Felix is a seventeen-year-old art student attending a prestigious summer program at St. Catherine's. As a Black, queer, and transgender teenager from a lower-income background, he frequently doubts his self-worth and fears he is fundamentally unlovable. He desperately wants to earn a scholarship to Brown University to prove his talent to the world. When an anonymous bully displays his pre-transition photos on the school's gallery wall, he begins a determined investigation to find the culprit while simultaneously questioning his gender identity.

Ezra is Felix's wealthy best friend who lives alone in an upscale apartment paid for by his parents. Though he possesses significant financial privilege, he feels emotionally neglected by his family and constantly worries about his path in life. He consistently validates Felix's experiences and acts as a calming presence during moments of high anxiety.

Declan is a talented, outspoken student at St. Catherine's competing directly against Felix for the Brown University scholarship. He projects an arrogant, bullying exterior that alienates many of his classmates. Underneath this abrasive surface, he deals with intense familial rejection and a profound desire for genuine connection.

Austin is a white, cisgender, gay student who begins dating Ezra during the summer program. Felix finds him highly annoying and resents his constant presence around Ezra. He views himself as progressive but often fails to examine his own privileges within the queer community.

Leah is a photography student at St. Catherine's with a specific talent for hacking into cell phones. She is an energetic, positive presence who actively supports marginalized peers. When Felix decides to investigate the transphobic gallery display, she readily volunteers her tech skills to help him track down the responsible party.

Marisol is a classmate who briefly went on a few dates with Felix before rejecting him. She occasionally makes ignorant, transphobic comments that heavily impact Felix's self-esteem. Her presence in the core friend group forces Felix to regularly confront her condescension and gatekeeping.

Felix's father works tirelessly as a doorman at a luxury condo to financially support his son's private school education. While he helped Felix access gender-affirming medical care, he continuously misgenders and deadnames him. This inconsistency creates a painful rift in their home life, leaving Felix hesitant to demand the respect he deserves.

Lorraine is Felix's mother who divorced his father and relocated to Florida to start a new family when Felix was ten years old. She never responded to the email Felix sent coming out as transgender. Her ongoing absence serves as the root cause of Felix's deepest insecurities about being fundamentally unlovable.

Jill is a perceptive art teacher who recognizes Felix's immense talent and potential. She encourages him to stop painting other people and focus on self-portraits, a suggestion that gently pushes him to confront his identity and self-worth directly on the canvas.

James is a cisgender, straight, white student at St. Catherine's. He frequently complains about identity politics and makes insensitive comments about marginalized groups, refusing to educate himself or take responsibility for his offensive behavior.

Tully is Declan's grandfather who lives in a large house in Beacon, New York. He took Declan in after Declan's father cut him off for being gay. He is welcoming to guests and eager to share stories about his own past experiences with love.

Bex is a nonbinary discussion leader who facilitates conversations for transgender and questioning individuals. They create a welcoming, open environment that allows attendees to explore their identities without judgment, actively assuring newcomers that questioning is a normal process.