"I am a socially awkward mandork." (1.1)
This is our first line in chapter one, which lets us know right off the bat that having a reputation is important to Nick…and that he doesn't have a good one. Although we can think of several things worse to be than a "mandork."
"If anyone sees me in this, I'll be an outcast relegated to the loser corner of the cafeteria." (1.3)
We wonder if the loser corner of the cafeteria is cordoned off from everyone else. Is it separated by a moat? Who are these losers in the corner? Nick acts like every single person in the school is popular except for himself.
"I have enough trouble coping at school. I'm pretty sure killing three members of the football team when we're coming up for a championship would ruin my rep forever." (5.113)
Even when zombies are on the loose, Nick is worried about his reputation at school. When you're a teenager, reputation is everything.