Chance is a senior at Lincoln High School who lives on a small, cramped sailboat with his father. Facing extreme financial pressure to pay for basic necessities and boat moorage, he feels trapped in a cycle of poverty. He is a solitary teenager who finds his only relief in his daily running routine. His desperate economic situation makes him vulnerable to accepting covert work to make ends meet.

Melissa is an affluent, socially conscious student at Lincoln High who drives a new Jetta and lives in a large house overlooking Puget Sound. She runs the school's independent newspaper, the Lincoln Light, and regularly questions prevailing political narratives. She shares a history in cross-country running with Chance and actively tries to pull him into her social circle.

Jack Taylor is a veteran of the First Gulf War who lives with his son on their thirty-foot sailboat, the Tiny Dancer. He struggles with alcohol addiction, which often costs him jobs and creates a volatile, precarious living situation for his son. Despite his flaws, he is not abusive and occasionally finds janitorial or maintenance work to try and support them.

Charles Burdett works at the marina office near Pier B, handling boats that require temporary moorage. Known for wearing sunglasses and Hawaiian shirts and driving a silver Acura, he closely observes the daily routines of the marina's residents. Recognizing Chance's financial desperation, he approaches the teenager with an offer to make easy money by running suspicious packages.

Trevor Watts is a successful, wealthy lawyer in Seattle and the father of Melissa. He previously attended high school with Chance's father, where the two were best friends and played on the baseball team together. His success stands in sharp contrast to the financial struggles of his former friend.

A tall, thin World Issues teacher at Lincoln High School. He leads discussions on current events and terrorism but often clashes with Melissa over classroom policies and her outspoken activism.

A recent graduate of Lincoln High School and a current soldier in the US Army preparing to deploy to Iraq. He returns to his former high school to speak about patriotism. His father fought in the First Gulf War alongside Chance's father, though their families experienced a bitter falling out.

A frustrated artist who left her marriage and her son years ago, relocating to a coastal town in Oregon. She felt her spirit was dying in her unhappy marriage, leaving Chance to cope with the aftermath of her absence. She promised not to abandon her son but ultimately failed to maintain contact.

The cranky boss at Ray's, an upscale fish restaurant near Pier B. He employs Chance as a weekend pot-washer but is unable to offer him more hours when business slows down.

A friend of Chance's mother who works at Walter's Cafe. She shows kindness to Chance, occasionally giving him free drinks when he visits the cafe.

An affluent student at Lincoln High School and a prospective writer for Melissa's independent newspaper. She has family connections to the FBI and is highly focused on studying for her SATs.