Chloe is a fiercely competitive, openly bisexual high school senior who relocated from Los Angeles to the conservative town of False Beach, Alabama. She attends Willowgrove Christian Academy, where she pushes back against strict puritanical rules while maintaining a flawless academic record. When her rival Shara Wheeler vanishes after suddenly kissing her, Chloe becomes obsessed with deciphering the cryptic pink notes Shara left behind.

Shara is the principal's daughter and the most popular student at Willowgrove Christian Academy. She projects an image of pious perfection that conforms perfectly to her town's conservative expectations. Despite this flawless facade, she acts unpredictably by kissing her academic rival, her neighbor, and her boyfriend before vanishing and leaving a trail of elaborate puzzles behind.

Rory is Shara's next-door neighbor, a teenager who fits into the skater crowd and often feels like an outsider at his affluent school. He harbors a long-standing romantic fixation on Shara, viewing her as an unattainable ideal. He reluctantly teams up with Chloe and his former friend Smith to decipher the clues Shara left behind.

Smith is Willowgrove's star quarterback and Shara's established boyfriend. He initially appears to fit the traditional mold of a high school athlete, but he possesses a quiet grace and a sensitive nature that contrast sharply with his environment. He joins the investigation after finding a personalized clue hidden in a bag of peach candy inside his locker.

Principal Wheeler is the head of Willowgrove Christian Academy and a prominent figure in the False Beach community. He strictly enforces puritanical rules and conservative values, prioritizing the school's pristine reputation above student expression. He appears baffled by his daughter's disappearance but remains focused on maintaining order.

Georgia is Chloe's best friend and a library aide whose family operates the local Belltower Books. She provides Chloe with a sense of stability and normalcy, though she grows increasingly frustrated as Chloe becomes consumed by the mystery surrounding Shara.

Dixon is a football player at Willowgrove who represents the toxic, prejudiced culture of the school. He is highly territorial about his social circle and makes derogatory comments about Chloe's sexuality when she attends his party.

Ash is an openly nonbinary student involved in the school's theater department. They gained attention at school after a TikTok video went viral, making their pronouns public. They are welcoming to unexpected guests at theater parties and openly discuss gender expression.

Ace is a football player who unexpectedly bridges the gap between the athletic crowd and the theater kids. He harbors a secret interest in performing and attends theater gatherings with an open mind.

Summer is a student at Willowgrove who had a severe falling out with Shara after misinterpreting a situation involving Ace. She maintains quiet ties to various social circles within the school.