Annabel is a 16-year-old model who feels isolated during her junior year of high school after a traumatic event ruined her friendship with her best friend, Sophie. Naturally conflict-averse and eager to please, she hides her true feelings to protect her family, particularly her mother. She struggles with the gap between her glamorous public image and her internal pain.

Owen is a tall, muscular, music-obsessed high school student who hosts a local radio show and works as a pizza delivery boy. Having completed anger management classes following a fight, he lives by a strict code of absolute honesty. He challenges Annabel's habit of withholding the truth, teaching her to face confrontation and express her genuine opinions.

Sophie is Annabel's former best friend and the most socially powerful girl at their high school. She is spirited and popular but also moody, jealous, and fiercely protective of her older boyfriend, Will. Sophie relies on intimidation and cruelty to control her social circle and harshly punishes anyone she perceives as a threat to her relationship.

Whitney is Annabel's middle sister, a formerly successful model in New York City whose career was derailed by severe anorexia and bulimia. Now living at home and undergoing therapy, she is private, brooding, and struggles with feeling like the overlooked middle child. Her slow recovery involves unconventional therapy assignments like growing herbs and writing.

Kirsten is the eldest Greene sister, known for her loud, dramatic, and fiery personality. She is unafraid of confrontation and prioritizes her own happiness, eventually quitting modeling to study film and communications in college. Her willingness to speak uncomfortable truths creates a deep rift with Whitney, though her blunt honesty serves an important purpose.

Will is Sophie's older, college-aged boyfriend who plays guitar in a local band. He maintains a charming, popular exterior, but his unexpected appearances at school trigger intense nausea and dread in Annabel due to their shared history.

Grace is the mother of the Greene sisters. She finds purpose and joy in managing her daughters' modeling careers. She has a history of severe depression following her own mother's death, prompting Annabel to hide personal problems to protect Grace's mental health. She is famously polite and strongly avoids conflict.

Andrew is Annabel's father and an architect who designed the family's semi-glass modern home. He is a steady, supportive presence who often tries to maintain family harmony. He focuses on structural matters and history, sometimes missing the underlying emotional struggles his daughters face.

Emily is a fellow model and classmate who was originally introduced to Sophie by Annabel. She becomes part of Sophie's inner circle but later exhibits signs of deep distress that mirror Annabel's own hidden pain, creating a silent understanding between the two girls.

Clarke is Annabel's former best friend from childhood, who was adopted from China as a baby. She is studious and shy. Her friendship with Annabel ended years ago when Annabel chose to follow Sophie's rebellious lead, leaving Clarke feeling abandoned.

Mallory is Owen's chipper, fashion-obsessed younger sister. She idolizes Annabel based on her department store commercials, completely unaware of the difficult reality behind the glamorous modeling facade she admires.

Rolly is Owen's friend and radio show co-host. He works as an "attacker" at a self-defense company, where he falls instantly in love with a girl who successfully punches him during a class.