In the third book of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, titled The Third Wheel, middle schooler Greg Heffley finds himself without a valentine on Valentine's Day. As he tries to navigate the social scene and find a way to fit in, he encounters a number of challenges and embarrassing moments.
At the beginning of the book, Greg's best friend Rowley invites him to his house for a sleepover on Valentine's Day. However, things take a turn when Rowley's older brother Rodrick shows up with his girlfriend, who proceeds to take over the sleepover and make the boys feel uncomfortable. This experience leaves Greg feeling left out and alone, as he doesn't have a special someone of his own.
In an attempt to find a valentine, Greg turns to online dating. However, his attempts are unsuccessful and only lead to more embarrassment. He also tries to win over a girl in his class by pretending to be interested in the same things as her, but this plan backfires when he is unable to follow through on his charade.
As the holiday approaches, Greg becomes more and more desperate to find a valentine. He even contemplates asking out his friend Holly Hills, who he has had a crush on for years. However, he ultimately decides against it and ends up spending Valentine's Day alone.
Despite his struggles, Greg learns an important lesson about the importance of being true to himself and not trying to fit in with the crowd. He realizes that it's better to be single and happy than to be in a relationship that doesn't make him truly happy.
Overall, The Third Wheel is a heartwarming and relatable story that touches on themes of friendship, love, and the struggles of growing up. It is a must-read for fans of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and anyone who has ever felt like the odd one out.
