops Nico and asks if he has a crush on Dani. He freaks out and asks how she noticed, and she states she thought it was weird he wanted to join the council, and that he doodled Dani all over his desk during the meeting. Monica finds it romantic, while Nico wonders how he could tell Dani. Monica proposes he writes her a love letter. He agrees and writes one up, though it is very crude and not very deep. Monica immediately throws it away, saying it had no romantic soul. Dorian offers to help write one, and writes a heartfelt letter. Monica blushes as she reads his words. Nico writes down that it’s too Dani, but before he can write that it’s from him, Monica calls Dani into the room. She asks Dani to go relay a message to Mark Evan’s club, and has Nico go along to show her the way.

As they make their way to Mark’s club, Dani chats about the play she’ll be in. Nico, having not paid attention during the council meeting, is oblivious that they’ll all be putting on a play together. He mulls over giving her the note now, when they arrive at the board game club. Everyone is napping, with Nico commenting the club is just an excuse for Mark to avoid work. Mark appears and refutes that claim, with Dani seeing him for the first time - clearly smitten. Nico tells Mark that his club will be shut down due to it not having enough members, causing Mark to panic. Dani suggests that his club could help with the student council’s play, and he can promote his club more. He accepts and they chat, and Nico continues to stress over giving Dani the letter. He decides to sneak the letter into her backpack.

The two depart from the club, and Nico suddenly runs off, much to Dani’s confusion. She looks in her bag, and notices the letter. She reads it over and blushes, looking back at Mark. It’s revealed that Nico did not sign the letter.

### Chapter 2

The next day, Nico bursts into the student counsel room, declaring he delivered the letter. Monica and Dorian congratulate him, and ask what her reaction was. Nico reveals he left it in her backpack, so he hasn’t heard her response yet, though he anticipates he will today. Dani comes in, and says she thinks she’s in love. Nico and Monica are shocked, while Dorian is left confused. It’s revealed that Dani believes that Mark gave her the love letter, and believes it to be love at first sight. Nico realizes his mistake, as Monica is left speechless. Dani also reveals she had the letter laminated, with Dorian only then realizing that the letter he helped write was actually meant for his sister. Monica asks how Dani knows the letter is from Mark, which she shows where it was signed with a scribble that she believes looks like an ‘M.’ Monica and Dorian give a judgmental stare at Nico at his blunder.

As Dani continues to gush over the letter and everyone sulks in disappointment, Mark comes into the counsel room. He asks Monica if Dani’s suggestion of his club helping put on their play will help save his club, and Monica dreams of the potential of Mark in a production of The Little Mermaid. Dorian chimes in however, and says they can only use the props that are already in the theater department. As Monica complains over the uninspired set, Dani notices another love letter at her feet. She reads it, and this time it is signed by ‘N,’ which she interprets as Mark again- to Nico’s horror. Dorian moves some of the set around, and suggests they do Rapunzel.

Throughout the next week, we see Monica and Dorian handing issues that arise in the student counsel. Mark comes in wanting to have a line in the play that will advertise the board game club. Dani asks for a role opposite of Mark, as she wants to get to know him better. Nico bursts in asking why Mark and Dani are going to star in the play together, and that he wants an important role so he can confess to Dani. Monica wonders if she and Dorian are doing the right thing for the club by getting tied up in the drama.

Dani shows Dorian her latest love letter she’s gotten, this time signed by “Not Mark,” still oblivious that it is Nico sending the letters, much to his frustration. Monica gathers the student counsel and announces the cast for the play, such as Aisha as Rapunzel’s mother, Nico as the witch, Mark as the prince, and Dani as Rapunzel. Excited about her role with Mark, she wonders if she’ll have a stage kiss with him. Nico immediately panics, though Dorian reassures him there is no kiss in the script.

Nico felt better when Dorian said that. Kinda. He feels that he has no choice but to go to bed and see what happens tomorrow.

### Chapter 3

Miriam has only shown the cover of the chapter so far on January 11th 2024, hinting at it’s arrival.

## Characters

* Nico: A delinquent who decides to join the student council on a whim to meet Dani. Rough and brash on the outside, he falls in love at first sight when he meets Dani. He is close friends with Monica, and is Mark’s neighbor.
* Dani: A member of the volleyball team and the student council. A bit ditsy and clumsy, but has a heart of gold. She’s Dorian’s twin.
* Dorian: Vice president of the student council. He is very by the books and a bit of a pushover, but is well-intentioned. He is Dani’s twin, and seems to be close to Monica
* Monica: President of the student counsel. A helpless romantic with a somewhat domineering personality, she helps Nico on his quest to win Dani’s heart. She is close friends with Nico, and seems to be close to Dorian.
* Mark Evans: An upperclassmen and head of the board game club. A laid back guy who uses his club as a way to relax and to avoid working at his family business. Nico’s neighbor, and Dani’s crush.
* Aisha: An upperclassmen and member of the student counsel. Has a bit of an aloof attitude. Seems to be acquainted to Mark, and potentially his crush.

## Allusions to *Hooky* Universe

* Some characters from the main story are seen in the background of school, such as Anne and Ivy in the hallways, and Mark’s friends in his club.
* The armbands for the student counsel features a drawing of Carlo.
* Monica being the president of the student counsel parallels her role as a princess.
* Mark also works for his father, though it’s not stated if it’s the café.

## Trivia

* The story is meant to be a parody of shojo manga and anime, and frequently plays on the troupes from the genre.
* In the first chapter, Monica did not have her freckles. This was fixed in chapter 2.