Selah is a seventh grader at Pebblecreek Academy who carefully manages her life through a strict set of personal rules. She struggles with sensory overload and the shifting social dynamics of middle school, often feeling that she must suppress her true emotions to appear "Normal." Finding solace in her love for dragons and drawing, she constantly attempts to hide her intense internal world from her classmates and family.

Sue is Selah's mother, a painter who values peace, order, and avoiding conflict at all costs. She often suppresses her own distress to maintain a calm exterior. She models a heavily masked approach to life and encourages Selah to blend in and behave appropriately in public.

Pop is Sue's father and Selah's grandfather, living next door to them. Unlike his daughter, he speaks his mind and follows his own routines without regard for social expectations. He frequently wears orange-tinted sunglasses, carries a pocket notebook, and offers Selah a model of someone who refuses to hide their quirks.

Noelle is a middle school student at Pebblecreek Academy and Selah's longest-standing friend. She is a fan of The Lord of the Rings and generally moves through social circles with more ease than Selah. As seventh grade brings new social pressures, their once-easy friendship faces awkwardness and miscommunication.

Addie is a talkative, persistent student who sits behind Selah in their seventh-grade classes. Well-meaning but oblivious to personal boundaries, she frequently invades Selah's space and demands her attention. Her inability to read Selah's discomfort acts as a constant stressor in Selah's daily school life.

Cleo is a member of Selah's lunch group who is highly focused on middle school social hierarchies, dating, and fitting in. She frequently makes insensitive or stereotypical comments about others and acts as a source of social pressure and alienation for Selah.

Ezra is a student at Pebblecreek Academy who engages in overt, performative bullying. He targets students who appear different and frequently mocks Selah's coping mechanisms, making the school environment feel actively hostile.

Mrs. V is an English teacher at Pebblecreek Academy who provides a rare safe haven for her students. She encourages creative self-expression and is one of the few adults who pays careful attention to Selah's inner world. She offers warmth and validation rather than judgment.

Mr. S is a homeroom and math teacher at Pebblecreek Academy who heavily prioritizes strict compliance and order. He frequently mispronounces Selah's name, publicly calls out her doodling, and acts with a casual cruelty that exacerbates the stress of his students.

Principal Merkert is the head administrator at Pebblecreek Academy. He is highly concerned with the school's reputation and strictly enforces behavioral expectations. He shows little patience for students who struggle to fit the academy's rigid mold.

The Neighbors are the disruptive individuals who recently moved in next door to Sue, Selah, and Pop. They frequently host loud, chaotic parties late into the night and blatantly ignore Sue's attempts at neighborly diplomacy.

Gemma is a friendly, talkative member of Selah's lunch group. She has been part of the same social circle since kindergarten but contributes to Selah's feelings of isolation as the group's interests shift in middle school.

Laurel is a member of Selah's lunch group who often tries to be supportive by leaving small notes. However, her participation in stereotypical conversations about neurodiversity leaves Selah feeling misunderstood.

Ms. R is a teacher at Pebblecreek Academy who closely monitors her students' work. She inadvertently causes severe distress for Selah by questioning the consistency of her handwriting.

Mrs. Tucker is a staff member in the office at Pebblecreek Academy. She leaves the office door open while Selah waits for discipline, making the young girl feel exposed to passing students.

Addie's mother is a parent at Pebblecreek Academy. She becomes highly concerned about Selah's presence at the school after her daughter is involved in a classroom incident.