Della is a ten-year-old girl adjusting to a new foster home alongside her older sister. After escaping a deeply unsafe living situation, she relies heavily on her sister for comfort and security. She possesses a bold personality, often expressing herself through blunt honesty and a quick temper. As she settles into a stable environment, she begins learning how to channel her anger into healthy self-advocacy.

Suki is Della's sixteen-year-old sister who has acted as a parent for Della's entire life. She carries an immense burden of responsibility and harbors deep trauma from their previous living arrangement. Suki tries to manage her distress independently, often pushing away well-meaning adults and friends out of misplaced shame. Her dedication to Della remains her primary focus even as her own mental health fractures.

Clifton is a long-haul truck driver and the former boyfriend of the sisters' mother. After the mother's arrest, he kept Della and Suki in his home, using his authority over the isolated girls to exert control. His predatory actions forced the sisters to flee in the middle of the night, leaving them with deep psychological scars.

Francine is a pragmatic foster mother who provides Della and Suki with their first secure home. Though she initially claims she takes in foster children simply as a job, her actions prove otherwise. She sets clear boundaries while consistently advocating for the girls' mental health needs, demonstrating patience as they adjust to feeling safe.

Teena is Suki's best friend who remains steadfastly loyal despite Suki's attempts to sever their relationship. She understands the reality of the sisters' past and refuses to let Suki isolate herself. Her presence offers a steady source of unconditional friendship when the sisters need it most.

Nevaeh is a student in Ms. Davonte's class who also attends the YMCA after-school program. Having experienced a period of homelessness and family incarceration, she approaches Della without judgment. She becomes a vital peer connection for Della, teaching her that other children also hide difficult home lives.

Trevor is a boy in Della's class who routinely harasses his female classmates. He crosses physical boundaries by pinching the girls when the teacher is not looking. His instigations frequently provoke Della into retaliation, highlighting the classroom's lack of safety.

Ms. Davonte is Della's classroom teacher. She expects strict adherence to rules and struggles to understand Della's defensive attitude and frequent use of poor language. She remains unaware of the quiet harassment occurring in her classroom until the students explicitly force her to pay attention.

Dr. Fremont is a mental health professional who works with Della to process her turbulent past. She provides practical coping skills to manage anger and helps Della separate herself from feelings of unearned guilt. She acts as a guiding voice, teaching Della that she is allowed to have dreams for the future.

Maybelline is the deli manager at the supermarket where Suki works. Though she appears strict about store policies, she quietly looks out for Della during Suki's shifts. She offers Della food, minor tasks to keep her occupied, and helpful personal advice.

Tony is the Friday night manager at Food City and a youth coach at the local YMCA. He is observant and accommodating, supporting Suki when she experiences personal distress at work and recognizing Della when she attends his after-school recreation programs.

The biological mother of Della and Suki, currently serving a prison sentence. Her severe substance addiction left her completely unable to parent, forcing a young Suki to assume all caregiving duties. Her choices left the girls highly vulnerable, and her daughters no longer expect anything from her.

Dr. Penny is the school principal. She demonstrates a deeper understanding of complex home lives than the classroom teachers, offering Della a safe space when she becomes overwhelmed. She handles behavioral issues with fairness and a focus on student safety.

A state employee assigned to manage Della and Suki's case in the foster system. She handles official paperwork regarding their future plans and documents Francine's requests for the girls to receive mental health evaluations.