Coley is a guarded 17-year-old who relocates from San Diego to rural Oregon following her mother's death by suicide. She isolates herself emotionally from her new surroundings, wearing her mother's oversized, rose-oil-scented Levi's jacket as a protective shield against the world. Cynical about conventional romance and resentful of her father's long absence, she struggles to find a sense of belonging until a near-accident introduces her to a local girl who captures her attention.

Sonya is a beautiful, popular local teenager who projects a carefully curated image of perfection to her friends. She secretly documents her hidden anxieties and authentic feelings on a private LiveJournal account, fearing the social ostracism that might result if she strays from her family's strict expectations. Her intense attraction to Coley clashes directly with her desire to remain safe within her restrictive, heteronormative social circle.

Trenton is an aggressive, possessive teenager embedded in Sonya's social circle. He relies on toxic behavior, physical intimidation, and cruel "jokes" to assert dominance over his peers, viewing his relationship with Sonya as a territorial entitlement. He immediately dislikes Coley and uses antigay bias to aggressively enforce the conventional standards of their small town.

Curtis is Coley's estranged father and a local jewelry maker who specializes in leaf-etched tiger's-eye pieces. After missing 14 years of his daughter's life, he awkwardly attempts to provide a stable home for her following his ex-wife's death. Burdened by past regrets, he struggles to bridge the massive emotional gap between him and his grieving, hostile daughter.

Alex is a friendly, accommodating member of Sonya and Trenton's social circle. Serving as a social chameleon and peacemaker, he frequently attempts to de-escalate Trenton's belligerent behavior. He provides Coley with a glimpse of decent, non-threatening masculinity, offering her moments of quiet solidarity amid the chaotic dynamics of the friend group.

Faith is Sonya's former dance rival and an openly lesbian teenager. She exists entirely outside the rigid social hierarchy that dictates the behavior of Sonya's friends, providing a stark contrast to their closeted fears. Her unapologetic authenticity unnerves Sonya, though she offers Coley astute warnings about the dangers lurking in their peer group.

Blake is a rebellious cashier and aspiring body piercer who provides Coley with an alternative perspective on life in Oregon. She openly discusses her chaotic past and creates confrontational art, modeling an unapologetic approach to identity. Her raw honesty and casual drug use offer a temporary, albeit messy, distraction for Coley.

SJ is a prominent member of the popular crowd in rural Oregon and one of Sonya's closest friends. She helps enforce the social norms of their friend group and initially views Coley with cold dismissiveness, preferring the established hierarchy she enjoys with her peers.

Brooke is a teenage girl embedded in Sonya's social circle. She consistently reinforces the idea that Sonya and Trenton belong together, discouraging any disruptions to the group's dynamics. She represents the casual complicity of peers who uphold restrictive social environments out of habit.

Emma is Sonya's sweet younger sister. She represents the innocent, stable family life that Coley desperately lacks, highlighting the stark contrast between the two girls' home environments. Sonya occasionally has to babysit her as a form of punishment from their mother.

Tracy is Sonya and Emma's mother. She maintains an immaculate, wealthy household and places intense pressure on Sonya to behave in a "ladylike" manner. Her strict expectations directly contribute to Sonya's deep-seated fear of authenticity and rebellion.

Kendrick is an openly gay employee at Makoto's restaurant. He provides Coley with a glimpse of a healthy, supportive community away from the toxic dynamics of her high school peers. He listens to Coley without judgment and demonstrates that living an authentic life is entirely possible.

Tye is a mushroom supplier for the local restaurants and Kendrick's boyfriend. The casual, accepted nature of his relationship with Kendrick profoundly impacts Coley, showing her that gay relationships can exist normally and happily within a community.

Coley's Mother is a deceased figure whose recent death by suicide looms heavily over the narrative. She left behind a trail of grief for both her daughter and her estranged husband. Her old Levi's jacket and a tiger's-eye pendant serve as tangible connections that force Coley and Curtis to confront their shared history.