Emmie is a 13-year-old seventh-grader who describes herself as an ordinary, quiet girl who goes unnoticed. She has intense social anxiety that manifests as a knotted stomach and an inability to speak up in class. To cope with her daily struggles, she spends most of her time drawing, creating simple artwork that features a large amount of negative space. She is highly self-critical and feels like an outcast both at school and at home.

Katie is a confident and popular seventh-grader whose life appears to be the exact opposite of Emmie's. She has a beautiful, colorful world filled with friends, supportive parents, and academic success. She excels in everything she does, from volleyball to managing her active social life, and approaches school days with eager optimism.

Brianna is a capable and somewhat bossy student in the gifted program. She has been best friends with Emmie since kindergarten, when they bonded over their opposite personalities. Now in middle school, Brianna encourages Emmie to break out of her shell and be more outgoing, though her direct approach sometimes causes friction between them.

Joe is a loud and obnoxious middle school student who thrives on teasing his peers. He specifically targets students who are too shy to defend themselves. When he finds a private piece of paper that belongs to Emmie, he uses it to relentlessly mock her and encourage other students to join in on the bullying.

Tyler is a seventh-grade boy known for his sweet smile and sensitive demeanor. He has gone to school with Emmie since kindergarten and earned her silent affection years ago when he kindly picked up her dropped eraser. Though he hangs out with more boisterous boys, he possesses a quiet side and a genuine interest in art.

Emmie's parents are busy professionals who raise their youngest daughter with a hands-off approach. Because Emmie was born much later than her siblings, her parents have largely moved past the active, attentive parenting they provided their older children. Her mother is a health and fitness enthusiast who runs a gym, while her quiet father often hides behind his newspaper telling jokes.

Brandon is Emmie's older brother. Born about a decade before Emmie, he is already away at college, leaving a quiet void in the household that contributes to Emmie's feelings of isolation.

Trina is Emmie's older sister. Like their brother, she was born long before Emmie and currently attends college, leaving her youngest sibling to face middle school without her immediate presence.