Will is a 21-year-old university student acting as the sole guardian for his 10-year-old brother, Caulder. He balances his graduate studies with the pressures of surrogate parenthood and his relationship with his neighbor, Lake. He expresses his emotions through slam poetry and private journaling, though he often avoids direct conversations about difficult subjects to protect those he cares about.

Lake is a 19-year-old woman raising her younger brother, Kel, after the recent loss of their mother. She forms a tight-knit chosen family with her friends and neighbors, organizing regular dinners to share their daily highs and lows. She feels emotions intensely and expects complete honesty from her partners, often retreating when she feels hurt.

Vaughn is Will's ex-girlfriend from before he assumed guardianship of his brother. She is a university student who reappears in Will's life, attempting to rekindle their past relationship by leveraging their shared history and nostalgic gestures.

Kel is Lake's 10-year-old brother and a central part of their blended family dynamic. He is sensitive, perceptive, and deeply loyal to his friends. He relies on Lake and Will for stability following the death of his mother.

Caulder is Will's 10-year-old brother. He possesses a mischievous and pragmatic personality, often finding clever ways out of trouble. He appreciates the sacrifices his older brother makes for him, even if he expresses it through typical childhood antics.

Eddie is Lake's best friend. She communicates with a witty, blunt style and fiercely supports those she cares about. She faces sudden life changes that test her relationship and force her to mature quickly.

Gavin is Will's closest friend and Eddie's boyfriend. Initially easygoing and carefree, he works as a pizza delivery driver while trying to figure out his path in life. He acts as a sounding board for Will during moments of crisis.

Kiersten is the precocious 11-year-old neighbor who quickly integrates into Will and Lake's social circle. She has an advanced vocabulary and speaks with a childlike bluntness that often surprises the adults around her. She invents the use of the word "butterfly" as a substitute for profanity.

Sherry is Kiersten's mother and an observant neighbor. She naturally assumes a maternal role for Will, Lake, and their friends, stepping in to clean or offer wisdom without passing judgment on their unconventional household.

Reece is Will's childhood best friend who has recently completed his military service. He temporarily moves in with Will but brings disruptive energy and complicated loyalties into the household.

Julia is Lake and Kel's late mother. Though she passes away before the events of this specific story, her presence remains central through a glass vase filled with origami stars. Each star contains a piece of written advice for her children to use when they need guidance.

Mrs. Brill is a teacher at Kel and Kiersten's elementary school. She holds traditional views on family structures and is initially dismissive of Will acting as a parental figure for the children in his care.